Book Review: The Yankee Years | Despite what some of the early reviews from other sources suggested, this book is NOT a “tell-all”, is NOT an autobiography by Joe Torre, and is NOT written by Joe Torre.
Remarkably, the content of this book is well represented by its title: The Yankee Years. Yes, there is some “dirt” on Alex Rodriguez (I admit to skipping directly to the chapter titled “The Issues of Alex”), but the gist of this book is the rise and fall of the Yankees dynasty during Joe Torre’s stint as manager in the Bronx.
First, this book is written in the third person, by SI writer Tom Verducci. When there is insight from Torre, it is presented as a quote, in a journalistic / reporter style; for example:
“Cash, once he was in charge, wanted to be as practical as possible,” Torre said. “He put his trust in people he hired, like Billy Eppler. Billy was fine. I’d talk to him during batting practice behind the cage. I remember one time we were talking about Kyle Farnsworth. I was suspect about his ability to sustain any consistency. The thing Eppler came up with was, ‘I think it’s a good signing because of the money’. That’s fine, but I’m trying to win games and put somebody in the setup position who’s going to be consistent.”
In fact, there may be more direct quotes and material from people other than Torre. Yankees’ bullpen catcher Mike Borzello is quoted heavily, and provides most of the “dirt” on A-Rod, for example, and Roger Clemens’ personal trainer Brian McNamee was the source for nearly all of chapter 3, “Getting an Edge”, which discusses in detail the Steroid Era. Similarly, Indians GM Mark Shapiro and A’s GM Billy Beane are quoted extensively in explaining how financially challenged teams “caught up” to the Yankees, and both Theo Epstein and Kevin Millar (among others) provided their personal thoughts to the Red Sox – Yankees rivalry. More quotes strewn throughout the book are attributed to David Cone, Mike Mussina, Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi, and several others.
At the same time, perspective from Torre is what carries the book. What REALLY happened the night David Wells was punched at a diner; the thinking behind Chien-Ming Wang’s two starts in the 2007 ALCS; working around the “Joba Rules”; Larry Bowa’s influence on Robinson Cano; dealing with personalities such as Wells, Clemens, Kevin Brown, and Cone; the inside scoop on George Steinbrenner’s failing health and the ensuing change of the guard; the lovable oddness of Bernie Williams; and many, many other gems. By the end of the book, you have a very clear idea — thanks to the insight of Torre and the other sources — how and why the Yankees transformed from a team of gritty champions to a collection of underperforming prima donnas. Ironically, the book also unfolds the nearly inverse process that took place in Boston and ultimately ended “the curse”.
In addition, there are some key issues covered about baseball in general, most notably the steroid era, revenue sharing, and the spread of “Moneyball” — a movement that began in direct response to Yankees’ success at the end of the 20th century.
Though there are some parts of where Torre is presented as an innocent victim, or is given too much credit as an all-knowing guru (a smattering of “I told you so’s” are strewn throughout the pages), this book is, all in all, a fascinating read for fans who are interested in learning what was going on behind the scenes from 1998-2007. I recommend it highly to not only Yankee fans, but all baseball fans.
[NOTE: this book includes some language that would be inappropriate for younger readers]
Buy the book: The Yankee Years
Buy the audiobook: The Yankee Years
Topics: Billy Beane, brian mcnamee, Joe Torre, tom verducci
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[...] Check out Joe Janish’s review of Torre’s The Yankee Years. [...]
good review…wanted to pick this up to read on my upcoming vacation in a few days but unfortunately couldn’t. Need to read “TYY” before Appel’s book on Munson comes out. Good job.