Torre in his own words
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc, Podcast on Feb 03, 2009 
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Thanks to sports editor Susie Arth for helping me get that first update up as soon as Torre finished speaking to the media. I’ve now braved the (really, really swirling) snow and am in a Starbucks on Broadway where they appear to have internet access.
Click below to hear what Torre had to say on a number of subjects, including the one it seems most of you guys were interested in hearing about: Violating clubhouse trust.
In short, Torre says he doesn’t believe he’s guilty of that at all. He even said there were things he left out of the book that were in earlier drafts because he was concerned about crossing that line. “I just wanted to write about my time with the Yankees,” he said, when asked about his motivation for the book. He said several times that his tenure in the Bronx was a “celebration” and mostly good times, but that he had to address the tougher times as well for it to be a complete story.
Listen for yourself. You’ll have more opportunities to hear Torre on radio and TV this afternoon and tomorrow.
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So according to Joe we should be patting him on the back for leaving other things out, while including things he shouldn’t.
So he left out the anecdote in which Don Zimmer revealed that he didn’t know who Karim Garcia was either?
How is it not crossing the line talking about johnny damon and his depression when the word depression has never been spoken about johnny. To me it seems to be more selective crossing the line.
This just proves that Torre has gotten delusional in his advanced age.
So people are talking Manny again, much better than the Torre talk.
If Abreu is being offered 8mm then we should be able to move Matsui and pay 5 to 6mm of his 13mm. Trading Nady should be pretty easy if we don’t ask for much in return.
So get creative and offer Manny 3 yrs at 65-75mm with deferred salary in 09.
We will be set for 3 yrs with the best team in baseball.
We are not in that position right now. We have one of the best pitching staffs for the next 3 yrs but not the best line up.
Manny gives us that.
Factor in the following:
1- Only giving up a 4th rd draft pick vs what we will have to give up next yr when we go big game OF hunting
2- Manny absolutely wants to be a yankee and absolutely belongs in the AL not the NL
3- This gives us the 3 yr window shot during Jeter,Mo,Posada, potentially CC’s 3 yr window to win
4- Gives Arod the line up support that he doesn’t have right now
5- Keeps him out of Flushing and pisses off Boston and LA along with Torre. No way Manny will want to play in LA this year
So many reasons for and only salary against. Salary deferring takes care of that.
Cmon Cash, swoop in and solidify this team for a 3 yr canyon run.
Do you really expect Joe to put any other spin on this? Its too late now to say I screwed up.
Stubborn old man who can’t manage a bullpen.
Hey Joe, here’s your cake. You selfish, gluttonous buffoon, you want to eat it too, don’t you?
What’s tougher for Joe – trying to spin this or figuring out how to manage a bullpen?
Thank you Sam. Thank you sports editor Susie.
Sign Manny and win the World Series.
He was a problem w/the Sox bc they continued to jerk him around. Waivers, free agency, his options etc..
A one year deal with Manny on a mission and thats 95+ wins and a completely devastating lineup with power arms on the mound.
He has no choice. He can’t pull a Charles Barkley and say he was “misquoted” in his own book.
He’s great with the media. Its not like he is going to hear a question that he can’t answer. He has canned responses for every question posed to him because he’s been briefed very well by his people. That’s what you do in situations like this.
The issue now is, how will this affect his ability to handle the Dodgers clubhouse? That’s unknown right now.
As far as how it will affect the Yankees, it won’t. Its a non-issue for the 2009 team.
It just killed a few more days until ST with some spirited debate/discussion.
For that, we have to thank him! lol
YankeeRay – I don’t think the Yankees need Manny. Posada will have to be our DH if he can’t catch anymore, now that 1B is taken. The last thing we should do is create a logjam there. And no we don’t want to stick Manny in the outfield.
Right now we need a viable replacement for Posada and maybe a center fielder. Then we’re good.
““I just wanted to write about my time with the Yankees,” he said, when asked about his motivation for the book.”
No what he meant to say is that he wanted to make money off of the players who won him those championships by throwing them under the bus. Its wrong what he did and he knows it! I hope the Yankees never acknowledge his “accomplishments” the players won those championships. Derek, Tino, Scott, Paul, Jorge, Mariano, Bernie, Andy those are the guys who should be credited.
What a stupid open to his show. I didn’t stand in the snow to get his book. I am waiting for my local library to say they have it and I’ll get it from there.
I wonder if the YES network will update his Yankeeography?
“That was not my intention” is not the same as “no”.
Kay is a sell out. He didn’t interview Joe, Andrew Marshand or who ever the heck he is did.
Calm down Kay, I didn’t wait in the snow and I am not buying the book
The Yankees aren’t paying 5-6 million of Matsui’s contract to deal him and sign Manny. They also aren’t giving Nady away to sign Manny. Its delusional.
Its not how you run a real baseball team.
They aren’t reconfiguring their entire team for Manny.
At some point, reality has to take over from fantasy.
They have no interest in Manny. Unlike Tex, a guy they had interest in depending on the deal, they aren’t paying Manny 25+ million dollars a year.
Just not happening.
m-
Responding to your post from two threads ago, wondering why you and I viewed Andy and Torre differently, I respect your response and understand it. Since we are back on the subject of Torre, I thought I’d go ahead and respond here.
I view Andy and Torre differently. I’m a Pettitte fan, but was never a huge Torre fan. I didn’t dislike Torre, but I find it hard to root for managers. Andy is a player, and I root for players.
I also believe the Yanks treated Andy pretty shabbily. When you look around at all the other pitcher contracts signed this year, it is clear to me the Yanks took advantage of his desire to pitch for us by offering him the deal they did.
I guess I never had Joe on that high a pedestal. For what it’s worth, I think he made a number of mistakes, especially after 2003. I think he had the sportswriters intimidated. I think he had a big ego. I thought a change in managers was needed and supported the Yankee management when they hired Girardi.
That said, I respect Torre immensely for what he did here, winning the World Series 4 times, getting us to the World Series 6 times, and making the playoffs 12 straight years. I also think he had a lot to do with the team’s comebacks in 2006 and 2007.
So I’m willing to cut Torre a little slack, especially with respect to a book I haven’t read, and I’d like to see other Yankee fans do the same.
Besides, and maybe more importantly, if we let the book sour us on Torre, it will inevitably sour our memories (at least a little) of 1996-2000. There’s no reason to let that happen.
Now, Nick in SF, that probably reveals even more about me but modern critical theory would say that is unavoidable anyway.
“A one year deal with Manny on a mission and thats 95+ wins and a completely devastating lineup with power arms on the mound.”
Exactly. Manny on a mission to get back at Boston and to prove hes still worth big money. I like it.
the kay thing is a total farce, it’s recorded clips that andrew marchand did. i hope francessa actually gets to interview him.
Well this sucks.
Kay was going to have a credibility issue…they obviously don’t like each other
He wants to humanize Kevin Brown, does anyone here give a hoot about Kevin Brown.
A-Fraud:
“Behind his back.”
“It wasn’t behind his back.”
Can you say, *back*peddle?
applying stuff to roger’s testicles? sheesh.
sa- in Kays world because 100 idiots sat out in the snow that means Yankee fans overreacted last week to the book.
“I wanted to humanize the players”
Sure, share with the world the depressions and emotions of all the players. What a jackarse.
“People knew I was making a book”
Oh, that helps. M0r0n
Manny’s chances at being a Yankee next season are just slightly better than Torre’s chances of being invited to Randy Levine’s house for Passover.
I would guess that Torre would never agree with an interview with Kay.
So, its either get Andrew Marchand to do it or have nothing for your show.
He smartly chose the latter.
Its not like Kay and Torre are busom buddies.
Joe is doing one on one’s with “safe” interviewees.
Kay is not one of them.
Wave Your Hat: the premise of m.’s point was false.
“Besides, and maybe more importantly, if we let the book sour us on Torre, it will inevitably sour our memories (at least a little) of 1996-2000.”
I disagree with this. All it does it make me appreciate the PLAYERS from this era more and what they accomplished.
Great point by Kay there. Him talking about being so tired of New York and relieved with it being over doesn’t jive with him wanting a 2 yr deal.
“i dont want to talk about negative stuff?”
is he listening to himself?
Oh definitely Jennifer. Chill Kay.
So will Kay actually be asking Verducci questions later?
If Manny walks from the Dodgers, Torre’s so called “tougher” times with the Yankees, like for instance batting Alex 8th in the order compared to what’s ahead are going to look the good old days.
“Wave Your Hat: the premise of m.’s point was false.’
Nick, help me out here. Which premise were you objecting to?
Did anyone post that the O’s got Wiggington for 2 years?
When Kay has the same questions as me about the edit, he’s either reading this blog or I should be a little concerned I’m thinking like Kay.
The Kay show is the same stuff as Sam supplied in the link above.
No “excusive” interview. Sounds like ESPN – A. Marchand was just one of the pool reporters.
*exclusive
I did not know about the testicles thing. Kenny Rogers? Wasn’t it Kevin Brown in the fetal position?
Isn’t Manny supposed to have 24 hours to decide? That is almost coming up if he says no isn’t it us by default?
Ugh
I did not know=I did not need to know
Gayle
Moose with Francessa tomorrow
For those looking for more of a Torre fix, Bob Costas, who is joining the MLB Network, will do a one on one interview with Torre to air on the MLB Network on February 5.
That you and she were the only ones on here “to vehemently fight for Andy to come back.”
Perhaps that’s more of a false factual assertion than a premise to a larger point.
Now what’s all this hullabaloo about Joe Torre?
Al,
No. Its just negotiating.
The Yankees aren’t even talking to Boras about Manny.
Its a SF vs. LA battle right now, with the Angels lurking in the background.
I was listening to Kay online and I’m so glad there wasn’t any unbearable Mike Golic Man Stink internet only barge in commercials during the opening segment.
I hope they stopped doing that crap. It was annoying. 50 minutes of ads, 10 minutes of content per hour.
Do we trust Bob Costas to ask the tough questions? Will anybody?
Rishi:
Not liking the answers doesn’t mean the questions haven’t been asked.
“That you and she were the only ones on here “to vehemently fight for Andy to come back.”
Oh, I agree with you on that. There were a number of people who fought for Andy. I know you were in that camp. I just didn’t think that was the heart of her comment.
Of course, there were a number who didn’t want him back as well.
“Al,
No. Its just negotiating.
The Yankees aren’t even talking to Boras about Manny.
Its a SF vs. LA battle right now, with the Angels lurking in the background.”
SF is not involved. I think its LA or nowhere if the Yankees dont get involved.
Torre can’t even get his own bottle of water. Who wants that kind of ego in the clubhouse. Heh
Only one thing I learned from this interview is that he is still very good at Cash and Jeter speak. Talk plenty, say little.
I disagree…there is no probing, there is no follow up. It’s all “I hear your pre-packaged, trite responses and accept.” And, when Torre is ignoring questions, there is no follow up there either.
As you may have noticed, I don’t have violent emotions in either direction…you have no idea of the answers I am hoping to hear.
“I certainly didn’t want this much attention”.
Is it me or does everything that comes out of his mouth sound like a lie?
“It was a love fest.”
Al,
The Giants are involved. How much will depend on where it goes. They are involved.
There aren’t “nowhere” options for Manny.
Scott Boras is the best agent in the business.
Manny Ramirez will play baseball for somebody next year and he will get paid his money. Perhaps not the length of the deal he once sought but, his AAV will be over 22+ million per season.
“the innocuous questions”
Ok for all those out of the loop: Torre says in his book that he
“…once caught Kevin Brown and Clemens in a crevice while Brown was applying tiger balm to Rogers nether regions. This depressed Johnny Damon and made Bernie Williams forget his son. Then David Wells came in the room and made Torre miserable…on purpose. Cashman was standing behind Torre but said nothing”
Guys,
It doesn’t matter who asks the questions, the answers are always going to be the same.
Its not like he isn’t smooth and isn’t prepped for these interviews.
You can ask all the questions you want, he will answer them the way he wants to.
That’s just the way it is. Great for his book sales though.
You can’t pay for this time of PR.
Russell NY
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
YankeeRay – I don’t think the Yankees need Manny. Posada will have to be our DH if he can’t catch anymore, now that 1B is taken. The last thing we should do is create a logjam there. And no we don’t want to stick Manny in the outfield.
Right now we need a viable replacement for Posada and maybe a center fielder. Then we’re good.
———-
Forget Posada at DH. If we don’t get rid of Matsui Posada will not DH anyhow. If Posada can’t catch he is useless to us. I’d just as easy play Manny in the OF as I would Damon. Yes Damon is better and faster but Manny can out throw him lefty. I wouldn’t mind Manny in LF next year if Posada has to catch.
Trading Nady and Matsui is not revamping your whole team for Manny because they are both gone after next year anyway. It’s just being proactive for the next 2 yrs and this year as well. We are not going to get anything for either of them anyway so you might as well go for it this year by imroving.
We are better this year with Manny at DH.
“We are better this year with Manny at DH.”
YankeeRay, I think that even after LAD signs Manny, you’ll still be on here trying to figure out how we can trade for him. LOL!
“There aren’t “nowhere” options for Manny.
Scott Boras is the best agent in the business.”
I will grant you SJ that Boras is the best agent in the business. However this fact does not mean that is immune from reading the market incorrectly.
I think he blew it big time with Varitek this year. Boras spouted that there would be plenty of teams interested in Varitek and that simply was not the case.
crazy Steve on with Francesa. “What’s up brotha!”
“Forget Posada at DH. If we don’t get rid of Matsui Posada will not DH anyhow. If Posada can’t catch he is useless to us. I’d just as easy play Manny in the OF as I would Damon. Yes Damon is better and faster but Manny can out throw him lefty. I wouldn’t mind Manny in LF next year if Posada has to catch.
Trading Nady and Matsui is not revamping your whole team for Manny because they are both gone after next year anyway. It’s just being proactive for the next 2 yrs and this year as well. We are not going to get anything for either of them anyway so you might as well go for it this year by imroving.”
#1 – Posada is not useless if he can’t catch, he has a good bat. The Yankees aren’t going to let Posada sit around and rot for $14million/season or whatever he is making. He would play DH.
#2 – Manny in the OF over Damon? That ugly green wall largely hid the kind of CF Manny is. Oh and Damon is almost 3x cheaper and a leadoff hitter which we will be missing next year if he leaves.
#3 – Matsui is making what, 10-12 million and Nady is making 7. Say 16 million between the 2. Manny adds another 10 million to the payroll so it’s not a wash. And that is IF we can get teams to take Matsui’s entire payroll. When you can get Abreu for $8 million you don’t take Matsui at $12.
Ray,
That’s true. However, he isn’t misreading the market with Manny. The best options for Manny are SF and LA. Especially if they get into a bidding war for his services.
Varitek? Depending on who you believe, it was Varitek who turned down arbitration. I will say that was one instance where Scott should have forced him to take arbitration.
I think Manny will eventually get his money from the Dodgers. It makes too much sense for both sides not to do a deal. Especially with the Giants and Angels lurking.
If the Dodgers were to lose him to either one of those two teams, it hurts them off the field (with their fans) as well as on the field.
OF not CF
“I think he blew it big time with Varitek this year. Boras spouted that there would be plenty of teams interested in Varitek and that simply was not the case.”
He blew it on Ramirez too. He basically had Ramirez shoot his way out of his last contract. In the process Ramirez’s reputation suffered throughout baseball and his limited market has largely collapsed.
Laura – Welcome back, Andy!!
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
“We are better this year with Manny at DH.”
YankeeRay, I think that even after LAD signs Manny, you’ll still be on here trying to figure out how we can trade for him. LOL!
—–
LOL Laura. On that note, I wouldn’t want to trade for Manny because he would cost too much in return. But if the Dodgers sign him for 1 yr I will have to start all over again next year in my recruitment of him when we will be looking to replace Nady,Matsui and Damon. Why not just take care of all family business this year?
SJ,
I agree with you that it just makes too much sense for Manny not to end up with the Dodgers.
I don’t know whether Manny can keep up his production he had the last couple months with LA for the whole year, but he definitely energized that whole team and fan base.
Matsui makes 13 mil/ Nady 6.55
Matsui is going nowhere.
Steve B-
He only blew it on Ramirez if he makes less than 20 million either in 2009 or 2010. We already know he won’t make less than that this year (turned down 25). He produces again like he did, he should get more than 20 in 2010.
SJ44
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Ray,
That’s true. However, he isn’t misreading the market with Manny. The best options for Manny are SF and LA. Especially if they get into a bidding war for his services.
——
SJ, I respect your opinions but wouldn’t you agree that Manny belongs in the AL? I don’t think the LAD will go any higher and neither will SF.
At the end of the day the Yankees are the best place for him over the next 3 yrs. It’s just a matter of us clearing salary and 40 man roster space.
No number 1 draft pick to give up, and he plays with his buddy in his home town against the red sox.
Why isn’t that the best place for him?
Bronx Jeers
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Matsui makes 13 mil/ Nady 6.55
Matsui is going nowhere.
—–
Perfect, trady Nady and eat half of Matsuis salary and get low level prospects in return.
Manny now costs us 7-10mm in salary addition that we defer for this year.
Our line up is now way better and everyone is happy.
Why is this so hard to understand?
new post…
YankeeRay………honest now…..tell me……are you really Scott Boras??
Just kidding.
Ray,
What you fail to understand in all of your pitching for Manny is, the Yankees aren’t interested in “eating half” of Matsui’s salary and giving Nady away to sign Manny.
Both scenarios, while appealing to you, aren’t appealing to the Yankees.
They have no interest in doing all these machinations to sign Manny and add another 25+ million dollar salary, and a head case to boot, to the team.
Its just not going to happen. Hal Steinbrenner has made it clear they want to keep the payroll as is right now.
Even in your scenario, Manny cost the Yankees over 30 million dollars (counting the money they are eating in a Matsui trade) as well as trading (or giving away) two players.
Its not a realistic scenario, which is why its not happening.
YankeeRay
I am picturing you with a Fathead of Manny on your bedroom wall, several autographed photos of him about the house, and a dreadlock wig on the dresser you wear out under your ballcap on special ocassions.
In the heat of the moment do you ever…
no, never mind.
This is the most complete and well rounded ball team that has been in the Bronx in quite sometime…Balanced and with some depth and versatility….Manny would have been a clear option had they not picked up Mark Texeria…..This club has the earmarks iof being a very good ballteam….Be satisfied in waht we have….
“Even in your scenario, Manny cost the Yankees over 30 million dollars (counting the money they are eating in a Matsui trade)”
Don’t forget the 40% luxury tax hit either.
“Even in your scenario, Manny cost the Yankees over 30 million dollars (counting the money they are eating in a Matsui trade) as well as trading (or giving away) two players.”
Lets not forget the 40% or something luxury tax on the $10 million dollars being added in the deal. So it’s realistically an additional $14 million and getting rid of 2 players (ala your viable backup if someone in the outfield gets hurt).
Agree with SJ, DEFINITELY not happening.
how was mike F’s interview of torre?
manny may be available next year when the dh spot on the yankees may be open.
that’s when he’d really be a possibility with the yankees, and it would make more sense to sign him.
i agree that this team looks really good. it is going to be very nice expecting a good starting pitching performance every night. the yankees haven’t had that for a long time.
the only thing i’m concerned about is injuries, but that’s a problem with any team. if the yankee rotation makes most of it’s starts then they will almost be a lock for the playoffs. if there are some injuries, then things get a little interesting.