‘I May Have Become Overly Sensitive…’- Ex-Yankees Manager Joe Torre Once Pulled Back the Curtain on Intense Feud With Front-Office

The Hall of Fame member, Joe Torre, was not only a successful player but also a powerful manager and now a well-renowned executive as well. His list of achievements includes nine All-Star appearances and one National League MVP award as a player. Moreover, he’s also won four World Series Championships and two American League Manager of the Year Awards amongst others.

Despite winning four World Series Championships and six American League Pennants, Joe Torre’s time with the Yanks wasn’t as sweet as it looked. In the year 2009, Joe Torre co-authored a book with Tom Verducci called, “The Yankee Years.” The book displayed multiple serious revelations about a few Yankee players and their front office. The authors also shed light on Joe Torre’s exit from the Yanks.

Why did Joe Torre leave the NY Yankees?

Markedly, the book, along with Joe Torre faced the voices of multiple critics because of its indirect format. While Joe Torre made claims, because of the co-author’s presence, it looked like he wasn’t the one making the claims. Essentially, it felt like he hid behind the name of the co-author. However, when asked about the claims and whether he stood by them, Joe Torre said, “I’ve got to. My name is on the book.”

Joe Torre moved to discuss his journey with the Yankees and its eventual conclusion. Joe cast a deep spotlight on the work environment at the Yankees, which, according to his words, seems low-key toxic. He said, “Unfortunately, the bottom line is what it’s all about—that’s the way things are done in New York. I may have become overly sensitive about it, but when you shake it all out and look at it from the outside, that’s pretty much where you lived as a member of the Yankees—you always lived on the edge.”

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He also discussed his dynamic with George Steinbrenner and said, “When it came down to George [Steinbrenner] and myself, there was a lot of heart and a lot of soul there. Despite all the stuff that went on—yeah, he’d get angry—you understood that if you’re going to take this job, that goes with it. You can’t pick and choose which piece of him you want to keep.”

Torre’s claims indicated a very cut-throat environment at the most successful Major League franchise in North America. But, maybe, this is why they’re this successful.

What were the thoughts of Torre about Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez?

Joe Torre also mentioned Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez multiple times in his book. He spoke about A-Rod’s desire to be number one, his constant thirst for wanting more, and his immature responses to failures. Joe said, “When Alex came, he was used to being No. 1, and with good reason because he’s always the most talented one around. I talked to Alex about just being one of the guys. He had trouble making that adjustment. He gets in his own way a lot. [He’s] got to get beyond that and not be so concerned with failing.”

Joe Torre has made multiple claims about “The Yankee Years.” What do you think about them?

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