I just finished reading ” The Yankee Years ” which served as a nice primer for the 2009 Major League Baseball season.
” The Yankee Years ” is the much anticipated book with Joe Torre, the former Yankee Manager who had tremendous success with the club beginning in 1996 and running to 2007.
First, let’s be clear on this, the book is written, well written, by Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated, and not by Joe Torre.
In fact, while Torre is the central character, the sense you get is one of a remarkable 12 year year flashback as recorded by Sports Illustrated, and then confirmed & expanded by Torre’s comments and perspective.
What did I like best ?
First of all, surprisingly, I enjoyed the depth and quality of coverage of the Steriods era in Major League Baseball and came to respect the Rick Hellings of the World, and moreso, understand, as oppose to condemn, those who have partaken in performance enhancing products.
And secondly, I really loved the team dynamic of ” The Yankee Years “, why some combinations worked and some combinations bombed.
Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriquez, Tino Martinez, Kevin Brown, Paul O’Neill, Carl Pavano, and on it goes.
Some times it worked; other times it was a fiasco.
The book works; ” The Yankee Years “
” Play Ball “
I’m Fred Wallace