Jim Colyer
Feb 13th, 2009, 07:40 PM
THE YANKEE YEARS by JOE TORRE & TOM VERDUCCI
Tom Verducci chronicles the 12 years in which Joe Torre managed the New York Yankees 1996-2007.
Torre was actually owner George Steinbrenner's fourth choice as the Yankees' manager for 96. Torre had a losing record as a manager up to that point, but he was a man who believed in honesty and trust. He was a calming influence. He also had a way with the media. Torre was elated to have the job.
The Yankees' starting rotation for 96 included David Cone, Jimmy Key and a young Andy Pettitte. Tino Martinez was on first. Wade Boggs was on third. Rookie Derek Jeter was at shortstop. Bernie Williams was in center field. Paul O'Neill was in right.
The Yankees faced the formidable Atlanta Braves in the 96 World Series. It was catcher Jim Leyritz who turned the Series around with a three-run home run in Game 4. Under Joe Torre, the Yankees became World Champions for the first time in 18 years.
Under Torre, the New York Yankees won 4 out of 5 World Series. They reached the Series 6 times in 8 years. They got to the postseason 12 years in a row. Torre managed the greatest dynasty in modern baseball.
Verducci says the success 1996-2000 was based more on the character of the players than on their talent. They played as a team. Winning was more important to them than individual statistics.
Verducci calls the 1998 Yankees the "pinnacle of the dynasty." He goes into detail about the players and what they meant to that special team. He praises the leadership of Cone, the ferosity of O'Neill and the humility of Jeter. That team won a total of 125 games, more than any other team in baseball history. They had a "desperation to win." The 98 Yankees swept the San Diego Padres in the World Series with unlikely Scott Brosius as the Series MVP.
Continue at http://jimcolyer.com/papers/entry?id=190
Tom Verducci chronicles the 12 years in which Joe Torre managed the New York Yankees 1996-2007.
Torre was actually owner George Steinbrenner's fourth choice as the Yankees' manager for 96. Torre had a losing record as a manager up to that point, but he was a man who believed in honesty and trust. He was a calming influence. He also had a way with the media. Torre was elated to have the job.
The Yankees' starting rotation for 96 included David Cone, Jimmy Key and a young Andy Pettitte. Tino Martinez was on first. Wade Boggs was on third. Rookie Derek Jeter was at shortstop. Bernie Williams was in center field. Paul O'Neill was in right.
The Yankees faced the formidable Atlanta Braves in the 96 World Series. It was catcher Jim Leyritz who turned the Series around with a three-run home run in Game 4. Under Joe Torre, the Yankees became World Champions for the first time in 18 years.
Under Torre, the New York Yankees won 4 out of 5 World Series. They reached the Series 6 times in 8 years. They got to the postseason 12 years in a row. Torre managed the greatest dynasty in modern baseball.
Verducci says the success 1996-2000 was based more on the character of the players than on their talent. They played as a team. Winning was more important to them than individual statistics.
Verducci calls the 1998 Yankees the "pinnacle of the dynasty." He goes into detail about the players and what they meant to that special team. He praises the leadership of Cone, the ferosity of O'Neill and the humility of Jeter. That team won a total of 125 games, more than any other team in baseball history. They had a "desperation to win." The 98 Yankees swept the San Diego Padres in the World Series with unlikely Scott Brosius as the Series MVP.
Continue at http://jimcolyer.com/papers/entry?id=190