The new Joe Torre book The Yankee Years was just released this week and now its causing a hail-storm of controversy. This book is on my must read list. Personally I have always hated the Yankees being a Cardinal fan. To me they ooze arrogance. I guess with the big egos and the big paychecks that would cause a large amount of arrogance. On the other hand as a Baseball Fan I do enjoy their history. As a young boy I do recall watching such Yankee greats like Reggie Jackson, Thurmon Munson, Catfish Hunter and Don Mattingly respectfully wearing the pinstripes. They where Yankee greats to me. Well back to the book, The Yankee Years chronicles the amazing stories on the diamond. The stirring comeback in the 1996 World Series against the heavily favored Braves. The wonder of 1998, when Torre led the Yanks to the most wins in Major League history. The draining and emotional drama of the 2001 World Series. The incredible twists and turns of the epic Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series against the Red Sox, in which two teams who truly despised each other battled pitch by pitch until the stunning extra-inning home run. The book is also getting mixed reviews.
This is how I remember Joe Torre. Joe played for the Cardinals from 1969 to 1974. As a Cardinal he appeared in four All-Star Games. In 1971 he was the NL-MVP. He was a very popular player here in St.Louis along with other greats like Lou Brock, Ted Simmons, Steve Carlton and Bob Gibson. He then came back to St.Louis to manage the team from 1991 to 1995.
As a manager he could'nt get past second place. His teams would manage to finish in third place.
I wish Joe Torre the best of luck.
No comments:
Post a Comment