The Yankee Years

By: Joe Torre, Tom Verducci

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

A dramatic and revelatory account of Joe Torre’s twelve years as manager of the New York Yankees.

Joe Torre is the most successful–and most respected–baseball manager of the modern era, steering the Yankees to six American League pennants and four World Series championships. When he left the team in 2007, it was front-page news around the country. Famously diplomatic during his tenure with the Yankees, Torre finally speaks out about what it was like building and managing the dynasty during those twelve glorious and tumultuous years. Written as a third-person narrative with Sports Illustrated Senior Baseball Writer Tom Verducci, THE YANKEE YEARS is a thoughtful, utterly honest, and gripping behind-the-scenes look at the Yankees organization from top to bottom.©2009 Joe Torre; (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

“One of the best books about baseball ever written.”—New York Daily News

"An insightful and non-hagiographic look at a legendary manager and team during one of baseball's most transformational eras."--Boston Globe

"The consummate insider's view of what may be the last great dynasty in baseball history."--Los Angeles Times

"An appealing portrait of a likable, hard-working man. One closes the book with a high regard for Mr. Torre, not least as a manager."--Wall Street Journal

"A lively chronicle. . . . What this book does . . . very persuasively is chart the rise and fall of one of baseball's great dynasties, while showing the care and feeding it took to bring the city of New York four championships in five years." —Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

"A capacious fresh account of [Torre’s] great run in the Bronx.... Verducci has range and ease; he's a shortstop on the page." —The New Yorker

"Compelling. . . . A hybrid of insider reporting [and] autobiography." —The Christian Science Monitor

“Fascinating reading.”—The New York Times Book Review

“[Filled with] many insights, some about human nature, many about the great American game.” —Bloomberg News

Must read

This was a great book about one of the most tumultuous eras in baseball. A must for any fan of the sport.

Ok, passed the time

I'm not a Yankee fan, but I've been a Joe Torre fan since his time with the Cardinals as a player and Braves as a manager. The book is OK. There are many good stories, insights, and some very detailed accounts of games, contract negotiations, the Steinbrenners, PEDs, and baseball in general.

The one drawback is it seems like each chapter was written without regard to what was in the other chapters. Many times there would be a reference to an event or game that was covered in a previous chapter, without any acknowledgement that the reader/listener had already been told this bit of information.

Also, it sometimes was hard to tell who was speaking and/or how the book was written (1st person, third person, etc.). The narration was good, assuming he was reading and couldn't really help the reader know when Mike Mussina was talking, Torre was talking, or someone was narrating.

If you are a Torre or Yankee fan and/or want some insight in the 12 Torre years in pinstripes, it's worth an Audible credit!

Good read for non-Yankee fans, too.

I really enjoyed the book. After hearing all of the negative talk on the NY sports talk radio stations I wasn't sure what to think. Along with all the expected behind the scenes stories I really enjoyed the excerpts regarding the transformation of the Red Sox and Indians organizations vs. the old school Yankees management ways.

It's amazing how different quotes from the book are taken out of context in the talk shows. I very glad that I listened to for myself.

Fantastic look at the last Yankees Dynasty

Joe Torre is one the all time greatest managers in baseball history! His story chronicles what life in the Bronx zoo was like from the mid 90's- the late 2000's. Author Tom Verducci pulls no punches covering the 4 World series championship teams , The infusion of steroids into the game, Moneyball, and the rise of the Redsox. Joe lead the Yankees to 2 Wild cards, 10 division titles 6 American League championships and 4 World Series championships. While helping to grow Jeter, Rivera, Williams, and Posada. While managing stars such as ARod, Sheffield, Clemens, Giambi Cone and Wells.

Wonderfully Insightful!

What I thought was going to be a book chock full of boring facts turned out to be a wonderful journey inside the clubhouse of the Yankees 1996-2008 seasons. The story is written in chronological order and does not jump around. Joe Torre goes into detail about his relationships with each one of his Yankee stars that made an impact with the team for the 12 years he was manager. He also goes into detail about how difficult and rewarding it was to work for the Steinbrenner family. My favorite section of the book detailed each one of the 4 World Series season (1996, 1998-2000). If you are a Yankees fan, this is a must read.