Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated

You have heard Michael -- while for the last several weeks. Raving about the Yankee years by Tom -- Chee and Joe Torre it is one of the best sports books. I have ever read. I told Tim Wakefield -- when we had a Mon last week about his little section in there where Joe Torre called and in the clubhouse after game seven of the ALCS and Tim raved about Torre as well. Well one of the co authors of that book from Sports Illustrated joins us on the AT&T hotline AT&T your world delivered. Convert UT is let us Thomas dale here Michaels off today but -- and for Michael.

They guys played on -- have.

We're doing great thanks. I told Wakefield about the the section in the book about Torre calling him in the clubhouse. Andy has went on for five or six Mormon it's about that very moment as well he he just loved that it was in the book.

Well -- they lag and I know a lot a lot of people think very highly -- him as well leadership he's the ultimate pro what. -- lot of the guys and I. And I'm not sure where it came about I'm sure it goes back a very long -- rap rivalry has tremendous respective weight. So. The -- definitely in the mutual love feelings are about ten and Joe Torre that question.

I don't blame publishers for trying to take the most incendiary aspects of a Balkan selling it using that before the book is published. -- but they really did mischaracterize. The things that Joe said in the things that you wrote. Have you found that sent the ball came out and people actually read what was in there that a lot of that initial furor died down.

I'll without doubt without question I mean. Look closer I would I would hang a lot it is not -- I realize. Their business is is sell books but and I think in this case what happened was. You know that the New York Post got their hands on a book about a week and Apple's portable was actually -- these doors. So that it became a situation where people were responding to what the New York Post that the book was obviously. Yeah they opened they've got to contact I got some. You know big headline out of it and I think it it definitely missed characterized the book get the -- was but I think as people were able it get there and by the book and read book and the feedback that I've gotten all the reviews that the battle book and it really did not -- that a positive thing about the book and and keep it when they create a pocket you have. People understand the context that it with which I think really is in the best most rewarding part for me is that joke book Joe I want to put something together. That you would begin to understand what happened in that air but just the Yankees around baseball even if you read that ten years. So it's -- historical document in -- and at the ball well.

That time I'll I'll happily admit that I was what do the people on this radio station that actually did read the book to. And -- fully informed and quipped here before the interview. And one thing I did want to ask you about it it's you know obviously in Boston here are very Red Sox centric and there's plenty of great Red Sox nuggets in the book. And including you know from the Schilling created and kind of the the Chinese menu method that the front office use that to determine which prospects. They were going to send Arizona which prospects Arizona wanted back. And you know Pedro warning -- not not to come to Boston are not come in New York during that ALCS for fear of his safety my question EU is amidst all that stuff that you probably -- maybe didn't know when -- investigating the book what surprised you the most. About the the Red Sox interviews and just that the years that that you covered in the book.

I can't it it was not selected surprised a lot of things work in light be a little bit more and I go back to the contreras not signing. The Red Sox. I didn't understand at the time in early in the toilet back competitive perspective what that meant in terms of a new culture that was -- up. I Delaware they got in there and you know they read it out all the -- try to keep the Yankees data there. Made a real nice bit for the guy they thought they had -- wrapped up and to -- it -- men and they all return basically to a more money. You know it's argument the -- other people that front office it was it was sort of beat the baptism for the Red Sox the that they were going to look the Yankees in the I think he would and maybe element dollar. For dollar -- Well as picture Patrick there -- up to that point I don't think that the Red Sox war you know it was a great rivalry how big is that went up against the Yankees. But looking back I mean and it and it might just say this because they actually didn't get the player you that they Schilling was one really get that. But I go back of the contreras. You know recruitment China worker in anyway. And the fact that it's dios said it was I have wrested the ball and not worry anymore about looking badly don't worry about that being out being let -- be all there. You're missing out on the wire especially the Yankees. -- that was the point where their culture began changed and and you know I thought that -- political story especially when. -- out the Yankees. And -- you know even though they beat Bob Oliver on the Red Sox the Yankees don't gothic but I didn't realize what that meant that the like -- more perspective on it. The red start changing the culture and the way to profit that -- that -- The giants that we're gonna take on now.

Did you get any confirmation visual evidence of the broken furniture in the hotel room not following the Red Sox losing -- to -- prayers during your investigations.

No I did not actually works better than urban let you know I don't -- but always know is that something was grown around that -- it. The hotel property or feel I -- personal property. We'll leave that to the imagination.

Yet the -- tell you in the book furniture was not broken however odd numbered in chief from Sports Illustrated as well that's he's also the coauthor along with Joe Torre. Of the Yankee years as I read the book one of the things are nice I mentioned this to Michael as we were both reading it at at concurrently at same time. Mike Mussina had to know he wasn't going to play this year based on a -- gave you during the course of this book.

Yeah and I didn't know at the time but none -- it but Mike -- upon his retirement did say when he what this spring training he knew that was caught on is last year. Well and a few times there and of course the -- seventies and I had no idea that this was going to be it -- air regularly either sodomy was was pretty strong and a pain. Alienated. So obviously in a completely different framework from the -- it was and that I hit. And the way I understood it and Lamar -- that he did but. You know what kinda I -- obviously he's very candid are always spot he's. He's been just been great observer of what goes not outside of his own locker and may I tried to frame has spoken -- ways that. In the year the Yankees want David -- was the one who felt that boy. When they didn't win. And actually they they basically exchange lockers some places in the rotation it became mussina. And I want those two guys to -- voices for what was happening around the team in the clubhouse dynamics. And to me it's hard to find two better -- to do that at a bank because they that they they're so intelligent but they understand what's going on outside of their own conditions. They know what the Obama team dynamics. Both of them both caught him Mike scene at work really --

You pointed out the difference between the makeup of of Joe Torre's world championship teams. And the teams that were getting beat by the Red Sox and others later on in in Joe's tenure. And you talked about the failure of the Yankee organization. Tenet to build from within that they're they're propensity to throw money at the high priced free agents. And I look at this offseason and I said they did the exact same stuff -- wasn't working.

Yet they then it was certainly don't want April what they tried the year before member they land of the 2008 season thinking that Kennedy. Chamberlain and use young guys not only bring younger going to be in there rotation. And obviously that it didn't work I think that the big mistake even though I like those three pictures we try to break of three young starting pitchers and intended when it with the Yankees mandate is not impossible. Clearly they got off and that plan and that Iran is at -- Burnett and Teixeira at first baseman. You know 450 million dollars later they are back. To what they weren't doing -- year they didn't win but here the different guys I think what they've done at least with sabathia -- They're buying prime years now which is what they weren't doing with Randy Johnson's McKenna brown the boat got. They're by the prime years of sparklers I think there -- gone about it the right way yet but the 180 from where they were last year than relying. And on their their grip a bat in baseball not their arms system mr. -- sources are getting. I mean if they ever got farm system what resources on ever read the New York Yankees but. I thought it was a smart play for them that's what they're you know the other thing that jumped out at me when the Yankees were winning. They didn't have starting pitchers of the strike people out they just didn't have. Have guys you could end up there with your stuff and there's bad and they got that now with sabathia and Burnett edit -- and helping I don't know about the not answer that but. I think they've made the right Moses you know as much as it does seem like they're they're gone back to what they -- when it -- formula didn't work. I think you'd spent that -- at the sheriff and the strikeout ability. Sabathia and Burnett is really what does -- played -- I noticed a lot of age but I'm paper I'd like what they did that went there.

A lot of interesting stuff -- in the book about George Steinbrenner and kind of you know how -- goes through the years and maybe the sort of did declined that you're seeing in him a little bit Isabel data. To on the team and lead the team and be that figurehead that he's always been in the past and you know Brian -- kind of steps up and has a great deal of power for awhile there and then. Towards the end we see the two Brothers Hank and Hal kind of stepping in and assuming some of the mantle what's your what's your opinion the current state. Of the Yankees where the power is where the separation of powers who's making the decisions who's taking the marching orders and everything.

I think that's a very good question because they're expecting it. There's still that transition very period here have really believe that said that the book that -- really was one of the greatest assets that the Arctic. -- his passion for winning was unmatched by any other war baseball and you know sometimes it was a double edged sword to cut both ways of that was a bad bank. The bottom line is that he woke up in the morning it was all about winning that game that night and Pretoria to condition it meant that he had someone delegate goto get a direct answer he didn't have to go -- historic chain of command. You know everything began. And it with the bought well that a change -- note that it really changed you know late last year and now you're I think you're still seeing. The responsibility of ownership redefine. The New York. Yet the predators are involved -- it Hank seem to be the most vocal about it is state basis I think Al out among the party. There at least seen Randy Levine -- start a little more power what he does in the business operation at this summit that baseball operations. And Brian Cashman as well there's no doubt that are -- came back after. Leo five -- and got more control baseball operations I think that the marchers today. But I still think those roles are still being defined. You know George is still involved obviously not -- basis. It'll be very interesting to see who become. The voices in New York Yankees is that it committee it's possible could be that way. But right now. We don't know what else was already secured being the voice of the tank he's it's just the sound a little bit their friend and it's hard to get a grasp -- where they're going. That is yet to be played I think the raucous buildings sort of.

I freely admit that for selfish reasons I really like George Steinbrenner -- would -- on radio on every year he has always been very generous. Making up pledges and and donations to the Jimmy Fund radio on the Yankees are a class operation to you can -- The Steinbrenner stopped was the only downer in the book for me that because it's obvious. -- in this was you know a year or two ago it's obvious how how. Apple TE -- he was then and I have a feeling it's probably worse now.

Yeah I added value around that would they acted in spring training where he got around in a wheelchair and certainly physically. Now he's he's not what you want or. And I and I think just in terms of taking on the responsibilities of running the team it is obviously been too much and these last couple years but. -- OK let that the electorate I've -- thank. And I think what you bring up what he's done for the Jimmy Fund and it is -- a lot of different charitable organization. That's part of all picture I know people look at sort of they -- man and a higher end and it and it wasn't good enough negative thing in the letter that you don't like it a good point if but he still look at a whole picture -- thank. You'll find it guys go like all good like form as well and I felt sorry. Really let them when he wasn't there anymore the pick up the on call and not think that at all unsure they have their battle in the book we go to a lot of those battles. But the bottom line and I think Joe really appreciate it a picture or tired in the first place. And -- that you that already to go directly to and get a direct answer.

I before we let you go of the season starts a week from today here at that my it'll probably be a balmy 27 or 28 when they. When they -- things off who are your picks in the American League in each of the divisions.

Married and it obviously aren't want to pick. I've been saying all along the great best scene in baseball New York bot net that they want dog -- obviously. Right now I've got New York is first place in I've got the red box of the wild card. And again I think one thing that you know -- hesitation with the Yankees not is their age but. I'm not smart enough to know who's going to be hurt and and -- not gonna make an X number can't. So right now I've got that the rays who may keep that -- papers they were last year not even a playoff. In the natural I like Minnesota and Imus -- that killed my power coming back. Doesn't. Obviously that's gonna change a lot of bank let probably would go to Cleveland but right now but -- in the essential really like that it's. And the west like the -- I don't like -- too -- of last year but. -- a lot of people are talking know what I just don't see enough established pitching at Oakland's prevent the content with the the Eagles might be ten or twelve wasn't worse they were last year but there's still going to be a playoff.

A lot of talk about this over the last week or social real quick time it's Curt Schilling hall of Famer in your book guests are now.

I think yes guys they're really elevated numbers regular seat and are borderline but that -- even component to me is absolutely what then I'll order I -- Ask twenty baseball mandate that -- guys that they would want to get the ball do in a post season game. And chilling would be one of us Spybot everybody's less boats may. You know he'd get it over under very ending an October -- restart. I think unit.

He is Tom -- of Sports Illustrated and SI dot com he's the coauthor along with Joe Torre of the Yankee years but if you're Red Sox fan. Believe me there's as much good Red Sox stuff in the book is there is yankees stuff probably always appreciate it take in the time thanks for being with us.

My pleasure guys I'd rather make you take care correct.

At it's not covered in chief from Sports Illustrated joining us on the AT&T hotline. AT&T. Your world delivered.