From Andrew Marchand (ESPN):
Carl Pavano didn’t pitch much for Joe Torre in his four years with the Yankees, but he has fired some tongue-and-cheek heat at his former manager over “The Yankees Years.”
In the book that Torre teamed with Sports Illustrated Tom Verducci to write, Torre says that Pavano’s Yankee teammates “hated” him, Pavano was “skittish to talk to and that Pavano was even rude to his mother.
“I am extremely disappointed that someone I had a lot of respect for would make these type of comments in his upcoming book,” said Pavano, in a statement released to 1050 ESPN New York through his agent, Tom O’Connell. “I wish nothing but the best for Joe Torre and my former Yankee teammates, but with that said it does explain why I haven’t received any Christmas cards from Joe the last few years.”
In the Yankees Years, Torre is quoted directly saying, “The players all hated [Pavano.] It was no secret.”
Torre said that Pavano had no sense of responsibility and was “always a little skittish” when you spoke to him. Finally, Torre and Verducci relayed a story when Pavano first joined the Yankees. His mother showed up to the Stadium with an “NY” painted on her face. Pavano, according to the book, said, “Get that crap off your face. You’re embarrassing me.”
How did this guy ever scoop Alyssa Milano? Then again, her track record with baseball players has always been rather suspect…
(props to RAB)
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9 Responses to Pavano Peeved
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TIQ IQ
Ha! Pavano, Zito, Penny, and Timberlake? She really knows how to pick ‘em!
On a baseball note…although I disagree strongly with Torre’s decision to publish this book (especially the timing, as he is still an active MLB manager), Pavano doesn’t exactly have a leg to stand on. Torre should not have betrayed any confidences (what happens in the clubhouse stays there), but after all, Pavano taking $40 from the Yanks is only a notch below theft.
Yeah, he is the one guy who should just shut his mouth.
I agree, Pavano is a clown that should be content no matter what anyone says about him (enjoy your money). But, I do agree with Justin in that Torre’s timing with this book just wasn’t very appropriate. Wait until you retire before railing on baseball players and former teams, please.
If anything, I would imagine that Torre’s book bothers the guys on the Dodgers more then anyone…if I was on that team, I sure would watch what I say and do around Torre a bit more, and that can hardly be conductive to playing solid, un-distracted baseball
The Dodgers have had their share of clubhouse problems over the years, too. To be blunt, it was a selfish move by Torre. Now, once spring training begins, it’s not going to be about the Dodgers (Loney, Ethier, etc.). Instead, it’ll be about Torre’s book and the Yankees. When you have a lot of young players on your team, guys who crave the spotlight, this is problematic, as the Torre situation could spawn some jealousy.
I cant imagine Ned Colletti is very pleased. His team is going to be dealing with this for a large chunk of the spring.
Of the players Torre “called out”, not many are current Yankees. Guys like Jeter, Mo, Pettite, Posada, etc. shouldn’t be affected because it had little to do with them. Torre made comments about A-Rod, Damon, Pavano, Brown, Cashman, etc. A-Rod, I would imagine, is used to people saying not-so-nice things about him. Say what you will about his “clutchness”, but it doesn’t seem to ever effect him much in terms of production. Damon is the kind of guy that can shake it off, and Cash doesn’t actually play, so I don’t see how the Yankees could be adversely affected.
Moshe, I agree about Colletti. The Dodgers have a solid team, but as a player, how can you not let such an event effect your interactions with your manager? At the very least, players would likely be more hesitant to confide in Torre and think twice before making gut decisions/comments. I know if I was a Dodger, I would keep this book in the back of my mind whenever I’m around Torre. I sure wouldn’t want the whole world to know my emotional state in the clubhouse. Torre has every right to write a book, but it reveals a hole in his character for doing it in such a controversial way. He just comes off as a bitter old man who wants to cash in on his hurt feelings.
Bottom line is, Torre made many foolish on the field decisions, and his main value was holding egos in check and managing the media. If he was a poor field manager, and this book apparently reveals that he was no longer effective of managing his players mentally and emotionally, then what reason was there to tender him a contract? Nostalgia has no place on a top-tier sports team.
That being said…what do we do about Jeter? I know I’m changing the subject, but I’m tired of hearing about Torre’s stupid book.
Jeter in regard to what, exactly? The fact that he is getting old or the fact that he does not stand up for his teammates? The old thing is overstated, and I think he will have a good year. He played well last season prior to his hand injury, and once he recovered as well. In regard to his captaincy, I think he has lots of work to do.
I should have been more specific. I mean what do we do with Jeet in terms of nostalgia when his contract is up. Since there’s a new post on Jeter up, I’ll move my discussion over there.