Joe Torre Slams Alex Rodriguez, Yankees in New Book

Dodgers manager Joe Torre isn't pulling any punches in a new book about his time in the Yankee dugout. According to the New York Post, Torre's book, entitled The Yankee Years, features the normally placid Torre ripping his former players, team executives, and even the team doctors.

Torre claims that when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999, the team doctors told George Steinbrenner about the illness before telling Torre himself. He also alleges that general manager Brian Cashman never told his bosses that Torre wanted a two-year extension after the 2007 season and sat quietly while Torre and the team's executives met before his departure. Torre was previously open about his disgust with team executives, but had no ill words for Cashman until now.

He saves his most damning words for Alex Rodriguez, however.

Along with other Yankee teammates, A-Rod gets painted as a prima donna. The treatment only gets worse from there.

Torre gets most personal in his attacks against Alex Rodriguez, who he says was called "A-Fraud" by his teammates after he developed a "Single White Female"-like obsession with team captain Derek Jeter and asked for a personal clubhouse assistant to run errands for him.

Everything he writes may be true, but it's surprising that Torre would go this route. His tenure with the Yankees left him with one of the most pristine reputations in all of sports, beloved for his genial nature and calm stewardship at the helm of Big Stein's Bronx Zoo. That's earned him the respect of millions, which translates into endorsement money and a spot among the revered group of baseball sages. This book makes him seem vindictive and, in regard to hopping onboard the A-Rod hate train, petty.

Great Yankee Players - Where Are They Now?

Then: Reggie Jackson | One of the brightest stars ever to play at Yankee Stadium, which will host its final regular-season game tonight, Jackson is best known for being the linchpin of the 1977 and 1978 World Series squads, including a three-home run performance in Game 6 against the Dodgers in 1977.

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Now: Jackson owns a chain of auto dealerships in California, and became a player in the sports memorabilia industry. He also has been active in trying to become a part of an ownership group of an MLB team.

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Then: Dwight Gooden | The star pitcher spent two stints in the Bronx, one with the World Series team in 1996, and then another one with the championship squad in 2000. His career declined sharply though, primarily due to injuries and drug abuse.

Anthony Onchak, AP

Now: After several brushes with the law and spending time in jail, Gooden now helps his son with his rap music career at DJR Entertainment and Hall of Fame Records.

Chris O'Meara, AP

Then: Jim Leyritz | The Yankee catcher inked himself into team lore after he helped fuel a New York comeback in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series against Atlanta, leading the team to its first title since 1978.

Ron Frehm, AP

Now: Leyritz faces manslaughter charges in Florida after a fatal accident that killed a woman on December 28, 2007.

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Then: Darryl Strawberry | After a bout with cocaine addiction, the former Mets star played several seasons with the Yankees, and showed flashes of his former self in pinstripes.

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Now: Strawberry lives in Missouri, and does occasional commentary for SportsNet New York. He also appeared on Spike TV's 'Pros vs. Joes.' His son, D.J., played 33 games with the Phoenix Suns last year, and is now a member of the Houston Rockets.

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Then: Bernie Williams | The five-time All-Star spent his entire career with the Yankees. He's second in the franchise's history in doubles and was the MVP of the 1996 World Series.

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Now: Williams strums the guitar, and he will be releasing a new album next spring. He also recently made an appearance at the White House T-ball game.

Roger Kisby, Getty Images