* First, there was Jim Bouton’s “Ball Four.” Then, Sparky Lyle wrote “The Bronx Zoo.” Now, Joe Torre has written a book. Why do current and former Yankees act with such surprise about these books? If they’re worried about what others will say, they should play for a different team, like Kansas City or Pittsburgh. There’s never any controversy there – or any championships.
JAMES PANZO
Brooklyn
* I love Joe Torre and how he led the Yanks. What I really love are his comments in his new book about that prima donna, Alex Rodriguez. Finally someone has the guts to say it like it is. Rodriguez is a great baseball player, but cannot take any pressure. He has to be the most overpaid third baseman in baseball for what he has produced. And he would not do any better at shortstop. He is great from May to September. I would trade Rodriguez in a heartbeat, but who would pay him after what he has shown all the years he has been here? He is a pampered egomaniac and expects everyone to cater to him.
STAN SILVER
Wyckoff, N.J.
* There have been a lot of athletes and coaches in the past who have left New York, and in particular the Yankees, who’ve spewed sour grapes like a bunch of scorned girlfriends. None have stooped any lower than Joe Torre. I mean, where would Joe Torre be if it weren’t for the New York Yankees? I can assure you he wouldn’t be heading for Cooperstown when he retires from or making millions of dollars managing the Dodgers. His tell-all book is a disgrace. For him to publicly humiliate Alex Rodriguez is an embarrassment. I feel sorry for all those who were suckered into his “Saint Joe” persona during his time in pinstripes. He is the real fraud.
DANNY GREGORY
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
* “The Yankee Years,” or the story of an ingrate. All that pain, and Joe Torre was still able to cash his checks. The man is a hero.
LARRY TRAPANI
Queens
* How could Joe Torre write a “Bouton-esque” exposé after all the class and restraint he has shown over the years? Say it ain’t so, Joe! With All-Star credentials as a player and Hall-of-Fame success as a manager, hasn’t Torre gotten enough attention by now? Sure, pick on Alex Rodriguez and Carl Pavano. Haven’t the media done enough of a hatchet job on these guys already? The Scottish psychiatrist, R. D. Laing, once said that “few books are forgivable.” Torre’s “The Yankee Years” certainly sounds like one that may be hard to forgive.
MICHAEL J. GORMAN
Whitestone
Mean streets
* Giants running back Brandon Jacobs doesn’t blame Plaxico Burress for what happened to him when Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg with his own gun [Paul Schwartz: “Blame Plaxico,” The Post and 24hbongdda.site, Jan. 30]. Jacobs said “no one really knows what goes on out in those streets.” I guess Burress staying home with his wife and child on a Friday night before a Sunday game instead of going out and drinking a bottle of tequila was not an option.
ANDY ROMANIC
Freeport, N.Y.
Lee-n on David
* All this talk about the Knicks getting rid of David Lee to position the team to get two prime free agents in 2010 pains me. Lee is a blue-collar guy with tons of energy. He has proven his worth this year and still has upside potential. If the Knicks are intent on letting him go, then they should trade him to a contender now and get something in return. At the very least they should make him a substantial offer as a restricted free agent, forcing another team to give up a draft pick if they sign him. I would love to see him stay, but if he has to go, then don’t let him walk as a free agent without getting something in return.
TONY MAGLIO
Las Vegas
Manny happy return
* Manny Ramirez has proven year in and year out that he can produce for any team. The Mets need his bat badly. Omar Minaya has wasted his time signing worn out players and continues to do so. We the fans say, “If Minaya does not sign Manny, then he should just walk away from the Mets.” We want Manny.
VALENTIN FIGUEROA
Manhattan
Show some mercy
* I hated to hear about the high school basketball game in Texas that ended 100-0. It means the teams are so unequal in talent and ability they should not be scheduled to play one another. I felt bad for the losing team, but I also felt bad for the winning team because the onus was put on them to stop playing. In that situation the losing coach should forfeit, or the officials should invoke a mercy rule and stop a one-sided game. At that age it should be about fun. There is no fun in being humiliated and no one should take any satisfaction in beating a helpless team.
PATRICK GRANT
Brooklyn