Jeter praises Torre, but doesn't rip Yankees

Five days after Joe Torre and the Yankees parted, team captain Derek Jeter put out a carefully crafted statement yesterday that emphasized Torre's importance in his life without ripping the Yankees. Jeter's statement said that his "great respect for Mr. Torre" had caused him to wait to speak until after Torre could express his thoughts. It's long been clear how much Torre means to Jeter, and his statement reiterated that.

"In my eyes, Joe Torre is more than a Hall of Fame manager," the statement read. "He is a friend for life, and the relationship we have shared has helped shape me in ways that transcend the game of baseball. His class, dignity, and the way he respected those around him - from ballplayers to batboys - are all qualities that are easy to admire but difficult to duplicate. Continue