LOS ANGELES — Don't expect an apology, A-Rod. Joe Torre is standing by everything he says in his new book.

"I really don't think there's anything in the book at all that'd I'd apologize for. I feel badly if people are taking it the wrong way. I'm not going to say I'm insensitive to it," Torre said Friday night.

"I think that's what makes me who I am, because I have sensitivity. But I think I was very sensitive in writing the book."

Torre spoke about the book, "The Yankee Years," outside the CNN building after appearing on the "Larry King Live" show.

The former Yankees — and now Los Angeles Dodgers — manager was asked about former New York pitcher David Wells' comment that Torre was a "punk" for writing about things that happened in the "sanctity" of the clubhouse.

"I have a feeling that Boomer hasn't read the book yet, and after Boomer reads the book, hopefully he'll get a different perspective," Torre told The Associated Press.

Torre said the excerpts that have surfaced from the book, mostly critical comments about Alex Rodriguez, Kevin Brown and Wells, among others, need to be considered in the context of the entire book.

"A little information comes out and you've got to deal with five pages or whatever it was in a 500-page book," Torre said. "I'm sort of used to it. You don't like people to get the wrong idea, and I certainly feel good about the way the book turned out.

"It wasn't anything we did behind anybody's back. It really wasn't anything serious. I'm proud of the book and I hope people take time to read it so they'll understand it."

Talking about the dynamics of his relationship with players, Torre said, "Not necessarily seeing eye-to-eye doesn't mean that you dislike somebody or that you can't work with them. I think what's unique about the game is the fact that they are professionals and they do good things."

Earlier, Torre told King that he's shocked by the uproar the book has caused. Torre said the book, due out Tuesday, is merely an honest account of his time managing the high-profile club.

"It was a great 12 years in New York," Torre said later. "Sometimes you win four World Series the first five years, people think it's a piece of cake.

"I was just letting people know what goes into the decision-making, and I think I did that without violating any confidences."

The book takes some nasty swings at several of his former players and gives a candid account of Torre's acrimonious split with the team. Some of the most scathing comments involve Rodriguez, whom Torre accused of changing the clubhouse culture and of being too concerned about records.

"It changed the personality somewhat, but it doesn't mean you can't win," Torre told King.

According to the book, co-authored by Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci, some of A-Rod's teammates referred to him as "A-Fraud." Torre said the two haven't spoken since Torre turned down the Yankees' one-year contract offer following the 2007 season.

"I've had best wishes through people, I've texted him on occasion, but I haven't talked to Alex since I left," Torre said. "I don't think there's anything in this book that's going to make Alex angry."

Torre said in the book that "The difference between Kevin Brown and David Wells is that both make your life miserable, but David Wells meant to."

After the King show, Torre said, "I think I had more disagreements with Boomer (Wells) than any other player. But my job was to deal with it, his job was to deal with it."