Steinbrenner Speaks

    There’s been such a huge uproar over Yankees owner George Steinbrenner’s surprising interview with the Associated Press. The Yankees, having just come off of winning two of three from the frontrunning Red Sox, will undoubtedly try and blame the sudden distraction of Steinbrenner’s interview as a partial reason for their lackluster performances against the Los Angeles Angels the past two days. In looking at Steinbrenner’s quotes though, what exactly did he say that was so outrageous?
    The main quotes: Brian Cashman "is on a big hook", and "he wanted sole authority. He got it. Now he’s got to deliver"; and Jason Giambi ""should have kept his mouth shut" are completely appropriate for the owner of the team and actually quite tame compared to how Steinbrenner would have exploded twenty years ago if he were paying the amount of money he’s paying for the Yankees current performance.
    Age has marginalized Steinbrenner’s bluster to a remarkable degree, and has limited his public appearances and interviews to the stunning surprise that the AP interview was. The disbelief that accompanied the interview was much ado about nothing. What exactly did Steinbrenner say that was so stunning? Cashman did demand full authority, received it and has presided over this current mess. Such names as Kyle Farnsworth, Carl Pavano and Bobby Abreu are Cashman acquisitions. The big league team’s struggles are clouding the good work that Cashman has done in rebuilding the farm system; but if the team finishes the season the way it started, Cashman may find himself out of a job.  As far as I’m concerned, Steinbrenner has been and is continuing to show an amazing amount of restraint for any owner; not just by his own maniacal standards. He’s wants accountability, and there’s nothing wrong or blustery about that.