Steinbrenner Warns Teams About Playing Hard Against the Yankees

Considering Hank Steinbrenner is sensitive enough to respond to comments made by Jonathan Papelbon, you better believe that he has an opinion about the growing Rays-Yankees feud. From the New York Post:

"There are going to be problems, especially if they go after our stars," Steinbrenner said. "It's not going to be tolerated. We never have done it to them. It's just not going to happen anymore."

Two thoughts: 1) The whole "there are going to be problems" stance contradicts the explanations issued by Shelley Duncan and Joe Girardi that Duncan's hard slide into Akinori Iwamura was unintentional. So, unless Steinbrenner wants to give MLB fuel to suspend Girardi, perhaps he ought to pipe down. 2) It's a bit early to start whining about protecting stars, isn't it? The incidents so far have involved the likes of Elliot Johnson, Francisco Cervelli, Shelley Duncan and Jonny Gomes -- in other words, players I'd be shocked if Steinbrenner could pick out of a lineup without a program.

So what's really the root of Steinbrenner's anger?

"I don't want these teams in general to forget who subsidizes a lot of them, and it's the Yankees, the Red Sox, Dodgers, Mets," he said. "I would prefer if teams want to target the Yankees that they at least start giving some of that revenue sharing and luxury tax money back. From an owners point of view, that's my point.

Ah, the truth comes out: Lil' Stein resents revenue sharing. I don't agree with the notion that team's should genuflect in the Yankees' presence, but a salary floor wouldn't be the worst idea in the world to prevent the Jeffery Lorias of the world fielding teams whose payroll is less than one corner of the Yankees' infield.

But before Hank gets too high and mighty, he should also remember that the Yankees wouldn't be able to mint their own money without the existence of other teams to play against. Keeping the bottom-feeders afloat (and occasionally competitive) isn't just good for business but absolutely necessary.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-16-2008 @ 12:40AM

gerald said...

Yeah, shut your mouth. Obviousily your a Yankees hater. It shows. He's just protecting his team. Nothing wrong with that. Wish the Tigers owner would do the same. Yes, I'm a Tiger fan.

3-16-2008 @ 2:18AM

chuck said...

Looks like the son is going to want as much attention as the Jack ass father wanted... Warns teams about playing hard against the Yankees? so now that they out spend everyone and that's not good enough, now teams have to lay down for these jackass Yankees? why dont we baseball players just declare the Yankees world series champs every yr? Like I said The Yankees are nothing but the laughing stock of baseball, a Jackass owner, and no rings with the most over rated players and over paid...

3-16-2008 @ 6:17AM

Jeffrey H. said...

Take out Jeter and A-Rod. All the Yankees do is cry.Go Orioles!

3-16-2008 @ 7:44AM

Don said...

Hank needs a large dose of Super Glue on his lips!
Yankee fan here.

3-16-2008 @ 8:15AM

TONY C. said...

THE YANKS CAN AND WILL PROTECT THEMSELFS. WE HV A FEW PICTHERS THROW OVER 100 MPH AND IM SURE THEY WILL DO THE RIGHT THING IF THINGS GET OUT OF HAND.

3-16-2008 @ 9:30AM

nigel a. said...

Pretty tough talk from a fathead who got his job from his father. We've all heard of cancers in the locker room. 'Bout time someone started pointing out cancers in the front office. Nothing good with come of the Yankess with this idiot at the wheel.

3-16-2008 @ 10:04AM

Ralph Garcia said...

Hank, don't you see what is happening? The media is trying to stir things up and the regular season isn't even underway. In '61 they said Mantle and Maris had a feud when they didn't. They called Maris surly after he got tired of answering the same questions over and over again. Media people seem to have a mischievous streak so a person will say something controversial of they can get a rivalry going. During 1977 spring training, one of them got Reggie Jackson to disrespect Thurman Munson and say that it was he who stirred the drink. Take it from me, media people are not your friends.

3-19-2008 @ 7:01PM

charlie said...

Proof that the Big Apple doesn't fall to far from the tree.

3-16-2008 @ 11:52AM

Scott Keller said...

Go Hank! Your team, your rules, your opinion. This game is still a business. The reason the Yankees have been succesful all these years is because your family ran it like the business it is. These so called over paid, over rated players are all worth their weight in gold when it comes to the revenues they bring in to the sport. Great call on bringing in Joe Girardi as manager... Baseball fan!

3-16-2008 @ 7:24PM

Desides said...

I love how Fanhouse makes it a point to mention and bash Jeffrey Loria even if he has absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand. Great job, guys.