I love how Jeter gets a free pass, even though he's stinking up the joint.

Hank takes credit for Mussina.

Meet the new boss... same as the old boss.

I'd say Jeter is treading water more than stinking up the joint. What is he, like .340/.400?

BTW, Mariano looks absolutely unhittable. I know he gave up a couple of dinks in his second inning last game, but man, it's pretty remarkable. I wouldn't be surprised if he had the best season of his career this year.

Yeah, that quote about Mussina might be the most arrogant thing I've ever heard an owner say. I'm trying not to be hyperbolic, but I can't think of anything more arrogant. More egregious? Sure. More evil? Absolutely. But not more arrogant. What a doosh.

“What bothers me is that these guys are all working for me and my brother and they’re all making more money than we are. That’s what makes me mad.

"As soon as I find out who signed the checks, I'm gonna slug the guy."

I thought we all agreed that "Hammerin' Hank" was out and "Yammerin' Yank" was in.

Who is more upset and whiny: a pissed off Hank Steinbrenner or a pissed-off Mike Lupica?

Back when George was in charge, and he started taking full advantage of free agency and the natural large market that location and 50+ years of winning had provided him, he commanded the respect of the players. They'd fought to get a fairer share of the pie, and George was willingly handing it over. In return, he demanded performance; but over the years the players have respected the man who fronted the money for it.

From day 1, Hank has found problems with everything: strategic direction, the salaries, the performance... Most or all of these things his father probably would've disliked as well, and almost certainly would've spoken up* about it, in his younger days. But the big difference is that Hank hasn't earned any respect yet. He's simply shown up and expected it - whether due to his position or his birthright, I don't know, but it's clear he feels entitled to it.

In short, while this schtick worked for his father, I think it might backfire for the son - at least in the short run.


*His father also had a knack for speaking out at just the right time. To me it seemed that he would lash out at underperforming players juuuuuust before they reached a soft part of the schedule, allowing him to credit himself for something that likely would've happened anyway.

Oh, if the advance screening is any indication, the "Hank" movie is going to be endlessly entertaining.

You might want to holster that thumb's up, Ebert. With a rent-free, tax-free stadium, $2500-per-game "infield club" seats, 42 new luxury boxes (57 total), and an "operating lease" deal that will let New York pull money out of its MLB revenue sharing obligation in perpetuity, "Hank" looks to be the bigscreen blockbuster of the young century. They'll be able to afford some crappy Bruckheimer dialogue.

...And he'll take credit for the stadium, too. And the old one.

giggle

And he'll take credit for the stadium, too. And the old one.

Just like George took credit for having the centerfield facade/frieze kept as a tribute to the old stadium...when it was Michael Burke's idea.

"I'd say Jeter is treading water more than stinking up the joint. What is he, like .340/.400?"

.330/.390, with his usual defense. That ain't so hot. Though in fairness, he has picked it up a bit over the last couple of weeks.

“What bothers me is that these guys are all working for me and my brother and they’re all making more money than we are. That’s what makes me mad.

I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Hank try to find a way to put himself on the field, probably in center field.

But the big difference is that Hank hasn't earned any respect yet. He's simply shown up and expected it - whether due to his position or his birthright, I don't know, but it's clear he feels entitled to it.

In short, while this schtick worked for his father, I think it might backfire for the son - at least in the short run.

Of course, the contrast position is this one, from Pete Abe's LoHud Blog:

A random poll of seven players at 10 p.m. [last night] revealed that only one had any idea of what Steinbrenner said.

So either the players aren't paying any attention to what Hank says (possible) or they just aren't paying any any attention to what anyone besides maybe Girardi says (more likely).

Giambi and Melky have played well over the course of the season, even though one started slumping and the other is slumping now.

Jeter's still got a 101 OPS+, but I'm guessing that Hank saw his .300 batting average before last night and used that as his bench mark.

"Alright guys, I'm not paying you 100 billion dollars to be in 4th place... so things are gonna be different around here. I want you guys less hurt, more alert, and throw better pitches. Now chop, chop! Boston isn't going to defeat itself."

So either the players aren't paying any attention to what Hank says (possible) or they just aren't paying any any attention to what anyone besides maybe Girardi says (more likely).

Or they are just saying they haven't heard Steiny-Lite so they don't have to be asked questions about it.

I have to say, I've been very impressed by Mussina this year. He reminds me of that joke that someone once made about an old pitcher (Tommy John, I think) having three speeds - slow, slower, and reverse.

Jeter currently ranks 12th among MLB shortstops by RARP (the one based on EQA), and 2nd (!) among AL shortstops. A shortstop with a 101 OPS+ is rarely a drag on his team's offense.

I thought we all agreed that "Hammerin' Hank" was out and "Yammerin' Yank" was in.

When does BTF all agree on something?