Via the AP -

George Steinbrenner is planning to travel to New York for some postseason games if the AL East-leading Yankees make the playoffs.

Steinbrenner attended opening day at the new Yankee Stadium this season but has attended few games in New York since becoming increasingly frail. He also watched the Yankees beat the Rays 6-2 on July 29th at Tropicana Field, which is a short trip from his Tampa home.

Steinbrenner has kept a low profile since turning over the day-to-day operation of the team to his sons, Hal and Hank Steinbrenner, two years ago.

George Steinbrenner spent three hours in his office at the team’s spring-training complex Thursday. When asked about the Yankees’ solid play, the 79-year-old owner said: “Let’s keep it going.”

Well, I suppose that’s better than Big Stein saying “More wine for Polyphemus, the son of Neptune!”

I guess the Boss is off Pat Benatar tunes these days and now channeling fellow Floridians…

kc and the sunshine band keep it comin love

You know…it started at the end of 2003…and it didn’t look good in 2005…and it carried into 2006…and now it’s just sad to see the Big Stein in action…

It’s much more fun to think of him the way he was back then…

Click here.

This one is an instant classic.

Via the Post -

Alex Rodriguez is history with the Yankees and when I asked Hank Steinbrenner yesterday if there were any regrets, he answered quickly and honestly. “No,” he said. “[Scott] Boras makes it easy not to have any.”

As for Boras’ contention that the Yankees may have lost their way in their “commitment” to winning, Hank said bluntly, “He’s full of [bull].”

Hank went on to say the Yankees have never been more committed to winning and the goal is to get these Yankees to a time and place like 1996, when they had great young talent coming up through the system surrounded by winning veterans.

“We’ll go out and spend the money where we have to,” he promised. “We want players with character on and off the field.”

Good thing for Andrew Brackman that A-Rod opted out now – and not before this season. Sounds like Boras has now burned all his Bronx bridges.

Via Newsday -

The Yankees meeting to decide Joe Torre’s fate took place at George Steinbrenner’s south Tampa mansion, but no decision is expected today.

Yankees spokesman Howard Rubenstein released the following statement:

“The meetings are adjourned for tonight. There have been no decisions made, nor will there be any comment today. The meetings will resume tomorrow.”

I’ve been doing what I do for a living now for the last 22 years. It’s not my passion. But, for the most part, I’ve been told that I do an above average job of it, and, it pays the bills (most of the time).

Still, man, do I want Howard Rubenstein’s job. Seriously, how hard can it be?

And, by the way, at what point did the baseball team that I grew up rooting for become this entity that releases statements on nothing happening via a hired P.R. spokesperson? It’s crazy.

The United Nations and the Pentagon should have a spokesperson. Pop stars should have spokespersons. Heck, I can even see a professional sports league having a spokesperson. But, a baseball team? It’s just strange.

I liked the old days better when the owner, G.M., and/or manager did the talking for the team – and you heard it from their mouth. That’s baseball. Or, at the least, that’s the way it used to be…

From the Record:

Joe Torre’s 12-year run as manager of the Yankees will likely end if his team does not rally to beat the Cleveland Indians in the AL Division Series, George Steinbrenner told The Record on Saturday night.

“His job is on the line,” the Yankees’ owner said in a phone interview. “I think we’re paying him a lot of money. He’s the highest-paid manager in baseball, so I don’t think we’d take him back if we don’t win this series.”

Torre is in the final year of a contract worth $7 million this season. He has led his team to four World Series titles and 12 consecutive playoff appearances and was universally hailed this year for weathering a 21-29 start.

“He’s been good for us over the years,” Steinbrenner acknowledged.

If the bugs also messed up Alex Rodriguez, the superstar forever burdened by October angst, Steinbrenner said A-Rod’s struggles won’t temper his desire to re-sign the free agent-to-be, who will likely seek a contract worth more than $30 million per year.

“I think we’ll re-sign him,” Steinbrenner said of Rodriguez. “I think he’s going to have a good run the rest of the [postseason]. I think he realizes New York is the place to be, the place to play. A lot of this [postseason] is laying on his shoulders, you know, but I think he’s up to it.”

No matter what George says, I think there’s still just as much of a chance that Torre stays, and Alex goes, if the Yankees lose tonight.

Personally, if they lose this ALDS, I’m like to see them both go – and try and reboot this team as much as possible. But, I think that Torre has enough backers in the organization that he’s safe, win or lose.

From the Times:

Hal Steinbrenner, a Yankees general partner, represented his father, George, at a news conference to unveil the 2008 All-Star Game logo. It is displayed above the left-field scoreboard and will soon be worn as a patch on the Yankees’ uniforms. Hal Steinbrenner said he and his brother, Hank, and their brother-in-law, Felix Lopez, were “all involved now” in the team’s upper hierarchy. He said he approved of the job done by General Manager Brian Cashman. “I’ve only been involved a month, on the baseball side of it, on a daily basis,” Steinbrenner said. “From everything I’ve seen, he’s done a good job.” As for the fate of Manager Joe Torre, he said: “We just want to focus on baseball right now. That goes for everybody in the organization. We’re just focused on winning the pennant, and eventually, the Series.”

And, if they don’t win?…

From Trend Magazine with a hat tip to BTF:

(Steinbrenner, reportedly in ill health, would not agree to be interviewed in person. He answered questions via e-mail.)

(On his biggest realization about managing a business): How hard it was and how volatile I would let myself become when I became frustrated.

(On his biggest realizations about managing a team): The two greatest were the extent to which I would go in order to win and the sheer scope of my loathing to lose.

(On dealing with the New York media): You’re talking to the wrong person. You must know my past relationship with the media. However, as of late I’ve learned that “silence” is a very powerful word.

(On how he feels about the Tampa Bay Devil Rays): The who?

(On his contributions to the Boston Red Sox’s Jimmy Fund): We’re opponents in baseball; we’re allies in helping children. I have a lot of respect for what they’re doing with the Jimmy Fund, and I wouldn’t dream of not supporting such a worthy cause.

(On the portrayal of him on ‘Seinfeld’): I loved it. They weren’t too far from the truth. You must laugh at yourself, and believe me, I do.

“Reportedly in ill health.” Maybe next spring training Big Stein will pull an A-Rod on Day One and come clean on the relationship between him and his health?

O.K., seriously, it’s sad to see that George can’t do face-to-face interviews these days. It’s getting clear that he’s getting closer and closer to being done as the man in charge. I think Yankees fans are going to miss him, in the end.

From the Post -

“Sure we can catch the Red Sox if we play hard, play together, play for ourselves, and play for the fans,” The Boss bellowed through PR guru Howard Rubenstein yesterday. “We have to play like champions.”

Then Steinbrenner, who demanded a world championship from Torre and general manager Brian Cashman in early May, hinted jobs will be on the line.

“I will be watching,” vowed Steinbrenner, whose trips from Tampa to The Bronx have been reduced and who didn’t attend either of the two Yankees-Devil Rays games in Florida in late April.

Bold words from The Boss are nothing new. And since Cashman is a positive thinker with a never-quit mentality, it’s not surprising he still believes The Bronx won’t be dark in October.

“The talent level is there,” said the GM, who is painfully aware Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon and Robinson Cano underperformed during the first half and that until Phil Hughes returns, Kei Igawa will be asked to pitch every fifth day. “We are continuing to work to put it together.”

For the Yankees to tie the Red Sox, their rivals would have to post a 38-37 ledger in the final 75 games and the Yankees would need to go 49-28 (.636) after being 42-43 prior to the All-Star break. When it comes to the Indians, who are in play for the AL Central title, if the Tribe breaks even (37-37) for the rest of the way, the Yankees must go 47-30 (.610).

Since the Red Sox went 53-34 (.609) and the Indians 52-36 (.591) before the break, it’s not a good bet to believe either is going to slip into a .500 club.

Yet, that’s what the Yankees are banking on and need to happen. And then a team that put one hot streak together (14-3) has to take advantage of it.

Starting tonight, the Yankees play 29 games against teams with sub-.500 records. That means when the stretch ends, the Yankees had better be at least 20-9 to be in position if the Red Sox or Indians gag.

Those numbers are scary. But, like I said the other day, just get 5 games back, in the loss column, of either Boston or the Wildcard, by the end of July…and then the Yankees have a good chance.

The next three weeks are key for the Yankees. If ever they need to put together a long winning streak, it’s now. If the Yankees tank over the next three weeks, then it’s probably as good as over – for 2007.

From the AP via Newsday -

Despite constant speculation about manager Joe Torre’s job, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner says someone else also needs to deliver as the team looks to reverse its floundering start: general manager Brian Cashman.

“He’s on a big hook,” a spirited Steinbrenner told The Associated Press in a rare interview from this Tampa office. “He wanted sole authority. He got it. Now he’s got to deliver.”

Giambi reportedly admitted to a 2003 grand jury that he used steroids.

“He should have kept his mouth shut,” Steinbrenner opined. “The matter is in the hands of the baseball commissioner.”

You don’t get to see Big Stein wield his hook and offer a zip’it that often these days. It’s about as rare as a Wil Nieves basehit. So, soak this one in as much as you can…if that’s your thing.

From Yankees.com -

“The season is still very young, but up to now the results are clearly not acceptable to me or to Yankee fans,” Steinbrenner said. “However, Brian Cashman, our general manager, Joe Torre, our manager, and our players all believe that they will turn this around quickly. I believe in them.”

“I am here to support them in any way to help them accomplish this turnaround,” Steinbrenner said. “It is time to put excuses and talk away. It is time to see if people are ready to step up and accept their responsibilities. It is time for all of them to show me and the fans what they are made of.”

“Let’s get going,” Steinbrenner concluded. “Let’s go out and win and bring a world championship back to New York. That’s what I want.”

Define “quickly.”

From the Daily News -

A standing ovation from his team brought George Steinbrenner to tears Monday night at the Yanks’ popular “Welcome Home” charity dinner at the midtown Sheraton, a few hours after their Opening Day victory over the Devil Rays.

Steinbrenner, who repeatedly cried throughout the night, also got a warm thank-you from Joe Torre, the manager he nearly fired last October, when Torre stood at the dais in front of the players and about 1,200 fans and told The Boss, “Thank you, George Steinbrenner for believing in me a dozen years ago. I played 16 years in the big leagues and this is the most fun I’ve had, managing in my hometown, and I really appreciate it a great deal.”

At Monday’s dinner, Steinbrenner sat at his own table, his wife Joan, daughters Jennifer and Jessica and their children surrounding him. Steinbrenner, who was also accompanied by his physician and bodyguard, stood and waved to fans when one of the emcees, broadcaster John Sterling, said The Boss was “the best damn owner in sports.” That’s when the Yankee players stood and applauded and Steinbrenner got emotional.

Nice touch by the Yankees team. Stein was “accompanied by his physician” at the dinner? That’s never a good sign.

Via the AP -

“We should be good this year. It’s a strong team and if we can avoid injuries, stay healthy, I’m hopeful that we can bring in a championship,” Steinbrenner said. “In my opinion, we really have to perform well for the fans. We’re selling more tickets than ever before. We’re more popular than ever before, and we really have to win. We’ve got to stay sound. We’ve got to stay healthy. We have great trainers and the ability to help them stay healthy.”

The Yankees strength and conditioning coach, Jeff Mangold, got the pink slip last winter. Marty Miller and Dana Cavalea are now on the hook. I wonder how they feel today seeing this quote from Big Stein? Little pressure? Ya’think?

From Team Baby Entertainment -

Coming Soon!

You love your kids, you love your family and you love your New York Yankees! Now you can combine them all with this exciting new Team Baby Entertainment DVD. Featuring Officially Licensed footage of the superstars of the New York Yankees, & the legendary Yankees Stadium along with a grand slam view of the sights, sounds, traditions & colors of The New York Yankees, NEW YORK YANKEES BABY combines all the great things you love about the team — show stopping players, amazing homeruns, blazing fast pitches, team mascot, traditions and stadium — with all the things you want your young fans to learn — numbers, letters, shapes, colors, & more. Narrated by George Steinbrenner & featuring original Team Baby Entertainment music, NEW YORK YANKEES BABY is the ideal way to introduce your love of the New York Yankees to the team’s youngest fans.

“Team mascot”? Who was that, Enrique Wilson?

From the AP:

“I am deeply disappointed at our being eliminated so early in the playoffs,” Steinbrenner said in a statement issued Sunday by spokesman Howard Rubenstein. “This result is absolutely not acceptable to me nor to our great and loyal Yankee fans. I want to congratulate the Detroit Tigers organization and wish them well. Rest assured, we will go back to work immediately and try to right this sad failure and provide a championship for the Yankees, as is our goal every year.”

Rubenstein said he spoke with Steinbrenner on Sunday.

“Clearly he was upset,” he said.

Every time I read one of these Big Stein “statements” via Rubenstein, all I can think of is John Gill from Star Trek lore. I miss the old George reactions.

From the AP via SI -

Steinbrenner spends most of his time in Tampa, and has slowly been giving up control of the operation to his family members, including son-in-law Steve Swindal, 50, and his sons Hank, 47, and Hal, 36. Steinbrenner has designated Swindal as his successor.

“I have relinquished pretty much all control of the Yankees,” Steinbrenner said. “I had to make room for the young people. You can’t hold them back.”

Then again, George once said:

“We plan absentee ownership as far as running the Yankees is concerned. We’re not going to pretend to be something we aren’t. I’ll stick to building ships.”

But, I do believe him this time. There is little question in my mind that Stein is an old tiger sensing his end.

I still hope he gets into Cooperstown someday.

From Newsday:

Flanked by four men, George Steinbrenner entered Yankee Stadium at 12:05 p.m. yesterday to watch his first-place club.

When asked if he was pleased with the Yankees’ play in recent weeks, Steinbrenner said, “I’m not happy about [Friday's 7-4 loss], I’ll tell you that.”

Four hours later, he acknowledged that the win put him in a good mood and that he’s “always worried about Boston.”

Just looking at the Yankees pitching rotation, and their upcoming schedule, the Boss should be worried.

Joe Torre and his staff have a big question on how to handle that day-night double-dip up at Fenway on August 18th.

Wang will pitch one of those games – as his regular turn. But, who pitches the other game?

The Yankees could use Randy Johnson on short rest for the second game. But, then, Mussina, Lidle and Wright all have to pitch the next three games on short rest as well. And, do you really want Wright pitching in Fenway, at all?

Or, the Yankees could use a spot starter in that non-Wang game on the 18th, and then have Johnson, Mussina and Lidle pitch the last three games of the series on full/normal rest. I like that idea except for one issue. Who would that spot starter be? Knowing Torre, it’s going to be Sidney Ponson.

Just thinking of that makes my stomach turn.

Again, and, sorry to beat a dead horse, but, this is why is was stupid of the Yankees to skip Lidle the other day. That extra day of rest for the Yankees rotation would have been nice to have in the bank – and helped with the decision to ask Johnson, Mussina, and the others to pitch on short rest in Boston.

It’s a shame that Torre & Crew are not capable of forward thinking. Then again, seeing how Torre burns out relief pitchers, it’s probably safe to say that forward thinking is not something that Torre ever considers. (Unless, of course, it’s something like leaving Mussina on the West Coast during the post-season last year.)

For what it’s worth, Boston has some noodling to do on the Yankees upcoming visit to Fenway as well. The Red Sox have an off-day on August 17th. Do they use that off-day to skip Jason Johnson? If they do, then Beckett and Schilling will have to face the Yankees on short rest.

If I had to guess, I would predict that the Red Sox do not skip Johnson. And, if they don’t, then the Yankees might try and match up Wang against him – to try and lock in at least one great shot at a win in Fenway.

It’s going to a very interesting series in Fenway. And, Big Stein has a legit reason to be worried.

From the AP:

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner is upbeat about his injury-depleted team that has taken the lead in the AL wild-card race.

“I’m very happy,” Steinbrenner said Thursday as he left the Yankees’ minor-league complex.

Keep those calzones coming Cash!

Via the New York Times:

As the trading deadline approaches, the object of the Yankees’ affection is becoming more and more obvious. As he left Yankee Stadium after yesterday’s game, in fact, the principal owner George Steinbrenner even said a player’s name.

“There is a guy I prefer but I am not going to talk about it now,” Steinbrenner said as he left with team officials after a 14-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

When asked if that player was Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu, Steinbrenner said: “I like Bobby Abreu. Everybody likes Bobby Abreu.”

While there’s always the chance that Big Stein might be confused here and is thinking that “Bobby Abreu” is “Baba Booey” – after all, this is the man who thinks the top of the house is “the ruff” – I have to take this news as a signal that Abreu is beeping pretty hard on the Yankees radar.

Contrary to some who think that I don’t like Abreu’s skills, I do believe that Abreu is a strong offensive player. I even said, two weeks ago, that:

You could bat Abreu second in New York, and just let him take his walks, and then bat Jeter in the 3rd slot.

Of course, there have always been less than great reports on Abreu’s attitude, like this one in the Boston Globe a couple of years ago:

Francona’s message to his players was succinct: I’ll fight for you, as long as you follow my rules. Abreu, an outfielder with a sweet swing, tested Francona’s patience by arriving late to the park. The first time, the manager ushered him into his office and calmly explained tardiness was unacceptable. The second time, the player was fined. The third time, Francona threw Abreu out of the clubhouse.

“Terry wanted to send Bobby home, but the ball club wouldn’t let him,” Mills said. “Even though the front office wouldn’t stand behind him, Terry still found a way to make it work. He stayed on Bobby. He made him a better player.”

Further, I remember a feature in Baseball America during the summer of 2004 that said Abreu, while he has a great all-around game, does not apply himself 100% at all times – according to many teammates (current and former) and opponents.

Then again, in Baseball America’s 2005 “Best Tools” survey, Abreu was voted, by league managers, as the following in the N.L. -

3rd BEST HITTER,
Overall BEST STRIKE-ZONE JUDGMENT, and
3rd BEST BASERUNNER

Big Stein is right. That’s a lot to like there – in terms of an offensive player.

Now, defensively, I’ll defer to the Fielding Bible. There, about Abreu, it says:

…he is a very conservative defender. He has been accused of having lapses in concentration, fear of diving for balls or running into walls on the warning track, and just not giving a maximum effort in the field. He often gets bad jumps on the ball and in the past has let a lot of balls fall in front of him. Great batter? Yup. Great defender? Nope.

According the Bible’s Plus/Minus rankings for 2005, Abreu was Matt Lawton like in right-field last year. But, that was still many points better than Gary Sheffield.

Bottom line, you have to look at who the Yankees have been playing in RF this season since Sheffield went down, what the odds are of Sheffield helping the team if and when he can come back this season, and who the Yankees have to play RF after this season. When you roll that all up, having Bobby Abreu for this season and the two after it may not be the worst thing that can happen to the Yankees.

But, it all comes down to the cost. How many prospects? Who are they? Does a deal for Abreu mean that Melky Cabrera is traded too? Until I know those answers, I cannot say for sure that getting Abreu is the right thing to do this season.

Via the AP tonight:

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner couldn’t stay completely quiet following the 18-run loss, which happened on his 76th birthday, releasing a vague statement about general manager Brian Cashman.

“Brian Cashman is working hard to improve the team and the responsibility is totally in his hands,” Steinbrenner said.

Meaning, if the Yankees screw up this season, the Teflon Stein will not be taking the hit here. George is playing Uncle Ben to Cash’s Peter Parker with this message.

From the Journal News -

“Nobody likes to hear that, but he has to put up with it.”

Anyone else hear Dallas Green talking to Stanley Jefferson when they read this?

Forbes has a running a puff-piece on Steinbrenner. A sample of it:

What was your big break?

Undoubtedly, back in 1973, when I assembled a group together to purchase the New York Yankees from CBS.

What has been your biggest failure?

There have been so many, it’s impossible to select only one.

How many hours do you work in an average week now?

Too many. I work from my home office from 8:00 a.m. until noon. I get to the office at 1:00 p.m. and work there until 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. I take my last phone call at home about 11:00 p.m.

What is the worst thing about work?

Time. There isn’t enough of it to accomplish everything you’d like to get done.

What is the best thing about work?

The challenge, the personal sense of accomplishment, the leading of people and the sharp mental edge that working enables you to maintain.

It would be interesting, someday, to see that list of Yankees failures (in his mind). I wonder if it would synch up with the list that Yankees fans would put together?

Spira? Yogi? Being in The Scout? What would you say should be on the list?

From the Daily News:

It’s this apparent Red Sox phobia that makes Yankee fans crazy, and apparently George Steinbrenner, too. On his way out of Yankee Stadium last night, The Boss singled out A-Rod, though not by name, for criticism.

“I’m upset at a lot of them,” Steinbrenner said when reporters asked for his thoughts on The Big Unit. And then, unsolicited, he added:

“The third baseman.”

I have to add that I thought A-Rod looked very “tight” last night. I don’t know if he was nervous and/or pressing, but, he appeared to be reacting late – instead of being aggressive. Heck, if this were 1919, you could almost make the case that he was playing to lose the game last night. Now, I’m not suggesting that – it would be insane to suggest that – but, I offer it as a way to describe his poor showing (for those who may have missed it).

In any event, in the same News feature, we find this:

A-Rod wasn’t making any such promises last night, but he wasn’t making any excuses either.

“They were both plays that I should have made,”‘ he said. Then he shook his head, seemingly in disbelief.

“Sometimes you’ve just gotta laugh it off,” he said.

Laugh it off? Gee, that’s not great to hear.

I recall watching on game on YES towards the end of Jose Contreras’ days in New York. The Red Sox were roughing up Jose and Paul O’Neill had a comment (along the lines) of “It’s one thing to play in New York and do well. But, eventually, you’re going to have to show that you can play against the Boston Red Sox too. Because, if you can’t, you won’t be in New York for too much longer.”

I have to think that Alex knows that he has to do better in these Boston games. And, that’s no laughing matter.

Tonight would be an excellent place to start – against Schilling.

From the Auburn Citizen -

George Steinbrenner isn’t known as “The Boss” because of his generous reputation.

The New York Yankees’ 75-year-old owner is famous for his surly demeanor and his no-nonsense approach to running an organization.

But don’t tell that to Sydney Lattimore, 10, or her brother, Sean, 9. The budding Yankee fans and their parents were granted front-row tickets at Yankee Stadium for New York’s home opener April 11 courtesy of Steinbrenner himself.

The Auburn family’s encounter with baseball’s most controversial owner occurred on a last-minute spring break trip by the Lattimores. Sean Sr. and his wife, Beth, decided to take their two children to New York City for a few days and ended up staying in the hotel where Steinbrenner lives.

“My wife and I went down to the lobby and all of a sudden a guy came in and he looked familiar,” Sean Sr. said of his first encounter with Steinbrenner. “I looked down at his hand and saw the (World Series) rings and knew it was him. I went over and introduced my son and daughter and he immediately was taken by them.”

He said his family’s conversation with Steinbrenner was “just like talking with one of your relatives.”

“It was cool,” Sydney said. “He was really nice.”

The next morning, the day of the Yankees’ opener against the Kansas City Royals, Steinbrenner was once again in the hotel lobby. When he saw the Lattimores get off the elevator, Steinbrenner signaled for Sydney and Sean Jr. to come over to him. That’s when he offered up his own personal seats.

The Auburn family quickly accepted the exclusive tickets.

“Mr. Steinbrenner asked the kids if they were going to the baseball game,” Sean Sr. said. “They said they didn’t have tickets so he reached in his blazer and pulled out four tickets. He turned to them and said, ‘You’ll love these seats, they’re my seats.’”

When the family arrived back at the hotel after the game, there again was ever-giving Steinbrenner.

“We went back after the game to get our luggage and he came right over to the kids,” Sean Sr. said. “He was chuckling with them. He asked them, ‘Were the seats good enough?’ You never see that side of him but we’ve shared the stories with a bunch of people and different people have come up with some really special stories of Steinbrenner. He’s got a real big heart and personal side that people seldom get to see.”

I gotta start hanging out in hotel lobbies more often. Best I ever did was running into the acts of Ozzfest 2002 in the lobby of a Hilton Hotel in Woodbridge (NJ) while I was waiting for a tow truck.

That’s nada compared to a Big Stein encounter.

This collection is too funny for words. My fav:

“I just won you the pennant” to manager Lou Piniella after trading for left-hander Steve Trout in July 1987

Watch out for the green ones Big Stein, they’ll make you Randy, and I’m not talking Johnson.

Well, at least not that Johnson.

You know, I just now realized that “Randy” “Johnson” and “Big” “Unit” make perfect sense.

From The Boss:

George Steinbrenner is predicting the New York Yankees’ five-year World Series drought will end this October.

“We’re going to win it this year,” the Yankees owner said Wednesday. “We’re going after it.”

Well, what else is he supposed to say?

From the Post -

Hey, Ozzie! Zip it.

That was the message George Steinbrenner (left) sent World Champion White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen yesterday.

Earlier this week, Guillen said in Sports Illustrated that Alex Rodriguez was a hypocrite when ARod said he had a tough time deciding to play for the United States or the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Yesterday, Guillen apologized to A-Rod in print. But that didn’t stop The Boss from getting on Guillen.

“Shut it up,” Steinbrenner said as he made a motion to zip his mouth. “I like Ozzie Guillen as a manager but I don’t like him when he pops off like that. That’s [horse spit].”

Big Stein as Dr. Evil?

Zip it, ex zip it a, zippy longstockings, zip it, zip it good, zuckle on my zipple, zip it…

From Newsday -

“I’m going to be very active in spring training,” the Yankees’ principal owner said through his industrious spokesman, Howard Rubenstein. “I go to work every single day. I’ll be in the locker room. I’ll be on the field. I’ll be very active.”

Every breath you take
And every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take
Stein’ll be watching you

Oh, can’t you see
You belong to me?
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take
Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake
Stein’ll be watching you