February 24, 2006
Oh, George...
By Joe Davis
George Steinbrenner seems very happy that baseball is returning. He is also very outspoken on his team this year. "We're going to win it this year," the Yankees owner said Wednesday. "We're going after it."
Those comments are interesting and disrespectful considering they have not won a World Series since 2000, and the Chicago White Sox are the new World Champions. But I doubt that the classy White Sox organization would guarantee a World Series Championship this year.
While Joe Torre, the Yankees manager, was doing an interview with reporters on Wednesday, Steinbrenner walked in and interrupted the press conference.
A reporter asked, "Who is the best owner in the majors?" Torre pointed at Steinbrenner.
Steinbrenner then interjected, "Who's the best manager in the majors?" then pointing to Torre.
Reporters then asked about how Johnny Damon could have came to the Yankees four years ago when Jason Giambi was signed.
"(Giambi) took all of the money so we couldn't do anything," Torre said, only to have Steinbrenner interrupt, "You got some, didn't you?" as everyone laughed .
Reporters asked Torre if he sat down with Johnny Damon to talk yet.
"I haven't had a chance sit down and really to talk to anybody," Torre began. "I've talked to ..."
"Me"' Steinbrenner yelled.
"Yeah, Mr. Steinbrenner," Torre said. "That's always nerve-wracking."
Steinbrenner remains an advocate against the World Baseball Classic. He's told his players he does not want them to participate in them. Jorge Posada has already pulled out of the WBC. Damon, Jeter and A-Rod have decided to stay in it, for now. Chien-Ming Wang is not sure if he wants to pitch for Taiwan yet. Hideki Matsui declined his invitation after hearing Steinbreinner's objection to the WBC.
I hope this means "The Boss" is going to be much more visible this year. Maybe he's hoping the media will target him and take some of the pressure off some of his players who have proven during the last few seasons that they don't play well when it matters.
To all:
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With King George you either toe the line or you are eliminated. I'll say one thing, he pays you well for putting up with his crap. Kinda like Al Davis with money.
"He's told his players he does not want them to participate in them."
That is simply not true. No player was told that. He did say he doesn't like the idea of players getting hurt, but no one was told not to participate.
Okay, well he was the only person to vote against it in August of 2004....
""There will be some more backouts," Steinbrenner said. "Whether it's our players or somebody else's, I don't know. But I'm used to spring training being to concentrate on the World Series, and that's what we'd like to see our players do."
The Yankees petitioned to have catcher Jorge Posada dropped from Puerto Rico's roster, and some other prominent Yankees will not take part."
Sorry Sonshine, but when Steinbrenner says he welcomes them to withdraw, but doesn't tell them not to... If I were a Yankee, I'd take that as a "Get out so I'm on his good side." I don't care what he tells the media if he does it or not...but he certainly is implying that he does not want them to participate.
There is no implying involved. He states, very clearly, that he is not in favor of it. He also says that while he is against it, he lets the players decide for themselves. His reason is a very sound one, and I agree with him. If a player gets hurt and is out for the season it's not very fair to those who pay their salaries and count on them . Maybe I would feel differently, if it were held at a different time of year.
My opinion:
I think that George has said he's against the WBC. I think he's told all of the players that he would prefer them to be in Spring Training than in other countries/states playing in an exhibition tournament. However, if he had TOLD PLAYERS NOT TO PLAY, they would NOT - simply NOT - have entered. Nobody defies Steinbrenner.
I think he said "it's your call, but I wouldn't want you to go in". Especially since Jeter (the Yankee golden boy) signed up.
I think JD is right in saying Steinbrenner asked them to get out, but I think Sonshine is right in saying that he never TOLD anyone to get out.
Cheers,
Jack Jablin
Hey Jabbler, what's the difference?
"Guys, I'd like you all to stay out. That's what I want, but if you feel you need to represent your country, ok."
Versus
"Quit the god **** WBC or by god I'll have you playing in bum**** Trenton!"
No soldier defies an ORDER.
Cheers,
Jack Jablin
I dunno Jack, I think some players would think it's more important to play for your country than for a team that has no emotional connection to them.
I mean sure, they're getting paid millions of dollars...But for some players (Not all, but some), your country comes before this team you play for the in the US.
I'm not against the WBC, I'm all for it. I love the idea, and I can't wait to watch it. However, I think the timing is awful, and for this (in the back of my mind) I agree with the Ol' Boss. Spring traing is for a reason. It isn't just games that "don't count". Both the Sox, and Yankees, and ever other team through out baseball have players they need to look at. See what works well, who bats where, playes where, pitches where/when. Trying to manage your team, and see how the other players are doing in the WBC is practicly impossible.
I am also all for representing your country. I would love the chance to do so, excluding anything with gun however (maybe after the war). But as for the whole money thing, except for the extremely Nationaly proud, I think most of these players would choose money over risking a season/career ending injury. But then again remember, in my views, I think all people are greedy and baseball is a business. And my veiws aren't always correct. But because of this whole money/injury issue, I am very much afraid of having the U.S. team, or any other team for that matter, pull a U.S.A. Olympic Basketball ruitine. The only difference in this case is all/most the star players will be participating, but will they all give 100%? Will they all hustle, looking for the championship? Or will they be worrying about opening day? Then, you have to ask yourself: wich of the two is more important?
"I am very much afraid of having the U.S. team, or any other team for that matter, pull a U.S.A. Olympic Basketball routine"
The only reason that happened in Basketball was because every player on that team was incredibly selfish and they didnt know how to work with each other [They rarely passed to one another]. I was a fan of that routine for obvious reasons :P
But don't forget, we have players like Kobe, or A.I., or Shaq that refuse to play. We have by far the best basketball team in the world if we play the right guys. But how can we play them, if they won't join the team. It got to the point where it wasn't about their country but about themselves.
AHh you got me. But do you see my point?
Difference between baseball and basketball is that you don't pass the ball and you don't have to share anything at all. You can't be selfish in baseball.
I don't mean selfish on the field, I mean off the field. People not wanting to play, or giving it their all. I am in fact calling out the basketball players that refuse to continue or re-create another dream team. Thought we don't have MJ, or Bird, or Magic, we can still prduce a team to win the gold, or even go undeafeted.
In basketball^^^^ not baseball, but we can produce a team in baseball to take the gold.
Allen Iverson is mah boy. If you asked him to play for Team USA in friggin' Curling he'd do it!
Cheers,
Jack Jablin
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