Hank Hammerin'

Sometimes you just need to leave well enough alone. Apparently, Hank Steinbrenner didn't get that memo. Hank decided to be the bull in the china shop (actually he looks like a bloodhound) and blast Joe Torre for his comments pertaining to the "insulting" contract offer.

"Where was Joe's career in '95 when my dad hired him?" said the new Boss. "My dad was crucified for hiring him.

"Let's not forget what my dad did in giving him that opportunity - and the great team he was handed," Steinbrenner told The Post by phone from Tampa, Fla.

"You can't take credit for success when you're going good, and then not take at least some of the blame when things change," Steinbrenner said. "I'm sorry he feels insulted, but that was not the intent."

Source

Now was not the time for firing salvos back in the Torre camp. Torre was respectful of George during his press conference. Right now Randy Levine, mainly because he was the front man during the news conference, is the villain. Hank needs to learn how not to move in front of the on coming train. His actions only further infuriated the majority of the fans.

But here's the bigger issue, bean counters and politicos are now running the show. George didn't know baseball, he was a "football man", when he bought the Yankees, but he did learn over the years. These guys haven't. Levine, in particular, is strictly business and politics. He repped the owners during the '94 player's strike. He was a deputy mayor to Rudy Guiliani - (very interesting Bob Raissman piece back in March concerning that issue.); he was an integral part of getting the new stadium approved. But does he know baseball and baseball people? Fuhgetaboutit.

We're starting to read things like, "Brian Cashman has been authorized to negotiate...". This does not bode well for the immediate, and possibly future, status of the Bombers.

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