The 80’s were a good time to be a Mets fan. I was 7 years old in 1986 and for all I knew, the Mets would always own New York. The Yankees? They had a crazy owner who spent like a maniac and oversaw countless terrible decisions. In came Ed Whitson, Roy Smalley and Ken Phelps. Out went Doug Drabek, Jay Buhner and Willie McGee. There was no farm system to speak of. The second a prospect looked like a quality Major Leaguer, he was shipped off for a high priced veteran (Jack Clark, Jesse Barfield, and my personal favorite, Steve Balboni). Sure, Steinbrenner had success in the late ‘70’s, but to win in the 80’s, you needed to grow talent from within. He didn’t get the memo. The spending seemed like it would never end. That is, until George hired Howie Spira to spy on Dave Winfield.
Fay Vincent subsequently banned Steinbrenner from baseball. It was 1990 and the Yankees brought in Gene “Stick” Michael to be their General Manager. He was the first Yankees GM since 1973 to oversee the team with Steinbrenner’s input. Under Michael, the Yankees drafted Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada. He also traded Roberto Kelly for Paul O’Neill. By the time Steinbrenner was reinstated in 1993, he had a farm system brimming with young talent. When George returned, he had, for the most part, seen the error of this ways and allowed his trusted executives to make proper moves.
In 2007, Jeter, Pettitte, Rivera and Posada were all still on the roster. The Yanks had enjoyed 11 straight playoff appearances and 4 World Series since Steinbrenner had been suspended. They had not won a championship since 2000, but it was easy to see the Yankees had continued to put stock in their farm system. Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano were all fine examples of just how far Steinbrenner had come. Steinbrenner was close to retirement, due to his health, but had picked his son in law, Steve Swindall, as his successor. Steinbrenner has two sons, Hank and Hal, but outside of being members of the lucky sperm club, they’d never really accomplished anything. In fear of his sons’ poor business acumen, Steinbrenner tabbed the more responsible Swindall as his protégé. Swindall decided to drive drunk one night and the wheels fell off. Steinbrenner’s daughter, Jenny, divorced Swindall and the Yankees summarily dismissed him. Now the boys who weren’t smart enough to be heirs, have the reigns of the most profitable franchise in all of sports.
Hal is the quiet son. He has not really been in the public eye since his transition into management. He is referred to as more of a “money guy”. Hank is the brash one. Or the obnoxious idiot. Since the camera has been on him, Hank has been talking. On A-Rod’s opt out at the end of the season, “Does he want to go into the Hall of Fame as a Yankee, or as a Toledo Mud Hen.” How about his reaction to Joe Torre feeling disrespected by an incentive laden contract, “Where was Joe Torre in 1995 when my Dad hired him? My Dad was crucified for hiring him.” It didn’t stop there, “Let’s not forget what my Dad did in giving him that opportunity—and the great team he was handed.”
Hank does not really sound like a capable owner. He sounds like his Father did in the 70’s and 80’s. He obviously idolizes his father, but the has nowhere near the business sense. There is an obvious reason Hank and Hal have been hidden from the public eye for such a long time. Hank has pulled the reigns for a couple of months now. His first move was to low-ball a legendary Hall of Fame manager. His comments preceding the affair showed no class whatsoever. After the Toledo Mud Hen comment, he allowed A-Rod to assess that there was not a major market for his services. He then signed him to a gigantic deal that no other team was even going to approach. He signed 36 year old Jorge Posada to a 4 year, 52 million dollar contract. He then signed 37 year old closer Mariano Rivera to a 3 year, 45 million dollar contract.
I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure a return to the 80’s is coming for the Yankees. The owner is an obnoxious, overbearing idiot who wasn’t good enough for the job in the first place. He is digging into Daddy’s coffers and spending money like it’s on fire. He is egotistical to the point that he goes to war with players and managers. He has done nothing but spend and fire since he’s taken over. To me, this sounds exactly like his father in the 70’s and 80’s. If I was a Yankee fan, I’d be scared. Very scared.
