Randy Levine confirmed the Yankees were only about the World Series. 6 days later, Hank said something else.

Oct. 18, 2007, RANDY LEVINE: ""The goal of this franchise is to win the World Series.

• All of us get up everyday knowing that that is the goal."" words of Randy Levine, NY Post article, 10/18/07, by George King. (Getty photo from SI.com)

• 6 days later:

Oct. 24, 2007, HANK STEINBRENNER: “The most important thing is, whoever we hire, give him a chance

• because he's not getting the '96 Yankees. He's getting a younger team, and for the most part,

it's a transition period, so give him a little while." Words of Hank Steinbrenner in NY Post article by Joel Sherman, 10/25/07, referencing comments made the day before.

• Yankee franchise in chaos. Randy Levine says one thing, 6 days later as if it's nothing, the owner of the team says almost the opposite. Recently, Ken Davidoff reports the organization seeks to take a "breather" this year, worry about winning in future years:

"It's absolutely, positively not about this year.... Now, to make clear, the feeling here is that Cashman is doing the right thing. The Yankees need to take a one-year breather,"...Ken Davidoff, Newsday, June 4, 2008 on the starting of Joba Chamberlain., "Joba Move Proves Yankees' Focus is Next Year."

• Noted quietly by Newsday's Kat O'Brien, 10/24/07:

(Newsday): "The fact that the Yankees had not won or even advanced to the World Series since 2003 is the reason Torre was only offered a one-year contract.

• However, it seems the new manager will not be held to that standard, at least initially."
• From Newsday article by Kat O'Brien, "Hank Steinbrenner Preaches Patience with New Manager," 10/24/07

Where is the outrage among fans, Yankee sponsors, or even embedded baseball media for this phony charade? Does anyone care they were obviously lied to on a matter of international interest affecting the spending of millions of dollars, ie the goal of the NY Yankees (and secondarily the "reason" for Joe Torre's separation)?

• And that complacent acceptance of this fact will encourage more lies in the future?

• What about players who signed expecting George Steinbrenner's goal of winning the World Series (or at least aiming to)? For example:

10/20/07, Scott Boras on A-rod's conflict: ALEX RODRIGUEZ IS EXPECTED TO PERFORM ON A WINNING PLAYOFF TEAM: CNN/Money.com

• On A-rod's reluctance to sign without Posada, Pettitte, and Rivera, Boras said. "He's (Alex) held accountable for being on a playoff team and winning in the playoffs."

posted by susan mullen at 6/05/2008 04:38:00 PM

• ***IT SEEMS FORGOTTEN THAT THE YANKEES DID NOT BECOME #1 IN AL ATTENDANCE UNTIL

• 2003.

NEW OWNERSHIP SEEMS TO THINK ATTENDANCE WILL BE FINE BECAUSE PEOPLE ALWAYS WANT TO SEE THE YANKEES--

• WHICH IS NOT TRUE. IT TOOK 7 CONSECUTIVE YEARS IN THE POSTSEASON BEFORE

• THEY GOT TO #1 IN AL ATTENDANCE.
• PEOPLE CAME TO SEE ***WINNING***.
• NOT WHATEVER GLORIFIED EXHIBITION SEASON THE NEW OWNER TALKS ABOUT.

• Posted previously: "POWER OF PINSTRIPES FADING FAST"--Joel Sherman, NY Post, 10/30/07
• You Must Remember This (posted on this blog)

• You hear people say, "the Yankees always do this," or "the Yankees always do that," but Joel Sherman points out the uniform is the only constant:

"Well, it is important to remember that after the 1992 season, Greg Maddux, also repped by Boras, spurned a greater financial offer from the Yanks to play with the Braves, in part, because

• ***he was worried if the Yanks were capable of winning.***

David Cone thought the Yanks were too disorganized to sign as a free agent. The Yanks actually went to their ninth choice - behind pitchers such as Greg Swindell and John Smiley - and it was Jimmy Key, who was instrumental in the turnaround that led to dynasty.

• Scott Brosius was a financial counterweight for the Yanks to rid themselves of a failed Boras client, Kenny Rogers, and Brosius was the third baseman for three straight championships.

So there is always hope. Yet it is obvious now - as Yankee money is spurned and they even toy with the idea of rebuilding - that these are not Hank Steinbrenner's father's Yankees."

• From NY Post column by Joel Sherman, "Power of Pinstripes Fading, Falling Fast," 10/30/07

posted by susan mullen at 10/30/2007 12:04:00 PM |

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