More thoughts from Hank
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Feb 25, 2008 
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Full disclosure: I saw Hank sitting in the lunch room today and could have waited around to talk to him. But the workout was over and the players were available in the clubhouse. I decided to go over there.
But the AP stuck around. Here is what Hank had to say:
On Brian Cashman getting a new contract: “I want to concentrate on the season, and he does, too. But during the course of the season, we will talk. It will just happen. We’ll be sitting together at the game, and we’ll start talking about it. It’s just that simple. I’ve know Cash for a long time. He’s been with our family for a long, long time. I think the big thing is with Brian is the organization he put in place. You know, it’s not based on just one decision as far as do a trade or don’t do a trade, or sign a free agent or don’t.”
On Joe Girardi: “I love what he does. I love what he’s doing here, I mean I really do. He’s a rare combination of things. The players like him, they respect him and they even have a little bit of fear of him. He can be intimidating. Extremely smart. Tough guy. Fiery. But they really like him, too. It’s a tough thing to achieve as a leader.
On the young pitchers: “They’re going to take it easy with them, build up their pitches. We’ll be careful with them, but obviously everybody’s going to be watching them. … I don’t care if they have 10 bad starts in a row, which they won’t, but I don’t care if they do. I know what they can do. We all know what they can do. It just takes patience. You don’t throw them to the sharks, otherwise their arms fall off.â€
A few points: Keep in mind that Hank Steinbrenner shares power with Hal Steinbrenner. Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal is also a senior vice president. The decision whether to bring Cashman back will be made by the family, not one person. Then there’s the question of whether Cashman will even want to come back given the new structure of the organization.
As for Girardi, there is no sense whatsoever in camp that the players are afraid of him or are intimidated by him. I see it as respect for the new manager. These guys are well-paid professionals. They were told to work on their conditioning and that is what they are doing. If you’ve listened to any of the audio cuts of Girardi, he has made it a point to say how he wants to get to know the players as people, etc. But the Steinbrenners have always liked the idea of approaching baseball like football.
What’s that saying? The one about the apple and the tree and the force of gravity when applied to the apple as relates to distance traveled?
Rebecca,
Is it Hank’s a “chip off the old block”?
Rebecca,
don’t you have mifterms soon? Get back to studies, please.
*midterms*
hank sure taks a lot. hope cash stays with the yanks he’s didn’t finish what he started (rebuilding)
Sorry, Rebecca, but I’m not a physicist.
But I will start this off by saying that I think it would be a big mistake to let Cash go. I know there’s been criticism of some of his moves (or, all of his moves, according to some of his critics here), but he’s got the organization moving in the right direction, now; he knows the organization and the workings of the Steinbrenner family; and he’s well respected by the family and his peers, from everything I’ve read in the media. And by complimenting Girardi, Hank is indirectly complimenting Cash, since Girardi was Cash’s pick (again, if I remember the reports in the press accurately).
From Cash’s standpoint, he knows the team, for better and worse, and by re-upping, he doesn’t have to uproot his family.
So, Hank and family, give him a nice raise and let him know he’s appreciated.
Excuse me?
I’m thinking Rebecca is referring to: the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“…the force of gravity when applied to the apple as relates to distance traveled….”
Sounds like physics, no?
The Yankees aren’t interesting in letting Cashman go. Some fans are but, they aren’t making the decision.
If Cashman wants to stay, they will work things out. Its an over 20 year relationship with the family and that’s not going to get blown up easily.
Fair points Pete. I would submit though they Girardi has put a little fear into this group. I say this because everybody has shown up in shape and nobody has complained (at least not publicly) about the additional running and fundamental work that has gone into camp.
It doesn’t even seem like anybody has tried to test Girardi yet. Even guys with bad tempers, like Bruney for example, have toed the line.
I’m not saying Girardi is walking around like Vince Lombardi or anything like that.
I am saying that there is a little bit more snap to the step with this group. Something we haven’t seen in the last couple of spring trainings.
It could be as simple as trying to impress the new boss. Or, it could be that some of these guys know Girardi is not going to put up with some of the stuff that Torre would put up with in ST.
I don’t know what it is but, whatever it is, its refreshing.
Maybe not intimidated, but the players got in shape out of deference to Girardi’s expectation of and high-value on physical conditioning. That is a leadership attribute that Joe T. may not have had quite like Joe G., considering that Joe G. himself is a physical specimen in many respects. They like him, but their work ethic is on the line, too, and that is a kind of, if not intimidation, command that Joe G. has.
In other words, it’s not all about contract years. Guys not in their contract years are definitely trying to impress Joe G. because he is carefully watching their conditioning, he said, not having seen any of this at all.
Pete – you and all of your other colleagues must love Hank. You’ll always have a story with Hank around.
Joe: Wasn’t referring to you
And yes, Lori’s got the quote
Jeter, A-Rod, Damon, Giambi afraid of Girardi ? Maybe not fear, per se, but they certainly know what side of their bread is buttered on, and I’ve got a tip for you, it’s the side that does what Girardi wants.
Guys like Melky, Cano, etc., yeah, I bet they have a little more fear of the General.
“nobody has complained (at least not publicly) about the additional running and fundamental work that has gone into camp.”
I think it’s true that Girardi’s personal commitment to discipline and conditioning has something to do with this, but I also think it helps a LOT when some of the biggest stars on the team are totally on board with the extra work (Arod, Jeter, Pettitte, etc). I mean… who’s going to say “this is beneath me!” when the guys making the most bank — with the greatest track record of success — are working just as hard as everyone else?
This should definitely be a fun season for Yankees Fans.
Most “scribes” are picking the Red Sox to win it all.
Girardi’s enthusiasm and planning will have this Yankee team more prepared than its been in a Decade. The Team will be more fundamentally sound and in better physical shape overall. Once again, the offense will be awesome. Much of this season’s fortunes should hinge on how quickly the young arms -starters and bullpen – are able to develop and mature.
That’s a great point Whozat.
I’m sure the guys that played with Girardi let the other guys on the team know he isn’t screwing around.
No question that when your leaders buy in, its a helluva lot easier to implement your program.
“Most “scribes†are picking the Red Sox to win it all.”
Right, because Beckett has certainly turned a corner and will now turn in full healthy seasons, despite only doing so once before. Matsuzaka is now “adjusted” and will be another ace, while Wang is certain to be figured out. Hughes and Chamberlain are risky young pitchers, but Bucholz and Lester are locks to be perennial Cy Young candidates starting this season. Wakefield is an ageless wonder but Mussina is done. Schilling will return successfully from rehab to give the team a shot in the arm, while Pettitte will be crushed by the HGH chatter and be worthless.
Whatever…the analytical simulations have the Yanks winning the division. In reality, it’s a toss-up. Both teams have questions. The only way to answer them is to play.
There are no known complainers about how this spring training is being conducted. In fact the veterans have said that the physical demands have been needed along with stressing fundamentals. This will be an ongoing process throughout the organization.
Opponents will soon realize that this is a well prepared Yankee team.
Oh, let the scribes pick the Red Sox all they want. It’ll be that much better when the Yankees win it all in October, stunning the baseball world with their talent and drive. It’ll be like this year’s Super Bowl, only better.
Is Hank now going to be known as “The Hoss”…Hank + Boss?
Hank must have been neglected as a child; that would explain the lust for attention. George was probably too busy firing Billy Martin and the pitching coaches and cutting Bobby Meacham to pay little Hank any mind.
i actually like Hank – as a Yankee fan, i consider an attention-grabbing Steinbrenner that the other teams’ fans hate a great perq.
donna….leave
I agree that the players are not afraid of Girardi at all. But I also think this is more than deference to a new manager’s ways. I think that these players are actually excited to try something new with a charismatic new leader in order to change the outcome of the last few years. And being in great shape to start the season is hardly an experimental training method; it does work.
As long as the pitching can hold up and give quality starts (no hitters not required) I think these guys are poised to get out to a great start while giving absolutely no regard to Boston at all. The Yankees should pick up where they left off, en fuego, over the second half of last season. Girardi is the force multiplier.
“Hankenstein should just shut up already. Get the guy some Kaopectate for that diarrhea of the mouth.”
do they make it for typing?
Ahh, good to hmmm back
. Also, whozat made a great point about the veterans buying into the program. That’s made life a ton easier for Girardi.
Now that you have ably refuted Hank, perhaps you won’t get that interview next time you see him in the cafeteria; then again, it doesn’t sound as if it would be that valuable.
Wow. Hank get’s no relief at all – even when he says that he won’t judge Cashman’s future by “do a trade or don’t do a trade” (read – he won’t live or die by the Santana decision, as has been thrown around by plenty in the meida).
He just doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt, does he?
It’s hardly surprising that a child of George Steinbrenner would have trouble distinguishing between respect and fear.
That should whoa, not whoa.
LOL,
Peter sees Hank sitting in lunch room
Peter approaches Hank for quotes
Hank answers Peter’s questions
Hank gets blamed for making comments
How exactly does this work again?