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Kevin Baker's book is here!
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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

First, let's dispel once and for all this fiction that Hal Steinbrenner doesn't know what he's doing. He knows exactly what he's doing. He is undertaking a systematic effort to change this team, to make the Yankees just like the rest of baseball...

And that's why he has refused to spend money on even just one free agent. It is no less than a systematic effort to remake the Yankees into just another franchise. And darn it, it's working.

As the 2016 team gathers in Tampa, aside from the bullpen - which, despite sporting three closers, still has no proven innings-eaters, due to the trades of Justin Wilson and Adam Warren - there is no credible argument that the Yankees are superior to the Blue Jays and possibly even the Redsocks in the AL East. We're sitting around in our homes, waiting for Terry Bradshaw to knock on the front door and warn us about shingles, and we're wondering whether CC Sabathia will answer the bell? Of course, he will answer the bell! He'll think it's the dinner bell! The problem is, like Sabathia, the Yankee core players simply will be one year older, one year more brittle, and one year closer to retirement, due to policies instituted by Steinbrenner.

Some will say he doesn't know what he's doing. I disagree. I say Hal Steinbrenner knows exactly what he's doing. He is undertaking a systematic effort to remake the Yankees into a team just like those which play European soccer. Look at Chase Headley. Why do we have Chase Headley? We spent most of last winter harping over long-term contracts, and then - as if to stick it personally to A-Rod - we gave Headley a four-year-deal, and now we're stuck with him. This week, two Cuban brothers defected to America. They want to play for the Yankees. One is 31 and a genuine star in Cuba. He could be a Martin Prado type. The other is low-20s, an infield prospect, and seeing as how we have nobody playing third at Scranton, it's a natural fit, but will we do anything? Of course not. And you ask why? I'll tell you why.

Let's dispel the notion that Hal Steinbrenner doesn't know he's doing. He knows exactly what he's doing... 

9 comments:

Ken of Brooklyn said...

It's pure business to Hal Kinky Boots Steinspawn, spend as little as you can to keep the illusion of the dynasty franchise in place, maximize the profits on the backs of the fans, sit back, and rake in the dough. It's so fucking frustrating to watch chance after chance after chance pass them by, at least try to pretend to give a damn,,,,,,

Anonymous said...

I JUST SAW THIS SPECIAL ON THE STEINBRENNER'S ON NETFLIX. (IT WAS ONE OF THOSE ESPN 30 FOR 30 EPISODES)....IT WAS MADE IN 2010, AND IT SHOWED THE EVENTUAL TAKEOVER BY HAL AFTER GEORGE..... SCARY STUFF..... HAL WENT TO MILITARY SCHOOL AS A KID, AND WAS SAYING HOW HE DOES WELL WITH "CHECKLISTS"....AND "BUDGETS"..... MY JAW DROPPED, BECAUSE THIS SPECIAL SHOWED US A GLIMPSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS FRANCHISE SINCE 2009..... HE WAS DETERMINED TO WIN "FOR GEORGE" AS HIS HEALTH WAS FAILING, COUPLED WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW STADIUM, AND HE GOT IT DONE....... SINCE THEN, LOYAL AND DIE HARD YANKEE FANS ARE SO INSANELY FRUSTRATED, WONDERING, WHEN IS HAL GOING TO WIN ONE "FOR US" ???

KD said...

Terry should show up at spring training and give all our guys the shingles shot. one less debilitating issue to worry about as the season, and our players, age.

KD said...

"Win One for US!" I like it!!

Anonymous said...

Si, Marquito, your point is taken, Senator Robot-io. Maybe Hal can be your next billionaire, huh?

joe disgusted pastry said...

and now for those foolish enough to buy tickets to games this year you can't use print at home stub hub tickets anymore.

Parson Tom said...

This post deserves the Pulitzer equivalent for satirical sports blogs.

Since Lupica is trying his hackneyed hand at politics, perhaps the Daily News could use some of your insightful analyses of I'm Not Cheap's dismantling of the Yankee dynasty? That would make ol'Food Stamps uncomfortable in a hurry.

Even Girardi is admitting that the Yankee are mediocre.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Drove by the park on the way to the airport yesterday.


Didn't stop.

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