Wearing a hat with the words “Majestic Warrior” – one of his top 2-year-old thoroughbreds – George Steinbrenner was driven out of the Regency Hotel in midtown yesterday, skipping his customary few words before heading to Tampa.
But one of his sons did speak – and while Hank Steinbrenner insisted that the Yankees haven’t decided whether to bring Joe Torre back, he didn’t sound particularly optimistic.
When asked about Torre’s accomplishments during his 12-year tenure, the younger Steinbrenner, a vice president, said, “The record speaks for itself, but nothing lasts forever.”
Few people know that better than Torre, whose head has been on The Boss’ chopping block before and placed there again after Steinbrenner said in a published report Sunday that he would probably not bring Torre back if the Yankees lost to the Indians.
Still, Hank Steinbrenner, added that, “No decision has been made. Period,” Steinbrenner said. “No decision on anything yet.”
The decision will likely be made in the next two weeks when the organization has meetings in Tampa, according to Hank Steinbrenner. And Torre’s status isn’t the only uncertainty, since Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte, among others can all become free agents.
Steinbrenner also added that he wasn’t disappointed in the fact that the Yankees have had their season end in ALDS losses in each of the past three seasons, choosing instead to focus on the team’s promising future.
“I wouldn’t call it disappointment. The big thing with me, for sure – and I think for all of us – is the optimism for the next anywhere from five to 10 years,” said Steinbrenner, who indicated that Joba Chamberlain will be moved into the rotation next year.
“The young pitchers we got now and the young players we got coming, position players, I mean next year, Chamberlain, [Phil] Hughes will be starters. We’ve got [Ian] Kennedy coming along, other kids in the minors, it’s gonna be real nice.”
Now they have to figure out who will surround that new talent … and manage it.
“Everything really is up in the air right now,” Steinbrenner said. “We’re in no hurry, it’s a long offseason.”
As for his father, who was hardly seen at the Stadium this year, Steinbrenner said he didn’t erupt after the early postseason exit, “He took it very calmly … He loves being at the ballpark. He’s doing well.”