Hank Steinbrenner emerged from hibernation yesterday, but not to predict six more weeks of winter – or even a World Series championship for the Yankees.
With pitchers and catchers set to report to camp next week, all Steinbrenner would say is he’s optimistic heading into spring training.
“Much more so than last year,” Steinbrenner said in Tampa. “I feel real confident going into this season.”
Steinbrenner has mostly remained quiet during an offseason in which the Yankees spent $423.5 million on long-term contracts for Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.
It’s also an offseason in which Steinbrenner’s brother Hal was officially handed the reins of the organization, as recognized by the commissioner’s office, although Hank Steinbrenner retains the title co-chairman and oversees baseball operations.
The Yankees may have added talent, but Steinbrenner knows that alone guarantees nothing.
“The American League East is by far the best division in baseball,” he said. “The players can’t be thinking, ‘Look how good we are on paper.’ They’ve got to earn it in our division.”
Still, Steinbrenner senses that the entire team is “fired up” with the offseason moves made by the front office. A day earlier Derek Jeter told reporters he was “as excited about this season as any season in a long time.”
As for Joe Torre’s new book, put Steinbrenner down for a copy.
“I haven’t read it yet,” Steinbrenner said. “I’ll read it.”
mpuma@nypost.com