Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

John Pileggi — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:32:58 GMT

Back in the 70's, Saturday Night Live had a fake news bit announcing that "Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead!", mocking the seemingly endless time between the pronouncement of his impending demise to the actual event. It seems you and the rest of the media have done the same thing with respect to Steinbrenner. It has been well over a year since reporters began the stage whisper of his reported mental difficulties and illness. Time and time again, as the season started poorly, we read "in the old days, before he got sick,.......". And so Ian O'Connor, a lousy writer and even worse television personality, managed to get a man who we know is not well on the phone and got a quote from him. And so you and everyone else can write another "one last article" lamenting the Boss's loss of control of his capabilities and his empire. Okay, enough, the Long Goodbye has been exhausted. His kids seem like normal and well-adjusted men. They pick up a legacy of controversy and incredible financial results. They seem to be their own guys and they, Levine and Cashman will make decisions. Everyone has written about it 500 times from every angle. The General has, indeed, left the stage yet again. O'Connor, next time call Celzic and you can speak to another guy who was once entertaining and now is just old. Better yet, snatch purses from old ladies if you feel like a free whack at the helpless.

Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

Tom Neff — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:24:48 GMT

You wrote:
"It is as likely that the two events are unrelated as it is that human activity has had something to do with climate change. You’ll find some people who will argue that one had nothing to do with the other, but most experts will agree that the evidence points strongly to a connection."

This does not make sense. Your article strongly implies that the two events (Steinbrenner's phoner and the Levine announcement) are related. And you also imply (correctly) that human activity affects climate change. So the likelihood that the two baseball events are UN-related should be small, not large.

Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

Don Engle, NYC, NY — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 10:08:13 GMT

As much as I like Torre, My respect for him has taken a huge hit. When George laid down the ultimatum, Joe should have immediately tendered his resignation effective after the playoffs. He doesn't need the money and he certainly didn't need the humiliation. Instead he sits around like a high school sophomore waiting to see if he made the Varsity or is it another year on the JV's. For God sakes, Joe be a man and retire on your own. You're 67 and you're on top.

Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

Don Engle, NYC, NY — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 10:16:02 GMT

Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

Jim Burda, Hudson Ohio — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:52:26 GMT

Why does the media get so wrapped around it's axle over the George Steinbrebner saga? Because they like sensationalism which drive ratings and readship. Stories like this one aree sick and I'm sick and tired of the media blowhards who like to pontificate over nothing!

Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

G$ SHARONVILLE, OHIO — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:43:34 GMT

HOPEFULLY HIS BOYS DON'T CRY HIS MUCH AS HE DID, WHEN HIS PRECIOUS YANKEES WEREN'T WINNING. SO GLAD WE DON'T HAVE TO HEAR ABOUT THEM AGAIN THIS YEAR IN THE PLAYOFFS. HATE THEM, AND ALWAYS WILL HATE THEM, REGARDLESS OF WHO RUNS THE CLUB. IF THEY HAD THE SALARY OF ANY OTHER MARKET THEY WOULD BE JUST ANOTHER MAJOR LEAGUE TEAM!!!!!!! STAY HOME YANKEES, NO FUN IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR!!!!!! HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!

Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

Scott Thomas, Cleveland, OH — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:14:05 GMT

The only thing SAD is Mike Celizic's writing. Last week it was how dangerous the Yankees were - now it's boo-hoo? Dude, are you kiddin me? Are you aware of how much the country HATES Steinbrenner and loves it when he loses. I just cannot believe that MSNBC lets you write for them, these nonsensical articles filled with your opinion is useless drivel. You need to re-enroll in journalism school, go to your first professor and say "Sir - I have no idea what I'm doing, I write boring useless articles that people reject....please help me become useful" This will be step one in resurecting the abomination that has become your writing career you useless waste of keystrokes.

Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

Bill K, Ringwood, NJ — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 20:28:34 GMT

I gotta agree.....As a Mets fan I remember hating Steinbrenner in the late 70's...appreciating him in the late 90's....and now missing him in 2007.....
It's also clear to me that his children lack his verve for the sport...the lean years are coming for Yankees fans...

Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

ollie nanyes — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 21:14:57 GMT

Not on this topic but on your "Notre Dame Victory March" article: it was Dan Devine that used the green jerseys, not Ara Parsegian. Devine was in his third year at that time.

Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

Chris, Newport Beach, CA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:59:04 GMT

The Yankees are an average team at best. Being in the AL East allows the Yankees, the biggest spenders in game, to buy their way into the post-season year after year. I am not shocked at all that they get bounced in the first round either. Let's see the MLB owners take a page from their NFL brethren and institute a salary cap. A salary cap will will bring parity to this league over the long term. This will allow all teams a fair shot at getting the best players instead of a bunch of crusty old owners who's time has long since passed them by.

Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

ed benedict, greenville nc — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:49:18 GMT

MIke: Some of your respondees methinks missed your point. Steinbrenner and his roguish predecessors like Bill Veeck and Charlie Finley brought panache to sports. Ditto old announcers like (hate to say it) Cosell, Dandy Don, Tommy Brooksheier (sp?). I don't think any of the networks would abide Howard today. Everything is scripted and tinged with sociological, pc overtones. Having the benefit of hindsight, I'm nevertheless not surprised that the Yankee brass set up the Torre departure scenario as they did. They knew a man with juevos would walk, but they could lamely assure fans that they made him an offer, didn't can him outright. It might be for best that Joe is leaving, but no thinking fan can view Cashman et. al. as anything but wimps. Love or hate him, George Steinbrenner was his own man. Come to think of it, a guy like he would certainly enliven what passes for debate among our presidential wannabes.

Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

Gary Sacco, Rochester, NY — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:33:15 GMT

The post clearly projects two flawed assumptions. The first proclaims that the Boss, possibly in early dementia stages, will be pushed aside, no longer speaking for the Yankees organization. This bombastic man will continue to track HIS team. During poor stretches the Boss will be unable to restrain himself. He'll reach for his phone and call Mike Lupica or William Rhoden. "The manager's future is in jeopardy if we lose the next three", he'll bluster. Bottom line, it's still his money and, thus, his team.

The last sentence speculates that the "Yankees may be better run". Well, if the Hal and Hank era began with the Torre fiasco, this may not be true. The "Boy Bosses", lost the wrong guy. Refreshingly, they could have shown GM Brian Cashman the door, instead. He's the one deciding what to spend Steinbrenner's millions on. Speaking of fiscal responsibility, maybe Hal and Hank will show more restraint and tighten the purse strings. Eliminating the Yankees' penchant for impulse shopping, particularly on aging rubber armed pitchers, would be a nice change!

Sad to see end of Steinbrenner era

Barry Beck — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:50:52 GMT

Mr. Celizic,
Can you express an opinion and stick with it for more then a couple or minutes?
On any giving Monday you say the Yankees are done. One Tuesday you say the Yankees will win it all.
You've been doing this to us for years. I bet in early Winter you'll release an article that in short say the Yankees will finish in last place in 2008.
Mid Winter you'll release an article that will say the Yankees will win 125 games in 2008 and win the Series in October.
In Spring you'll release an article that says A-Rod is overrated and his number are smoke and mirrors. But after the first pitch is thrown you'll argue why MLB does not have a special provision crafted to enter A-Rod in the Hall of Fame while he's still an active player.