Time For Hal Steinbrenner To Be More Like George

Hal Steinbrenner admits that he has a somewhat different manner for dealing with issues, but more than ever, the Yankees need him to follow his father’s path.

”I don’t think it’s a newsflash that I’m different from George in a lot of ways,” he said,” according to Yahoo.com. ”I do tend to be a little less rash when it comes to firing people.”

After two years of not making the postseason, enough is enough. Admittedly, there are some silver linings, if that takes the sting away. Michael Pineda showed at the end of the season that he is ready to be what the Yankees hoped for when they got him. Dellin Betances showed signs of being a star for years to come. And the starting  rotation could be formidable if enough of the pieces return.

But silver linings were never close to being enough for George. Sure, we can envision George apologizing for the last two years, but what’s missing is his tirades. Even if that’s not in Hal’s personality, there needs to be urgency in actions, and not just words.

Certainly, he made an effort last year with Masahiro Tanaka, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann. And you can’t really blame Hal for guys going down,and others not playing to their potential.

But consider Hal, Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi as a group. Now, if you were around, compare that group to George, Gabe Paul and Billy Martin. What would you say is the main difference?

Many would say the difference lies in the emotion. Let’s face it, George and Billy could not stand mediocrity. They battled each other over and over again. But in the sense of hating to lose, they were from the same mold. Not that Hal, Brian and Joe like to lose, they just seem more able to tolerate it.

That is what we need to see more of from Hal’s regime. Enough of “that’s the way it goes sometimes.” Make it go the way it should.