NEW YORK – Hal Steinbrenner had just started his quarterly State of the Yankees session when he asked to switch places with reporters and stood near the side of the lobby at Major League Baseball’s headquarters.
“This feels better,” the New York owner said with his back to the wall. “Very fitting.”
A minute later, a security guard asked Steinbrenner and the media to step outside.
That’s what happens when your team is last in the AL East.
Steinbrenner backed Manager Joe Girardi, his coaching staff and general manager Brian Cashman on Wednesday and blamed players for the team’s poor start, which bottomed at 9-17. Mark Teixeira, Chase Headley, Michael Pineda and Luis Severino were singled out for criticism, and Steinbrenner also praised Headley, Starlin Castro and Aaron Hicks along with Girardi, Cashman and pitching coach Larry Rothschild.
“The coaches are doing a good job,” Steinbrenner said. “These are professional athletes. They’re the best baseball players in the world, and sooner or later it comes down to them, on the inside, to push through whatever it is they’re going through and to persevere.”
Far less tempestuous than father George Steinbrenner, who goaded the team from his purchase in 1973 until nearly the time of his death in 2010, Hal discussed the Yankees analytically – but with hope.
“Needless to say, the first five weeks were disappointing, frustrating, particularly looking at the offense,” he said. “Clearly not living up to their potential.”
Teixeira, a three-time All-Star first baseman, started the day with a .211 average and 11 RBIs. Headley didn’t have an extra-base hit until May 12. After going 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA as a rookie, Severino is 0-6 with a 7.46 ERA and is on the disabled list with a triceps injury. Pineda is 1-5 with a 6.60 ERA – 102nd among 104 qualifying pitchers in the major leagues.