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October 14, 2007
Hank Stein Running The Baseball Show
From the Post -
Hank and Hal Steinbrenner will share leadership of father George's beloved Bronx Bombers in an arrangement to be further ironed out at top-level meetings in Tampa this week.
"George has taken on a role like the chairman of a major corporation," said team president Randy Levine. "He's been saying for years he's wanted to get his sons involved in the family business. Both of them have stepped up and are taking on the day-to-day duties of what's required to run the Yankees."
"There's always been a succession - and that's myself and my brother," Hank told The Post in an exclusive interview.
He said he and Hal will have final say on baseball decisions as well as the running of the YES Network and the construction of the new Yankee Stadium.
"I'll pay more attention to the baseball part. The stadium, that's more Hal. But basically everything will be decided jointly."
Hank, 50, runs the family's sprawling, 850-acre Kinsman Stable, a horse farm for thoroughbreds in Ocala, Fla., where Kentucky Derby contender Bellamy Road was reared. He's known as an expert in analyzing bloodlines.
Hal, 38, oversees five hotels in Florida and one in Ohio. He's also in charge of various real-estate, transportation and marketing companies.
They grew up immersed in baseball, surrounded by Hall of Fame players, coaches and executives, including mentors such as Clyde King, Billy Martin and Woody Woodward, Hank said.
The biggest impression was left by George himself, however.
"He was constantly on the go - and obviously he could be very emotional in his leadership," Hank said.
Hank, the oldest sibling, admits to having some of his notoriously bellicose dad's temper. He even looks like George, sporting a military buzz cut and dressing in blue blazers, turtlenecks and pressed khakis.
Hal is painfully shy and reticent. Some team observers have barely heard him utter a word.
"I tend to be more volatile than my brother," Hank said. "Hal is calmer - and that will probably be a good influence."
Forget everything you've read about Hal Steinbrenner being the new boss. Hank sounds like he's taking the bull by the horns.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at October 14, 2007 09:04 AM
Comments
I understand the Yankees are ultimately the Steinbrenner family's toy. They can run it the way they please (including to the ground). But God willing, George II will not turn the franchise into a joke (like it was in the 80s). The last thing we need is for the Steinbrenners to complete the triumvirate with the Dolans and the Wilpons.
Posted by: chris ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 14, 2007 12:45 PM
I think it's great news that Hank is taking command. So far, he seems like he actually 'gets it', he's even *insisting* that Chamberlain remain a starter. That doesn't sound like the tired 'win now at any and all costs' formula to me.
Posted by: Andrew at October 14, 2007 01:05 PM
That sounds like a problem to me, he shouldn't be insisting anything, it should be up to Cashman and the manager and coaches on how to use Chamberlain next year.
Posted by: antone at October 14, 2007 08:33 PM