Steinbrenner believes Red Sox got break this year

ESPN ^ | June 3, 2003 | Associated Press

[Mister Magoo]

Steinbrenner believes Red Sox got break this year

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Yankees owner George Steinbrenner criticized baseball schedule makers and complained his team is treated unfairly, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

“ I used to be for it, but I'm not for it anymore. It's too easy for discrepancies. ” — George Steinbrenner, on interleague play

The Boss is unhappy about New York's road trip this week, when interleague games begin. His problem: While the Yankees are in Cincinnati and Chicago, the rival Boston Red Sox play Pittsburgh and Milwaukee -- two of the three worst teams in the National League.

"I just hope we play well against the National League clubs," Steinbrenner told The Times in a telephone interview. "I don't think the schedule is fair."

The Yankees play three games each against the Reds and Cubs, who lead the NL Central. New York doesn't face the Pirates or Brewers this season.

"Katy Feeney makes the schedule, and she has never been a favorite of mine or a favorite of the Yankees," Steinbrenner said. "We play Cincinnati, which is a fine, fine ballclub; they're going to be in the middle of it. Then we play the Cubs.

"Now who is the other guy playing? They're playing against Milwaukee. Now what's right about that? They're playing Pittsburgh and Milwaukee while we're playing Cincinnati and the Cubs. I think they got the best of that deal.

"Bud Selig told me personally that he was overseeing the schedule, and that he'll see to it that it's fine. I used to be for it, but I'm not for it anymore. It's too easy for discrepancies," Steinbrenner said.

Feeney, a Major League Baseball vice president, said it is was impossible for every AL East team to play every NL Central team this year. There are five teams in the AL East and six in the NL Central -- plus, the Yankees play six games against the crosstown rival Mets.

"You talk to the 29 other teams and they'd probably say I didn't like them," Feeney told The Associated Press Tuesday.

"When we go back to the current rotation in 2005, the teams will play teams they didn't play this year. Besides, you can't predict how games will come out. What looks good on paper turns out

not to look so good."

Steinbrenner said he would be at Wrigley Field on Saturday, when Roger Clemens is scheduled to make his third bid for his 300th victory against Cubs ace Kerry Wood.

The Boss also talked about the state of his team in interviews with the New York Daily News and New York Post.

The Yankees are 15-20 following an 18-3 start and have a 1½-game lead over Boston.

"I'm not satisfied with the team and neither are they," Steinbrenner told the Daily News. "I don't think we're playing as well as we're supposed to, or as well as we're going to be playing."

The Yankees blew a 7-1 lead against Detroit on Sunday, costing Clemens his 300th victory, before winning 10-9 in 17 innings.

"I didn't like it at all," Steinbrenner told the Post. "But I predicted in spring training that when a team has a player going for any record it can lead to distractions. They are all trying too hard for Roger."

[big'ol_freeper]

That's funny...I can't remember Da Boss complaining when the situation was reversed the last three years and the Yenkies had the easier schedule. I musta missed it.

[7 x 77]

I'm trying to think. What would be the best word for George Steinbrenner complaining about an uneven playing field?

[Numbers Guy]

You want to know why King George waited until now to complain? Because before the season began few thought that the Cubs would be doing so well, so he had nothing to complain about.

And the fact that not many were expecting the Cubs to do this well means that Steinbrenner's claim of a pre-season scheduling conspiracy is without merit. Not surprising.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

awwwwwwwww,I hope my Cubs sweep his team this weekend.

As I saw some Red Sox fan had a sign up, "299 forever"

[RJCogburn]

Jeez, George whines more than Cultural Jihad over an Objectivist thread.

[ml/nj]

F@$% George and his Yes Network.

I just got a notice from Cablevision that both MSG and Fox Sports are now pay channels for me. The next day they were scrambled. They have always been "free" or as free as they can be when ones cable bill is already above $80/month. The reason for this is that Cablevision capitulated to Steinbrenner and took his overpriced Yes signal. Now I can get all three in a bundle for $5, or $2 apiece for the ones I want and used to get for "free."

Now I would have no problem with this if Cablevision had competitors where I live, but they don't. I'm sure they mayor of my town is well taken care of, but I'm stuck with my "regulated" monopoly, and I'm not pleased.

ML/NJ

[Prodigal Son]

Damn, George. Stuff a sock in it. (there's a wee pun in there somewhere).

[SamAdams76]

What a crybaby. Last year, the situation was exactly reversed. The Red Sox were playing the cream of the NL crop and they got creamed. I don't remember who the Yankees played but I'm pretty sure they had the easier schedule last year.

For the record, I also detest interleague play. I'd rather see more divisional play and see intense rivalries between teams who are fighting it out for first place (like the Yankees vs Red Sox). But I don't believe in making excuses like Steinbrenner. If you can't beat the teams you are scheduled to play, you don't belong in the playoffs.

[ontos-on]

Would you guys like to have George as your teams owner? I bet you would. The guy always wants to win and wont let complacency grow under his team. I feel fortunate that he has owned my team all these years.

[andy58-in-nh]

What would be the best word for George Steinbrenner complaining about an uneven playing field?

I think that word is: Clintonesque.

[Jeff Chandler]

>>I feel fortunate that he has owned my team all these years.<<

Maybe so, but if he keeps up the whining people are going to mistake him for a Dodger.

[kdmhcdcfld]

Cry baby alert...

[tenthirteen]

Just you guys leave George alone. He's distracted. Being a part-owner of the New Jersey Devils in a Stanley Cup run is just too much for any man, or woman for that matter.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Wining's great, but its also how you win. George is just whining here and I have no respect for that. What about last year when the Red Sox had to play at the Dodgers and D-Backs? This is silly.

[ontos-on]

Maybe so, but if he keeps up the whining people are going to mistake him for a Dodger.

I know, you afre right about the whining. But it really is schtick. It's a thing he does with the press. Even for him, I dont think it really is sincere. Don't take it too seriously. Over the years, we've become so used to it, it is easily ignorable. : )

[George from New England]

This jerk King George got contracts a year ago with Cox Communications that screws everyone with Cox basic cable in the states within 100 miles of New York City.

He contracted with Cox to pay $2 per month per subscriber all year round. This con is more than 10 times any other advertiser supported channel on cable. Old ladies, non-sports fans, everyone must pay his ransom if they want the 70 or so cable channels on the system. He does not allow Cox to sell it separately.

So to get Fox News or EWTN, etc you HAVE TO PAY the Steinbrenner tax too.

All the channels total about $40 (or $38 before the YES channel came along).

If all the cable channels start this the cable will rapidly go over $100 per month.

Watch out, I hear that ESPN is starting to fight for their piece.

[StatesEnemy]

What about last year when the Red Sox had to play at the Dodgers and D-Backs?

Don't forget the Atlanta 'Boston' Braves, '02 and '01.

[Burkeman1]

Geesh- largest television market in the country and thus the most money in which to buy free agents and World Series and he is still complaining? Go fry ice George.

[copwife]

The word should be "HYPOCRITE"!