Be In The Center Of The Action
Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee told the Chicago Tribune he holds no grudge against pitcher Carlos Zambrano and expects the right-hander to be welcomed back to the team.
It was Zambrano’s shouting match with Lee in the dugout on June 25 that ultimately led to his team-imposed suspension.
"The guy has been my teammate since I’ve been here in ’04," Lee said. "Carlos and I are friends. It’s like family. You argue with the family, and you get over it."
Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee told the Chicago Tribune he holds no grudge against pitcher Carlos Zambrano and expects the right-hander to be welcomed back to the team.
It was Zambrano’s shouting match with Lee in the dugout on June 25 that ultimately led to his team-imposed suspension.
"The guy has been my teammate since I’ve been here in ’04," Lee said. "Carlos and I are friends. It’s like family. You argue with the family, and you get over it."
Reds first baseman Joey Votto finally cleared the air about his controversial comment regarding the Cubs.
Following the NL’s All-Star Game win, Votto was quoted as saying he didn’t congratulate Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd for a strong ninth-inning defensive play because of the Reds-Cubs rivalry. The quote: "I don’t like the Cubs. And I’m not going to pat anybody with a Cubs uniform on the back."
Votto told The Cincinnati Enquirer that he was joking, that he knew he was speaking to a Chicago reporter when he was asked that question and that he and Byrd got along very well during the All-Star festivities.
Reds first baseman Joey Votto finally cleared the air about his controversial comment regarding the Cubs.
Following the NL’s All-Star Game win, Votto was quoted as saying he didn’t congratulate Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd for a strong ninth-inning defensive play because of the Reds-Cubs rivalry. The quote: "I don’t like the Cubs. And I’m not going to pat anybody with a Cubs uniform on the back."
Votto told The Cincinnati Enquirer that he was joking, that he knew he was speaking to a Chicago reporter when he was asked that question and that he and Byrd got along very well during the All-Star festivities.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has thrown his name into the mix as a potential bidder for the Texas Rangers, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Cuban would either join the group led by Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg or join another group as a major investor.
"The economics have changed, which has gotten me interested," Cuban told the Star-Telegram via e-mail. "My lawyers are still going through everything, but the bigger point is that I now have an interest."
Added Cuban: "I think there is an opportunity to organize a bid for the team. Or if it’s feasible or possible — and I don’t know for sure if it is or isn’t — to work with Chuck and Nolan and their group. I’m not trying to push anyone off or out. I’m exploring."
Last week the New York Post reported Cuban had been added to a group led by former player agent Dennis Gilbert, who was among the early bidders for the club.
In January, Greenberg and Ryan reached a deal to purchase the team from owner Tom Hicks. However, major lenders blocked the move, claiming there were higher bids than the one from Greenberg and Ryan. The fate of the franchise, which is in bankruptcy, remains in limbo with an auction one possibility to determine a new owner.
Cuban made an attempt to purchase the Cubs before the franchise eventually was sold to Tom Ricketts in January 2009.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has thrown his name into the mix as a potential bidder for the Texas Rangers, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Cuban would either join the group led by Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg or join another group as a major investor.
"The economics have changed, which has gotten me interested," Cuban told the Star-Telegram via e-mail. "My lawyers are still going through everything, but the bigger point is that I now have an interest."
Added Cuban: "I think there is an opportunity to organize a bid for the team. Or if it’s feasible or possible — and I don’t know for sure if it is or isn’t — to work with Chuck and Nolan and their group. I’m not trying to push anyone off or out. I’m exploring."
Last week the New York Post reported Cuban had been added to a group led by former player agent Dennis Gilbert, who was among the early bidders for the club.
In January, Greenberg and Ryan reached a deal to purchase the team from owner Tom Hicks. However, major lenders blocked the move, claiming there were higher bids than the one from Greenberg and Ryan. The fate of the franchise, which is in bankruptcy, remains in limbo with an auction one possibility to determine a new owner.
Cuban made an attempt to purchase the Cubs before the franchise eventually was sold to Tom Ricketts in January 2009.
Sporting News Audio is a weekly series of conversations with Sporting News experts during the MLB season. In this installment, Tom Gatto talks about the Yunel Escobar for Alex Gonzalez trade, and how that impacts the Braves and Blue Jays moving forward.
Sporting News Audio is a weekly series of conversations with Sporting News experts during the MLB season. In this installment, Tom Gatto talks about the Yunel Escobar for Alex Gonzalez trade, and how that impacts the Braves and Blue Jays moving forward.
Ubaldo Jimenez is halfway to 30 wins. Miguel Cabrera is poised to make a serious run at the Triple Crown. No-hitters are being pitched at a near-record pace.
But the No. 1 reason to look forward to baseball’s second half, which begins with seven games Thursday, has nothing to do with individual glory. It is all about the pennant races, which are as plentiful as they are tight. For the first time since the dawn of the six-division alignment, no division leader will take more than a 4 1/2-game lead into the second half.
Even more surprising are the teams on top, where only one club pegged for first place — who else, the Yankees — resides there. In the N.L., the Braves have zoomed past the Phillies in the East, the Reds have overtaken the Cardinals in the Central and the Padres continue to surprise in the West. In the American League, the White Sox have come from 9 1/2 games back to lead the Central in just more than a month, and the Rangers sit 4 1/2 games ahead of the perennial-favorite Angels.
Three factors that will impact the races long before the September stretch.
SCHEDULE MATTERS
Because 17 clubs have a legitimate chance of reaching the postseason, contenders will face off regularly from now until October. Just look at this weekend, for example:
Rays at Yankees. The Rays led the Yankees until their June swoon. A 9-2 July has pushed them in front of the Red Sox and within two games of the Yankees. "We struggled offensively and pitching two or three weeks ago but came out of it," A.L. All-Star starter David Price said. "That’s what good teams do. If we get our one or the other — our offense or our pitching — back on track, we’ll be fine."
The Yankees will finish the season without two fallen franchise icons, though they will be remembered on the teams’ uniforms. New York will have a prominent black patch on the front of its uniforms in honor of owner George Steinbrenner and another — featuring a microphone — on its left sleeves in memory of long-time public address announcer Bob Sheppard.
White Sox at Twins. MVP candidate Justin Morneau skipped the All-Star Game in hopes that he will be ready to return Thursday from a concussion suffered last week. Minnesota needs all the help it can get to slow the White Sox, who closed the first half with an eight-game winning streak and a 25-5 run.
Rangers at Red Sox. No club faces a tougher second-half schedule than the Red Sox, who still have 10 games remaining against the Yankees and six against the Rays. Oh yeah, they also have two series against the first-place White Sox, another with the Rangers and an upcoming 10-game trip to the West Coast. Boston will face Rangers newcomer Cliff Lee on Saturday.
Rockies at Reds. Cincinnati catches a break because the Rockies have pushed back Jimenez’s next start to next week.
Dodgers at Cardinals. Asked to make a second-half prediction, Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright said: "You’ll see a better brand of baseball from the Cardinals." The club has underachieved but is just one game back. "Treading water, that’s exactly what we’ve been doing," Wainwright said.
DEADLINE DEALS
With last week’s acquisition of Lee, Texas likely wrapped up the title of "biggest winner" before the nonwaiver trading deadline. But that doesn’t mean there will be a lack of moves by contenders before July 31.
The Padres need a slugger, and the Brewers’ Corey Hart remains a possibility. The Twins and Mets might have to settle for a back-of-the-rotation type such as Kevin Millwood or Jake Westbrook to bolster their rotations if, as is likely, the Diamondbacks keep Dan Haren and the Astros don’t move Roy Oswalt. Orioles All-Star Ty Wigginton could be a valuable utility player for a banged-up club such as the Phillies, but he refused to consider the possibility of being traded when he was in Anaheim.
HEALTHY RETURNS
The Mets and Reds won’t have to make a deal to add potential impact players to their rosters. Center fielder Carlos Beltran, out all season after right knee surgery, already has been penciled into the Mets’ cleanup spot for this weekend’s series at San Francisco. How manager Jerry Manuel juggles his four-man outfield remains to be seen.
Reds righthander Edinson Volquez has been sharp in his rehab starts and could make his debut as soon as this weekend, in part because he was able to serve his 50-game suspension for performance enhancers while on the disabled list recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Red Sox can only hope for good news about their long injury list. Starters Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz are in the rehab-start stages and, barring setbacks, should be back by the end of the month. The returns of second baseman Dustin Pedroia (broken left foot), catchers Victor Martinez (left thumb) and Jason Varitek (broken left foot) and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) are less certain.
The Red Sox could use those players sooner than later because, as Mets third baseman David Wright said at the All-Star Game, "September is just around the corner."
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Ubaldo Jimenez is halfway to 30 wins. Miguel Cabrera is poised to make a serious run at the Triple Crown. No-hitters are being pitched at a near-record pace.
But the No. 1 reason to look forward to baseball’s second half, which begins with seven games Thursday, has nothing to do with individual glory. It is all about the pennant races, which are as plentiful as they are tight. For the first time since the dawn of the six-division alignment, no division leader will take more than a 4 1/2-game lead into the second half.
Even more surprising are the teams on top, where only one club pegged for first place — who else, the Yankees — resides there. In the N.L., the Braves have zoomed past the Phillies in the East, the Reds have overtaken the Cardinals in the Central and the Padres continue to surprise in the West. In the American League, the White Sox have come from 9 1/2 games back to lead the Central in just more than a month, and the Rangers sit 4 1/2 games ahead of the perennial-favorite Angels.
Three factors that will impact the races long before the September stretch.
SCHEDULE MATTERS
Because 17 clubs have a legitimate chance of reaching the postseason, contenders will face off regularly from now until October. Just look at this weekend, for example:
Rays at Yankees. The Rays led the Yankees until their June swoon. A 9-2 July has pushed them in front of the Red Sox and within two games of the Yankees. "We struggled offensively and pitching two or three weeks ago but came out of it," A.L. All-Star starter David Price said. "That’s what good teams do. If we get our one or the other — our offense or our pitching — back on track, we’ll be fine."
The Yankees will finish the season without two fallen franchise icons, though they will be remembered on the teams’ uniforms. New York will have a prominent black patch on the front of its uniforms in honor of owner George Steinbrenner and another — featuring a microphone — on its left sleeves in memory of long-time public address announcer Bob Sheppard.
White Sox at Twins. MVP candidate Justin Morneau skipped the All-Star Game in hopes that he will be ready to return Thursday from a concussion suffered last week. Minnesota needs all the help it can get to slow the White Sox, who closed the first half with an eight-game winning streak and a 25-5 run.
Rangers at Red Sox. No club faces a tougher second-half schedule than the Red Sox, who still have 10 games remaining against the Yankees and six against the Rays. Oh yeah, they also have two series against the first-place White Sox, another with the Rangers and an upcoming 10-game trip to the West Coast. Boston will face Rangers newcomer Cliff Lee on Saturday.
Rockies at Reds. Cincinnati catches a break because the Rockies have pushed back Jimenez’s next start to next week.
Dodgers at Cardinals. Asked to make a second-half prediction, Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright said: "You’ll see a better brand of baseball from the Cardinals." The club has underachieved but is just one game back. "Treading water, that’s exactly what we’ve been doing," Wainwright said.
DEADLINE DEALS
With last week’s acquisition of Lee, Texas likely wrapped up the title of "biggest winner" before the nonwaiver trading deadline. But that doesn’t mean there will be a lack of moves by contenders before July 31.
The Padres need a slugger, and the Brewers’ Corey Hart remains a possibility. The Twins and Mets might have to settle for a back-of-the-rotation type such as Kevin Millwood or Jake Westbrook to bolster their rotations if, as is likely, the Diamondbacks keep Dan Haren and the Astros don’t move Roy Oswalt. Orioles All-Star Ty Wigginton could be a valuable utility player for a banged-up club such as the Phillies, but he refused to consider the possibility of being traded when he was in Anaheim.
HEALTHY RETURNS
The Mets and Reds won’t have to make a deal to add potential impact players to their rosters. Center fielder Carlos Beltran, out all season after right knee surgery, already has been penciled into the Mets’ cleanup spot for this weekend’s series at San Francisco. How manager Jerry Manuel juggles his four-man outfield remains to be seen.
Reds righthander Edinson Volquez has been sharp in his rehab starts and could make his debut as soon as this weekend, in part because he was able to serve his 50-game suspension for performance enhancers while on the disabled list recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Red Sox can only hope for good news about their long injury list. Starters Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz are in the rehab-start stages and, barring setbacks, should be back by the end of the month. The returns of second baseman Dustin Pedroia (broken left foot), catchers Victor Martinez (left thumb) and Jason Varitek (broken left foot) and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) are less certain.
The Red Sox could use those players sooner than later because, as Mets third baseman David Wright said at the All-Star Game, "September is just around the corner."
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Tuesday that Pedro Martinez is a long way from returning to the club this season.
Amaro told MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki in Anaheim, Calif., that he spoke with Martinez’s agent, Fern Cuza, who said Martinez has yet to throw off a mound this year.
"Only Pedro could say when he’d be ready. I’m sure he knows, but I couldn’t tell you," Amaro said.
Martinez provided a boost to the Phillies’ staff after signing in midseason last year. He was in much better condition at the time, having pitched in the World Baseball Classic in March 2009.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Tuesday that Pedro Martinez is a long way from returning to the club this season.
Amaro told MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki in Anaheim, Calif., that he spoke with Martinez’s agent, Fern Cuza, who said Martinez has yet to throw off a mound this year.
"Only Pedro could say when he’d be ready. I’m sure he knows, but I couldn’t tell you," Amaro said.
Martinez provided a boost to the Phillies’ staff after signing in midseason last year. He was in much better condition at the time, having pitched in the World Baseball Classic in March 2009.
When I got traded in December of ’96 to the Angels, I was working out at the Yankees complex in Tampa when it all went down.
I remember walking into Mr. Steinbrenner’s office and thanking him for everything, but the one thing that really sticks out in my mind is that he wasn’t angry, he wasn’t like, "Get out of here; you’ve been traded now."
The first thing he said to me was, "You’re always welcome here for what you’ve done for this organization. I don’t let too many guys that play for other teams come in and use this complex to work out, but you’re welcome here any time."
After I hit the home run in ’96 and we turned that whole thing around, just him making that comment was big. Because there was first that fear of not being part of the Yankees after what had just happened, and then him giving me that comfort thing of "you will always be a Yankee, no matter what."
Once I got traded, I thought, "I’m not going to be welcome anymore."
The way he made me feel, calling me in the office and saying, "You can work out here, and our home is your home, and you will always be a part of the Yankees organization for what you’ve done for us."
And really, that’s the man he was. I compare him a lot to my father, a hard-driving man who expected you to give your best every day.
Leyritz, a Yankee from 1990-96 and 1999-2000, hit a three-run, eighth-inning home run in Game 4 of the ’96 World Series that generally is credited with being the turning point in a comeback series victory against the Braves that ignited a stretch of four Yankees titles in five seasons.
— As told to Bob Hille
When I got traded in December of ’96 to the Angels, I was working out at the Yankees complex in Tampa when it all went down.
I remember walking into Mr. Steinbrenner’s office and thanking him for everything, but the one thing that really sticks out in my mind is that he wasn’t angry, he wasn’t like, "Get out of here; you’ve been traded now."
The first thing he said to me was, "You’re always welcome here for what you’ve done for this organization. I don’t let too many guys that play for other teams come in and use this complex to work out, but you’re welcome here any time."
After I hit the home run in ’96 and we turned that whole thing around, just him making that comment was big. Because there was first that fear of not being part of the Yankees after what had just happened, and then him giving me that comfort thing of "you will always be a Yankee, no matter what."
Once I got traded, I thought, "I’m not going to be welcome anymore."
The way he made me feel, calling me in the office and saying, "You can work out here, and our home is your home, and you will always be a part of the Yankees organization for what you’ve done for us."
And really, that’s the man he was. I compare him a lot to my father, a hard-driving man who expected you to give your best every day.
Leyritz, a Yankee from 1990-96 and 1999-2000, hit a three-run, eighth-inning home run in Game 4 of the ’96 World Series that generally is credited with being the turning point in a comeback series victory against the Braves that ignited a stretch of four Yankees titles in five seasons.
— As told to Bob Hille
1973: 80-82 (fourth in A.L. East)
1974: 89-73 (second in A.L. East)
1975: 83-77 (third in A.L. East)
1976: 97-62 (first in A.L. East) **
1977: 100-62 (first in A.L. East) *
1978: 100-63 (first in A.L. East) *
1979: 89-71 (fourth in A.L. East)
1980: 103-59 (first in A.L. East) *
1981: 59-48 (fourth in A.L. East) **
1982: 79-83 (fifth in A.L. East)
1983: 91-71 (third in A.L. East)
1984: 87-75 (third in A.L. East)
1985: 97-64 (second in A.L. East)
1986: 90-72 (second in A.L. East)
1987: 89-73 (fourth in A.L. East)
1988: 85-76 (fifth in A.L. East)
1989: 74-87 (fifth in A.L. East)
1990: 67-95 (last in A.L. East)
1991: 71-91 (fifth in A.L. East)
1992: 76-86 (fourth in A.L. East)
1993: 88-74 (second in A.L. East)
1994: 70-43 (first in A.L. East) ***
1995: 79-65 (second in A.L. East; won A.L. wild card)
1996: 92-70 (first in A.L. East) *
1997: 96-66 (second in A.L. East; won A.L. wild card)
1998: 114-48 (first in A.L. East) *
1999: 98-64 (first in A.L. East) *
2000: 87-74 (first in A.L. East) *
2001: 95-65 (first in A.L. East) **
2002: 103-58 (first in A.L. East)
2003: 101-61 (first in A.L. East) **
2004: 101-61 (first in A.L. East)
2005: 95-67 (first in A.L. East)
2006: 97-65 (first in A.L. East)
2007: 94-68 (second in A.L. East; won A.L. wild card)
2008: 89-73 (third in A.L. East)
2009: 103-59 (first in A.L. East) *
2010: 56-32 (first in A.L. East at All-Star break)
* Won the World Series
** Lost the World Series
*** No postseason because of work stoppage
1973: 80-82 (fourth in A.L. East)
1974: 89-73 (second in A.L. East)
1975: 83-77 (third in A.L. East)
1976: 97-62 (first in A.L. East) **
1977: 100-62 (first in A.L. East) *
1978: 100-63 (first in A.L. East) *
1979: 89-71 (fourth in A.L. East)
1980: 103-59 (first in A.L. East) *
1981: 59-48 (fourth in A.L. East) **
1982: 79-83 (fifth in A.L. East)
1983: 91-71 (third in A.L. East)
1984: 87-75 (third in A.L. East)
1985: 97-64 (second in A.L. East)
1986: 90-72 (second in A.L. East)
1987: 89-73 (fourth in A.L. East)
1988: 85-76 (fifth in A.L. East)
1989: 74-87 (fifth in A.L. East)
1990: 67-95 (last in A.L. East)
1991: 71-91 (fifth in A.L. East)
1992: 76-86 (fourth in A.L. East)
1993: 88-74 (second in A.L. East)
1994: 70-43 (first in A.L. East) ***
1995: 79-65 (second in A.L. East; won A.L. wild card)
1996: 92-70 (first in A.L. East) *
1997: 96-66 (second in A.L. East; won A.L. wild card)
1998: 114-48 (first in A.L. East) *
1999: 98-64 (first in A.L. East) *
2000: 87-74 (first in A.L. East) *
2001: 95-65 (first in A.L. East) **
2002: 103-58 (first in A.L. East)
2003: 101-61 (first in A.L. East) **
2004: 101-61 (first in A.L. East)
2005: 95-67 (first in A.L. East)
2006: 97-65 (first in A.L. East)
2007: 94-68 (second in A.L. East; won A.L. wild card)
2008: 89-73 (third in A.L. East)
2009: 103-59 (first in A.L. East) *
2010: 56-32 (first in A.L. East at All-Star break)
* Won the World Series
** Lost the World Series
*** No postseason because of work stoppage
Since George Steinbrenner purchased the Yankees in 1973, no other franchise can match the success of the team in pinstripes.
Since the 1973 season:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Winning percentage |
| 1. New York Yankees | 3,364 | 2,583 | .566 |
| 2. Boston Red Sox | 3,244 | 2,711 | .545 |
| 3. Los Angeles Dodgers | 3,182 | 2,779 | .534 |
| 4. St. Louis Cardinals | 3,102 | 2,849 | .521 |
| 5. Atlanta Braves | 3,078 | 2,869 | .518 |
| Team | Wins | Losses | Winning percentage |
| 1. New York Yankees | 114 | 76 | .600 |
| 2. Atlanta Braves | 63 | 65 | .492 |
| 3. St. Louis Cardinals | 60 | 51 | .541 |
| 4. Boston Red Sox | 52 | 54 | .491 |
| 5. Oakland A’s | 47 | 42 | .528 |
| Team | Titles |
| 1. New York Yankees | 7 |
| 2. Cincinnati Reds | 3 |
| Oakland A’s | 3 |
| 4. Boston Red Sox | 2 |
| Florida Marlins | 2 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 2 |
| Minnesota Twins | 2 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 2 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 2 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 2 |
| Team | Pennants |
| 1. New York Yankees | 11 |
| 2. Atlanta Braves | 5 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 5 |
| Oakland A’s | 5 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 5 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 5 |
Since George Steinbrenner purchased the Yankees in 1973, no other franchise can match the success of the team in pinstripes.
Since the 1973 season:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Winning percentage |
| 1. New York Yankees | 3,364 | 2,583 | .566 |
| 2. Boston Red Sox | 3,244 | 2,711 | .545 |
| 3. Los Angeles Dodgers | 3,182 | 2,779 | .534 |
| 4. St. Louis Cardinals | 3,102 | 2,849 | .521 |
| 5. Atlanta Braves | 3,078 | 2,869 | .518 |
| Team | Wins | Losses | Winning percentage |
| 1. New York Yankees | 114 | 76 | .600 |
| 2. Atlanta Braves | 63 | 65 | .492 |
| 3. St. Louis Cardinals | 60 | 51 | .541 |
| 4. Boston Red Sox | 52 | 54 | .491 |
| 5. Oakland A’s | 47 | 42 | .528 |
| Team | Titles |
| 1. New York Yankees | 7 |
| 2. Cincinnati Reds | 3 |
| Oakland A’s | 3 |
| 4. Boston Red Sox | 2 |
| Florida Marlins | 2 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 2 |
| Minnesota Twins | 2 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 2 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 2 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 2 |
| Team | Pennants |
| 1. New York Yankees | 11 |
| 2. Atlanta Braves | 5 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 5 |
| Oakland A’s | 5 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 5 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 5 |
There are things that most people don’t know about George Steinbrenner. He’s been very generous in supporting charities. I know that a soup kitchen burned down in New York not too far from the stadium, and nobody knew about it. I found out that he sent a big check to them and put them back in business. He was good for baseball. He put together the best teams in baseball, he bought the best team in baseball, and they have it right now.
I didn’t know him real well. I was voted Pride of the Yankees one year, and he made the presentation to me on opening day. That was the first time I met him. He and Yogi (Berra) were walking in the tunnel at Yankee Stadium, down to the clubhouse, and Yogi said, "Hey Rich, you know George Steinbrenner?" And I said, "No, why don’t you introduce me?" And he goes, "Well, this is him." That was my introduction to him, and we just greeted each other. I met him a couple other times, and we always had friendly conversation.
His best friend was my best friend. Clyde King and I had been super-close friends for all these years, and Clyde was sort of his right hand. The stories that I’d hear were always so positive because Clyde thought the world of him, and George really took good care of Clyde and his family. Everything I knew about him was always so good.
Richardson, an eight-time Yankee All-Star second baseman, was MVP of the 1960 World Series.
— As told to Ryan Fagan
There are things that most people don’t know about George Steinbrenner. He’s been very generous in supporting charities. I know that a soup kitchen burned down in New York not too far from the stadium, and nobody knew about it. I found out that he sent a big check to them and put them back in business. He was good for baseball. He put together the best teams in baseball, he bought the best team in baseball, and they have it right now.
I didn’t know him real well. I was voted Pride of the Yankees one year, and he made the presentation to me on opening day. That was the first time I met him. He and Yogi (Berra) were walking in the tunnel at Yankee Stadium, down to the clubhouse, and Yogi said, "Hey Rich, you know George Steinbrenner?" And I said, "No, why don’t you introduce me?" And he goes, "Well, this is him." That was my introduction to him, and we just greeted each other. I met him a couple other times, and we always had friendly conversation.
His best friend was my best friend. Clyde King and I had been super-close friends for all these years, and Clyde was sort of his right hand. The stories that I’d hear were always so positive because Clyde thought the world of him, and George really took good care of Clyde and his family. Everything I knew about him was always so good.
Richardson, an eight-time Yankee All-Star second baseman, was MVP of the 1960 World Series.
— As told to Ryan Fagan