Best Of Mike & Mad Dog: 1990 Interview With George Steinbrenner
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- In a lengthy interview with Mike and the Mad Dog on June 25, 1990, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner began by revealing he was scrapping his usual blueprint and instead playing and developing young players.
The Bronx Bombers were 25-42 at the time and in need of a shakeup.
MORE: Best Of Mike & The Mad Dog
"I didn't think you could do that in New York," the Boss said. " ... I felt that you had to be up there in New York every year. These are the toughest fans in the world here. They're the most knowledgeable. They're the toughest. I'm sure you know that from some of the calls you get. They know what they're doing. This is a mentally tough city, and it has to be. You fight for cabs, you fight for a restaurant table, you fight for everything. That's a good way to have it. I didn't think I could come with the Toronto or Cleveland excuse that we're going to go and develop the young players."
He also discussed the failed tenure of manager Dallas Green, some of his differences with Dave Winfield, instability within the organization and his hiring and firing of Billy Martin five times.
At one point, the interview turned a little testy.
"George, do you think you've run this team into the ground?" Mike Francesa asks him.
After Chris "Mad Dog" Russo reintroduces the Boss -- "George Steinbrenner joining us here on the FAN" -- Steinbrenner asks: "Where am I joining you? ... Oh, the FAN! It sounds like I'm joining you in a ring."
Click on the audio player above to hear the full interview.
