Steinbrenner Explodes : Yankees Are ‘a Bunch of Babies,’ Owner Says

George Steinbrenner has had enough of his New York Yankees in general and of third baseman Mike Pagliarulo in particular.

In an interview with New York newspapers, the Yankees’ principal owner, who had been unusually quiet this season, attacked the team’s character, guts, pride and work ethic and said they play like Little Leaguers.

“These guys are a bunch of little babies,” Steinbrenner said Thursday from Tampa, Fla. “We’ve got guys earning $2 million a year, and they don’t want criticism. Try telling that to the cab driver, policeman or fireman in New York and see what he thinks.”

Steinbrenner says the Yankees are so bad that it’s affecting his digestive system.

“Sometimes when I’m watching this team, I see things that turn my stomach, and I want to turn to the hockey playoffs or to the Knicks,” he said.

New York is one game out of first place in the American League East, although the Yankees are 18-21. Steinbrenner was furious after reading that the players didn’t like being criticized by Manager Dallas Green.

“When they start to attack my manager, that’s it,” Steinbrenner said.

“I’m sorry to think they’d speak out. They’re the third-highest-paid team in baseball. It shouldn’t be them complaining, it should be me. I’m the sucker.

“I’ve watched them night after night play like Little Leaguers, and at the top of the list is Pagliarulo. He’s the last guy on the New York Yankees that should say anything. He isn’t hitting and he’s making a half-million a year.

“He better learn how to play third base again before saying anything. I don’t even know if he can play baseball any more. I hope I’m wrong.”

Steinbrenner also had something to say about his former manager, Billy Martin.

“This (criticism) never happened to them before, because how could it? How could a man who couldn’t discipline himself discipline them?”