Sparked by complaints his players made regarding...

Sparked by complaints his players made regarding criticism of them by Manager Dallas Green, the New York Yankees’ principal owner, George Steinbrenner, attacked the team’s character, pride and work ethic and said they play like Little Leaguers.

“These guys are a bunch of little babies,” Steinbrenner said. “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.”

New York is under .500 but is anything but out of the American League East race.

“I’ve watched them night after night play like Little Leaguers, and at the top of the list is (Mike) 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 anymore. I hope I’m wrong.”

Earlier in the week, Pagliarulo had been quoted as saying: “I’ve never been criticized by a manager before in a newspaper. I just don’t know how to take it.”