Yankees Post : Martin Tried <i> Deja Vu</i> Act, Paper Says

Billy Martin sought to become manager of the New York Yankees for a sixth time, according to a published report.

The New York Daily News reported in today’s editions that Martin asked for the job when Yankees’ principal owner George Steinbrenner fired Dallas Green on Aug. 18.

Quoting an unidentified source, the Daily News said Martin asked for the job when he learned that Green was being fired. After Lou Piniella was offered the job and rejected it and Bucky Dent was hired, Martin called Steinbrenner and asked why he had been bypassed.

‘Timing Is Just Not Right’

“According to sources within the organization, the boss told Martin, ‘The timing is just not right,’ ” the newspaper said. “ ‘But that doesn’t rule you out for the future.’ ”

Martin, who played second base for the Yankees and six other major league teams, began his major league managerial career with the Minnesota Twins. He also managed the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics besides his five separate stints as Yankees’ manager, beginning in 1975.

The last time Martin managed the Yankees was in 1988 when he was replaced during the season by Piniella.

Steinbrenner, reached at his Tampa, Fla., office, refused to confirm that Martin had asked for the job, the newspaper said.

‘A Good Nucleus’

Steinbrenner told USA Today that he was ready to end his hands-off approach with the Yankees, who are in sixth place in the AL East, 13 1/2 games behind Baltimore and Toronto.

“I’m going to get active in a lot of places because I don’t find what’s happening acceptable. No way,” USA Today quoted Steinbrenner as saying. “We’ve got a good nucleus. . . .

“I’m going to get it done (turn the team around). No. 1, I’m not going to do it from a distance any more. No. 2, I want loyal people around me. Green and Syd Thrift weren’t.”

Thrift resigned as Yankees senior vice president Wednesday.