THE SIDELINES : Steinbrenner Ends Testimony in Commissioner’s Investigation

New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner completed his testimony before Fay Vincent about his dealings with a New York gambler and outfielder Dave Winfield today and was given nine days to submit any additional evidence he wants the commissioner to consider.

Steinbrenner, assessed $225,000 on Thursday for tampering with Winfield after the Yankees traded the outfielder to the Angels, testified for about 10 hours over two days. The investigation was prompted by the revelation that Steinbrenner gave $40,000 in checks to Howard Spira, a 31-year-old gambler who said he supplied the owner information about Winfield and his charitable foundation.

“His testimony was helpful to me in evaluating his situation and his cooperation was complete,” Vincent said of Steinbrenner. “I will try, depending on the state of the record in front of me on the 16th, to make a decision reasonably quickly.”

Vincent, who has authority to take any action up to a lifetime ban, gave Steinbrenner’s lawyers until Wednesday to ask for any changes in the format of the proceeding. As of now, Steinbrenner will be the only witness to testify during the formal part of the hearing.