The Other Brother Speaks

This week we've heard a lot from Hank Stienbrenner, today, Hal adds his two cents about his (currently) last place Yanks.

From Kat O'Brien:

"I've been discouraged at times. We knew with the young pitching that we might go through some growing pains. We knew we would have to be patient there. What's more disappointing to me is the hitting. The hitting and the injuries, which are nobody's fault. You can't win many games if you only score one or two runs."

"It's certainly discouraging at times," Steinbrenner said, "but we've got a great team and I believe we'll be fine. We just need to get a little lucky with the injuries and start hitting again."

With Rodriguez and Posada still out, Steinbrenner said: "The other guys need to step up."

It wasn't quite the harsh calling out that Hank Steinbrenner had issued when he said the Yankees must improve their energy and effort level and begin earning their pay. Hal Steinbrenner instead talked about the season being a "marathon" and the need to be patient over 162 games.

"We need to just stay in the hunt," he said of surviving the injury bug. " ... I absolutely feel we have a great team. I believe we have as good a chance as anybody this year."

Steinbrenner has no qualms about new manager Joe Girardi, saying: "I think he's done great. The injuries are tough, but he's a good disciplinarian and he handles the guys well." And mid-May is no time to panic, not in a division that is up for grabs. Said Steinbrenner: "We'll get it right."

Let's hope they do.