Hal Steinbrenner is the anti-Derek Jeter in his approach to the media. Jeter was respectful, but never deferential. His answers were short, but never curt. Jeter, perhaps better than anyone, walked the line. He provided journalists with sufficient content while also shielding the organization from undue scrutiny. For the current Yankees owner on the other hand, interviews over the past year or so have acted as an accelerant to the fire of the organization’s complete meltdown. His words strongly suggest dysfunction and condescension in the Yankees C-suite.
The string of unfortunate sound bites started in an interview shortly after the ALCS sweep at the hands of the Astros in November 2022.