Zimmer vs. the Boss Steinbrenner

from the New York Times

The Yankees lost the World Series in Game 6 on Saturday night, and once again there is no joy. There is one less coach, too. A few players arrived at Yankee Stadium to clean out their lockers yesterday, and Don Zimmer, the 72-year-old bench coach, came to clean up after his Yankees career.
On Saturday, Zimmer said he would quit. A day later, he reiterated his decision to leave the Yankees and went into detail about his rift with Steinbrenner. It was more about a lack of respect from Steinbrenner than anything else. "No question," Zimmer said. "Or I'd still be here."
"He's no longer the Boss," Zimmer added. "He called me Zimmer for 25 years, I called him the Boss for 25 years. Today he's Steinbrenner, he's no longer the Boss."
Steinbrenner commented yesterday only through a brief statement, but Zimmer gave an impromptu news conference in a stairwell at Yankee Stadium. He described a feud with Steinbrenner that began last year after the Yankees were eliminated in the first round of the postseason by Anaheim. Zimmer said Steinbrenner accused him of being the source of information that was leaked to reporters. Soon, Zimmer said, Steinbrenner stopped speaking to him.
"I'd go to the racetrack in Tampa where I go frequently and George is there, and he just quit talking to me," Zimmer said. When the Yankees reported to spring training, Zimmer said he was told Steinbrenner had taken away his rental car.
In the middle of this season, Zimmer stood up for Manager Joe Torre when Steinbrenner criticized him for the team's struggles. "I just thought the comments were unfair," Zimmer said. "There were just so many things; I mean, how much can you take? I just thought it was time to move on. It's a tough way to leave, but that's what I want to do."
Zimmer said he would not reconsider and he would not return: he's quitting the team and the franchise after eight seasons.
"I won't be back," he said. "When I say I won't be back, I ain't coming back to work for Steinbrenner or be around him. They could have a day for me and the answer would be no and only because of him."
Twenty minutes after Zimmer left the Stadium, Mel Stottlemyre, the Yankees' even-keeled pitching coach, emerged from the clubhouse. He said this was the most taxing of his eight seasons as a Yankees coach, although he had not made up his mind about whether to return.
This was his "most stressful year," Stottlemyre said, because of problems with the pitching staff and the bullpen early in the season and because of what he called "off-the-field happenings."
"Normally you just kind of let them go by," Stottlemyre said, "but in my case, I felt personally abused because of some things that happened during the course of the season where it was a tough situation for me."
The unpleasantness started in April. Torre and Stottlemyre decided to send the struggling José Contreras, a Cuban pitcher signed in the off-season, to Class AAA Columbus. Steinbrenner overruled that decision and sent Contreras to Tampa, Fla., to work with Billy Connors, the organization's pitching guru.
"That has bothered me, it still bothers me a little bit, but I'm over that bridge," Stottlemyre said.
Without mentioning Steinbrenner by name, Stottlemyre alluded to an incessant pressure to win, leaving little room to enjoy what most people regard as achievements. What's considered a great season for most teams is regarded as a failure for the Yankees. And failing to reach the World Series or reaching the World Series but not winning could be grounds for dismissal.
That standard is ridiculous.
"Some people will feel like we went out and won games and that was success," Stottlemyre said. "Some people will feel like we got into the World Series and that's successful. And there are some people that think that if you don't win the whole thing, sometimes four games to none, it's unsuccessful. I don't think I need to say anymore.
"We didn't win the World Series, but I'm not walking away from here today feeling like we had a nonsuccessful year."

The more I think about Steinbrenner, the more I think of Roger Neilson, who could be called the anti-Steinbrenner. Roger Neilson never won any championships but was respected by his friends, family, players, opponents and almost everyone he ever came into contact with. Like many other men throughout history who lose sight of reality, he will be given his credit for his achievements but will remembered by very few fondly or with respect. Steinbrenner loved to win while Neilson was loved by others. Take your pick on what you want.