Steinbrenner Warns Teams About Playing Hard Against the Yankees

Considering Hank Steinbrenner is sensitive enough to respond to comments made by Jonathan Papelbon, you better believe that he has an opinion about the growing Rays-Yankees feud. From the New York Post:

"There are going to be problems, especially if they go after our stars," Steinbrenner said. "It's not going to be tolerated. We never have done it to them. It's just not going to happen anymore."

Two thoughts: 1) The whole "there are going to be problems" stance contradicts the explanations issued by Shelley Duncan and Joe Girardi that Duncan's hard slide into Akinori Iwamura was unintentional. So, unless Steinbrenner wants to give MLB fuel to suspend Girardi, perhaps he ought to pipe down. 2) It's a bit early to start whining about protecting stars, isn't it? The incidents so far have involved the likes of Elliot Johnson, Francisco Cervelli, Shelley Duncan and Jonny Gomes -- in other words, players I'd be shocked if Steinbrenner could pick out of a lineup without a program.

So what's really the root of Steinbrenner's anger?

"I don't want these teams in general to forget who subsidizes a lot of them, and it's the Yankees, the Red Sox, Dodgers, Mets," he said. "I would prefer if teams want to target the Yankees that they at least start giving some of that revenue sharing and luxury tax money back. From an owners point of view, that's my point.

Ah, the truth comes out: Lil' Stein resents revenue sharing. I don't agree with the notion that team's should genuflect in the Yankees' presence, but a salary floor wouldn't be the worst idea in the world to prevent the Jeffery Lorias of the world fielding teams whose payroll is less than one corner of the Yankees' infield.

But before Hank gets too high and mighty, he should also remember that the Yankees wouldn't be able to mint their own money without the existence of other teams to play against. Keeping the bottom-feeders afloat (and occasionally competitive) isn't just good for business but absolutely necessary.