Fansided

Yankees owner blames players for slow start to 2016 season

By Jason Parker

Apr 15, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira reacts after fouling a ball off of his body in the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira reacts after fouling a ball off of his body in the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is not hiding his feelings about the team’s bad start in 2016 and is putting blame on the athletes. 

After taking over ownership of the New York Yankees in 1973, George Steinbrenner wasn’t afraid to say what was on his mind regarding how the team played on the field. The late owner took on his players, coaches and managers while leading their march to seven World Series titles won by the Steinbrenner family before passing away in 2010.

Now, with the team sitting in last place in the American League East following a 17-22 to the season, Hal Steinbrenner is taking a page out of his dad’s book and letting it be known he places the blame solely on the players, according to ESPN.com:

"“The first five weeks were disappointing, frustrating, particularly looking at the offense. Clearly not living up to their potential.“When you look at a guy like Mark Teixeira, clearly, he’s not playing to his potential with the bat.”"

Steinbrenner also mentioned several other Yankees starters, including pitcher Michael Pineda:

"“Whatever technically is wrong with the delivery, Larry [Rothschild, pitching coach] is going to work on, but the rest is up to Pineda to figure out. He’s a professional, and that’s what we expect from him, and that’s what his teammates expect from him.”"

Hal Steinbrenner did give compliments to some Yankees players, including second baseman Starlin Castro, while crediting manager Joe Girardi, Rothschild and general manager Brian Cashman for being able to do the best with what they have had through the first month and a half of the season.

Both Pineda and Teixeira said they were not upset with the owner for making his comments and admitted that they both need to step up their performance if the Yankees are to have any chance of making it back to the playoffs.

Steinbrenner refused to answer questions about if the Yankees would be sellers if they were still out of contention for the postseason by the August 1 trade deadline. Last season, New York made it to the American League playoffs before losing the wild card game against the Houston Astros.

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