Boss Wields His Own Justice
Bob Raissmen of the Daily News breaks the story regarding David Justice’s criticism of A-Rod’s clutch performances as a Yankee. Apparently Justice was instructed to rip A-Rod by a producer at YES, and followed instructions almost word for word. Presumably these instructions were passed down from the Boss himself. 
Personally, I kinda like this story. The last couple of years Steinbrenner has seemed to soften up a bit, as rumors of his declining health have circulated. In the off-season he officially named son-in-law Steve Swindal as his successor, and listened quietly at the press conference as plans for the new stadium were announced. Now it turns out he’s finding clever ways to rip “the third basemen” without actually getting his hands dirty. It makes the Boss seem as fiery and competitive as the old days, rather than an old man in declining health.
And A-Rod can take it. It may tick him off a bit, but it can’t sting nearly as bad as getting booed at home.
The only person I feel sorry for is David Justice. It’s sad to think his stature at the YES Network is such that he can’t stand up to the producer. The way this story reads, he’ll step and fetch for the higher ups at YES. Clearly he comes across as nothing but a lapdog for the execs at YES, and perhaps even the Boss. And that’s fine by me. I think David Justice has ok insight on the game, but he doesn’t have the voice or the presence for television.
Michael Kay, Jim Kaat, and Al Leiter come across as Woodward and Bernstein by comparison.
Meet By The Bat 