Current Yankees remember Steinbrenner

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07/13/2010 - Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Yankees manager Joe Girardi spoke about a time in spring training when he and his wife were walking their dog, a white bichon, on the manicured grass when he encountered owner George Steinbrenner.

He expected Steinbrenner to yell, but said Steinbrenner instead sat and talked to them, asking about the dog.

"Totally different expectation than what I had," Girardi said. "It was the first time I realized he wasn't everything he was painted to be...I gotta tell you, one of his athletes walking a little white dog, I was expecting something different."

Steinbrenner was tough and had high expectations, but was fair and revealed a softer side in personal moments. That was the consistent theme when Girardi, along with Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte, third baseman Alex Rodriguez and shortstop Derek Jeter -- who are in Anaheim for the All-Star Game -- spoke about the Yankees owner, who died Tuesday morning.

Steinbrenner could be demanding and had high expectations for his team, which became clear in some anecdotes they told.

Rodriguez, who joined the Yankees in 2004, said within the first two minutes of meeting Steinbrenner, the owner told him multiple times that the Yankees have to win a World Series. Girardi said winning the World Series meant a lot to Steinbrenner, but Steinbrenner didn't take too long to enjoy the accomplishment.

"He was like, 'Okay, how are we going to win next year,'" said Girardi, who won three World Series titles with the Yankees as a player and last year as the manager.

Jeter recalled being yelled at by Steinbrenner for getting doubled off third base early in his career, despite the fact that the Yankees won.

"He was an old football coach," Jeter said. "His way, he'd sort of look at the baseball season like we played 12 games and we have to win every single day. He really expected to win, every night, every day."

But Jeter also remembered getting a call in 2003, saying The Boss wanted to talk to him. Jeter figured he was in trouble again and called Steinbrenner.

"He said how much respect he had for me and he wanted to name me captain and would I accept that role," Jeter said. "I was in Cincinnati, and it's a memory I'll always cherish not only because I thought I was getting in trouble, but because I realized how much that title meant to him and to the organization."

That was the way all four recounted how Steinbrenner revealed his true self to them, through surprising moments that told them he was more than a caricature.

Rodriguez remembered a letter delivered to him in 2004 from Steinbrenner, hand-written. At the end it said "I'm counting on you" in capital letters and with an exclamation point.

"To this day I hold this dear and still feel we're playing for him," Rodriguez said.

Pettitte said Steinbrenner would hand him bible verses before some playoff starts.

"He was tough, but he was always there to support you also," Pettitte said. "I don't think enough is said about the support he'd give you."

In addition to the dog-walking story, Girardi also remembered how Steinbrenner teased him about football. Girardi went to Northwestern, while Steinbrenner was an assistant football coach there in the 1950s.

"He would needle me about Northwestern football, and had a way of making some light moments in some tough times," Girardi said. "I enjoyed it. I never really felt that his expectations were overbearing. I just felt he wanted what we all wanted; to win."

Jeter, who knew Steinbrenner since he was 18, said Steinbrenner was a father figure to anyone in the organization, saying "he really went out of his way to take care of his players."

"He's more than just an owner to me, he's a friend of mine," Jeter said. "He'll be deeply missed."

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Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.

There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.

Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.

The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

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