By Jennifer Glickel
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — New York Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner called out the 2010 ALDS champions for not having enough focus to repeat their 2009 World Series victory, and made a veiled reference to team captain Derek Jeter for being "too busy building mansions," at a press conference on Monday.
Steinbrenner told reporters in Tampa, FL that he felt that last year's team was still busy celebrating their 2009 World Series championship instead of focusing on winning the same title in 2010.
"Sometimes I think maybe they celebrated a little too much last year," Steinbrenner said of the Yankees. "Some of the players are too busy building mansions and doing other things, not concentrating on winning. I have no problem saying that."
Jeter's $7.7 million waterfront mansion in the Tampa area was completed in January, and when asked by a reporter if any other player was building a mansion, Steinbrenner would not be drawn into pointing the finger at a particular player.
"I'm not singling anybody out," Steinbrenner said.
Nevertheless, the Bronx Bombers owner said that he thought the team has regained its hunger in anticipation of the spring 2011 season.
"This year, in spring so far, from what I've seen and from what I've been told by everyone that's down there with them — our coaches and so forth — they've come in with a real new drive and determination, the kind they had in '09," the owner said.
