We thought we knew where we saw Hank Steinbrenner’s nascent managerial style before when he showed flashes of his father with his vitriolic rants. We’ve been flogging this as the Retro Yankees for months now, with the return of the old Steinbrenner kneejerk reactions and roster flailing, though we know it’s supposed to be some kind of Sister Sledge system there now.

(Alleged photo of Hank Steinbrenner in business school)

However, we’re now convinced we’ve seen his method of leadership elsewhere since we read this brilliant quote from him:

“They’ve got to play smarter and harder… The injuries make a huge difference. At the same time, you’ve got to get it done. We still have plenty of good hitters. We need to get the job done.”

Work harder and smarter for success? Get the job done? Really? That’s the leadership skill set you’re bringing to the table, Hank? Vague demands for greatness while letting the underlings explain what “playing smarter and harder” means? Do they strap a thesaurus to their gloves? Viva Viagra bats? Is this how you inspire the troops, General Hank Patton?

And now we know, despite all the bluster and fuming, whose leadership style Hank really emulates:
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This Cedric Benson boating brouhaha keeps getting better & better.

• It’s no surprise that Danica Patrick would have men falling at her feet - but under her tires?

• Shaquille O’Neal is caught talking out of his ass again.

• Don’t tell anyone, but Ray Allen’s mom & step-dad are in the witness protection program.

• What’s in your wallet? One Florida Gator had a dead woman’s credit card in his.

• Tony Dungy takes time during a Tampa school visit to talk smack about the Pats.

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Keith Olbermann goes Girls-Gone-Wild as he uncovers the new Yankee Stadium with his handy handheld video camera.

Referring to his journey through wet concrete as a “*double-secret* tour“, he records the first public video of the David Ortiz jersey hole, among some of the other previously unknown features of the billion-dollar-plus ballpark. Read more…

Twelve months ago, Roger Clemens told the crowd at Yankee Stadium that he was coming back to the Bronx - and Suzyn Waldman went bonkers.

Now, a Mitchell Report, Brian McNamee, Mindy McCready & Paula Dean Daly later, the Yankees’ radio gal shares her thoughts on the Rocket’s burnout in the public eye.

Neil Best of NEW YORK NEWSDAY catches up with Waldman, who says she’s saddened by how happy people seem to be to crush Clemens:

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The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is just as violent & ridiculous as ever. It’s sad enough that the bad blood has lead to vehicular manslaughter. But how about a Yanks fan punching a Sox fan, suing said Sox fan - and winning?

The SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE jabs up the news of Mario Melendez, a Bronx Bomber supporter who successfully sued Boston backer David Sanborn after the two engaged in a quick brawl at a SoCal bar. Read more…

We’ve had concerns about A-Rod’s manliness (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but his wife gives us yet another reason to wonder.

Cynthia Rodriguez recently admitted, “As tough and big as he seems, he is real wimpy around doctors or any type of medical situation.” Why would she make such embarrassing accusations?

Could be because her hubby passed out during the birth of their first daughter. Read more…

The New Hampshire driver who ran over & killed a Red Sox fan is being held without bail. The NASHUA TELEGRAPH reports that Ivonne Hernandez will remain in jail while facing charges of second-degree murder in the death of Matthew Beaudoin.