“We were in Anaheim,” Piniella said, “and it’s the fourth inning. All of the sudden, I see our trainer coming up the stairs from the clubhouse with a long wire and a telephone connected to it (remember, no cell phones in 1985). I said, ‘What’s this?’ and the trainer started to plead with me to take the call from George Steinbrenner. As soon as I get on, George starts yelling. He says, ‘Whose side are you on!?’ Piniella laughed, ‘And what are you doing!?’

Steinbrenner, the Yankee owner said in a sarcastic tone, ‘And if you think you want to take a pitcher out, leave him in! If you think you want to leave the guy in, take him out!’ Steinbrenner told Piniella, showing his distrust for Piniella’s decision-making at that time. “George was livid. Finally, when I got a word in edgewise, I said to George, ‘What inning is it?’ George said, ‘It’s the fourth.’ Then I said, ‘What’s the score?’ and George said ‘3-1.’ Then I said, ‘Who’s winning?’ and he said, ‘You are.’ Then I started laughing and said, ‘And that’s a problem?’”

Piniella continued to laugh and smile as he reminisced the tough love Steinbrenner showed for his employees.