[LondonYankee]

New York, March 2013

As one of Hank Steinbrenners PA's led me to the boardroom - as if I'd never been there?- a very upset looking Brian Cashman stormed past me without even a glance in my direction. Weird. I've worked as Cashman's Asst GM for the past 3 years and we've always got on great.

Once I was in the boardroom and they'd dispensed with the pleasantries Hank & Hal Steinbrenner, along with Randy Levine took their seats and asked me to sit down.
As always Hank took the lead, 'Stuart I'm gonna cut to the chase, Brian Cashman has left this ball club by mutual consent, with immediate effect'

To disguise my discomfort and thoughts that my 'mutual consent' departure was about to be announced I reached for the glass of water in front of me.

Hank continued 'obviously we're sorry that Brian's gone but the season gets underway tomorrow so we need to move quickly and get our house in order. We need a new direction...'

I felt sure the dread was written all over my face.

'...but we all also believe that continuity is important...'

My expression now turned from fear to confusion.

'....you've been an integral part of this front office for, what, 3 years now? I know you've worked closely with Brian but I'm also aware you have your own ideas on how this ball club should run'

He wasn't wrong there, I have the utmost respect for Brian Cashman and I've learnt so much from him since coming here from the Colorado Rockies, but I certainly believed that we could make changes for the better.

'So, Stuart, time to walk your talk, how would you like to be the new GM of New York Yankees?'

In the space of a few minutes I'd mentally gone from the unemployed queue to sitting on top of the world, being offered the best job in baseball.
I suddenly realised that since I'd sat down I'd not said a word, but I couldn't sit there mute any longer.

'Mr Steinbrenner....'

'Please, call me Hank'

'I'm sorry that Brian's gone, he's had a big influence on me. That said I'd be absolutely crazy to turn this opportunity down. Thank you for having faith in my abilities, you've got your man' this last sentence was said with the biggest smile I've ever had in my life.

'Excellent news, Stuart' Hank beamed across the table at me. We all exchanged handshakes before Hank got back down to business.

'Ok, you're gonna have to hit the ground running, so we won't keep you any longer, but I don't want you to have any doubt about the following: One, you're in absolute control of the baseball operations of this club. The budgets are set and as long as you work within them, we won't interfere and you'll have our full support. And, two, this is the Yankees, we must win and win well.' I'm sure he meant his smile to be reassuring, it was actually a little sinister, that's the Steinbrenner way I guess.

After thanking them again and reassuring them of my desire to succeed I took my leave.

The hard work starts here........