Hank Calls Out Yanks: Must Play Smarter and Harder

Hank Steinbrenner expects his struggling New York Yankees to focus and turn around their season.

``They've got to play smarter and harder,'' he said Wednesday. ``The
injuries _ when you're missing Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada, that
makes it tough. 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.''

New York is 19-21, fourth in the AL East following a pair of losses to Tampa Bay, the surprise AL East leader.

``No question, the Rays are a hungry team,'' said Steinbrenner, the
Yankees' co-chairman. ``That's what our team has to get back.''

When asked if it was time for the players to earn their money, Steinbrenner said ``Yes.''

Following the four-game series against the Rays, the Yankees host
the New York Mets in a three-game series starting Friday. Two-time AL
Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, traded to the Mets after the
Yankees cut off talks with the Minnesota Twins, is slated to pitch the
Subway Series opener Friday. Santana is 4-2 with a 3.10 ERA.