Is he getting down into the dugout, filling out lineup cards, and throwing GM Brian Cashman out of his office? No. That's not his job. Steinbrenner II realizes this. But Steinbrenner II is certainly within his right to make comments.
Why is this okay? Well consider this: Girardi was relatively successful when he was a manager for the Florida Marlins—as a first year manager, no less—and actually won the Coach of the Year Award. At the end of the season, he was fired.
Did people light torches, gather their pitchforks, and storm Dolphin Stadium? No... nobody ever goes to Dolphin Stadium. But aside from that, there was no extra-serious issue with Girardi's firing because everyone knew he did not get along with the upper management in Florida.
If the guys who sign your paycheck don't like you, you can do an incredible job—and as long as you continue to disagree with their vision for the organization, your job is in trouble.
Girardi, and the rest of Yankee fans across the country, should not see Steinbrenner II's words as insulting, or as exacting complete control and domination of the decisions of the team. The words voice frustration over the slow start to the season, unproven rookies or sophomores, and the incredible promise of young Joba.
Telling Mussina to change his pitching style or vaguely referencing coaches as "idiot[s]" may be a little harsh, but then again, it's the Steinbrenner way.
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