Even baseball can't escape reality.

The majesty of baseball, represented by Lou Gerhig, Ernie Banks and Orel Hershiser, is unfortunately tempered with the mockery of George Steinbrenner.

Depending on your preference, Steinbrenner is a cruel joke, the grinch who stole baseball or a plague upon the land.

He has taken one of the greatest teams in sports history, the New York Yankees, and turned them into a bad show. As master of ceremonies Steinbrenner decides which act goes first (and is then repeated) and on whom the spotlight shines. For Steinbrenner, baseball is one grand opportunity to have his name on the marquee.

Steinbrenner would have you believe differently. He talks about his desire to win and the money he spends to attract quality ballplayers to New York.

Players take the money but not the nonsense. They tune out, lose interest or ask to be traded. No amount of money is worth the mind games the Yankees' organization plays. No amount of money is worth the loss of dignity.

The Yankees need pitchers, desperately. Two weeks ago, Bruce Hurst of the Red Sox declared himself for free agency. Although Steinbrenner may try to entice Hurst with a big contract, Hurst will probably not even consider the Yankees. Why does a proven pitcher need the turmoil?

Members of the Yankees have to endure more every week than most players have to endure in a career. Dave Winfield, Don Mattingly and Dave Righetti are constantly ripped apart by Steinbrenner's remarks. He undercuts his players--personally and professionally--and then expects them to go out and win for him.

The Yankees should play for them-selves, for the fans. They know what to expect when they choose Steinbrenner for their boss. They accept the big checks and they should accept the big hassles.

Maybe the ballplayers of today cannot take the criticism, but Steinbrenner should realize that his tirades do not work. They may have united the Yankees of the late 70's, but they only destroy and bury the Yankees of today.

Now Steinbrenner threatens to pull the curtain down on Don Mattingly, one Yankee who does not want to run away and be traded.

Mattingly has brought back pride to the Yankees. In his first three seasons, he won the batting title, the Gold Glove and MVP award. Mattingly is only one of the most popular Yankees, one of the most well-regarded players in all of baseball. Why keep him? Maybe Steinbrenner can get pitching. He would at least be guaranteed the back page for the rest of the year.

Lately, almost every Steinbrenner trade has been a resounding failure because he gets rid of players for personality conflicts and brings in players who have no personality--or character--and cannot play in New York.

A No Name Team?

It is one of baseball's great ironies that the Yankees are one of the last teams not to have players' names on the back of the uniform. ("Number 21? Last year it was Pasqua, then it was Clark. I think Cruz also wore it.") Steinbrenner likes to keep his audience guessing, and besides, putting names on uniforms would cost too much money.

"I think that something's been wrong with the Yankees. I think that somewhere along the way, this team became more of an `I' team than a `we' team," Steinbrenner said.

Yes, the master of grand illusion helplessly labors under self-delusion. George, look who their owner is.