George Steinbrenner issued a relatively mild statement ahead of the Yankees’ first-round playoff series against Detroit or Minnesota.

“This has been a tremendous year for our team as we have settled into our new home,” he said today. “This year’s team has worked hard to prove that they are worthy of the great distinction of calling themselves Yankees. We look forward to finishing what we started this season and never losing sight of our goal — to bring another championship to the best fans in the world and the great city of New York.”