The Post’s Steve Serby chatted with beloved Yankees first baseman Tino Martinez, who returned as a free agent after three seasons with St. Louis and Tampa Bay.
Q: Talk about the goodbye letter George Steinbrenner sent when the Yankees signed Jason Giambi.
A: He sent me a picture of the eagle that flies in before the World Series games with a card thanking me for playing well and hard all those years, that I’d be back working for him in the future. I think he meant as a coach or a front-office guy. I’m glad it’s as a player.
Q: You spoke with him on the telephone after you re-signed?
A: He said, “I’m glad you’re back, this is where you belong.”
Q: Your family is thrilled you’re back?
A: It’s the only team they wanted me to sign with.
Q: Especially your (11-year-old) son T.J.?
A: He’s a huge Yankee fan, even when I wasn’t there. He’d watch their games on TV and tell me what they did.
Q: What’s Opening Day at Yankee Stadium going to be like for you?
A: A lot of fans showed their appreciation when I was there, so they’re happy about this as well. It’s gonna be awesome.
Q: Favorite Yankee moment?
A: Hitting the two-run home run off Arizona with two outs in the ninth to tie the game [Game 4, 2001 World Series].
Q: What was it like hearing chants of “Don-nie Base-ball!” when you started slowly in 1996?
A: I understood they loved Donnie. But I knew that if I just played hard and didn’t make excuses and the team did well they would accept me as a Yankee.
Q: How weird will it be to have Don Mattingly as your hitting coach?
A: Awesome. My last year with the Yankees he would work with us on road trips. He knows my swing very well and I think he’s gonna help me have a great year.
Q: What’s it like playing first base behind Randy Johnson?
A: It’s usually an all right-handedhitting lineup and they’re late on the ball, so you gotta be on your toes because balls are slicing down the line and in the holes . . . if they put it in play [laughs].
Q: Was being benched in the ’96 Series your Yankee low point?
A: The lowest point was losing to Cleveland in the first round in ’97. We should have won the World Series that year.
Q: The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry?
A: You can’t compare it to anything in baseball, and now it’s even hotter since they won. Now the ball’s in our court to take it back.
Q: Lou Piniella, in 25 words or less?
A: Smart baseball man. Knows the game inside-out. Intense, passionate, loves to win.
Q: Joe Torre?
A: Like a father figure. Calm, under control at all times. Just a great Yankee manager.
Q: Tony La Russa?
A: More methodical. He’s all about stats and preparation and trying to outsmart everybody.
Q: Having played for three great managers, would managing appeal to you some day?
A: It’s possible, and I say that because I’ve seen what makes them successful in their own way . . . I know that if I ever managed, having played for those three guys, I can combine what I think is the best of each.
Q: If I came from Mars, what would you tell me about Derek Jeter?
A: The best clutch player in baseball. Doesn’t put up fancy stats, just finds a way to win.
Q: One person in history you’d like to meet?
A: Jackie Robinson; to hear what he had to go through in the minors just to get to professional baseball.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Roger Maris – be interesting to talk to him about that season he had; JFK – be interesting to see what his term was like, so many things went on; and Bill Gates – just to have an idea what’s gonna happen in the future as far as technology goes.
Q: Three wishes?
A: World peace; a healthy family; and my dad having had a chance to see me play in the big leagues.
Q: What actor would you want to play you in a movie about your life?
A: Tom Cruise. He works hard at getting his roles down and understanding that person.
Q: If I were commissioner I would . . .
A: Cut the season by 20 games. That way we’d have more off days per month and I think it would cut down on injuries.
Q: The Reds trained in Tampa and you met Johnny Bench at your house when you were 12?
A: He went to visit my grandfather at the cigar factory which is a block from my house. When I made the big leagues, he sent me a card in the mail congratulating me: “I remember meeting you way back; your dad would be proud of you.” I’ll never forget that.
Q: What did working in the cigar factory teach you?
A: My dad always told us you could have a job like this the rest of your life, unloading trucks and sweating your butt off all year; if you stay in school you have a chance to get a better job.
Q: Pet peeve?
A: People who lie.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Scarface.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Jack Nicholson.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Julia Roberts.
Q: Favorite singer?
A: John Mellencamp.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Yellow rice and chicken.
Q: Favorite New York restaurant?
A: Campagnola.
