New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner leans on the back of former Yankees' pitcher Ron Guidry during batting practice Friday, Feb. 23, 1996 at spring training camp in Tampa, Fla.(AP Photo/rusty kennedy)

Rusty Kennedy/Associated Press

George and I had a pretty close relationship over the years.

Yankees lefties Dave Righetti, Ron Guidry and Sparky Lyle reunite. (Gene Kappock/New York Daily News)

New York Daily News

In the clubhouse with Dave Righetti (left) and Sparky Lyle.

With all-time Yankees great Mickey Mantle.

Courtesy of the author

With all-time Yankees great Mickey Mantle.

On August 23, 2003, I was honored when the Yankees retired my number 49 and dedicated this plaque in Monument Park in Yankee Stadium.

New York Yankees

On August 23, 2003, I was honored when the Yankees retired my number 49 and dedicated this plaque in Monument Park in Yankee Stadium.

With Goose Gossage at spring training, helping to teach a new generation of players.

Courtesy of the author

With Goose Gossage at spring training, helping to teach a new generation of players.

UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 04: New York Yankees' bench coach Don Mattingly, pitching coach Ron Guidry and manager Joe Torre (l. to r.) gaze sullenly at the field from the dugout, during the sixth inning of Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field. The Yanks went on to lose, 12-3. (Photo by Corey Sipkin/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)

Getty Images

Watching a game with bench coach and former teammate Don Mattingly (left) and manager Joe Torre, during my stint in 2006–2007 as the pitching coach for the Yankees.

UNITED STATES - JULY 16: New York Yankees' closer Mariano Rivera is all smiles gets a hug from pitching coach Ron Guidry, congratulating him on his 400th career save. The Yanks beat the Chicago White Sox, 6-4, at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Linda Cataffo/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)

Getty Images

Congratulating Mariano Rivera after a save when I was the Yankees pitching coach.

A quick conference on the mound with Andy Pettitte, along with Derek Jeter and catcher Jorge Posada. (New York Yankees)

New York Yankees

A quick conference on the mound with Andy Pettitte, along with Derek Jeter and catcher Jorge Posada.

New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, left, talks with coach Ron Guidry during the team's first full-squad spring training baseball practice Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

Mike Carlson/Associated Press

With Alex Rodriguez during spring training.

With Andy Pettitte before the start of a game. (New York Yankees)

New York Yankees

With Andy Pettitte before the start of a game.

In the dugout in spring training, after all-time great Yogi Berra gave Nick Swisher some hitting advice. (New York Yankees)

New York Yankees

In the dugout in spring training, after all-time great Yogi Berra gave Nick Swisher some hitting advice.

The last game played in the old Yankee Stadium, on September 21, 2008. From left: David Cone; Goose Gossage; Helen Hunter, widow of Catfish Hunter; “Chairman of the Board” Whitey Ford; Don Larsen; me; and David Wells. (New York Yankees)

New York Yankees

The last game played in the old Yankee Stadium, on September 21, 2008. From left: David Cone; Goose Gossage; Helen Hunter, widow of Catfish Hunter; “Chairman of the Board” Whitey Ford; Don Larsen; me; and David Wells.

With my buddy Yogi. (Courtesy of the Yogi Berra Museum)

Courtesy of the Yogi Berra Museum

With my buddy Yogi.

With Dave Eiland, manager Joe Girardi, and Willie Randolph before the final game at the old Yankee Stadium. (New York Yankees)

New York Yankees

With Dave Eiland, manager Joe Girardi, and Willie Randolph before the final game at the old Yankee Stadium.

With Tino Martinez at the Yogi Berra Museum Celebrity Golf Classic.

Courtesy of the Yogi Berra Museum

With Tino Martinez at the Yogi Berra Museum Celebrity Golf Classic.

The Guidry family (from left): my daughter Jamie; son-in-law Mike; my wife, Bonnie; my son, Brandon; my daughter Danielle; and son-in-law Jerrid.

Courtesy of the Yogi Berra Museum

The Guidry family (from left): my daughter Jamie; son-in-law Mike; my wife, Bonnie; my son, Brandon; my daughter Danielle; and son-in-law Jerrid.

Frying frog legs for spring training.

Courtesy of Lily Hawryluk

Frying frog legs for spring training.