Q&A Oliver Platt
SI: Have you ever fired your manager?
Platt: Yes, but I have a different style than George. I'd like to think I have a little bit of a softer touch. I probably give people too many chances to screw up.
SI: Have you perfected the Steinbrenner look?
Platt: There is the white-shoes Florida George, and of course the white turtleneck and blue blazer is one of his iconic looks. And we put a lot of energy toward the hair.
SI: John Turturro plays Steinbrenner's foil, Billy Martin, in the miniseries. How is his performance?
Platt: From what I have seen so far, it is going to be extraordinary. I didn't want to sign on to the project till I found out who was playing Billy Martin. This thing lives or dies by that portrayal. When I found out John was doing this, it was one of the motivating factors to sign on. I think it's great casting. God knows he has the intensity.
SI: As the son of a diplomat, you spent a lot of time in Asia growing up. What sports were you exposed to?
Platt: Not so much cricket, but definitely soccer. But I was coming back and forth [to Washington], and we had season tickets to the Redskins.
SI: What is your greatest athletic achievement?
Platt: It's a short list, pal. I was the fastest guy at the Victoria Barracks Infant School in Hong Kong in 1966. I won the sprint.
SI: You're a Red Sox fan. Should we worry about you making the Boss look bad to get back at the Yankees?
Platt: Absolutely not. And it's the worst mistake I could make. Steinbrenner makes it easy to do a caricature, but I'm profoundly impressed by what he has accomplished. As a Red Sox fan I used to think the Yankees succeeded in spite of Steinbrenner. But that could not be further from the truth.
For more from Oliver Platt, go to SI.com/scorecard.
PHOTO
BRAD BARKET/GETTY IMAGES (PLATT)
PHOTO
DAVID GIESBRECHT/ESPN (PLATT AS STEINBRENNER)