Hal Steinbrenner: 'Bitter end' to Yankees' season

New York Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner released a statement through the team on Friday:

"I want to thank our passionate fans for their support this season.

"We fell short of our singular and constant goal, which is a World Series Championship. However, I am proud of the accomplishments of this year's team. We earned the best record in the American League and were one of the four teams to advance to the League Championship Series, despite having to overcome and fight through a series of long-term injuries to a number of our key players.

"Make no mistake, this was a bitter end to our year, and we fully intend to examine our season in its totality, assess all of our strengths and weaknesses and take the necessary steps needed to maintain our sole focus of winning the World Series in 2013. Great teams-and organizations-use disappointment as a motivation for future improvements and success. In the days, weeks and months ahead, we plan to do what's necessary to return this franchise to the World Series."

-- Complete statement at YES Network