WINFIELD A 'SURVIVOR' IN YANKEES' ONGOING TURMOIL.(Sports)

Byline: Gene Levy Staff writer

But for George Steinbrenner's money, Dave Winfield might never have been a thorn in the side of the New York Yankees owner.

Winfield recalled Saturday there was a time when he regretted having opted for a baseball career with the San Diego Padres, rather than pursuing basketball - his other sport at the University of Minnesota.

"Back when I wasn't making any money, I went to my old college coach (current Albany Patroons coach Bill Musselman) and had some preliminary discussions about playing in the NBA," Winfield said following a card show autograph-signing stint at the Polish Community Center.

Instead, the one-time 6-foot-7 Gopher guard opted for free-agency and signed a 10-year contract with the Yankees. …