Yankees partner arrested for drunk-driving

MIAMI (Reuters) - Steve Swindal, the man tipped to succeed New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner when he steps down, was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol on Thursday.

The 52-year-old general partner, who oversees the Yankees baseball and business operations, was charged with a misdemeanor by the St. Petersburg police department and released on bond, according to a report on the Major League Baseball Web site.

"Mr. Swindal apologizes profusely for this distraction during the Yankees' Spring Training and no further comment will be made until this matter is resolved," spokesman Howard Rubenstein said in a statement on MLB.com.

MLB commissioner Bud Selig also issued a statement saying he would monitor the situation but for the moment it was a matter for the police and the Yankees.

"We believe this is currently a matter for Mr. Swindal, the Steinbrenner family and the local authorities in Florida," Selig said in the statement. "Given the circumstances, I will continue to monitor the situation and will review the ultimate disposition."