LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- New York Yankees president Randy Levine thinks the expansion era committee got it wrong when it didn't select his old boss, The Boss, George Steinbrenner.

"I think it was a mistake," Levine told ESPN New York by telephone. "I congratulate Joe Torre, Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa. All of them were thoroughly deserving but I think there is no doubt that George Steinbrenner was one of the greatest figures in the history of baseball. He, more than anybody, deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. I fully expect he will be one day."

Steinbrenner's credentials will be re-evaluated in three years when the committee next votes. He needs to receive 12 of 16 votes. He picked up six or fewer votes this year.

In a statement released by the team, Hal Steinbrenner did not address his father's failure to be voted in, but applauded Joe Torre for being unanimously elected.

“On behalf of the Steinbrenner family and our entire organization, I’d like to congratulate Joe Torre on his induction today into the Hall of Fame,” Hal said. “Joe led our team during one of the most successful runs in our storied history, and he did it with a quiet dignity that was true to the Yankee way. Joe’s place in Yankees history has been secure for quite some time and it is appropriate that he now gets to take his place among the greats in Cooperstown.”