UPDATE: 12:07pm
The New York Mets Fred Wilpon, Saul Katz, And Jeff Wilpon have issued this statement.
courtesy of Peter Botte of the New York Daily News
“The passing of George Steinbrenner marks the end of an era in New York City baseball history. George was a larger than life figure and a force in the industry. The rise and success of his teams on the field and in the business marketplace under his leadership are a testament to his skill, drive, and determination.
“All of us at the Mets send our deepest condolences to his wife Joan, his sons Hank and Hal, daughters Jennifer and Jessica, his grandchildren, and everyone at the Yankees organization.”
UPDATE: 10:22AM
I will continue to add content here as information allows. Here is WABC news video with a nice retrospective on Mr Steinbrenner’s life.
UPDATE: 9:57am
Jon Heyman just confirmed on WFAN that George Steinbrenner has passed away at around 6:30am this morning. Our condolences go out to the entire Yankee Family.
Update: 9:51am
Jesse Spector of the Daily News is reporting that Mr Steinbrenner has passed away.
Update: 9:44am
WFAN Boomer & Carton just said Yankees will issue a statement soon but it does not look good.
Original Post: 9:40am
WABC is reporting Yankee owner George Steinbrenner who just turned 80 has suffered a massive heart attack. Steinbrenner was rushed to St. Joseph’s hospital in Tampa, Florida, and his condition is not known.
We will update as information becomes available. Our Best wishes go out to George Steinbrenner, his family and the Yankees family.
21 comments
metsfan4decades
7/13/2010-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
Just saw this on the news and came here to see if it’s been posted. As usual, right on top of it.
No matter how you feel about the Yankees, this is a sad day in baseball. George Steinbrenner personified what we all would like to see from a team’s owner – a commitment to winning. His methods might have seemed over the top at times, especially to non Yankee fans, but you can’t ever fault his passion for his team and the game.
R.I.P George.
rustyjr
7/13/2010-9:54am at 9:54 am (UTC -4)
Very well put my dear
ceetar
7/13/2010-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
Well, not really, but now’s probably not the time to discuss his faults and flaws.
Do we speculate on the “Deaths happen in threes” meme? Maybe the Yankees 2010 season will be number 3, or is that too abstract?
rustyjr
7/13/2010-10:01am at 10:01 am (UTC -4)
Something tells me this will act as a rallying cry for #28
metsfan4decades
7/13/2010-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
Ironically, when I was out and about yesterday, I came across a discounted price on the book – Steinbrenner – The Last Lion of Baseball and decided to buy it. Haven’t started it yet but I’m curious to see what tack this book takes on his many controversial decisions over the years as it pertains to the Yankees.
Not sure how anyone can’t dispute this is a man that wanted to win, at any and all costs, which is really what I was saying.
ceetar
7/13/2010-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
You may be the last person that bought the book with the possibility of getting it signed.
metsfan4decades
7/13/2010-10:15am at 10:15 am (UTC -4)
As much as I like to read, and read all kinds of baseball biographies, I would never normally ‘pay’ for any book connected to the Yankees. I’ll not turn down a baseball read about the Yankees but not pay for it. I have no idea what made me decide to buy this one yesterday. It’s kind of creepy, now that I think about it….
njstuckintx
7/13/2010-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
As MF4D put is so well, I feel the same way. George, in his evil empire ways, helped to take baseball to new heights. I see pictures of people overseas (Hong Kong, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Angola, Europe, Brazil, etc.) and I can bet that I see someone in those pictures wearing a yankee cap. He was one of the few iconic owners left.
Bad week for the Yankees. Their PA guy, now their owner… I really hope the “comes in 3′s” theory decides to take a vacation.
metsfan4decades
7/13/2010-10:05am at 10:05 am (UTC -4)
Well, I’ll go for the ‘death’ of the Yankee season, and not the death of another individual…..
njstuckintx
7/13/2010-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
That, as Ceet mentioned above as well, would be the only acceptable 3rd.
njstuckintx
7/13/2010-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
Oh, and I’m really going to hate how bad ESPN is going to drive this down our throats.
DNDJohan aka kistics
7/13/2010-10:08am at 10:08 am (UTC -4)
You haven’t had enough LeBron coverage?
njstuckintx
7/13/2010-10:11am at 10:11 am (UTC -4)
maybe they’ll get LeBron’s take on this, as he is a yankee fan afterall.
DNDJohan aka kistics
7/13/2010-10:24am at 10:24 am (UTC -4)
I really would not be surprised… they’ll probably have 1 hour special on “LeBron’s take on the death of Steinbrener”
trs86
7/13/2010-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
Yeah but in my opinion in this case it’s their job.
njstuckintx
7/13/2010-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
I guess it’s a difference of reporting the news vs. taking some news and sucking it completely dry of every angle/story possible. It’s what ESPN does, which is why I only watch ESPN when necessary.
trs86
7/13/2010-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
Yeah but think about this, it’s on 24 hours a day on 4 channels or more. They have to fill it with something. Also, they have made it to where you watch in 2 hour cycles not 12. LOL.
gonzowill
7/13/2010-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
How about tonight’s all-star game, extra moment of silence?
ceetar
7/13/2010-10:24am at 10:24 am (UTC -4)
It’d be more fitting if someone stormed into the dugout and fired Girardi.
DNDJohan aka kistics
7/13/2010-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
And bought the entire AL All-Star team
rustyjr
7/13/2010-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
Lol