George Steinbrenner
July 4, 1930 – July 13, 2010
R.I.P.
Here is the official press release:
“It is with profound sadness that the family of George M. Steinbrenner III announces his passing. He passed away this morning in Tampa, Fla., at age 80.
“He was an incredible and charitable man. First and foremost he was devoted to his entire family – his beloved wife, Joan; his sisters, Susan Norpell and Judy Kamm, his children, Hank, Jennifer, Jessica and Hal; and all of his grandchildren.
“He was a visionary and a giant in the world of sports. He took a great but struggling franchise and turned it into a champion again.”
21 comments
saltygary
7/13/2010-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
Other teams only wish they had a owner like him.
rustyjr
7/13/2010-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
I had a love/hate feelings towards the man
metsfan4decades
7/13/2010-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
All Yankee fans loved George Steinbrenner – what’s not to like if you’re a Yankee fan? He spent more money on that team than any other owner we’ll probably ever see.
As a non Yankee fan though? Probably not so much loved…..
Mr North Jersey
7/13/2010-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
Man reading some of the comments over at FWICG and you’d think George slaughtered women and children by some of the comments.
trs86
7/13/2010-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, there are some classless Mets fans.
metsfan4decades
7/13/2010-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
You know, reading comments from certain stories on this, I really don’t know what it says about the human race where people find the need to ‘rip’ the dead. Even MLBTR closed comments to their story on this.
trs86
7/13/2010-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
HAHAHA. It took me a minute. R.I.P. or “rip”?
ceetar
7/13/2010-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
Personally I just don’t get worked up about people that don’t have an affect/influence on me. And I find the glorification in death of guys that certainly had negative sides to them (see Michael Jackson as another example) annoying.
Steinbrenner was pretty much a jerk, one of the biggest jokes in sports for a long time, got suspended, and calmed down in his old age enough to put trust in other people.
trs86
7/13/2010-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
I have no contempt for George.
Mr North Jersey
7/13/2010-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Interesting perspective. I can see how an argument can be made that he did have an affect/influence on you. Not directly of course but in a 6 degrees of separation type of way. I wonder how differently the Mets path would of taken if Mr Steinbrenner was never owner of the NY Yankees?
Mr Steinbrenner may have been a lot of different things to different people but love him or hate him he left his mark in this world and will be always remembered.
GravediggerHebner
7/13/2010-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
While I’m certainly not pleased that Mr. Steinbrenner is the driving force behind resuscitating a then-dead Yankees franchise I do understand that for the most part he’s played by the rules and reinvested money into the franchise. Whether he was brilliant or lucky in buying a team with a unique legacy in the sport I’ll never know but he did use that well. I can only wonder how the last 40 or so years of the Mets might have been different/better had he purchased them instead. Ultimately my hatred of the DH is far greater than my hatred of any particular baseball franchise or it’s owner. R.I.P.
metsfan4decades
7/13/2010-4:23pm at 4:23 pm (UTC -4)
Some little know fact – at least to me – that I just came across today with this news……Steinbrenner first tried to buy the Indians and lost out on that opportunity. He then found out the Yankees were for sale from CBS and jumped on that, not wanting to miss out on another opportunity to own a MLB team.
Cleveland apparently was his home town and he really wanted the Indians but it wasn’t to be. How much different the past several decades would have been had he did purchase the Indians….
Mr North Jersey
7/13/2010-12:47pm at 12:47 pm (UTC -4)
Some quotes from around baseball about George Steinbrenner’s passing.
“Like New York and like the Yankees, George Steinbrenner was a champion. He was someone about whom you can truly say that there will never be another one like him. When he bought the Yankees in 1973 the franchise was moribund and he quickly restored them to greatness. I, along with millions of Yankees fans, am thankful for the countless hours of joy we have experienced watching his team at the Stadium or following them on television and radio. He was a true New York icon. My condolences and best wishes go out to the Steinbrenners and the entire Yankee family.â€
- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer
“Today my thoughts and prayers are with the Steinbrenners and the entire Yankees family.”
“George’s single-minded drive in the pursuit of excellence and his devotion to family inspired people far beyond the baseball diamond. He will be greatly missed by those in pinstripes and baseball fans in New York and throughout the world.â€
- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
“The passing of George Steinbrenner marks the end of an era in New York City baseball history,”
- Fred and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz
“Few people have had a bigger impact on New York over the past four decades than George Steinbrenner,”
- Mayor Michael Bloomberg
“George was a friend who I admired very much. He was a visionary, a builder and a giant in our game. All he wanted to do was WIN, and he did”
- Tommy Lasorda
“He probably had more of an impact on a baseball team than any other owner that lived.”
- Phils owner Bill Giles
Steinbrenner “understood and embraced the power of the players.”
- Michael Weiner, Players Union Chief
“Baseball will miss him. He did a lot of great things – and some not so great – but it’s a sad day for baseball, no doubt about it. He was a winner, and he made the Yankees a winner. Any Yankee fan had to love George Steinbrenner because he put the best team on the field.â€
- Don Zimmer
“George was The Boss, make no mistake. He built the Yankees into champions and that’s something nobody can ever deny. He was a very generous, caring, passionate man. George and I had our differences, but who didn’t? We became great friends over the last decade and I will miss him very much.â€
- Yogi Berra
“The passing of George Steinbrenner leaves a significant void in the fabric of the sports world and New York City. The thoughts and prayers of our organization are with the Steinbrenner and Yankees families. George’s energy and his commitment and devotion to the Yankees were unmatched, and he was as generous and charitable a person as has ever been in sports. His was a unique, special and unforgettable presence.â€
- John Mara
“He did ownership right. He loved what he did and did things the way he loved to do them.â€
- Mark Cuban
“He had that image of a tough boss but there was a different side to him. He had a big heart a caring heart, a generous soul.â€
- Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida
“George was a demanding owner, but very caring, very supportive. He bought a struggling franchise and turned it into a dynasty. He’s going to be known as the most influential owner in the history of sports.â€
- Lou Piniella
“Everyone knows George Steinbrenner went from loser to legend by taking a second division team with a struggling franchise in 1973 and turning it into a champion again. But he was much more than a winner and a celebrity. There was no falseness in him. He did everything with his heart: his family, his friends, his team, his nation and his community. I’m not surprised that in the end he died by wearing it out.â€
- Former NY Governor Mario Cuomo
“During his tenure as owner of the New York Yankees, Mr. Steinbrenner did everything in his power to create his own winning tradition in the Bronx, an effort that resulted in seven World Series championships. While other baseball fans were jealous of this success, Yankee fans, like myself, loved him for it. Both the Bronx and New York City have lost a giant today – in baseball and in charity.â€
- Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx borough president
Many quotes are from:
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/13/end-of-an-era-reaction-rolls-in-to-steinbrenner-death/?src=twt&twt=nytimesbats
http://blogs.wfan.com/more-reactions-to-the-death-of-george-steinbrenner/
http://wfan.stats.com/mlb/story.asp?type=REGION_NY3&i=20100713115106080608304
metsfan4decades
7/13/2010-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
Here’s one I found that probably comes close to personifying the man, the myth, the legend:
One of greatest quotes about Steinbrenner comes from Dolphins PR guy Harvey Greene, who was Yankees director of media relations in late 80s: “The phone would ring in the middle of the night,†Greene once said. “…And you knew it was either Mr. Steinbrenner or a death in the family. After a while, you started to root for a death in the family.â€
Mr North Jersey
7/13/2010-1:02pm at 1:02 pm (UTC -4)
WOW!
Mr North Jersey
7/13/2010-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
Here are some more quotes:
“RIP, George Steinbrenner. Bob Sheppard already is there to announce your arrival.”
- Adam Schafter, ESPN
“Now that George Steinbrenner has died and gone to Heaven, he’s going to make Jesus cut his hair.”
- Gary Busey
“Steinbrenner was extremes: infuriate and elate u in same chat. saw him cruel and saw him beautiful. changed sports, not just baseball”
- Joel Sherman
“George Steinbrenner will be missed. He was larger than life and built champions, and Yankees fans loved him for it.”
- Bob Lorenz
“He was like the father I never had that encouraged me to be there and when I got knocked down he was there to pick me up,”I have nothing but respect and praises for him. I will always be grateful for him for the opportunities to be part of the Yankees family.”
- Daryll Strawberry
“When I think of George, I think of a guy who had unbelievable presence when you were with him. He had the look of prestige and class. As a young player, you definitely feared him. It seemed like he was (ticked) off all the time, but as I got to know him through the years, I learned that he had a big heart. He expected nothing less than excellence and winning, and he couldn’t understand anything less than that. He couldn’t be bothered by people that didn’t think the same way.”
- Al Leiter
“The Orioles are saddened to learn of the passing of George Steinbrenner. As an active participant in the organizational direction and operations of the New York Yankees, his name is as synonymous with that franchise as any of the legendary athletes who have played in pinstripes. On behalf of the Orioles organization, I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Joan, and the members of his family.”
- Orioles owner Peter Angelos
“George Steinbrenner was too complex a person to adequately describe in a short statement, but he was a great friend of mine and he will be missed. His impact on the game cannot be denied.â€
- White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf
“We are saddened by the passing of George Steinbrenner and extend our condolences to the Steinbrenner family and the New York Yankees organization. George was a tremendous competitor. His passion for winning motivated all of us in baseball. When George took over the ballclub, he reinvented the Yankees. He did everything within his power to put a championship team on the field. George was personable, friendly and truly cared about his franchise and the fans. We always admired his drive to be the best.â€
- Tigers owner Michael Ilitch and his wife, Marian
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of George Steinbrenner. George Steinbrenner’s passion for the game of baseball helped revive one of the game’s most storied franchises, and in the process ushered in the modern era of baseball business operations. Mr. Steinbrenner understood and embraced the power of the players, and he put this knowledge to good use in establishing the Yankees as one of the sports world’s most iconic brands. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Steinbrenner family, his friends and the entire Yankees baseball family.â€
- MLBPA Executive Director Michael Wiener
“The Washington Nationals and the Lerner Family are deeply saddened by the loss of George Steinbrenner – a monumental figure of the baseball world for more than 35 years. He will be remembered as a driven competitor and champion, but also a man who gave much to the people and communities he loved. George was a one of a kind owner, sports figure, and man. He will be missed. Our condolences go out to the Steinbrenner family, the Yankees organization and Yankees fans everywhere.â€
- Washington Nationals
“We at YES are saddened by the passing of George M. Steinbrenner. He was a New York icon and a sports icon, a true visionary who will be greatly missed. His vision of a team-owned regional sports network for the Yankees, resulting in the formation of the YES Network, revolutionized the sports business. Mr. Steinbrenner’s influence on the world of sports is tremendous, and will be felt long after he’s gone. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the Steinbrenner family and the Yankees organization.â€
- YES Network president/CEO Tracy Dolgin
“His legacy, they’re going to have to look at him as one of the top owners in the history of sports. They will. You just look at the record, where they came from, with the championships and stuff, they’ll look at him as one of the most forceful, or the guy with the most impact in professional sports. That’s where they’ll start, that’s where they’ll finish. There will be much said in between, but they’ll say he was one of the top executives or owners in all of sports.”
- Dave Winfield
“George Steinbrenner was a legend, a once-in-a-lifetime figure. He had tremendous vision, and the sports landscape – not just the baseball landscape – will never be the same. He had an outsized personality. While I was playing with the Orioles, and later as a Yankees analyst, I witnessed first-hand the passion for winning he exhibited, and the way New Yorkers appreciated the resources he put into producing a championship team. We’ll never see another owner like him. I will always appreciate the opportunity Mr. Steinbrenner gave me to broadcast Yankee games. I will miss him dearly.”
- Ken Singleton
Quotes are from:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/419631-reactions-from-around-the-world-to-the-loss-of-george-steinbrenner
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/strawberry_boss_was_like_the_father_W0ZVcoCPsHNrw6GLJEMI5O?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/2010/07/steinbrenner-tributes-pouring.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nydnrss%2Fblogs%2Fyankees+%28Blogs%2FBlogging+the+Bombers%29
http://bombersbeat.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/07/reaction_to_the_passing_of_geo.html
metsfan4decades
7/13/2010-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – leave it to Gary Busey…..
youngvalerawest
7/13/2010-1:40pm at 1:40 pm (UTC -4)
The MLBPA never had a better friend. He escalated salaries for all baseball players and probably all professional athletes.
Mr North Jersey
7/13/2010-5:11pm at 5:11 pm (UTC -4)
Here is a quote from Don Mattingly.
“I am deeply saddened to hear the news of George Steinbrenner’s passing. His vision, passion and commitment to winning, recharged the New York Yankees and revolutionized the game. I remember a man driven to succeed. He was the owner, “The Boss†and number one fan of the Yankees. Our relationship was built on mutual respect. I will never forget and always be grateful for how he treated me and my family both during my playing days and after I retired. I will miss him very much and extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Joan, and all the members of the Steinbrenner family.”
- Don Mattingly
“I will always remember George Steinbrenner as a passionate man, a tough boss, a true visionary, a great humanitarian and a dear friend. I will be forever grateful that he trusted me with his Yankees for 12 years. My heart goes out to his entire family. He will be deeply missed in New York, Tampa and throughout the world of baseball. It’s only fitting that he went out as a world champ.’’
- Joe Torre
Quote is from
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/2010/07/mattingly-piniella-on-steinbre.html
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dodgers/2010/07/dodgers-manager-joe-torre-on-the-passing-of-george-steinbrenner-a-true-visionary.html
fongy2
7/13/2010-1:36pm at 1:36 pm (UTC -4)
Interesting post @buisnessinsider.com
by Joe Wiesenthal on the only positive of Steinbrenner’s passing
now instead of 6months from now.
The Death Tax helped cost the Robbie family the Dolphins,their stadium etc
and the same with the Wrigley family.
I have nothing to add RE: Mr.Steinbrenner’s death since I didnt know the man AND its not very
humane nor very Christian to speak
ill of the dead……
In the end though it’s easy to see and understand why he was loved by
Yankee fans and disliked by all other
fans,including me.
Heb stole my thoughts exactly when he
posted about wondering how much different life my have been if he’d
purchased our Mets instead of the Yanks……..
I think he’ll have some answering to do @ the pearly gates, but who doesn’t/won’t???
He helped ALOT of people and made ALOT of money for ALOT of people!
R.I.P. Mr.Steinbrenner, it won’t be
quite as much fun hating The Yankees
without you!
Kingman 26
7/13/2010-3:10pm at 3:10 pm (UTC -4)
Actually Fong, I think they are MORE worthy of hating now!
As I have mentioned a few times in the comments area, the George Yanks never, ever grossly outspent everyone else and made a complete mockery of the sport as current management does.
The George Yanks–from the 70s to 96-00–always spent a lot, but when they were the top spender, they were barely the top spender; some years when they won they were not even number one.
Never did they come remotely close to the joke of 2009–2010 when the Yank$ outspend the 2nd spender by 30% and spend many multiples of what many other teams do. That makes the George Yanks look even better.
George (like many top businesspeople) was far from a saint–after all, you don’t get to where he got to without being an ultra type A–but he gave his team’s loyal fans as much or more than any other sports owner of the last thirty years. And he was able to win without making a mockery of the entire sport as current management has done—Mike Francesa regularly reprimands Yankee fans for demanding MORE superstars–that sure says something!
This is, to me, by far the best eulogy for this truly unique and very successful man.
And as Grave suggests, how different my life might have been sports-wise if George had just bought the Mets instead–imagine it!! He bought the Yanks in 1973—he would have been buying a team with Seaver, Koosman, and Matlack all young at the dawn of free agency–imagine that team by 1976 with Reggie Jackson and a few more top FAs–what a concept to consider!!