R.I.P. King George

[Sykes25]

The Yankees say owner George Steinbrenner has died. He was 80.

Spokesman Howard Rubenstein said he died Tuesday morning. He had a heart attack, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Fla., and died at about 6:30 a.m, a person close to the owner told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not disclosed those details.

Steinbrenner, who celebrated his birthday July 4, had been in fragile health for several years.

Flags were immediately lowered to half-staff at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees' spring training complex. The Yankees says many employees there were in tears.

The death comes two days after the team's beloved public-address announcer Bob Sheppard died at 99.

[The Rivs]

My Favorite Boss Quote.
"This team represents NY, and they don't quit, and NYers don't quit!"

RIP The Boss. Love him or hate him, it's a sad day for Baseball.

:cry: :(

[rick martin]

the measure of a man's life is the balance between good and bad. While Steinbrenner may be deservedly hated for ruining baseball in the late 70's early 80's, he should be seen a saviour after that. Without revenue sharing (the Yankee tax) and giant crowds following the Yanks, the success by the Bosox, Rays, Angels, Dodgers and others would not have happened. He made it happen by making others try to keep up with him.
I live in the Tampa area, and the Steinbrenner name is everywhere - every hospital wing, every charity event, high schools, scholarships, on and on. As generous as he was to his players, he was moreso in the community. So in my book, George's balance sheet is seriously on the plus side. Rest in peace - today I'll wear my Yankee hat in your honor.

[the splinter]

Yesterday Atl radio did a 15 minute spot on The Boss. One jock stated he was the [b:85f7495046]most influencial owner off all time in all sports[/b:85f7495046].

While he was certainly the most influencial of the last ...oh 30 years I put him at #3 at best.

#1 George Halas...he invented the NFL!
#2 Walter O'Malley...by bringing in JR he made a social impact more powerful than any business ever could. He also basically invented sports expansion by moving the Dodgers to the west coast
#3a The Boss..his business model set the precident for the last 30+ years
#3b Lamar Hunt ..he forced the merger of the AFL and NFL thus setting the table for the force it is today
#4 ??? Ted Turner(sports and TV), Al Davis(many reasons)..????

[keyzick]

Well, I wouldn't put him above Hunt, Davis or Turner...they actually were the elements of change in the sports they were associated with. (Hunt and Davis, the AFL/NFL merger; Turner, the team-owned sports superstation concept).

Steinbrenner benefited from the Free Agency system, and ultimately become a "market maker" for player salaries by his willingness to (over?)invest in his teams. That really is a huge influence, I just don't see it on the same level as the others. Now if he'd been the driving influence behind the creation of free agency, I'd put him at #1...but free agency was player (and agent)-driven, not owner-driven.

I think he fits nicely at #5.

[Chuckgnh1]

I guess "The Boss" was a baseball icon. Colorful, yes. So, who has he met so far in the great diamond in the sky? Curt Flood, to thank him for all the great signings over the years? Billy Martin (to share cocktails, I'd imagine)? And was he indeed a convicted felon? Oh, yeah.

[allnemo]

:)

[The Rivs]

Lotsa stories coming out here on the East coast, and some on Sports Radio.

This one in today's Daily News, says a lot.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/15/2010-07-15_woman_reveals_lifelong_secret_that_yankee_owner_george_steinbrenner_donated_13k_.html

Also, Every Manager he ever fired, remained on Payroll as a Yankee "Scout" until they found work. The only guy who didn't take it was Howser. The Boss was pretty darn generous.

Another story being told is how he paid for the College tuition for the children of over 37 Firefighters who were Killed in the line of Duty.

Interesting stuff.