A sad day in Yankees Universe, the boss passes away

The day that ever Yankee fan has dreaded, owner George Steinbrenner has passed away. The boss purchased the team in 1973 from CBS for nine million dollars, today the Yankees are worth an estimated 1.3 billion.

Steinbrenner was known for wanting to win and firing managers. His will to win was only second to breathing, Steinbrenner changed the game with the way he would put money into the team and was never afraid to take risks on players who had a troubled past (Steve Howe,Doc Gooden, Darryl Strawberry). For years people around baseball and fans have criticized George and the Yanks for spending so much money money on players. But what is never realized is how the Yankees put all the money that they make back into the team, unlike other teams that pocket that money.

Big Steins first big free agent signing that would change the game was Dave Winfield, signing him to a 10 year 23 million. It wasn't long before the Boss had lost his patients with Winfield calling him Mr.May and trying to dig up dirt on him by contacting Howie Spira a known gambler. Steinbrenner was suspended from baseball for attempting to dig up dirt on Winfield, when it was announced fans at Yankee Stadium began to cheer, they had had it with the boss.

The 1980's are know for being a low point in Yankees history, they didn't win a single title and found themselves often at the bottom of the standing. But George never quit trying to turn his struggling club into a winner, going out and trying to get the best player and managers. Some players didn't want to come to New York because of Steinbrenner because they knew they would be in his firing line even after the smallest of slip ups.

In 1993 Steinbrenner was reinstated to baseball, many say George came back and wasn't the same type of owner. His will to win was still the same but he seemed to trust the people around him alot more. Steinbrenner made the right choice to trust his people since the Yankees won titles in 4 of 5 seasons. At the same time , as he was satisfied with the clubs winning record George would find ways to increase revenue by signing record endorsement deals with Adidas and selling the TV rights to MSG. Once MSG's right to the Yankees TV rights ran out , Steinbrenner though outside the box and created the YES Network. The YES Network changed the sports industry dramatically and started the trend from other teams to create their own networks.

In recent years the boss really began to mellow and wasn't seen around the Yankees as often. It was known how in the past Steinbrenner would never be afraid to rip into an employee or player, but as he got older he showed his softer side. Steinbrenner would often donate money to Charity's and always wanted to help out under privleged kids, service men, fire men and police officers. Following the Yankees championships and winning teams, the fans began to realize what a great owner they truly had. In 2004 on opening day, with Steinbrenner in the house giving a live interview the fans began to chant "Thank You George". Steinbrenner tried to hold back tears as the fans continued to chant his name. With the all star game in the Bronx in 2008, Steinbrenner rode out to the field on a golf cart to hand out the baseballs that would be used for the first pitch. The fans stood and applauded to give him the respect that he had earned.

Two of my favorite Boss moments are more recent. One is when he called Hideki Irabu a "Fat pussy toad" for failing to cover first base in a spring training game. My other favorite story about George comes from Buster Olneys book "The last night of the Yankees dynasty". During the 2000 World Series against the Mets at Shea Stadium, a water pipe broke inside the Yankees clubhouse. George was furious and insisted that the Mets had planned this as a way to distract the Yankees from their goal of winning a championship. While he was inside the clubhouse ranting about the Mets and how this was planned out, pitcher David Cone was also inside the clubhouse. There had been a hanging light fixture that had been flickering the entire , Cone said to George that the Mets were trying to record/tape the Yankees. With out hesitation Steinbrenner yelled for someone to get the light, but at the same time grabbed the closest bat and began smashing the light.

.556 winning percentage, 16 division titles, 11 American League pennants, 7 World Championships under the boss. Last seasons championship was dedicated the George, and every time I walk into the new Yankee Stadium I will think off the boss. Here is a clip of him being portrayed on Seinfeld.

  

Thank You Mr.Steinbrenner, for being the greatest owner in sports. You will be missed R.I.P