Mattie T’s Tribute to George Steinbrenner (1913-2010)

Major League Baseball lost a powerful figure on Tuesday morning, as New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died following a massive heart attack at his home in Tampa, Florida.

Steinbrenner grew up in Ohio and did not get involved into sports until his early 20’s attending Williams College in Massachusetts from 1949-1952.

At Williams, Steinbrenner was on the track team, played halfback on the varsity football team and also served as sports editor for the school’s newspaper.

He also spent some time in the Air Force before earning his master’s degree at Ohio State University.

George got to become an assistant under the legendary Woody Hayes & was a part of the Buckeyes’ undefeated national championship team in 1954.

The first team that Steinbrenner took ownership in was the Cleveland Pipers of the now-defunct ABL, as they were led by John McClendon, who is the 1st African-American head coach in professional basketball.

Midway through the 1961-62 season, McClendon was replaced by Bill Sharman as the Pipers went on to win the championship.

After the league disbanded in 1962, Steinbrenner had a brief involvement in Broadway musicals.

“The Boss” officially bought the New York Yankees on January 3rd, 1973 for an estimated $8.8 million rather than the reported $10 million.

He forced a strict rule involving his players, as noone on the team could not sport any facial hair unless it was a mustache.

He also dismissed Billy Martin on FIVE separate occasions, but he did stick around to became involved in the now-infamous “pine-tar” incident with Kansas City’s George Brett in 1983.

Steinbrenner displayed some questionable behavior during the 1981 World Series, as he claimed to have been involved in a fight with two Los Angeles Dodgers fans following their Game 3 loss at Dodger Stadium.

He later admitted to making up that story in an attempt to motivate his team, which backfired heavily. As a result of this incident, he issued an public apology to the city of New York .

The Boss was also banned from baseball for a short 4-year period beginning in 1990 after paying $40,000 to gambler Howie Spira in order to cover up the reported $300,000 that was guaranteed from Dave Winfield’s contract in 1990. (Winfield signed a 10-year deal worth $23 million, which at that time made him baseball’s highest-paid player)

Steinbrenner’s 23-year wait to see the Yankees win a World Series came to an end in 1996, as they beat the Atlanta Braves to start a string of 4 championships in a 5-year period.

With Steinbrenner’s help, the Yankees became the first sports franchise ever to be estimated at a net worth of over one billion dollars in 2005.

He was on hand for the 2008 All-Star Game at the “new” Yankee Stadium & also received a 2009 World Series ring from current manager Joe Girardi & team captain Derek Jeter which left him “speechless”.

Steinbrenner is survived by his sons Hank & Hal.

The Yankees are also mourning the loss of their long-time PA announcer George Sheppard, who died on Sunday at the age of 99.