On Tuesday, the baseball world mourned the loss of one of the most notable baseball figures of the last century. New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner passed away at the age of 80 from a heart attack.
“The Boss” was one of the most successful owners in baseball, leading the Yankees to seven World Series championships and 11 pennants in his 37 years owning the team. He’s one of the main reasons the Yankees were a juggernaut in the late 70s and 90s, and revolutionized the way owners ran teams. The Yankees are the richest team in baseball (and maybe in all of sports), thanks in large part to Steinbrenner doing whatever it took to field a winner.
Steinbrenner also always kept things interesting, both for positive and negative. His hirings and firings of Billy Martin, his “hands-on” approach to ownership, and his rants and tirades will also always be remembered.
But what many may not have known about Steinbrenner was his philanthropic side. He gave millions to charities around the country. He contributed so much to Tampa, where he owned a home, that the city named a high school after him.
Steinbrenner will be remembered for different things to different people. But what everyone can agree on is that he loved baseball, loved the Yankees, loved New York and loved to win.
Filed in: MLB.
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