This has been a week of sad news for the New York Yankees. First we learn of the passing of legendary Yankee Stadium announcer Bob Shepherd at 99. Now comes news of the death of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner at 80. He had been in poor health for several years and the team was being run by his sons Hank and Hal. Few sports celebrities and fewer owners have drawn as much controversy in the years since he bought the team in 1973. I confess to never being a big fan of the Steinbrenner style. He deserves credit for the Yankees earning 11 pennants and 7 World Series titles. He spent money to make money in the country's largest media market. If the talent pricetag was beyond the reach of some competing teams, don't blame George. The people who produced - or did their best - were the ones who made me a Yankee fan. He deserved a return on his investment, but his micromanaging and grandstanding too frequently made the Yankees story all about him. His character as portrayed on Seinfeld actually boosted his image, and it was clear that he could be a good sport and laugh at himself. He was a phenomenal businessman with a larger than life image who brought in great people. Like many American business leaders, he often forgot about letting great people do their jobs. You hire their expertise; you don't own them. You can't take it with you, but this is one boss who left a sports franchise so much stronger than he found it. It's only fitting that he was around long enough to see the new Yankee Stadium and his team on top.
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