I was shocked and sadden this morning to read of the passing of one of the greatest owners in sports history. I maybe a great RedSox fan, who hate the yankees and think they suck, but in truth, they are our biggest rival and has been for nearly a century. The two teams would battle every year for devisions and during the off season, they owners would battle for players.
George Steinbrenner bought the New York Yankees in 1973 for just over 8 millian dollars.
Today, as he leaves us, the team that he grew up cheering for while living in Cleveland, is worth over one billian dollars.
Steinbrenner was a no nonsence guy. There was only one way to do things and it was either his way or you'd be fired. He demanded perfection. He thought after breaving, winning was the next important thing.
He also was villened for driving up the salories of baseball players. In the early 80's he paid Catfish Hunting 3.75 millian dollars a years and signed Dave Windfield to a 10 year 18 millian dollar contract. Later, in the late 90's he gave Derick Jeter and Burrny Williams 100m contracts while trading for Alex Rodriguez in 2000, who was in the middle of a 10 year 252m contract and when that was complete, resigned him for another 10 year contract worth 275 millian dollars.
In return for the contracts, he expected championships.
However, under the hard nose, my way or your fired additude was a very caring and giving man.
It is unfortunate that even I didnt hear of this till reading about it today, all the money that he gave away to kids to go to college and others that I cant recall the article listed, but he would give millians away at a time and he would always want it to be anonamous.
The Baseball world lost a great owner and the New York Yankees lost even a greater man today.
Only 3 days ago, the New York Yankees lost their long time PA announcer, Bob Sheppards at the age of 99. He had a distinktive voice that everyone knew. He would say people's names nice, and, slow,ly, pro,nounc,ing ever,y sil,a,ble. He said to a baseball beatwriter, "if you think you are talking too slow, talk a little slower". He was the voice of the yankees from 1951 till 2006. He also called names for the New York Football Giants during the 50's and did other events too.
His voice will be remembered for ever.
May Bob Sheppards RIP
I am sorry to the New York Yankee family
It is hard enough to llose one family member, but 2 in 3 days? It must be very very hard.
These two great New York Yankees will never ever be forgotten.
May they RIP.
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geeze everyone is dieing
჻ೋ჻ RIP George Steinbrenner ჻ೋ჻
