George Steinbrenner - The Boss

 

"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing.  Breathing first, winning next."

George Michael Steinbrenner III was born in Rocky River, Ohio on July 4, 1930.  He was the oldest of three children to Irish immigrant parents and was of the first generation to be born in America.

After graduating from military school in 1948, Steinbrenner went on Williams College in Massachusetts, where, like his father before him, he was an accomplished track and field star who later joined the football team.  He was also gifted academically, playing the piano and serving as sports editor of the college newspaper.  After earning his bachelor's degree, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was commissioned a second lieutenant, stationed in Columbus, Ohio.  Upon his discharge in 1954, he earned his master's degree in physical education.

His education behind him, Steinbrenner took over his family's shipping business in 1957, eventually becoming Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  By the time he stepped down in 1972, the company was pulling in $100 million in annual sales.

With a renewed interest in sports, Steinbrenner and a group of fellow investors bought the New York Yankees in 1973 from former owner CBS.  He was known for his hands-on ownership style, which earned him the nickname "The Boss."  During his tenure, turnover was high as he was often replacing his management team.  Behind his back, he was also known as "Manager George," a derisive nickname given to him by former manager Dallas Green. 

By 2007, Steinbrenner had relocated to Florida as his health was in decline.  He officially retired that year, handing control of the team over to his sons Hal and Hank.  Steinbrenner eventually died of a heart attack on July 13, 2010, the morning of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.  He was 80 years old. 

George Steinbrenner was entombed in a palatial family mausoleum at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Trinity, Florida.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• If you want to learn more about George Steinbrenner, take a voyage to Amazon.  It's all in books.
  
  
• From 1973 to his death in 2010, Steinbrenner was the longest-serving owner in club history.  Under his ownership, the Yankees won seven World Series and eleven American League pennants.
  
  
• Steinbrenner was the second in a Yankee death trifecta that week.  He was preceded in death by longtime P.A. announcer Bob Sheppard and was followed by former manager Ralph Houk.
  
  
• Steinbrenner became something of a pop culture icon, even hosting a 1990 episode of Saturday Night Live.  Really.  He later became a running joke on the hit sit-com Seinfeld, as portrayed by series creator Larry David.