Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Some Thoughts on the Passing of George Steinbrenner

As I was travelling to work this morning I checked my iPhone and saw that George Steinbrenner had suffered a massive heart attack. When I checked my phone when I arrived at NJIT I read that he had passed away at age 80.

Everyone must admit that George made an impact on baseball. When he bought the Yankees in 1973, they had been losers for close to 10 years. By 1976, the Yankees were winners again. He is very responsible for the exponential increase in player salaries. George's bucks paid for winners. Team owners in baseball and other sports have thrown money at mediocre players who did not perform. At times George was cruel and heartless to his players and managers. For example he paid someone $40,000 to get the goods on Dave Winfield. He hired and fired Billy Martin 5 times. I fondly remember the Miller Lite commercials back then with George and Billy. There was also a kinder and gentler side to George as he often helped people in need.

It has been a very sad week for the Yankees with the passings of Bob Sheppard and George Steinbrenner. My condolences to their families. Major League Baseball has suffered two great loses.

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