The Boss Is Dead

The Boss is dead. And with his death baseball has lost one of the most bombastic, controversial, and important figures in its long, colorful history.

George Steinbrenner was characterized in many ways during his lifetime: The narcissistic owner who battled with his managers behind closed doors and in the public domain of the press, the tyrant who paid a professional gambler to dig up dirt on Dave Winfield after the player sued the Yankees over $300,000 that he claimed they failed to pay to Winfield's foundation, the business mogul who built the New York franchise into the wealthiest organization in all of sports, and the Bronx savior that restored the Yankees to their rightful place at the head of the pantheon of the baseball universe, lifting up the city as much with his penchant for generosity as with his proficiency for victory.

All of these things were true about The Boss. He was, at times, narcissistic and a tyrant, but he was an amazing businessman who created a baseball empire that generated more revenue and more victories than any other organization in the game. Most importantly, George M. Steinbrenner was an owner so committed to winning, so intent on putting the best possible product on the field, that despite his behavioral faults he was one of the greatest and most important owners in the history of sports.

The year was 1973. CBS had owned the Yankees since 1965; the team had not won a World Series since 1962 and had not seen the playoffs since 1963. The franchise that won 6 World Series Championships in the 50s and 20 Championships pre-CBS had fallen on disgracefully hard times. Mickey Mantle's career was ending with no legend to replace him as he had once replaced Joe DiMaggio, attendance was dismal, and the team lingered near the bottom of the American League nearly every season.

But as new owner George Steinbrenner stepped into command, it was clear almost instantly that the days of losing were over in the Bronx. By 1976 the Yankees were back in the World Series and by 1977 New York won the first of back-to-back Championships. There were fights, there were verbal barrages, but most importantly there were victories. Since The Boss purchased the team in 1973 the Yankees have a better winning percentage (.566), more division titles (16), and more World Series Championships (7), than any other franchise in baseball. A number of individuals have won as the owner/owners of the New York Yankees, but Jacob Ruppert never had to deal with free agency or the players' union.

Article Author: Anthony Tobis

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