George "The Boss" Steinbrenner, 1930-2010

Born on the Fourth of July, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was a one-man embodiment of the greed, the self-importance and the win-at-all-costs attitude that comprises the dark side of America's collective psyche.

He bullied his American Ship Building Company employees into being part of an illegal campaign donation scheme on behalf of Richard Nixon's re-election campaign. He ran the Yankees like a dyspeptic despot, took great pleasure in sadistically tormenting his four-time manager Billy Martin (pictured above with Steinbrenner in one of their famous Lite Beer commercials), and threw massive amounts of money at any free agent that took his fancy. (Don Gullett, a good but oft-injured starting pitcher for the Reds, became the first player to experience Steinbrenner's knee-jerk largesse, after he beat the Yanks in Game One of the '76 World Series; the recipient of a $2 million, 6-year free agent deal, Gullett won 18 games and pitched just over 200 innings over the course of the next two seasons, and was out of baseball for good by 1979.) And of course, he brought Reggie Jackson to New York, setting in motion the dysfunctional family drama that became forever known as "The Bronx Zoo."

And yet, for better and for worse,  '70s baseball — and baseball in general — wouldn't have been the same without him. "The Boss" rebuilt the Yankees into an American League powerhouse after an embarrassing decade on the CBS skids. Unlike many owners who stubbornly tried to hide their heads in the sand until it went away, Steinbrenner embraced the idea of free agency like a long-lost buddy, and used it time and time again to the Yankees' advantage. And unlike so many teams then and now, the Yankees under Steinbrenner were never afraid to spend money or make personnel moves if it gave them the opportunity to step on the throats of their opponents. Sure, it was easy to hate Steinbrenner's superstar-studded Yankees squads — but who among you wouldn't want an owner with his deep pockets and will to win guiding the destiny of your favorite team?

To my mind, the four most interesting baseball owners of the 1970s were Charlie Finley, Bill Veeck, Ted Turner and Steinbrenner — and of those four, Steinbrenner would have the longest career and broadest influence upon the game. His place in the Hall of Fame will (hopefully) be subject to debate, but there's no denying his place in baseball history. And leave it to ol' George, an enthusiastic (if not always successful) media manipulator to the end, to die right before the All-Star Game, as he did this morning.

Rest in peace, George. I always loathed you, but somehow I'm happy that you got to see the Yankees win one more World Series before you died. Say hello to Tricky Dick for me...

Comments

[Joe R]

If there's a Heaven, I suspect that Billy Martin is waiting for him right behind the gate, bat (or lead pipe) in hand.

[Hot Tub Eric]

Don't forget that it was The Boss that tyranically forced Oscar Gamble to cut his afro when he came to NY from Cleveland thereby ruining the greatest head of hair in baseball nonwithstanding Bake McBride.

[Bill Repsher]

Dan, just picked up a copy of Big Hair and Plastic Grass -- was wasting time in a Barnes & Noble and couldn't resist, looks like a fun read ... as I gaze on the framed picture of four Steve Carlton baseball cards on my wall. Being a kid in the 70s who collected baseball cards from about 1972-77, anything baseball-related from that era really hits home with me. Knew your book had to be good when I went through the Index and saw an entry for Al "The Mad Hungarian" Hrabosky.

Re: Steinbrenner. I did a post on his passing, too:

http://poscathst.blogspot.com/2010/07/steinbrenners-inferno.html

Hope you enjoy -- think I captured the spirit of what went down.

[sto credits]

George Michael Steinbrenner III (July 4, 1930 – July 13, 2010) was principal owner and managing partner of Major League Baseball's New York Yankees. During Steinbrenner's 37-year ownership from 1973 to his death, the longest in club history, the Yankees earned 7 World Series titles and 11 pennants. His outspokenness and role in driving up player salaries made him one of the sport's most controversial figures. Steinbrenner was also involved in the Great Lakes shipping industry.

[Dan E]

Bill, that's friggin' hilarious. I'm gonna post your link on the Big Hair Facebook page, if that's cool...

[Bill Repsher]

It would be an honor -- this is a cool site. But I have to admit. I followed the link to the Cardboard Gods site and had my mind completely blown. That guy's doing some truly great shit with baseball cards and how they apply to adulthood.

[Dan E]

Oh yeah, Josh's site is awesome. Pick up his book if you haven't already...

[ffxiv gil]

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harms way.Life's tragedy is that we get old to soon and wise too late.In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes.