In 1973 George M Steinbrenner III lead a group of investors who purchased the New York Yankees for 10mm from CBS. Since that day the Yankees and the city of New York have never been the same. A francise worth 10mm was transformed into a 1.2 billion dollar enterprise. There has been one stadium renovation and one entirely new state of the art ball park built in the Bronx. There has been the formation a of sports network. Countless hiring and firings of managers. One suspension. Endless controversy and most importantly 11 pennants and 6 world series titles. This period has been rocky, explosive, exacerbating, trying, glorious, magical and iconic all at same time. The only constant during this wonderful chaos was George himself and the city of New York.
Like any marriage the relationship between George Steinbrenner and this town has had its up and downs. There have been times where he was hated for his antics with Billy Martin, and the firing of Yogi which sent him away from the Yankees for far too long. This was countered by the periods where he was appreciated for his drive to win and willingness to put his wallet on the line to achieve that goal. In a time when “average is not only satisfactory but actually prefered, George gave his troops the ultimatum that winning the World Series was the only acceptable thing. He is a microcosm representing the city for which his beloved Yankees play. He is a New Yorker. Sometimes petulant, fiery, spoiled, but always moving. Always striving, taking risks, and living at that franetic pace which seperates us from the country. In many ways George is a living example of the best and the worst of New York and the people who call it home. “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere” is not just a line in a song to New Yorkers, but something worn as a badge of honor, and his Yankees measure their worth in championships. He is and all or none type of guy in a cut throat city were its kill or be killed. New York is at times bigger than life, and the Yankees under Steinbrenners control have been the same.
George M Steinbrenner III has suffered numerous health problems over the last few years. His family is attempting to treat his demise with as much respect as possible. They guard his condition and appearance with as much zeal as he showed owning the francise. Hal and Hank, his two sons are now the face the ownership. The Boss rarely leaves Tampa and has been conspicuously absent from the new stadium and the playoffs. Never was it more apparent than when the Yankees showered themselves with champagne after beating the Angels. Something was missing without him. Tonight before game one of the World Series, Mr Steinbrenner is going to attempt to make it to his new stadium. For possibly his last time the man born on the 4th of July is going to try and lead his troops into battle for the thing he holds most dear, a world series title. He will problably be a shadow of his old self, hidden behind oversized shades which hide his frailty, but he still will be “The Boss”. Whether you love or hate him it would be appropriate to stand and cheer him tonight. A chapter of our youth and our city is coming to close. Just like New York it hasn’t always been perfect but it has always been larger than life. I’m a sucker for happy endings. I’m hoping the last line reads like happily ever after with the Yankees 27th championship. Thanks George for nothing else but being one of us, a true New Yorker till the end.
-Six
