New York Yankees Fan Blog

Was Steinbrenner the Greatest Owner in Sports?

George Steinbrenner the Yankees owner since 1973 died yesterday from a massive heat attack. Steinbrenner was not himself the last three years. No one knew what was wrong with him, but everyone knew something was up when he made a visit to the last game at the old Yankee Stadium.
Steinbrenner was carted around and was wearing dark sunglasses at night to hide his eyes from his tears. The Boss was crying? Yes, he was just a shell of his former fiery self. Steinbrenner Always had something to say, but that night all he could do was stay planted in that motorized cart while people hugged him. No words were muttered, to me that is when the real Steinbrenner that everyone grew to love and mostly hate died.
The argument can be made that Steinbrenner was the best owner in sports history. Under his ownership, the Yankees won seven World Series, he made the YES Network, which broadcasts Yankee footage 24 hours a day, and he managed to get a new Yankee Stadium built across the street from the old one.
To me, Steinbrenner was the best owner in sports because of his attitude. Steinbrenner had a no-nonsense attitude. If players, coaches, management, training staff, or anyone else working for Steinbrenner did not succeed quickly, they would either be traded or fired. This made people who wanted to stay with the Yankees want to do better so they wouldn’t be kicked out. On top of that, Steinbrenner would often use the media to relay his messages about the team instead of talking behind closed doors. I can remember when the Yankees were in a little slide or if they lost a series to a bad team, Steinbrenner would make threats through the media. Players and management did not like that too much, but it always seemed to work. The Yankees would then bounce back and go on a winning streak. By going through the media it also showed fans that he was doing everything he could to straighten his team back out.
On the other hand, Steinbrenner had a ton of money to work with. Some people say if he didn’t have all that money the Yankees would never have been as successful. Steinbrenner earned that money though. Steinbrenner bought the Yankees for $7.8 million and now they are worth $3.3 billion. He had the money to spend so why not use it?
Steinbrenner’s will to be the best franchise year in and year out is why the Yankees are the wealthiest franchise in all of sports. There will never be another owner like him. Many people will miss him and some will not, but he will never be forgotten. (yankees.com)

By Eric Heyer of Sports Fan Blog Network

July 14, 2010 - Posted by homerunheyer | Blogger, Eric Heyer, MLB, NY Yankees News, New York Yankees, Original Content | George Steinbrenner, MLB, Yankees | No Comments Yet