It would be hard for a baseball fan of the 1970s and 1980s to end the day
George Steinbrenner died without some acknowledgement of his life. He was, more than anyone, the man that we all loved to hate. Everytime Steinbrenner fired
Billy Martin we all began the countdown to when he would hire Martin back. There were a total of five dismisals that were part of that relationship. The man had high standards and expected Martin, and anyone else for that matter, to meet them. That attitude continued towards his players, most notably
Reggie Jackson. Being more difficult to fire a player, Steinbrenner instead orchestrated a trade. He was never afraid to express his disapproval of any player. He saw them as employees working towards one goal, a World Series win.
Steinbrenner mellowed in recent years but even after one of the most impressive runs in history,
Joe Torre had all he could take of the man. More than anyone in history, Steinbrenner turned baseball into a business. The Yankees are more than a team, they are a dynasty, a business model. That will be the legacy of Steinbrenner. He will soon have a place in Monument Park, in the new Yankee stadium he built and he deserves it. I never liked the man or his actions but no one can doubt his success and effect on the game he loved. As I have heard before today Bob Sheppard will be there to announce George's arrival.
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