New York Yankees

In the same week, the New York Yankees have suffered two heart breaking losses. The first to pass away was long time public address announcer Bob Sheppard, at 99 years old.

Sheppard passed away on July 11th, and two days later long time Yankees owner George Steinbrenner followed him. Heading into the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star break, Yankee fans and the organization will have heavy hearts.

Remembering the life of George Steinbrenner is a monumental challenge. Steinbrenner lived a full life that was not just confined to being the owner of the Yankees.

The New York Yankees sent seven players to Angel Stadium for the All-Star game. This past week they've sent two legends to Angel heaven. Baseball lost a legend today and he's looking down on us now.

The problem is, most people looked down on him during his ownership career that began in 1973. What a career it was. As a young Yankees fan I sit here and try to write this but something doesn't feel right. As I watch current players Andy Pettite and Alex Rodriguez along with current coach Joe Girardi speak about Mr. Steinbrenner's passing one thing stands out to me.

I never liked George Steinbrenner.  As a fan of a different team in the AL East, it was virtually impossible to like the man who helped keep every other team in that division out of the playoffs.

I also could never hate him.  If anything, I was jealous.  Who wouldn't want all those championships sitting in a case in their stadium?

No, there was only one true feeling I had for "The Boss":

Respect.

We have all heard the news.

Former New York Yankees owner George "The Boss" Steinbrenner has passed away at the age of 80 on the day of the MLB All-Star Game.

His wallet without a bottom and his desire to win made the Yankees the face of winning throughout all of sports. The Bronx Bombers were perennial powers under his reign.

Steinbrenner may top the list of most controversial owners in sports history. He was a hands-on owner, often times clashing with players and managers.
What was always true, however, was that The Boss would win.

Controversial owners don't always win.

New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has died in Tampa, Florida at the age of 80.

Though one of the most despised, controversial, and notorious owners in the long history of Major League Baseball, Steinbrenner must also be remembered as one of the greats, a giant amongst men.

During Steinbrenner's tenure, the Yankees captured 11 pennants and seven World Series championships.

George Steinbrenner suddenly died this morning at the age of 80 years, but his legacy will go down for one main idea: winning. Winning is what encompassed Steinbrenner's 37 years at the helm of the Yankees. He saw his team win seven World Series, 11 American League pennants and over 3,000 games.

The Yankees won more division titles than any team in baseball since 1973. For those reasons, Steinbrenner will be remembered (at least to Yankee fans) above anything else.