Fan News

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.

It was at a baseball card show in Dec. 2000, a few months after New York's first subway series since 1956.

I had the opportunity to speak with Tug McGraw.

The father of one of my students, Becky Hisler, ran the show. The theme was, of course, the subway series.

Almost all the players signing autographs had been or were still on the New York Yankees or the New York Mets.

My son, Scott, wanted Doc Gooden's autograph. We went into a large room where Gary Carter, Doc Gooden, and Tug McGraw were signing.

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.

It’s time to check in on three more prospects from around the minor leagues.  Are any of them primed to make an impact in the not too distant future?  Let’s take a look:

As the Red Sox No. 1 fan I was obviously enthused to watch as David Ortiz became the first member of the Boston Red Sox to win the Home Run Derby last night; but, truth be told, I was more delighted the rest of the world got to see the vintage “Big Papi” many of us have come to love over the last several years.Sadly, that guy was missing early this year as David struggled for the second straight spring and many supposed fans and baseball writers called for him to be exiled from Boston.

On January 3, 1973 George Michael Steinbrenner, and minority group of partners, purchased the New York Yankees.

From the time he took control of the team to the time of his death, Steinbrenner has never shied away from the spotlight. He brought the team back to the dominance the franchise prided themselves on.

Steinbrenner's 30 years of ownership were dominating. It makes him not only the best owner in baseball history, but also the most influential man in Yankees history.

Many men have donned the Yankees pinstripes.

If I win the lottery, I want to buy a sports team.

Be it the Orlando Titans, the Orlando Predators, an MLS franchise or, if I had the money, the Orlando Magic.

And I would invest all my money to make them the greatest team ever.

Just like George Steinbrenner.

In 1973, George Steinbrenner did what every die-hard sports fan wishes they could do. He used the fortune he made in his father's shipping business and bought his favorite team. That team happened to be the New York Yankees.

Not by himself initially, but eventually, he would own it all.

Albert Pujols' 2011 free agency is quietly tunneling its way into the subconscious of every person in St. Louis, creating an anxiety for Cardinal fans that comes with the idea of losing their most coveted player. 

To many St. Louisans, the term "Albert Pujols trade" would sound like nothing more than a stupid joke or poorly executed April Fools prank. 

But to the Cardinals faithful , trading the nine-time All-Star seems logical.  

He spent big. He won big.

George Steinbrenner reshaped baseball and one of its most prized franchises when he took over the New York Yankees in 1973. The Yankees responded to his leadership by winning seven World Series titles during his reign.

Two days after the Yankees lost their long time friend and announcer Bob Sheppard, they have another loss to mourn. George Steinbrenner passed away this morning from a heart-attack, leaving years of success and an empire behind.