Yankees' Owner George Steinbrenner Dead at 80

Say what you will about the Yankees as a team and Steinbrenner as the owner...the man redefined baseball in the modern era, especially the last 20 years.

Known as "The Boss" for his tempestuous style, Steinbrenner was loved by Yankees fans and hated by his rivals. He resurrected the most successful franchise in U.S. sports from a period of decline, returning it to glory in the 1970s. 

His family and baseball club announced his death but did not give a cause. Media reports said he suffered a massive heart attack at his home in Tampa and was rushed to hospital.

Steinbrenner demanded results and got them as the Yankees won seven World Series titles and 11 American League pennants since he bought the fabled club in 1973.

He was twice suspended from baseball -- once for making illegal campaign contributions to President Richard Nixon's 1972 re-election campaign and then for hiring a private investigator to dig up information on one of his players.

"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing," he once said.

Steinbrenner handed over daily operations of the club to his sons in recent years. His Yankees empire, which he bought for $10 million, is now worth $1.6 billion, nearly twice as much as any other team in baseball, Forbes magazine estimated.

The guy knew how to play the biggest game of all.  I may not agree with a lot of his decisions and his actions...but the man got results.  The New York Yankees are the most famous pro sports team in the US and pretty much the world. He was a powerhouse.


Baseball will be a smaller place without him.  Maybe he'll find some peace out there.