mourning news came from New York Yankees principal owner and chairperson George M. teinbrenner III died at a Florida hospital Tuesday morning, after suffering a massive heart attack.
Steinbrenner was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital where he died at 6:30 a.m., PIX 11 News confirmed.
In a statement released Tuesday, Steinbrenner's family described him as an incredible and charitable man.
"First and foremost he was devoted to his entire family - his beloved wife, Joan; his sisters, Susan Norpell and Judy Kamm, his children, Hank, Jennifer Jessica and Hal; and all of his grandchildren."
"He was a visionary and a giant in the world of sports. He took a great but struggling franchise and turned it into a champion again."
His funeral arrangements will be private, but a public service is planned and details will be announced at a later date, his family said.
Steinbrenner, widely known as "The Boss" of baseball, had just celebrated his 80th birthday last week, on July 4.
His death came just four days after he spent some time in his office at the Yankees' spring training complex, telling the Associated Press at the time he was "feeling good."
Over the years, Steinbrenner has gained an infamous reputation for his outspokenness which involved meddling in daily on-field decisions, driving up player salaries and firing a number of prominent managers, making him one of sport's most controversial and fascinating figures.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Allan "Bud" Selig on Tuesday placed Steinbrenner in the company of baseball's greatest figures.
"His devotion to baseball was surpassed only by his devotion to his family and his beloved New York Yankees, " Selig said. "He was and always will be as much of a New York Yankee as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford and all of the other Yankee legends. He was my dear friend for nearly four decades. Although we would have disagreements over the years, they never interfered with our friendship and commitment to each other."
Like Selig, many have had their disagreements and short-lived feuds with Steinbrenner over the years, but all collectively agree that "The Boss" redefined the sport.
"The passing of George Steinbrenner marks the end of an era in New York City baseball history," New York Mets owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz said in a statement Tuesday. "George was a larger than life figure and a force in the industry. The rise and success of his teams on the field and in the business marketplace under his leadership are a testament to his skill, drive, and determination."
Hall of Fame Yankees catcher Yogi Berra, who at one time became estranged from Yankees organization following a disagreement with Steinbrenner, considered him a friend.
"This is a very sad day for me and Carmen and all of baseball," Berra said in a statement released Tuesday. "George was The Boss, make no mistake. He built the Yankees into champions and that's something nobody can ever deny. ... George and I had our differences, but who didn't? We became great friends over the last decade and I will miss him very much."
Another former Bronx Bomber who collided with "The Boss" and later made amends was Hall of Fame outfielder Dave Winfield. A decade-long feud between Steinbrenner and Winfield escalated to the point where Steinbrenner was banned for life from running the Yankees organization by then MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent after "The Boss" was accused of paying $40,000 to a known gambler with Mafia connections to obtain embarrassing information on Winfield.
Winfield told ESPN's Sportscenter Tuesday, he was shocked upon hearing the news of Steinbrenner's death.
"I am speechless," Winfield said. "I know he was in ill health for a number of years ... I am just very sorrowful for his family at this time"
Winfield revealed that the two have since buried the hatchet and were friendly.
"He was one of the top owners in the history of sports," he said.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg also reflected on the man whose name was not only synonymous with making the Bronx Bombers a dominant force in baseball but defined what it was to be a New Yorker.
"Few people have had a bigger impact on New York over the past four decades than George Steinbrenner," Bloomberg said in a statement. "George had a deep love for New York, and his steely determination to succeed combined with his deep respect and appreciation for talent and hard work made him a quintessential New Yorker."
During Steinbrenner's ownership dating back to 1973, the Yankees have earned 11 pennants and 7 World Series titles.
George Steinbrenner is also known for his philanthropy to the Tampa Bay area, where he typically resided during the off-season.
On July 11, Yankees announcer Bob Sheppard, nicknamed "the Voice of God," died at age 99. Steinbrenner stated, "I am deeply saddened by the death today of Bob Sheppard, a good friend and fine man whose voice set the gold standard for America's sports announcer."
source: http://www.chicagotribune.com
