Selig: Boss as much a Yankee as Ruth, Gehrig
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Jul 13, 2010 
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MLB Commissioner Bud Selig put out a statement on George Steinbrenner. Here it is:
On behalf of Baseball, I am very saddened by the passing this morning of George Steinbrenner.
George was a giant of the game and his devotion to baseball was surpassed only by his devotion to his
family and his beloved New York Yankees. 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.
I have known George ever since he entered the game in 1972. 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. Our friendship was built on loyalty and trust and it never wavered. We
were allies and friends in the truest sense of the words.
My wife, Sue, and I pass on our deepest sympathies to the Steinbrenner family, to the New York
Yankees and to all of his friends. We will miss him, especially tonight when the baseball family will be
gathered at Angel Stadium for the All-Star Game.
Erica, thanks. This is really a heartbreaking day. I don’t remember the last time that just about every sport station had nonstop coverage about the death of someone in the world of sports. But we know that the reason is that this larger-than-life man so earned that respect and admiration. It really feels like a death in the family, doesn’t it?
Today made me realize that the beautiful game of baseball is obviously much much larger than the umpires who make the calls. Can you imagine what the Boss would say to any Yankee fan boycotting the game because the person didn’t like the way umpires were making calls?
I apologize, Boss. I’m back.
The boss should be in the hall of fame !
KenDavidoff #MLB is planning a Derek Jeter news conference at Angel Stadium to discuss Steinbrenner’s death.
Just got in and I am watching the coverage on YES. Needless to say they are doing a good job.
Matthews wrote a pretty good article… lots of good articles on ESPNNY now
Hi Fran. This is going to be a very sad All Star Game.
“The passing of George Steinbrenner leaves a significant void in the fabric of the sports world and New York City,” Giants president and CEO John Mara said. “The thoughts and prayers of our organization are with the Steinbrenner and Yankees families. George’s energy and his commitment and devotion to the Yankees were unmatched, and he was as generous and charitable a person as has ever been in sports. His was a unique, special and unforgettable presence.”
“I apologize, Boss. I’m back”
——
and the hits just keep on coming . . . .
Two things Mr. Steinbrenner did right in the years before he passed:
1. He made amends with Yogi.
2. He made sure the right people were in place to ensure the Yanks would continue the tradition he established.
Rest In Peace.
Derek probably had the closest relationship to him than anybody on the team right now.
Torre will probably have something to say as well.
Our win % with George as owner is only .556%…. you would think it would be much higher than that.
And Reggie.
# Bronx Jeers July 13th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Derek probably had the closest relationship to him than anybody on the team right now.
Torre will probably have something to say as well.
Posada.
“Our win % with George as owner is only .556%…. you would think it would be much higher than that.”
1989-1992
Our win % with George as owner is only .556%…. you would think it would be much higher than that.
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bear in mind, he took over when the Yanks were at their absolute lowest (and the mid-’80s were pretty bleak as well).
that win % is also the highest in baseball during that period.
GlobeChadFinn: @pstreber85 I put together a gallery for the site today where I mentioned that. And the Jimmy Fund. Not sure if it’s up yet, tho. 24 minutes ago via web in reply to pstreber85
@GlobeChadFinn You failed to mention that when Boston won their 2004 WS, George released a public statement personally congrtulating the Red Sox and their fans. And donates to the Jimmy Fund each year.
My phone rang at 6:57 this morning with the news….Oddly it came from a NY friend who lives in Boston……SJ & I were sharing story’s about The Boss Friday night laughing our behinds off…….Hi Tricia & Erica……..Very sad day to add to an already sad week
“Our win % with George as owner is only .556%…. you would think it would be much higher than that.”
The number looks low, but .556 is 90 wins a season. When you factor in a couple very ugly years in the late 80′s – early 90′s, it probably makes sense.
Trisha,
It will be sad, but I am sure that George would want the game to go on and the players to win it for him.
It is still hard to believe how gracious Winfield is towards George, despite the fact that George got suspended for trying to extort him.
RIP, Mr. Steinbrenner. I am happy to have witnessed your ownership of the Yankees, almost from the beginning. I was born in 1973, so I do remember the glory of 1977 all the way through 1981, when the loss to the Dodgers in the WS was my first encounter with heartbreak. Then came Reggie’s departure from the Yankees to the Angels, an event that so saddened me that I wrote your name on a piece of paper and flushed it down the toilet.
Then, I’ll admit, I was one in the crowd during the late 1980′s who chanted “George Must Go!” during the losing streaks and the seemingly endless parade of great Yankee prospects who ended up on other teams in exchange for the likes of Ken Phelps.
But when you were banned from baseball, I found myself unable to rejoice. I think I realized how intertwined your passion and personality was with the team, as complicated as that might have been.
When you returned, the Yankees were poised to establish yet another dynasty. After the team’s defeat in 1995 ALDS, I was taken aback at your willingness to let Showalter go. I was incredulous given the fornt office’s decision to replace him with Joe Torre and Mike Stanley with an unknown in Joe Girardi.
But whoever was making the decisions was right, and maybe even a little bit lucky. Whatever, I have delighted to watch a winning team for the past 16 years. Your commitment and your passion made that possible. You never hesitated to put money back into the team, and we were blessed to have an owner willing to do that, when so many others across the country are reluctant, unwilling, or unable to make their team the best it can be.
And then, the charities and the individuals in need who you quietly supported over the years that never made headlines because you didn’t want them to.
Mr. Steinbrenner, as I matured, so, perhaps, did your approach to running the team. Maybe yes. Maybe no. Maybe the child that I was, joining in with the mob at the stadium, screaming lustily for your removal, just did not understand. Who knows. But I am grateful to know who you are, and I am inspired by many elements of your example. I think the Yankees, New York and baseball are better because of you.
Thank you, Mr. Steinbrenner. We’ll all miss you.
Say hi to Billy, Thurman, Phil, Mickey, Joe, Bobby, Pete, Mr. Sheppard and all the other Yankee greats who are surely there to welcome you. No doubt, you’ve already asked G-d to shave his beard and cut his hair.
The catchy tune on Seinfeld that the character George Steinbrenner liked was Pat Benatar’s “heartbreaker”. He kept humming the melody and singing the wrong words, it was hilarious. I think he demanded to know the name of the song from Costanza.
Steinbrenner legacy is the true american story. If you watch Ken Burn’s segement on Steinbrenner in “Baseball”, filmed in the early 90′s, every person speaks how Steinbrenner had ruined the yankees. And at that point in yankee history, the argument was very strong that he had. But like a great american story, Steinbrenner had more to write on his legacy, and how all of us here know, the second half of his story was extraordinary.
Yes there was Reggie, Munson, Guidry and Mattingly, but there was also Pascual and Melido Perez, Kevin Maas, Ken Phelps and Stump Merrill. Fortunate for all of us, other names came after those, like Jeter, Tino, Pettitte and Rivera
It is still hard to believe how gracious Winfield is towards George, despite the fact that George got suspended for trying to extort him.
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You’ve got your facts a bit mixed up.
Howie Spira was convicted of extorting George.
George got banned for making the payoff as Spira was involved in gambling.
BloggingBombers Girardi, Jeter, Pettitte, A-Rod and the rest of the Yankees will speak about Steinbrenner’s passing this afternoon at the ballpark.
John Sterling: “There?s not question that the passing of George leaves a tremendous void for the Yankees and for baseball. He really changed things in the order of baseball after he bought the Yankees in 1973, and basically it?s turned out so great for baseball. His vision was to spend money to make money. I?ve heard one million George Steinbrenner stories of things he did for people that would bring a tear to your eye. So he was a combination. Was he a tough boss? Boy, you bet he was. But he also had the softest side to him. In my own way, I really loved him. He took care of so many people in so many ways. I?m really very sad today, but he did phenomenal things for the Yankees.”
Goose Gossage had some nice things to say about “the Boss” on Yes.
Mark Feinsand
Don Mattingly: “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of George Steinbrenner’s passing. His vision, passion and commitment to winning, recharged the New York Yankees and revolutionized the game. I remember a man driven to succeed. He was the owner, “The Boss” and number one fan of the Yankees. Our relationship was built on mutual respect. I will never forget and always be grateful for how he treated me and my family both during my playing days and after I retired. I will miss him very much and extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Joan, and all the members of the Steinbrenner family.
Lou Piniella: “George was like a father figure to me. He treated me well, he treated me fair and he gave me a wonderful opportunity to play and manage the game we all love. George will be remembered as one of the most influential and renowned owners of a franchise in sports history. He leaves a legacy of winning and an unwavering passion for success. My wife Anita and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Steinbrenner family and the Yankees organization. George was very special to me and I loved him.”
Suzyn Waldman: “Anybody who knows what the Yankees were like before there was a George Steinbrenner certainly knows what he did on the field. He was a remarkable man. He had one thing in mind always and that was building a team and bringing championships to the city of New York. His legacy is going to be something that is so far reaching, and you?re going to read in the coming days about what he was like. I don?t think we?re ever going to see a person like this again.”
YES analyst and former Yankee John Flaherty: “New York and sports lost a great figure this morning. There is nothing like putting on the pinstripes and playing for the Yankees, and that is a tribute to the way George Steinbrenner resurrected the franchise in the 1970s. He treated the Yankees players extremely well. He was always very generous. He gave you all the resources you needed to win. All he wanted to do was win and to bring world championships to the people of New York, and he was extremely successful in doing that. I will always treasure my time with the Yankees. My condolences go out to the Steinbrenner family.”
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When I was little, the best aspect of being a Red Sox fan was being a part of what I think is the best rivalry in sports. At times, the only satisfying aspect of Red Sox Nation was the occasional win against the Yankees. As I got older, I learned to understand the game, and appreciate all that the Yankees did to shape my baseball fandom. And Mr. Steinbrenner – he shaped the Yankees.
We’re rivals on the field, but thats where it ends for me. My condolences not only to his family, both intimate and fan filled, but to all of the future baseball fans who will never witness the type of personality he brought to the game.
BloggingBombers According to MLB, Jeter will be the only one at a formal press conference. The rest will speak in the clubhouse from what I understand.
Graig Nettles on YES right now- Steinbrenner was going to be a quiet owner- that did last long according to Nettles
The last in-game interview I remember from Mr. Steinbrenner was @the home opener in ’04.
As he was being interviewed, fans were shouting, “Thank you, George.”
He turned to them and waved.
He then broke down in tears. He said that it had always been about the fans, and in that instance you knew that it wasn’t rhetoric.
Haha is someone impersonating me on Twitter now?very nice
Jerry Jones:
“First and foremost this man was a winner,” Jones said in a statement.”From a person with my perspective, he was an inspiration in the area of doing everything possible – within the rules – to win.”
“George redefined professional sports ownership with his vision, his ability to build a champion and a passionate approach that lifted the visibility and popularity of his franchise and his sport. From an interest level, baseball was always better when the profile and the performance of the New York Yankees was at a high level, and George always made sure that was the case.”
“I admired his willingness to promote and support all sports at all levels,” Jones continued. “I appreciated his understanding of the invaluable asset of involving his family in the management of the Yankees. I took pride in calling him a friend, an advisor, an inspiration and later, a business partner.”
“We have lost a true leader in sports – someone who not only saw the big picture but helped create the scene on the canvas.”
# Patrick July 13th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Haha is someone impersonating me on Twitter now?very nice
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crazy thought: you might not be the only ‘Patrick’ in the world.
how do you know he/she is impersonating you specifically?
# Role Call July 13th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Costas (MLB Network), Jeremy Shapp (ESPN), SNY (Gary Apple), and YES (Bob Lorenz) already have their highlight and narrations video packages up, fresh from this morning. It is pretty amazing how quickly these things get done.
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Dirty media (not too secret) secret is they have stuff prepared for occasions like this, so that they can quickly get on the story. For example, most papers have hundreds of stories ready to go in-case someone important/famous dies. They are usually kept regularly updated as well.
“Dirty media (not too secret) secret is they have stuff prepared for occasions like this, so that they can quickly get on the story. For example, most papers have hundreds of stories ready to go in-case someone important/famous dies. They are usually kept regularly updated as well.”
Exactly right.
Just sayin, using my last name
Doc Gooden on Steinbrenner: “A lot of people turned their back on me and had every right to do so. But he welcomed me back with open arms.” 10 minutes ago via web
BloggingBombers Selig has been very impressed with Hal since he started running the Yankees. Will the kids keep the team? “I don’t know, but I hope so.”
For all the flak that Pete Abe takes on this site and others as well, notice how he stayed above the fray today and didn’t pander to his demographic.
You’re likely not even the only Patrick X. I am friend with numerous people with my exact same name.
BloggingBombers Jeter, A-Rod, Girardi and Pettitte will hold a press conference at Angel Stadium at 1:15 pm PT to discuss Steinbrenner passing.
I’m glad Jeter doesn’t have to be up there all by himself. lol
KenDavidoff Joe Torre on Steinbrenner: “?I will always remember George Steinbrenner as a passionate man, a tough boss, a true visionary,…
KenDavidoff ?… a great humanitarian, and a dear friend. I will be forever grateful that he trusted me with his #Yankees.”
Just sayin, using my last name
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Yikes! Now THAT’S going too far.
BloggingBombers Jeter, A-Rod, Girardi and Pettitte will hold a press conference at Angel Stadium at 1:15 pm PT to discuss Steinbrenner passing.
Jerkface-
CYEM!!!!!!!!
any word from Joe Torre yet ?
RTask July 13th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
any word from Joe Torre yet ?
********************
go up to my 2:49 post.
Actually, here’s the full Torre statement:
?I will always remember George Steinbrenner as a passionate man, a tough boss, a true visionary, a great humanitarian, and a dear friend. I will be forever grateful that he trusted me with his Yankees for 12 years. My heart goes out to his entire family. He will be deeply missed in New York, Tampa and throughout the world of baseball. It?s only fitting that he went out as a world champ.?
John Henry on Steinbrenner-
“I had the good fortune to call George Steinbrenner both partner and friend. I had the privilege to watch George as he built a system that ensured his beloved Yankees would have a strong foundation for sustained excellence. And then we fiercely competed in the American League.
“George Steinbrenner forever changed baseball and hopefully some day we will see him honored in baseball’s Hall of Fame as one of the great figures in the history of sports.”
“For all the flak that Pete Abe takes on this site and others as well, notice how he stayed above the fray today and didn’t pander to his demographic”
What demographic is that? The notion that Boston baseball fans are somehow taking delight in Mr. Steinbrenner’s passing is a misguided one.
RIP George Steinbrenner
a true Yankee legend
he is responsible for so much of the Yankees success since he took over, it cannot be understated
# Billy D July 13th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
“For all the flak that Pete Abe takes on this site and others as well, notice how he stayed above the fray today and didn’t pander to his demographic”
What demographic is that? The notion that Boston baseball fans are somehow taking delight in Mr. Steinbrenner’s passing is a misguided one.
————————
Perhaps you overestimate the class of the particular Boston fan demographic that lives in mom’s basement and posts on Pete’s blog….
Stick Michael on now. Both Nettles and Michael related the story of Steinbrenner wrote down the number of the guys that needed haircuts. He didn’t know the players names yet!
Bronx Jeers,
Don’t act like George was the victim in the Spira incident. He became involved with spira because he wanted to dig up dirt on Winfield.
It was a lowlife, scummy move and that’s why he went to a lowlife, scummy person to get it done.
I’m not going to dance on his grave but this halo that’s being readied for George’s head is absurd.
Classy statement by John Henry. Bravo, Mr. Henry, bravo.
Torre should be exceedingly upset – George’s hiring of him made Torre what he is today – an overrated manager.
maybe there is an iota of class in john henry.
I really enjoyed PA’s piece. It was well written and well though out. Nice job from him today.
“Perhaps you overestimate the class of the particular Boston fan demographic that lives in mom’s basement and posts on Pete’s blog….”
No moreso than I overestimiate the same demographic in greater NYC, which is about 10 times the size of the one in greater Boston (though the same as a percentage of the entire population of their respective cities), or that of any other metropolitan area. They aren’t worth a bucket of warm spit, but they’re the decided minority.
PA = the “interested reader” from no maas.
SI_JonHeyman sue selig (bud’s wife) told me she doesnt believe it. RT @hoynsie Selig to BBWAA: Says he still intends to retire in 2012.
I’m counting the days so he better not be lying.
RIP George. You are one of the biggest sports icons in the history of the United States. It’s only fitting that you would go out as a Champion.
As long as Cashman is retained and he continues to give him a $200 million dollar payroll, it wouldn’t be a big deal if Hal sold the team.
Yankees president Randy Levine: “There will never be anyone like George Steinbrenner. He was the greatest owner in pro sports. He was an inspirational figure. There are not many people like him in the world. He was very, very extraordinary.”
Maybe if SJ comes back here, he’ll share a hilarious story regarding The Boss…….
Sorry, this got cut off-the first part of Levine’s statement:
“We lost a great person, a great leader and a great American. There will never be anyone like George Steinbrenner
Whatever the Yanks decide to do about Steinbrenner and Sheppard, at least they have a few days to think about it, thanks to the All-Star break plus a scheduled off-day on Thursday. While we wait to see what they come up with, it’s worth remembering that Steinbrenner had one of history’s greatest uni-related quotes. It came in 1999, when most MLB teams were wearing those crazy futuristic uniforms. The Yankees were one of the few teams the declined to participate in the promotion, and at some point someone asked the Boss why the Yankees weren’t wearing their uniforms of the future. His simple reply: “We already are.”
Well said. RIP, George.
Nice story about The Boss for memorabilia collectors: http://bit.ly/aEakF3
BryanHoch A. Pettitte: “It’s a huge loss for the organization. He was a great man, he means a lot to the Yankees and he is going to be dearly missed.”
How did Hoch get a quote from Andy before the press conference started?
ML,
Please tell me where in my post I am off base.
Someone posted something that wasn’t true. I corrected him. I’m not acting like anything.
You say you’re not grave dancing but it sure sounds like you’re a partner away from doing the tango.
John July 13th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
How did Hoch get a quote from Andy before the press conference started
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I have no idea. I’ve been wondering the same thing. LOL
BloggingBombers The Red Sox will observe a moment of silence in Steinbrenner?s memory on Thursday prior to their game against the Rangers at Fenway Park
Wow.
New Post w/Torre’s statement
Re : ML @ 2:56
Dave Winfield made peace with George. I heard Winfield on ESPN today talking about their relationship and how he had last visited George in Tampa about two years ago and how special that was. No doubt GMS was not perfect and I am sure that he would agree about the halo, but when he made mistakes he was a big enough man to acknowledge them and make them right. When all is said and done he was human, but he certainly made some very positive contributions to the world of sports and the world at large.
Hal Steinbrenner doesn’t have the back page tabloid grandeur or is as flamboyant as his father once was but he has the passion of winning like his father did.
Hal will keep the ship right.