Yogi: “George was The Boss”
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Jul 13, 2010 
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Yogi Berra just put out a statement on the passing of George Steinbrenner. Here it is:
This is a very sad day for me and Carmen and all of baseball. My sympathies go out to the Steinbrenner family.
George was The Boss, make no mistake. He built the Yankees into champions and that’s something nobody can ever deny. He was a very generous, caring, passionate man. 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.
I can only imagine what it’s like for Yogi, seeing all his great pals passing on one by one. Extremely tough.
Very nice statement from Yogi.
SJ, tell us some of your George stories!
vblade – absolutely. My wife’s mother has been experiencing that same feeling over the past few years. She’s 88.
The man who screwed up baseball forever with free agency has fallen. bummer
Stay classy, Gas Man, stay classy.
Hey Trish is back, I mean CR9, I mean Trish, I mean CR9!
# Joe from Long Island July 13th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
vblade – absolutely. My wife’s mother has been experiencing that same feeling over the past few years. She’s 88.
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I’m sure it makes a person feel alone. This is where a support system is crucial, in the form of children and grandchildren.
Paul O’Neill on Sports Center
I can’t speak to Steinbrenner as a man because I didn’t know him. From those who did he comes off as a generous and caring person. But I believe he owes a good part of the good will he has built up in baseball to Stick Michael. It was he who ran the team during Steinbrenner’s suspension and he who resisted trading away what would become the core of the most recent dynasty. But then again, you could also credit George with keeping Stick around. Now matter how you feel about the man a true sports icon died today, of the likes we may never see again.
Anybody on the board care to share their personal George story? Whether you met him or wrote him or knew somebody that knew him etc etc. TIA.
It will be interesting to see how the players at the All-Star game proceed. They’ll play in the game no boubt but will they cut back on the more celebratory things like the parade?
pat July 13th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
It will be interesting to see how the players at the All-Star game proceed. They?ll play in the game no boubt but will they cut back on the more celebratory things like the parade?
***************************
pat-good question. I feel really bad for those guys-they’re in for a long day.
boubt = doubt
Big Stein wants an eggplant calzone!
RIP George
It looks like they already have a banner up at the stadium with his pic and years of life.
pat -
Yes, that occurred to me, too. I’m waiting for a reaction from the west coast contingent, but it’s really early there, still. I wonder if they’re just finding out or if they received calls earlier (probably).
Black bands on the unis for the rest of the year?
For those that honestly believe that George Steinbrenner wasn’t involved in decision makings while he was under suspension, are just fooling themselves. He knew exactly what was going on. As Buck Showalter said earlier on TV, if he wanted to convey a message, you got the message, whether it was a trade, a firing, a signing or whatever. A walk down the hall and a quick nod or shake of the head was all that was needed.
Doreen
I would imagine they were notified. Getting ambushed with the news from the media on the way to breakfast or the gym wouldn’t be a good thing.
“Black bands on the unis for the rest of the year?”
At the very least. They want to do something for Sheppard as well.
I Wonder how the Yankees are Going to Handle Friday
I personally feel George deserves his own monument.
“I personally feel George deserves his own monument.”
oh yeah, absolutely.
RiverAveBlues RT: @Stefmara: Yogi is going to address the media at 2:30
GB7, then how do you account for the 180 degree change in team philosophy that accompanied his absence? I’ve read and heard dozens of interviews that credit Gene Michael with rebuilding the Yankees from the ground up. Of course nothing was finalized without the Boss’s permission but you know as well as I that up until his suspension he was the guy making the decision as opposed to one who merely “nods” his okay when he was away.
“I personally feel George deserves his own monument.”
oh yeah, absolutely.
———-
should have been done while he was alive, probably would have but they they didn’t want him on the field in his state.
Mr Stienbrenner’s giving and caring runs far and deep.
Jon Waters, Assistant Director of The Ohio State University Marching Band, released the following statement on the passing of Yankee’s owner, George Steinbrenner:
“On behalf of the students, faculty, and alumni of The Ohio State University Marching Band, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of George Steinbrenner. Mr. Steinbrenner and his wife were the driving force behind the new Marching Band facility in Ohio Stadium. They also were very generous in the giving of scholarship support for our students.”
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Steinbrenner family at this time. We will always remember George Steinbrenner’s love of music and his love of The Ohio State University Marching Band.”
The Steinbrenner Band Center, located at Gate 10 at Ohio Stadium, is open today during normal business hours.
He touched alot of people.
A monument, give me a break. He was not an icon.
How is this for irony?
Bob Sheppard passed away on July 11th.
Bobby Murcer on July 12th.
George Steinbrenner on July 13th.
Yes George, I will get you an eggplant calzone!
Gas Man July 13th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
A monument, give me a break. He was not an icon.
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He should have a monument or plaque right next to Jacob Ruperts
George Costanza July 13th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Yes George, I will get you an eggplant calzone!
************************
I really think George that we should go back to the cotton uniforms!
I see that it didn’t take long for the slugs and pigs of humanity like Gas Boy, YoYo (perfect name) and the others to slide out from under the rocks.
fitting. Bob Shepherd with the “you are watching the Yes network” id leading into the Steinbrenner Yankeeography. On now.
Ban hammer needs to be swift and powerful today…
We should a have a vigil to go along with one for Lebron. Oh that’s right, he chose South Beach.
Forget the “blog taser” ….Today we need a blog shotgun.
“There is nothing quite so limited as being a limited partner of George Steinbrenner’s,” John McMullen
Did anybody catch O’Neill on Sportscenter? Just wondering what he said…
Ban hammer indeed. I’ll personally choose to ignore the trolls.
But I will post this, because it makes me laugh:
Mr. Cushman : Ah, Mr. Steinbrenner, sir. There’s someone here I’d like you to meet. This is Mr. Costanza. He’s one of the applicants.
Mr. Steinbrenner : Nice to meet you.
George : Well, I wish I could say the same, but I must say, with all due respect, I find it very hard to see the logic behind some of the moves you have made with this fine organization. In the past twenty years you have caused myself, and the city of New York, a good deal of distress, as we have watched you take our beloved Yankees and reduced them to a laughing stock, all for the glorification of your massive ego!
Mr. Steinbrenner : Hire this man!
It says something that Steinbrenner, at least in his later years, could laugh at himself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8FUgN4xYoc
You’ll be missed, George!
First off, I would like to send my condolences to George’s wife, Joan; sisters Susan Norpell and Judy Kamm, children, Hank, Hal, Jennifer and Jessica; and his grandchildren. Please be aware that you will ALL be in our prayers for the next several months. We extend our regards and best wishes to you all during this most difficult of times. May the strength of God be with you and your family. God Bless you all! Love,Peace and Harmony, The Dougherty Family
Just ignore the trolls the best you can. Pretty sure Chad is on vacation, and I’d imagine Sam is pretty busy.
No better day to ignore the trolls than this one. Just skip right over as if they don’t exist.
Wow, where do I start? I was born in 1971, so while I was too young to experience the Bronx Zoo, that was not the case in the early 80s’ to mid-90′s. I almost remember that period like an impressionist painting – many of the details escape me, but the overall impression does not. My hero was Donnie Baseball – in part because he was about the only good thing to hold onto. George was blustery and impulsive and I remember that my teenage self just hated him so much at times. I hated him for no one wanting to come here (Greg Maddux, for one)……for the Steve Trouts, Andy Hawkins’ and Joe Cowley’s of the world. I don’t know if I realized then that we were trading our future when we traded Buhner, Rios, etc.. because I didn’t know squat about the farm system. Winfield was my favorite player (right next to Donnie) and I hated how George treated him.
I don’t know when I started to feel a great affection for George, but I did….and I still do. I don’t think of those bad days when I think of him; I think of how much he wanted to win – BURNED to win. In an era where owners just buy into teams so they can make money, where they have no appreciation for what sports and competition are really about, George was different. I detest how teams like the Royals and Pirates and Marlins sit on their wallets while owners like George subsidize them. Anyway, I think about how he tried to help Doc and Straw – and not just because they could help his team on the field, but because I think at heart he had a good heart. He also LOVED this team and was always emotional about it; thank god for last year’s WS title. I’m so glad he got to enjoy that winning feeling one more time.
I always thought of George as being like a great white shark – but as I love sharks, that was a compliment. It was his hair that did it for me, lol.
RIP Boss – we shall not see your like again.
RiverAveBlues Images of George M. Steinbrenner III
http://bit.ly/dtITrB
It takes a man who has lived quite a life to be eulogized by the variety of people who have done so today.
“# Melkman is in Hotlanta July 13th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Anybody on the board care to share their personal George story? Whether you met him or wrote him or knew somebody that knew him etc etc. TIA.
”
He is loved by many in the Tampa community. They just named a High School in his name in May. He would always buy baseball equipment to little leagues around the area that were having financial issues, one of many great things he did that many nationally don’t know about
Everyone go to yes network now
There are only two other sports owners that you can compare George Steinbrenner….George Halas and Al Davis.
May the Boss rest in peace.
GlobeChadFinn I’m glad George Steinbrenner lived to see the Red Sox win two World Series. about 1 hour ago reply
- from a Boston Glove writer
Poor Jeter – and Andy. They must be devastated……..It’s going to be brutal for them to play this game, but I think they will in George’s honor.
I don’t think the kids will sell the team. No one will ever be like George in terms of burning to win, but Hal seems to like winning just fine……..Selling their father’s legacy? I can’t see it.
BryanHoch To those who have asked – #Yankees say Old-Timers Day is on as planned.
Betsy
Very nicely written, aqnd good points. I was around for the Bronx Zoo years, and enjoyed them despite some of the craziness.
SI_JonHeyman live from anaheim, @MLBNetwork has steinbrenner special on with ex-yankee al leiter and ex-yankee beat writer tom verducci
Don’t know what the ASG folks are going to plan at the last minute, aside from an obvious moment of silence
Will they single out the Yankee players who are there for a special ceremony?
That’s why Boston is so low.
I couldn’t be happier to see Kobe rip Celtics fans’ hearts out, gonna enjoy that.
Chad Finn is a POS. I hope I have the pleasure of meeting him some day.
Gene Michael on MLB Network
Al Leiter: “When I think of George, I think of a guy who had unbelievable presence when you were with him. He had the look of prestige and class. As a young player, you definitely feared him. It seemed like he was (ticked) off all the time, but as I got to know him through the years, I learned that he had a big heart. He expected nothing less than excellence and winning, and he couldn’t understand anything less than that. He couldn’t be bothered by people that didn’t think the same way.”
Thanks for all the memories, Boss. RIP.
YES Network president/CEO Tracy Dolgin: “We at YES are saddened by the passing of George M. Steinbrenner. He was a New York icon and a sports icon, a true visionary who will be greatly missed. His vision of a team-owned regional sports network for the Yankees, resulting in the formation of the YES Network, revolutionized the sports business. Mr. Steinbrenner?s influence on the world of sports is tremendous, and will be felt long after he?s gone. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the Steinbrenner family and the Yankees organization.?
I remember reading somewhere a while back, where George was uncertain about being announced at YS for an event (might have been an opening day, I dont’ really recall). Anyway, he told the sportswriter that he was uneasy about being announced because he wasnt sure what sort of reception he would get from the Yankee fans (maybe thinking a lot them might boo him or something because).
The writer told George that he was crazy and basically said to him that he really had no idea just how much he was truly loved by the fans.
Well, reading what everyone has posted, remembering the heartfelt ovation he received at the final YS game in 2008, and my own feelings right now (like I just a lost a friend), I hope George is at peace right now knowing that he was so very loved, by so many of us.
We love you George
Thanks Tampa.
Kate, thanks, I appreciate it. I’ve been listening to sports radio all day……..today’s not a day I want to be at work. I wish I could be home and watch the coverage on MLB.
When the classy Bobby Knight cries about Mr. Steinbrenner, you know Mr. Steinbrenner was a truly special and unique man.
And of course, the scummy Chad Finn holding the sentiment of all of Red Sox “nation”
” Most of us are umpires at heart; we like to call balls and strikes on somebody else.”
Unfortunately (as GB7 lamented), there will always be those devoid of any class or sense of decency that get a sick sense of satisfaction by making hurtful comments, even at the most delicate times.
Mr. Steinbrenner touched the hearts of many, something that we would all aspire to be remembered for.
Rest in Peace, George.
‘Nuff said.
GlobeChadFinn I’m glad George Steinbrenner lived to see the Red Sox win two World Series. about 1 hour ago reply
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Wow. You expect that from their fans, but from a columnist?
GlobeChadFinn “I am dead-set against free agency. It can ruin baseball.” — George Steinbrenner 2 hours ago reply
We need to calm down . .This Finn clown doesnt represent the the Sox fans ! . . .he’s a phony ! .
wow Chad Finn what a scumbag
Francesa to be on his show at 5 today (Joe and Evan currently are filling in while he is on vacation)
Hey there’s Trish again, I mean CR9, I mean Trish, I mean CR9.
GlobeChadFinn #GeorgeSteinbrenner bought the Yankees in 1973 for $25,000 less than what the Red Sox are paying Bill Hall this season.
This Chad Finn character is sure enjoying himself this morning
Ok, who cares what that jerk has to say? Please……..
Who gives a flying …. what the Sox are paying Bill Hall? What a scumbag indeed.
She mentions Boston in almost EVERY sentence. How’s the beach CR9, I mean Trish?
The Chad Finn’s of the world also fail to mention that when Boston won their 2004 WS, George released a public statement personally congrtulating the Red Sox and their fans.
I met Mr. Steinbrenner one time at Tampa Bay Downs in 1998. He treated me with respect and we chatted about his true passion; the ponies. Mr. Steinbrenner and I spoke in-depth for 30 plus minutes man to man about his horses and the card at Saratoga that day. I have nothing but respect and admiration for this class act. His charitable contributions and generosity in Tampa and New York never got the media play they deserved and that is exactly how he wanted it. The world lost a GREAT man today and RIP to the Boss!
Not sure if this has been posted already:
Joba_62 We all suffered a huge loss today! Mr. Steinbrenner was a great man, great owner, that did so many amazing things. You will truly be missed!
One of the most fitting tributes to the memory of George Steinbrenner would be for his beloved Yankees to win another championship in his honor.
Rest assured that your progeny will carry on the family tradition of winning.
Black armbands for the rest of the season. Flags lowered to commemorate the passing.
Dynasty renewed.
You’ll have to watch this next one from another vantage point- A Sky box.
Travel well.
RMC, did you call into WFAN earlier? If so, that was an excellent call.
It’s always good to hear the “common man” interaction w/such a powerful figure.
Let me first preface this by saying this is not meant in a disrespectful manner at all:
I wonder if deep down he wanted to time it so he can be in the spotlight tonight? Think about it, there isn’t a bigger game/night in MLB, or any other sport, for another few months…George always loved the spotlight, there is no denying that and that’s part of the reason why we Yankee fans learned to love him over the years.
KenDavidoff Bud Selig, on George: “He was and always will be as much of a New York Yankee as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle,…
Yes Mike_Boston, George Steinbrenner willed himself to have a heart attack in time for the all-star break.
Let me first preface this by saying this is not meant in a disrespectful manner at all:
I wonder if deep down he wanted to time it so he can be in the spotlight tonight? Think about it, there isn’t a bigger game/night in MLB, or any other sport, for another few months…George always loved the spotlight, there is no denying that and that?s part of the reason why we Yankee fans learned to love him over the years.
—–
Hmmm, he planned the heart attack on July 13, 2010. Quick a trick.
Mike,
Bill Maddon on WCBS joked earlier that Steinbrenner would love this timing as he was always trying to pre-empt Bud Selig’s big events. So you may be on to something.
quite a trick. I meant.
Booger, whatever kind of animal you are, there are many posters on this forum who know that CR9 and I are so not the same person, it isn’t funny. Sam and Chad know it, and the state police in my state know it. Your asinine comments are very unappreciated, especially on this day.
Erica, sorry you have to continue to go through this same crap.
Selig statement continued:
KenDavidoff “…Whitey Ford and all of the other Yankee legends. …Although we would have our disagreements over the years, they never interfered…
KenDavidoff “…with our friendship and commitment to each other. Our friendship was built on loyalty and trust and it never wavered.”
I knew I would get some comments, but of course this was said in jest, still something to ponder nonetheless considering the man himself and the coincidental timing of his passing.
I hope Chad Finn keeps writing those and I hope they get back to Hal and the kids.
If they did that about my Father on the day he died, I would make sure to destroy the Red Sox and the Boston Globe as long as I lived.
Don’t think for a second the Steinbrenners can’t buy that newspaper and close it down if they wanted. Newspaper companies are worth about 10 cents right about now.
Trisha-
Hang in there.
Chad and Sam were quite vigilant in removing the imposter comments. I am okay.
Glad to see that Boston is being classy as usual.
@SMK
No that was not me but I’m sure I was not alone in being showered with kindness and class by Mr. Steinbrenner. He couldve dismissed me and told me to get lost but instead he welcomed me with open arms and we had a discussion that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I am sure he was a very tough and demanding boss to work for but outside of the business he was a great guy. Does anybody here know that every year in Tampa he would hold an awards banquet for all high-school coaches and assistants for every sport where he would thank them and shower lavish gifts and prizes and awards for thes coaches. This is just one example of the many great things he did in his life that never get any mention from the national media.
Mike,
Well, I don’t think he “planned” it like that, but there is certainly no bigger time than he could have passed – All-Star game morning. He would have wanted it like this – to have the headlines all to himself and upstage any other event.
It was even more fitting that he died as reigning world champion and would be even more fitting that we finish the job and win another one for him this year.
Pete Abe has actually done a great job with the George coverage, he has been getting a lot of quotes from all around baseball.
OOOH, The State Police. I heard you like hand cuffs!
Not only that Yanks 27, this was the optimal time for the team to really absorb this in and get it back together enough by the end of the week for the 2nd half push. It seriously was perfectly “planned” in terms of happening in season.
Shows you how big he was for sports…. ESPN, MLBNet, ESPN2, WFAN, 1050 have done nothing but George coverage since morning.
Tierney/McDonald came in an hour early to do their show, Evrett stayed an hour late. Kay and Francesa are coming in from their “vacations” to do shows (Mike is coming in at 5) . Kay is on YES right now actually. The local NY news all spent their 12 PM newscasts basically entirely on George.
Even SNY, a Mets station, broke into their programming from 12 on to have guests on and read all the statements. They are actually having a special now too.
Mike_Boston July 13th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Not only that Yanks 27, this was the optimal time for the team to really absorb this in and get it back together enough by the end of the week for the 2nd half push. It seriously was perfectly ?planned? in terms of happening in season.
************
I was actually thinking that it would make sense to have a service on Thursday so the Yankees could all attend before Friday’s game.
Not sure if that is enough time to plan one
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.
Shows you how big he was for sports…. ESPN, MLBNet, ESPN2, WFAN, 1050 have done nothing but George coverage since morning.
—————————
And Chad Finn’s passing will be marked by the sound of crickets chirping.
Who says life isn’t fair?
In a round about way, Mike_Boston is right.
In his prime, Mr. Steinbrenner used to count the number of headlines the Yankees got compared to other teams. He liked the spotlight and wanted it focused on anything Yankees related.
I’ve always thought Boras orchestrated Alex’s WS opt out because he thought George would love it.
Just curious…. if the Yankees were playing an actual game today, would they have canceled it?
George, did not invent free agency he just took advantage of it. He hated arbitration which he felt escalated the salaries of too many ballplayers who did not deserve the money. I’m not sure of the exact quote and I have not been able to find it but this is close “It’s not the cost of the superstar that will ruin baseball, it’s the cost of the mediocre player”
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.
Erica in NY July 13th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Mike_Boston July 13th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Not only that Yanks 27, this was the optimal time for the team to really absorb this in and get it back together enough by the end of the week for the 2nd half push. It seriously was perfectly ?planned? in terms of happening in season.
************
I was actually thinking that it would make sense to have a service on Thursday so the Yankees could all attend before Friday’s game.
Not sure if that is enough time to plan one
************
In addition to the planning Bob Sheppard’s funeral is on Thursday and I am sure a lot of the current and former Yankees were planning on attending it and it would not be right for the Steinbrenner’s to make the current and former players to make the choice of either attending the Boss’s funeral or Sheppard’s funeral. The Yankees have an off-day on Monday so I wonder if the Steinbrenner family schedules it for Monday.
My condolences to the family and friends of George Steinbrenner and in general all the Yankee fans.
Great. Now today is like a double tragedy
OH MY GOD! It’s a game Trish. Does his death affect you personally? NO. Is your life going to change? NO Are his kin going to idolize you when you pass? NO. Get a life. There’s more to life than sports.
How’s the beach by the way? Black cloud over you?
Ironic quote from George (and obviously I mean no disrespect in posting it):
“I will never have a heart attack. I give them.”
-George Steinbrenner
http://www.brainyquote.com/quo.....enner.html
RIP Big Stein….Check out Yankee fan, Joe Bonamassa’s new single with a FREE download…just type in the promo code: BLOG and enjoy!
http://www.jbonamassa.com/jbst.....oad%2BLink
George was an icon so it’s no surprise his passing is a big news event especially here in NY.
I think today’s as good a day as any to thank Vernon Stouffer for backing out of the deal that would have made George the owner of the Cleveland Indians.
Where would we be today?
His death did affect me personally. It affected a lot of Yankee fans personally. And I have a very fully and satisfying life. And a compassionate heart. Perhaps it’s you who needs to get a life when the most important thing to you today seems to be playing juvenile games on a Yankee forum.
“GlobeChadFinn #GeorgeSteinbrenner bought the Yankees in 1973 for $25,000 less than what the Red Sox are paying Bill Hall this season.”
This statement is actually insulting to the Red Sox.
Great stories from Goose Gossage on YES right now