George Steinbrenner

George Steinbrenner
Born	Template:Birth date Rocky River, Ohio, U.S.
Died	July 13, 2010(2010-07-13) (aged 80)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, sports team owner
Known for	Principal owner of the New York Yankees (1973–2010)

George Michael Steinbrenner III (July 4, 1930 – July 13, 2010) was a prominent American entrepreneur best known as the principal owner of the Major League Baseball franchise, the New York Yankees, a position he held from 1973 until his passing. During his tenure, the Yankees clinched seven World Series championships and secured 11 American League pennants. Steinbrenner gained notoriety for his candid demeanor and his role in driving up player salaries, making him a polarizing figure within the sports community. Outside of baseball, he maintained significant business interests in shipping along the Great Lakes and Gulf Coast regions.

Often referred to as "the Boss" due to his direct involvement in team affairs, Steinbrenner was known for his frequent meddling in personnel choices and managerial appointments. By the early 1990s, he delegated routine baseball operations to professional executives and officially stepped back from active management in 2008. He succumbed to a heart attack on July 13, 2010, coinciding with the date of the 81st All-Star Game. Following his death, ownership of the Yankees was transferred to Yankee Global Enterprises, with his four children assuming roles as general partners.

Early life and education

Steinbrenner was born in Rocky River, Ohio as the sole son of Rita (née Haley), an immigrant from Ireland, and Henry George Steinbrenner II, a shipping industry tycoon who expanded the family's freight operations on the Great Lakes. His grandfather on his father's side was George Michael Steinbrenner II. Raised near Bay Village, Ohio, he demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit early on by selling chickens and eggs.

He completed his secondary education at Culver Military Academy in 1948 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College in 1952. While at Williams, he balanced participation in varsity track and football with editorial responsibilities for The Williams Record. After serving as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force until 1954, he pursued graduate studies at Ohio State University, where he earned a master’s degree in physical education.

In 1956, Steinbrenner married Elizabeth Joan Zieg. The couple had four children: Hank, Hal, Jessica, and Jennifer; all later took part in managing the Yankees organization at various points. Over time, divorces among his offspring led to adjustments within the team’s executive leadership.

Pre-Yankees career

While attending Ohio State University, Steinbrenner worked as a graduate assistant under football coach Woody Hayes during an undefeated season that culminated in a national championship. He subsequently held football coaching positions at Northwestern University in 1955 and at Purdue University between 1956 and 1957.

In 1957, Steinbrenner became involved with Kinsman Marine Transit Company—a Great Lakes shipping enterprise originally acquired by his great-grandfather in 1901. He revitalized this struggling business by redirecting its focus toward grain transportation and eventually purchased it using financing from a New York bank. Later on, he played a key role in acquiring the American Shipbuilding Company, assuming the roles of chairman and CEO by 1967; by 1972, this company reported annual gross revenues surpassing $100 million.

Steinbrenner’s initial foray into sports ownership began in 1960 with the basketball team Cleveland Pipers of the National Industrial Basketball League. He hired John McClendon—the first African American coach in professional basketball—and secured star player Jerry Lucas. The Pipers joined the newly formed ABL in 1961 but encountered financial difficulties. After McClendon resigned midway through the season, Steinbrenner appointed former Boston Celtics standout Bill Sharman as head coach. Under Sharman’s leadership, the Pipers won the ABL championship for the 1961–62 season. However, with the league folding late in 1962, Steinbrenner absorbed substantial financial losses but managed to repay all creditors and partners over time.

Following this period away from sports ventures, beginning in 1967 Steinbrenner invested in Broadway theater productions alongside James M. Nederlander. His involvement included several shows such as the Tony Award-nominated Seesaw in 1974 and Legs Diamond in 1988; however, his participation remained more limited compared to that of his partners.

New York Yankees tenure

The Yankees experienced difficulties during the period of CBS ownership beginning in 1965. In 1972, CBS chairman William S. Paley opted to sell the franchise and offered it to team president E. Michael Burke, provided he could arrange the necessary financing. Steinbrenner, who had previously failed in his attempts to acquire the Cleveland Indians and had invested in Buffalo’s unsuccessful 1969 MLB expansion effort, was introduced to Burke through baseball executive Gabe Paul.

On January 3, 1973, Steinbrenner, alongside minority partner Burke, led a consortium of investors—including Nederlander, Lester Crown, John DeLorean, Nelson Bunker Hunt, and Marvin L. Warner—to purchase the Yankees from CBS. Although the purchase price was publicly stated as $10 million, Steinbrenner later revealed that after factoring in transactions involving two parking garages, the actual net expenditure was $8.8 million.

Initially, Burke was anticipated to remain as club president but resigned in April 1973 following Gabe Paul's appointment, which diminished his influence. Paul assumed the presidency on April 19. This transition marked the beginning of several significant departures under Steinbrenner’s leadership, including manager Ralph Houk and general manager Lee MacPhail after the conclusion of the 1973 season.

During the 1973 off-season, Steinbrenner and Paul pursued former Oakland Athletics manager Dick Williams, but legal complications prevented his hiring. Consequently, on the first anniversary of their acquisition, they appointed former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Bill Virdon as manager.

At the time of the 1981 World Series, Steinbrenner attracted attention by alleging he sustained injuries during an altercation with Dodgers fans—a claim met with skepticism and perceived as an attempt to motivate his squad. Following the Yankees' defeat, he issued a public apology to New York supporters for the team's performance and pledged a swift rebuilding process for 1982. This apology was met with disapproval from both players and media commentators who believed that losing the World Series did not necessitate such a statement.

Facial hair regulations

Steinbrenner implemented a stringent grooming standard: all players, coaches, and male executives were prohibited from sporting any facial hair aside from mustachees (except when exempted for religious reasons), and hair on the scalp was required not to extend below the collar line. (Long sideburns and "mutton chops" were not explicitly forbidden.) This rule led to several notable incidents.

During the 1973 home opener against the Cleveland Indians, Steinbrenner observed that several players had hair that was too long. Unfamiliar with their names, he recorded their uniform numbers (Thurman Munson, Bobby Murcer, and Sparky Lyle) and insisted on immediate haircuts through manager Houk.

In 1983, acting on Steinbrenner's directive, coach Yogi Berra instructed Goose Gossage to shave off his beard. Gossage complied by removing it but retained a prominent thick mustache that became his signature look.

The most notorious incident took place in 1991 when, despite Steinbrenner’s suspension at the time, Yankees management ordered Don Mattingly—who was then sporting a hairstyle similar to a mullet—to cut his hair. Mattingly refused and was subsequently benched, prompting media mockery. The policy was satirized by the WPIX broadcast team, and Mattingly was ultimately reinstated. That same year, The Simpsons episode "Homer at the Bat" featured Mattingly suspended over sideburns deemed excessively long. In 1995, Mattingly again breached the grooming code by growing a goatee.

In 2005, after signing with the Yankees, former Boston Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon, known for his long hair and beard, accepted the team’s grooming standards: "Without a doubt, George Steinbrenner has a policy and I'm going to stick to it." Steinbrenner commended Damon: "He looks like a Yankee, he sounds like a Yankee and he is a Yankee." Damon mentioned he intended to cut his hair following that season.

Criticism of Dave Winfield

Following the 1980 season, Steinbrenner attracted significant attention by signing Dave Winfield to a decade-long, $23 million deal, making him the highest-paid player in baseball at that time. In 1985, Steinbrenner publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Winfield's subpar performance during a crucial September series against the Toronto Blue Jays:

This critique was often mistakenly associated with the 1981 World Series. Additionally, part of Steinbrenner's remarks influenced Ken Griffey Jr. to publicly state that he would never join the Yankees.

In 2001, Winfield revealed that Steinbrenner's hostility played a role in his choice to enter the Hall of Fame as a member of his original team, the San Diego Padres, rather than as a Yankee.

Reinstatement and championship years

After being reinstated in 1993, Steinbrenner adopted a more hands-off management style, entrusting baseball operations to Gene Michael and other executives. He prioritized nurturing promising minor league talent such as Bernie Williams instead of trading them for established veterans. This approach yielded results: the 1993 Yankees remained competitive in the American League East until September.

The Yankees were leading their division in 1994 when the players' strike prematurely ended the season. They returned to postseason play in 1995 for the first time since 1981 but were eliminated in the Division Series. Following that season, Steinbrenner dismissed manager Buck Showalter and general manager Gene Michael; although he initially sought to rehire Showalter, he ultimately appointed Joe Torre as manager.

Under Torre’s leadership, the Yankees captured the World Series title in 1996 and added championships in 1998, 1999, and 2000, narrowly missing out on a fourth straight title in 2001. The team qualified for the playoffs every year through 2007.

In 2003, the Yankees won the American League pennant but fell to the Florida Marlins in the World Series. This defeat prevented Steinbrenner—who also won the Stanley Cup that year as a part-owner of the New Jersey Devils—from achieving championships in two major sports leagues within a single calendar year.

After finishing third in the AL East in 2008, the Yankees rebounded by securing their 27th World Series championship in 2009, seven of which were earned under Steinbrenner’s ownership.

Retirement

In June 2005, Steinbrenner designated his son-in-law, Steve Swindal, as his successor. However, following Swindal’s divorce from Jennifer Steinbrenner in 2007, the Yankees bought out his financial interest, and Hal Steinbrenner assumed leadership as chairman of Yankee Global Enterprises.

Between 2006 and his passing, Steinbrenner primarily resided in Tampa, Florida. After deciding not to renew manager Joe Torre’s contract following the 2007 season and facing health challenges, he retired and transferred control of the Yankees to his sons Hal and Hank Steinbrenner. This handover was finalized in 2008.

Post-retirement, Steinbrenner made very few public appearances and refrained from giving interviews. The Yankees limited media access due to health concerns and rumors regarding Alzheimer's disease, including measures such as obscuring views of his entrances at Yankee Stadium and restricting press exposure. Observers noted marked physical deterioration during this time.

He made a rare public appearance at the 79th All-Star Game in July 2008, arriving with assistance and later joining his son Hal on-field during pre-game ceremonies. In subsequent appearances at spring training and games, he was seen using a wheelchair.

On April 13, 2010, Derek Jeter and Joe Girardi privately presented Steinbrenner with his 2009 World Series Championship ring in his suite; reports indicated he was "almost speechless."

According to Forbes 400 rankings from 2009, his net worth was estimated at $1.15 billion. Steinbrenner was an innovator in baseball ownership revenue streams by being the first to negotiate cable television rights with MSG Network.

Death

On the morning of July 13, 2010, coinciding with the day of the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Steinbrenner passed away due to a heart attack at St. Joseph's Hospital located in Tampa, Florida. His death occurred shortly after the loss of longtime Yankee Stadium public address announcer Bob Sheppard and preceded the passing of former Yankees manager Ralph Houk.

The following day, July 14, the Yankees revealed that players and coaches would wear a commemorative patch honoring Steinbrenner on their uniforms, alongside one dedicated to Bob Sheppard. When the team returned home for their first game after the All-Star break and Steinbrenner's death, a mural was unveiled above the right-center field bleachers as a tribute, while closer Mariano Rivera placed flowers on home plate.

On September 20, 2010, the Steinbrenner family dedicated a monument to him in Monument Park. He was laid to rest at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Trinity, Florida.

Off the field

Steinbrenner was recognized for his demanding leadership approach, applying pressure to both on-field athletes and off-field staff members such as publicity directors, occasionally issuing public reprimands. Renowned Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck praised Steinbrenner’s operational efficiency, comparing it to "all 36 oars working in unison." Former sportscaster Hank Greenwald commented on the palpable tension within the office whenever Steinbrenner was present.

Though he typically kept his critiques of team broadcasters behind closed doors, Steinbrenner expressed dissatisfaction with candid remarks from former announcer Jim Kaat and analyst Tony Kubek. The 1986 World Series, often referred to as "Steinbrenner's nightmare," featured an uncommon showdown between the Yankees’ primary adversaries, the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. During this series, Steinbrenner contributed pieces to the New York Post. The Mets’ triumph brought relief to many Yankee supporters, some of whom joined Mets fans chanting encouragement for anyone who could defeat Boston during the victory parade.

His reputation as an authoritative leader is highlighted by the fact that only three employees remained with the Yankees throughout his entire ownership span from 1973 until its conclusion.

Harvey Greene, who served as Yankees' Director of Media Relations from 1986 to 1989, reflected on his experience working under Steinbrenner:

Outside of baseball, Steinbrenner had an active involvement in thoroughbred horse racing starting in the early 1970s. He owned Kinsman Stud Farm in Ocala, Florida and competed under the banner of Kinsman Stable.

Charitable work

Steinbrenner was a committed supporter of various philanthropic initiatives. Inspired by a police officer’s funeral in 1982, he founded the Silver Shield Foundation to assist families of fallen law enforcement officers with educational expenses. He regularly contributed to families connected to officers from both Tampa and New York City Police Departments and provided scholarships aimed at underprivileged youth.

At the 1992 Summer Olympics, Steinbrenner offered solace to U.S. swimmer Ron Karnaugh following his father’s passing and maintained a lasting friendship with him. From his Tampa home, he backed organizations including the Boys and Girls Club and the Salvation Army. Mel Stottlemyre recalled how Steinbrenner intervened with Mayor Rudy Giuliani to secure hospital television access for him during cancer treatment. Additionally, Steinbrenner donated $1 million to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, which honored him by naming a wing after him.

Politics

While Steinbrenner was officially affiliated with the Republican Party, his financial contributions spanned across party lines, including donations to several Democratic senators and representatives such as $6,300 to Chuck Schumer, $9,600 to Charles Rangel, $1,000 to Peter W. Rodino, and $750 to George J. Mitchell. At the presidential level, he typically supported Republican candidates, backing George H. W. Bush in 1988 and 1992 as well as George W. Bush in 2000—contributing $5,000 to the Bush-Cheney Florida recount effort. Nevertheless, in 2008, Steinbrenner’s political donations reflected a bipartisan approach: he gave $2,300 to Democrat Hillary Clinton, $4,600 to Republican Rudy Giuliani, and $15,000 to John McCain’s campaign.

Management style

Steinbrenner became well-known early on for his aggressive and often confrontational approach to leadership, which remained evident throughout his tenure with the Yankees via frequent personnel changes. Within his first 23 years at the helm, he replaced managers 20 times; notably, Billy Martin was dismissed and rehired on five separate occasions. Over a span of 26 years, the Yankees employed 13 different public relations directors; Harvey Greene observed that repeated terminations became a standard practice. Greene himself was dismissed but later received a reprimand from Steinbrenner for arriving late the following day.

Throughout three decades, Steinbrenner appointed 11 general managers and gained a reputation for signing high-profile free agents such as Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, and Dave Winfield—often leading to public disputes. In 1978, Martin famously remarked that Steinbrenner and Jackson were "made for each other," labeling one a "born liar" and the other "convicted," which precipitated Martin’s initial exit (officially recorded as a resignation). Pitcher David Wells nearly engaged in a physical altercation with Steinbrenner during a heated exchange but subsequently issued an apology.

Illegal campaign contributions to Nixon

The "convicted" label in Billy Martin’s 1978 comment referred directly to Steinbrenner’s 1974 guilty plea concerning unlawful donations to Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign and obstruction of justice charges. Confronted with budget overruns at American Shipbuilding, Steinbrenner authorized six employees to receive $25,000 bonuses each with instructions to funnel those funds into Nixon’s Committee for the Re-Election of the President (CRP).

Although initially intending to contest the allegations, Steinbrenner pled guilty just two weeks following Nixon’s resignation. He incurred a personal fine of $15,000 while American Shipbuilding was fined $20,000. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn imposed a two-year suspension on him, later shortened to fifteen months. In January 1989, President Ronald Reagan granted Steinbrenner a pardon as part of his final acts while in office.

Ban from management and reinstatement

On July 30, 1990, MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent issued a lifetime ban preventing Steinbrenner from involvement in the Yankees’ daily operations after it was revealed he paid gambler Howard Spira $40,000 to investigate player Dave Winfield amid a contractual disagreement over a $300,000 foundation donation. Vincent initially recommended a two-year suspension; however, Steinbrenner negotiated an "agreement" portraying his exit as voluntary to safeguard his standing with the U.S. Olympic Committee and facilitate the transition of leadership to his son.

During his suspension period, limited partner Robert Nederlander assumed the role of managing general partner until 1992 when Steinbrenner’s son-in-law Joe Molloy took over. In 1993, encouraged by owners including Jerry Reinsdorf, Steinbrenner pursued reinstatement. Vincent consented on the condition that Steinbrenner drop all legal actions against him. Following Vincent’s departure as commissioner, his successor Bud Selig restored Steinbrenner’s authority.

In the media

Steinbrenner frequently made light of his own persona; his repeated dismissals and subsequent rehiring of manager Billy Martin were humorously referenced in a 1970s Miller Lite commercial. In the ad, Steinbrenner declares "You're fired!" to which Martin responds, "Oh, no, not again!" Following one of Martin’s returns, the line was changed to "You're hired!" These commercials mirrored Martin’s fluctuating role with the team.

In 1988, Steinbrenner played a significant role in the book Wait Till Next Year, authored by William Goldman and Mike Lupica, which detailed a Yankees season.

He took on the role of host for Saturday Night Live on October 20, 1990, coinciding with Lou Piniella’s leadership of the Reds to a World Series championship. Among the sketches was one where Steinbrenner fantasized about personally managing the entire Yankees roster and another where he criticized the writers for a spoof Slim Fast commercial that depicted him alongside harsh leaders.

The Simpsons episode "Homer at the Bat" is often believed to parody an actual conflict between Steinbrenner and Don Mattingly over hair length; however, it was recorded prior to that event. Notably, Mattingly’s character shows a preference for Burns over Steinbrenner.

Steinbrenner appeared as himself in Albert Brooks’ film The Scout and also featured in a 1991 episode of Good Sports alongside Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal.

In the 1994 video game Superhero League of Hoboken, the antagonist tries to bring Steinbrenner back to life to create disorder, but the heroes instead revive Billy Martin.

Following public criticism from Steinbrenner towards Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter for excessive partying, they both appeared together in a Visa commercial. Another Visa advertisement from 2004 showed Steinbrenner incapacitated in the trainer’s room, unable to sign checks—including those for manager Joe Torre, who treats him as an essential team member.

Columnist George Will once described Steinbrenner as an "error machine" and labeled him a "baseball dumb-o-meter."

An enthusiast of professional wrestling, Steinbrenner penned the foreword for Dusty Rhodes' 2005 autobiography and was a regular attendee at Tampa Armory wrestling events throughout the '70s and '80s. He appeared on WWF broadcasts in 1989 and 1990 interacting with manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. At WWF WrestleMania VII, he participated in a skit debating instant replay with Vince McMahon and Paul Maguire. Additionally, he was seen sitting front row at WCW shows in 1996 and 1998.

In December 2003, Steinbrenner fainted during the funeral of his longtime friend Otto Graham, which prompted media speculation regarding his health.

New York Daily News cartoonist Bill Gallo frequently portrayed Steinbrenner as "General von Steingrabber," dressed in Prussian military uniform as a nod to his German ancestry.

In ESPN's miniseries The Bronx is Burning, Oliver Platt portrays Steinbrenner. In the upcoming 2024 Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice, Jason Blicker briefly plays him.

Seinfeld caricature

During George Costanza’s stint with the Yankees on the sitcom Seinfeld, George Steinbrenner was depicted as a character. The role was performed physically by Mitch Mitchell and Lee Bear, while Larry David provided his voice. The character’s face was never revealed; he was typically shown from behind in his office at Yankee Stadium. He appeared across several episodes including "The Opposite", "The Secretary", "The Race", and "The Finale".

This fictional version of Steinbrenner was characterized by incessant chatter and frequent self-reference as "Big Stein." In "The Wink," he humorously enumerates individuals he has fired, such as Billy Martin and then-manager Buck Showalter. Interestingly, just two weeks after this episode aired, Showalter was dismissed by the Yankees.

Initially, Steinbrenner declined to make a guest appearance or permit a Yankees pennant on the show; nonetheless, the pennant appeared without his consent. Later, he objected to featuring a Yankees uniform in "The Chaperone" episode because he believed George Costanza’s character name was intended to mock him. After viewing the show and gaining appreciation for it, he approved use of the uniform and acknowledged that although unflattering, the portrayal was fundamentally accurate. He filmed scenes for season 7’s finale "The Invitations", but they were ultimately cut due to time limitations.

Jerry Seinfeld reflected on Steinbrenner's passing by saying: "Who else could be such an unforgettable television character without ever actually appearing on screen? You sensed George's presence even when he wasn’t there. That speaks volumes about how powerful his personality truly was."

Awards and honors

• Owner of the New York Yankees during seven World Series victories (1977, 1978, 1996, 1998–2000, 2009)
• Holder of two Stanley Cup titles as New Jersey Devils owner (2000, 2003)
• Recipient of the Outstanding Team ESPY Award three times with the Yankees (1997, 1999, 2001)
• Awarded the Flying Wedge Award
• Honored as the Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1992 by the Tampa Metro Civitan Club
• The Steinbrenner Band Hall at the University of Florida bears his name
• George M. Steinbrenner High School in Lutz, Florida, named to recognize his impact on the Tampa Bay community
• Yankees’ spring training venue designated George M. Steinbrenner Field in March 2008
• Entrance to Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, named after Steinbrenner and his family
• Life-size bronze statue of Steinbrenner unveiled outside the stadium in January 2011
• Awarded the Golden Plate Award by the American Academy of Achievement in 1969

See also

• List of New York Yankees owners and executives
• List of people pardoned or granted clemency by the president of the United States
• List of University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame members
• Steinbrenner family
• Steinbrenner High School

External links

• FBI file on George Steinbrenner