RIP George Steinbrenner

[DWill_Gr8tness]

ESPN has reported that Yankee owner George Steinbrenner suffered a major heart attack and has died.

RIP George and thank you for what you have done for sports in general.

 

[TXJazz]

RIP to a man who turly changed to landscape of the modern sports world whether it was for the better or worse.

 

[YB85]

Steinbrenner was the most important, most influential person in American sports over the past 35 years.

 

[moevillini]

one of the immortals

how about a video tribute? here's my contribution:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8FUgN4xYoc

and one more:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH7BaQEguYs

 

[YB85]

How the hell do you trade Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps?

 

[Archie Moses]

Steinbrenner was the most important, most influential person in American sports over the past 35 years.

I'm going to have to disagree with that.

 

[moevillini]

yeah, I'm sorta mixing metaphors here, but it seems appropriate to quote the last lines of that famous poem:

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.

 

[Hopper]

Well, itsa good thang they don't hafta bury his ego with him, eh? They just aint no graveyard that big.

 

[Dtol17]

Wow. Sad day in sports. George changed the face of baseball and became of the most powerful and recognizable sports figures of all time since taking over the team in '73. Say what you will about him "buying" championships, but the man did whatever it took to win and he did just that. It was a privilege to watch and cheer for some of the great teams he put out on the field. Having grown up in the 90's during those great repeat teams really set the bar for the sports fan I am today and those Yankees were some of my greatest childhood memories. I look forward to seeing how they honor him at the All Star Game tonight. Here's to one of the greatest sports owners of all time. RIP, George. Where's leftydragon?

 

[YB85]

I'm going to have to disagree with that.

Of course you are, but you would be wrong.

 

[The-Joker]

I'm going to have to disagree with that.

You can make a case for Jordan.... but you wouldn't because you are a Jazzfan. So just nod your head and comply.

 

[Archie Moses]

Of course you are, but you would be wrong.

You do realize you said this?

most important, most influential person in American sports over the past 35 years.

Please, make your arugment of why. Educate me if you will.

 

[YB85]

You can make a case for Jordan.... but you wouldn't because you are a Jazzfan. So just nod your head and comply.

Yes you could, and I am also a Yankee hater, so there goes that argument.

 

[YB85]

Please, make your arugment of why. Educate me if you will.

I know what you're thinking. It has to be Jordan. Maybe, but I'd say Steinbrenner. He bought a Yankee franchise that had become the joke of baseball and took them to what is probably the most widely recognized American sports franchise. His spending and his never settling drove the franchise and made them a team that people hated or loved. He was the first to sign big free agents, he embraced stars, and he was a media figure. Televised sports and brands are enormous business, and the Yankees have as much responsibilty for that as any team. The Yankees have their own network and make the most money of any team because of Steinbrenner's foresight and influence.

The Yankees, as much as I hate them, are truly America's team because they make sports interesting. Steinbrenner was the force behind that. Jordan had his moment, but much of Jordan's moment was when Steinbrenner was out of baseball.

 

[Archie Moses]

I know what you're thinking. It has to be Jordan. Maybe, but I'd say Steinbrenner. He bought a Yankee franchise that had become the joke of baseball and took them to what is probably the most widely recognized American sports franchise. His spending and his never settling drove the franchise and made them a team that people hated or loved. He was the first to sign big free agents, he embraced stars, and he was a media figure. Televised sports and brands are enormous business, and the Yankees have as much responsibilty for that as any team. The Yankees have their own network and make the most money of any team because of Steinbrenner's foresight and influence.

The Yankees, as much as I hate them, are truly America's team because they make sports interesting. Steinbrenner was the force behind that. Jordan had his moment, but much of Jordan's moment was when Steinbrenner was out of baseball.

Good post. But I still don't think he was the most "influential" person of American sports of the past 35 years.

Here's some guys that have been pretty influential in American sports. (Off the top of my head.)

1. Michael Phelps
2. Muhammad Ali (You said 35 years)
3. Michael Jordan. Probably the most famous American athlete of all time
4. Carl Lewis. Didn't he win something like 9 gold medals?
5. Tiger Woods. First athlete billionaire. Kinda tainted now, eh?
6. Lance Armstrong.

It would be hard to say that these "athletes" aren't more influential than the Yankee's owner, even if he was the best owner ever. That's just my opinion though.

 

[Hopper]

Steinbrenner was the most important, most influential person in American sports over the past 35 years.

Last 35 years, mebbe. But all-time? I don't think so! Homey don't play dat.

All-time: Dizzy Dean!

 

[YB85]

Here's some guys that have been pretty influential in American sports. (Off the top of my head.)

1. Michael Phelps
2. Muhammad Ali (You said 35 years)
3. Michael Jordan. Probably the most famous American athlete of all time
4. Carl Lewis. Didn't he win something like 9 gold medals?
5. Tiger Woods. First athlete billionaire. Kinda tainted now, eh?
6. Lance Armstrong.

It would be hard to say that these "athletes" aren't more influential than the Yankee's owner, even if he was the best owner ever. That's just my opinion though.

No way I put Phelps, Armstrong, or Lewis on that list. Their accomplishments are noteable, but their sports are minor blips on the landscape. You want to argue Jordan, Ali, or Woods, I get that. I would also put David Stern and Phil Knight on that list. Maybe even Pete Rozelle and/or Roone Arledge.

But all of them are below Steinbrenner.

 

[Archie Moses]

No way I put Phelps, Armstrong, or Lewis on that list. Their accomplishments are noteable, but their sports are minor blips on the landscape. You want to argue Jordan, Ali, or Woods, I get that. I would also put David Stern and Phil Knight on that list. Maybe even Pete Rozelle and/or Roone Arledge.

But all of them are below Steinbrenner.

Dude, Steinbrenner isn't even a household name. How can he be the most influential and most important?

 

[YB85]

Dude, Steinbrenner isn't even a household name. How can he be the most influential and most important?

He's not? When did this happen?

 

[Archie Moses]

He's not? When did this happen?

He's not. Most guys know who he is, but ask kids, woman, and people don't follow sports if they know who he is cause I bet you most don't. After you ask them, go ahead and ask them if they know who Phelps, Armstrong, and all the other guys I listed are. Those guys are household names, although Steinbrenner's death is getting more air time than MJ's right now. At least it seems like that.