George Steinbrenner

George Michael Steinbrenner III (born July 4, 1930 in Rocky River, Ohio), often known as "The Boss", is the principal owner of the New York Yankees. He used to own an interest in the New Jersey Nets and the New Jersey Devils. His outspokenness and role in driving up player salaries have made him one of baseball's more controversial figures, though his willingness to spend to build the club (and its postseason success since 1976) have earned him grudging respect from some baseball executives.

Background

Steinbrenner grew up in suburban Cleveland, Ohio. He ran track and played football at Culver Military Academy in Indiana and ran track at Williams College in Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1952. After two years in the United States Air Force, Steinbrenner coached high school basketball and football in Columbus, Ohio before becoming an assistant football coach at Northwestern University and Purdue University. He married Joan Zieg on May 12, 1956, and joined his father's struggling company, the American Shipbuilding Company, in 1957.

Related Topics:
Cleveland, Ohio - Track - Football - Culver Military Academy - Indiana - Williams College - Massachusetts - 1952 - United States Air Force - High school - Basketball - Columbus, Ohio - Northwestern University - Purdue University - May 12 - 1956 - American Shipbuilding Company - 1957

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In 1960, he bought the Cleveland Pipers of the National Industrial Basketball League. The team joined the American Basketball League the next year and won a championship, but Steinbrenner was unable to raise the necessary funds to join the National Basketball Association. The team went bankrupt, and he returned to the American Shipbuilding Company, eventually buying it.

Related Topics:
1960 - Cleveland Pipers - National Industrial Basketball League - American Basketball League - National Basketball Association

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Steinbrenner offered $9 million to buy the Cleveland Indians but was turned down. Eventually, though, Indians General Manager Gabe Paul would prove pivotal in fulfilling Steinbrenner's dream of owning a baseball club.

Related Topics:
$ - Cleveland Indians - Gabe Paul

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