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.

Buying the Yankees

The Yankees had been floundering during their years under CBS ownership, a regime that started in 1965. In 1972, CBS Chairman William S. Paley told team president Michael Burke the media company intended to sell the club. As Burke later told writer Roger Kahn, Paley offered to sell the franchise to Burke if he could find financial backing. Burke ran across Steinbrenner's name, and Paul helped bring the two men together.

Related Topics:
CBS - William S. Paley

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On January 3, 1973, a group of investors led by Steinbrenner and minority partner Burke bought the Yankees from CBS for $10 million. "We plan absentee ownership as far as running the Yankees is concerned," said Steinbrenner, according to an article in The New York Times reporting on the sale. "We're not going to pretend we're something we aren't. I'll stick to building ships."

Related Topics:
January 3 - 1973 - The New York Times

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The message was that Burke would continue to run the team as club president. But Burke later became angry when he found out that Paul had been brought in as a senior Yankee executive, crowding his authority.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Burke quit the team presidency in April 1973, but remained a minority owner of the club into the following decade. It was a departure repeated by many who crossed paths with "The Boss." The team would face two more departures after the 1973 season -- of field manager Ralph Houk and general manager Lee MacPhail, who became president of the American League. Paul remained with the Yankees (as team president) until 1977.

Related Topics:
Ralph Houk - Lee MacPhail - American League

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During Steinbrenner's ownership, the longest in Yankee history, the club has have won 10 pennants and 6 World Series titles.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~