On This Date in 1973

Baseball fans were introduced to George Steinbrenner on January 3rd, 1973, when the investment group he led purchased the Yankees from CBS.

The "shipbuilder from Cleveland" would soon become the most famous off-field figure in New York sports. Over the next 37 years, he would revive and restore the Yankee brand, return it to championship status, maximize is media footprint and even move its place of business. 
His ease as a public figure, blended with his impulsiveness and tenacity, left him with the enduring nickname "The Boss."

Like any enduring celebrity, from Sinatra to Elvis, Liz Taylor and the Yankees ultimate icon Babe Ruth, Steinbrenner was not just larger than life, but left an unfillable void when they departed the public arena. Just like those others, George was not everyone's cup of tea. He rubbed many the wrong way, and like his contemporary Marvin Miller, was not fully appreciated until he was gone. And now that Marvin has been inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame, isn't it time for George to join such other "builders" as Jacob Ruppert and Walter O'Malley?

Under George's leadership, the ballclub with the richest history in the game found more and more ways to honor its past legends. A visit to Monument Park is as much a part of the Stadium experience as a home run to the right field porch.

Not surprisingly, his is the largest of Yankee Stadium's monuments.
 

Comments

Bryan Nazario said…
I agree he should get his due in the HOF, but he was suspended for a while, justified or not, and some would hold that against him. Regardless, his tenure was more than impactful and he deserves to be in the HOF.
January 4, 2022 at 9:19 AM
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