The New York Post is reporting that George Steinbrenner is getting ready to hand over control of the Yankees organization to his sons, Hal and Hank.
This will end an era which began in 1973 with an investment of a little over $8 million. That is chump change compared to how much the franchise is worth today.
No matter what you think of the Yankees themselves, Steinbrenner redefined owning a major league baseball franchise. No other owner has made such an impact on the club, both in the public eye, inside the dugout and on the field. Steinbrenner was intimately involved in the hiring and firing of managers (sometimes multiple times in the case of Billy Martin), and player personnel decisions.
One thing he did, was make it all entertaining. You don't see other owners on major television sitcoms, or hosting Saturday Night Live. He owned and basically operated the most successful franchise of all time, at a time when it was more successful over a given span than any franchise has ever been in any major sport. Steinbrenner is one for the ages, and should be headed for a Hall of Fame induction, in whatever special wing they can find for an owner who changed the face of Major League Baseball.
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