Friends and foes alike mourn the passing of flamboyant Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
View full sizeGeorge Steinbrenner, pictured in 1990, when he was feuding with then-Commissioner Fay Vincent, died today. The passing of the free-spending, win-at-all-cost Yankees owner has been met with sorrow from foes and friends alike.Today's passing of George Steinbrenner triggered an outpouring of affection and condolences both from those who favored him, and those who fought with him. Here is a sampling of some of those comments.
"George Steinbrenner did so many great things for the National Football Foundation, and we are deeply saddened by his passing. He loved the game of football. He played. He coached, and he believed in the scholar-athlete ideal and the lessons learned on the gridiron. George stood for everything that the NFF represents, and it was truly special to have him on the board because he loved the game so much."
-- National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame President & CEO Steve Hatchell.
"I had the privilege of serving on the National Football Foundation board of directors with George Steinbrenner for many years, and his service and commitment to our organization played a significant role in our ability to touch the lives of countless young student-athletes."
-- NFF Chairman Archie Manning
"America's Olympic athletes who have achieved their dreams at Games from Barcelona to Vancouver should take a moment today to silently send thanks for what George Steinbrenner did on their behalf. His efforts to improve their funding, support and opportunities remains one of the most significant milestones in the history of the United States Olympic Committee. He did it without fanfare and gave credit to others, but without what George did for our athletes, it would be a very different world for them today. 'The Boss' served the USOC humbly, quietly and effectively, and he will be missed."
-- Mike Moran, USOC Spokesman, 1979-2003
"Few people have had a bigger impact on New York over the past four decades than George Steinbrenner. George had a deep love for New York, and his steely determination to succeed combined with his deep respect and appreciation for talent and hard work made him a quintessential New Yorker."
-- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg
"George was 'The Boss,' make no mistake. He built the Yankees into champions and that's something nobody can ever deny. He was a very generous, caring, passionate man. George and I had our differences, but who didn't? We became great friends over the last decade and I will miss him very much."
-- Former Yankee manager and player Yogi Berra
"George was a demanding owner, but very caring, very supportive. He bought a struggling franchise and turned it into a dynasty. He's going to be known as the most influential owner in the history of sports."
-- Former Yankee manager and player and current Cubs manager Lou Piniella
"Everyone knows George Steinbrenner went from loser to legend by taking a second division team with a struggling franchise in 1973 and turning it into a champion again. But he was much more than a winner and a celebrity. There was no falseness in him. He did everything with his heart: his family, his friends, his team, his nation and his community. I'm not surprised that in the end he died by wearing it out."
-- Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo
"Mr. Steinbrenner loved Great Lakes history as evidenced by his life membership in The Great Lakes Historical Society, his service as a trustee of the Society and his generous support of the organization. The donation of artifacts and manuscript material made possible through the Steinbrenner family and business interests, has played a critical role in the preserving the history of our nation's most important natural resource --The Great Lakes."
-- M. James Karpinski, chairman of the Great Lakes Historical Society Board of Directors.
"George Steinbrenner's passion for the game of baseball helped revive one of the game's most storied franchises, and in the process ushered in the modern era of baseball business operations. Mr. Steinbrenner understood and embraced the power of the players, and he put this knowledge to good use in establishing the Yankees as one of the sports world's most iconic brands."
-- Michael Weiner, the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association
"George Steinbrenner was too complex a person to adequately describe in a short statement, but he was a great friend of mine and he will be missed. His impact on the game cannot be denied."
-- Chicago White Sox owner and former Steinbrenner foe ("How can you tell George Steinbrenner is lying? His lips are moving.") Jerry Reinsdorf
"He was 'The Boss.' He wanted to win and I admired him for that. He might not have done things the way people expected them to be done, but he wanted to win. It's one of the main reasons why I wanted to come to New York, because he made sure his teams had an opportunity to win."
-- Former Yankee Tim Raines
"I have known George ever since he entered the game in 1972. He was my dear friend for nearly four decades. Although we would have disagreements over the years, they never interfered with our friendship and commitment to each other. Our friendship was built on loyalty and trust and it never wavered. We were allies and friends in the truest sense of the words."
-- Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig
"He didn't want to lose at all. A [player] had to come in there and want to win, know how to win, and lay it all on the line. Otherwise, they were in trouble ... they'll have to look at him as one of the top owners in sports."
-- Former Yankee and Indian Dave Winfield
"I have great respect for George, a man from whom I learned so much about leadership, motivation and accountability during my tenure withthe ball club as media relations director from 1989-93. His overriding objective was to win, the sign of a true sportsman. You have to give him credit for always having the best interest of Yankee fans at heart, which was bringing a World Series winner to the Bronx, something he accomplished seven times. He bought a wilting franchise in 1973 and turned it into a worldwide brand through his vision, work ethic and overall Yankee ingenuity. He was a true friend of the Hall of Fame, and the history he helped create will always be preserved in Cooperstown."
-- Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson
"As much as people rightfully today will give George Steinbrenner tremendous accolades for the almost 40 years of New York Yankees success, I hope no one will overlook or forget the immense impact that he has had on the development of some of the most successful U.S. Winter and Summer Olympic teams in history."
-- Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics
"We have lost a true leader in sports — someone who not only saw the big picture but helped create the scene on the canvas."
— Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones