George Steinbrenner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Steinbrenner
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Steinbrenner in 1980
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George Michael Steinbrenner III
July 4, 1930 Rocky River, Ohio, U.S.
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| Died | July 13, 2010 (aged 80) Tampa, Florida, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Williams College (BA) Ohio State University (MS) |
| Occupation | Owner of New York Yankees (MLB), businessman, investor, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1973–2010 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Joan Zieg (m. 1956) |
| Children | 4, including Hank and Hal |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1952–1954 |
| Rank |  First lieutenant |
| Unit | Strategic Air Command |
George Michael Steinbrenner III (July 4, 1930 – July 13, 2010) was a famous American businessman. He was best known as the main owner of the New York Yankees baseball team. He owned the team from 1973 until he passed away in 2010.
Under his leadership, the Yankees won seven World Series championships. They also won 11 American League titles. He was known for being very involved in the team's daily choices. People often called him "The Boss" because of this. He also worked in the shipping business. George Steinbrenner died after having a heart attack in his home in Tampa, Florida. His children now manage the Yankees team.
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George Steinbrenner's Early Life and School
George Steinbrenner was born in Rocky River, Ohio. He was the only son of Rita and Henry George Steinbrenner II. His mother was from Ireland. His father was of German background. His dad was a great athlete and a successful shipping business owner.
When George was nine, his father gave him some chickens. He sold the chickens and their eggs door-to-door. He said this taught him a lot about business.
In 1944, George went to Culver Military Academy. He graduated in 1948. He then earned his college degree from Williams College in 1952. At college, he was a good student. He was also active in many clubs. He played piano in the band. He was a hurdler on the track team. He also played football.
After college, he joined the United States Air Force. He served from 1952 to 1954. Later, he earned a master's degree from Ohio State University. He studied physical education there.
He met his wife, Elizabeth Joan Zieg, in Columbus, Ohio. They got married on May 12, 1956. They had two sons, Hank and Hal. They also had two daughters, Jessica and Jennifer. The Steinbrenners had many grandchildren too.
Before Owning the Yankees
While studying at Ohio State, George helped coach the Buckeyes football team. They won the national championship that year. He also coached football at Northwestern University and Purdue University.
In 1957, Steinbrenner joined his family's shipping company. It was called Kinsman Marine Transit Company. He worked hard to make the company successful again. He later bought the company from his family. He also became part of a group that bought the American Shipbuilding Company. By 1972, this company was making over $100 million each year.
In 1960, Steinbrenner first got involved in sports team ownership. He bought the Cleveland Pipers, a basketball team. He hired John McClendon, who was the first African American coach in pro basketball. The Pipers won a championship in 1961–62. But the league soon closed down. Steinbrenner lost money but paid back everyone he owed.
George also invested in Broadway shows. He helped produce a few plays. One was Seesaw, which was nominated for a Tony Award in 1974.
George Steinbrenner and the New York Yankees
The New York Yankees team was not doing well in the early 1970s. In 1973, George Steinbrenner led a group of investors. They bought the Yankees from CBS. The team was bought for $8.8 million.
At first, another person was supposed to run the team. But George quickly took charge. He was known for being very hands-on. He often made changes to the team's staff. He would hire and fire managers, sometimes even hiring them back later!
During the 1981 World Series, the Yankees lost. George was very upset. He even held a press conference. He apologized to New York City for his team's performance. Many people thought this was unusual.
Rules for Players' Appearance
George Steinbrenner had strict rules for how players looked. All players, coaches, and male staff could not have beards. They could only have mustaches. Their hair could not be long, below the collar. This rule led to some funny moments.
Once, in 1973, George saw some players with hair that was too long. He wrote down their uniform numbers. He demanded they get haircuts right away.
In 1991, Don Mattingly, a famous Yankees player, refused to cut his hair. He was benched from playing. This caused a big stir in the media. Reporters and radio shows made fun of the team. Mattingly was eventually allowed to play again.
In 2005, Johnny Damon joined the Yankees. He was known for his long hair and beard. He said he would follow George's rules. He cut his hair and shaved his beard. George said, "He looks like a Yankee, he sounds like a Yankee and he is a Yankee."
Yankees Success and Championships
George Steinbrenner was allowed to return to baseball in 1993. He started to let his baseball experts handle more of the team's daily choices. This helped the Yankees a lot.
The 1994 Yankees were leading their division. But a players' strike ended the season early.
In 1995, the team made it to the playoffs again. This was their first time since 1981. In 1996, they won the World Series. They beat the Atlanta Braves.
The Yankees continued to win. They won the World Series in 1998, 1999, and 2000. They almost won a fourth straight title in 2001.
The Yankees made the playoffs every year until 2007. In 2003, they won the American League title. But they lost the World Series to the Florida Marlins.
In 2009, the Yankees won their 27th championship. They beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. Seven of these championships were won while George Steinbrenner owned the team.
Later Years and Retirement
From 2006 until he passed away, George Steinbrenner spent most of his time in Tampa, Florida. After the 2007 season, he officially retired. He gave control of the Yankees to his sons, Hal and Hank Steinbrenner.
After retiring, George made very few public appearances. He did not give interviews. People close to him did not talk about his health. He was seen using a wheelchair in his later years.
On April 13, 2010, George received his 2009 World Series Championship ring. Players Derek Jeter and Joe Girardi gave it to him. Reports said he was "almost speechless."
George Steinbrenner's wealth was estimated to be $1.15 billion in 2009. He was also the first baseball team owner to sell cable TV rights for games.
His Passing
George Steinbrenner passed away on July 13, 2010. He died from a heart attack in Tampa, Florida. He was 80 years old. His death happened just nine days after his birthday. It was also two days after the death of the Yankees' longtime stadium announcer, Bob Sheppard.
The Yankees honored George after his death. Players and coaches wore special patches on their uniforms. A mural was placed at Yankee Stadium in his honor. A monument was also added to Monument Park at the stadium. He is buried in Trinity, Florida.
Beyond Baseball
George Steinbrenner was known for being a demanding boss. He also had a passion for thoroughbred horse racing. He owned Kinsman Stud Farm in Ocala, Florida.
Helping Others
George Steinbrenner was very generous. He gave money to many good causes. In 1982, he started the Silver Shield Foundation. This foundation helps the families of police officers who die while on duty. It also provides college scholarships for children.
He often donated to police families in Tampa and New York City. He also supported the Boys and Girls Club and the Salvation Army. He even helped a former Yankees coach, Mel Stottlemyre, watch Yankees games from his hospital room while he was sick. George also gave $1 million to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. A part of the hospital was named after him.
In Politics
George Steinbrenner also donated money to many politicians. He supported both Republican and Democratic candidates over the years.
George Steinbrenner in Media
George Steinbrenner sometimes made fun of himself in the media. He was known for hiring and firing manager Billy Martin many times. This was shown in a funny TV commercial for Miller Lite beer. In the ad, George tells Billy, "You're fired!" and Billy says, "Oh, no, not again!"
He even hosted the TV show Saturday Night Live in 1990. In one skit, he dreamed of a Yankees team where he was every player and coach.
He was also a character in the TV show Seinfeld. In the show, George Costanza worked for the Yankees. The character of Steinbrenner was never fully shown. He was always seen from the back. The character talked a lot and called himself "Big Stein." George Steinbrenner himself later said he felt the show's portrayal of him was accurate.
George Steinbrenner was also a fan of professional wrestling. He appeared in the front row at some wrestling events.
Awards and Honors
- Seven-time World Series champion as owner of the NY Yankees (1977, 1978, 1996, 1998–2000, 2009)
- Two-time Stanley Cup champion as owner of the NJ Devils (2000, 2003)
- Three-time Outstanding Team ESPY Award winner as owner of the Yankees (1997, 1999, 2001)
- Steinbrenner Band Hall at the University of Florida named in his honor
- George M. Steinbrenner High School in Lutz, Florida named in his honor.
- Yankees spring training field named George M. Steinbrenner Field in March 2008 in his honor
- A life-size bronze statue of Steinbrenner was placed in front of the stadium in January 2011.
- Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1969
Images for kids
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Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard memorialized on the facade of Yankee Stadium
See also
In Spanish: George Steinbrenner para niños
- List of New York Yankees owners and executives
- Steinbrenner family
- Steinbrenner High School
