Steinbrenner Steals Spotlight One Last TIme

George Steinbrenner, who died today at 80 after years of failing health, was hardly a beloved figure, but the Yankee owner is being remembered with superlatives anyway. The Boss was "the loudest, most famous owner in the history of American sports," Mike Lupica writes for the New York Daily News, and the timing of his passing is "classic Steinbrenner, upstaging the All-Star Game."

True, Steinbrenner ran through dozens of managers, but under his care, the once-moribund franchise won 11 pennants and seven World Series crowns. "He threw everything he had into the race not to lose those World Series titles—all his money and energy, his will and fire, all his anger and pride," William Nack writes for ESPN. "What was missing in this manic pursuit of winning was any sense of joy in the endeavor, any hint that this driven man at the top was enjoying himself, any hope that he would ever be satisfied."
(More George Steinbrenner stories.)