# George Steinbrenner has died **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 13, 2010, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521 "2010-07-13T14:06:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/21 "2010-07-13T17:26:31Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Yeah, I guess the Babe, Gehrig, Dimaggio, Mantle, Ford, etc. etc. etc. were just stooges back in the day, eh? **astorian** dealt with that two paragraphs later. They had a great history but were not a good team at the time. > [@](#): > > That’s what the salary cap is for, and he flaunted it daily. This is pretty much wrong on all counts. Baseball doesn’t have a true salary cap. It has a luxury tax, which means that teams with a payroll over a certain amount have to pay a percentage back to MLB. Going over that amount is not in any way “cheating.” Is it taking advantage of the wealth of New York? Sure. But that doesn’t make it cheating. And while you’re complaining about the amount of money the Yankees pay their players, think about how much they’re giving to the other teams (including some other owners who had more money than Steinbrenner but were cheap or incompetent) in revenue sharing. And while he _did_ flaunt it, I think the word you want is “flouted.” > [@](#): > > I don’t remember the last time the Yankees didn’t pay the luxury tax. 1. The luxury tax started in 2003. > [@](#): > > Of the 7 championships he brought to New York, I’d say he outright purchased 4 or even all of them. So? Much as I’m tempted to point out that a bunch of their best players came through the farm system (Jeter, Williams, Rivera, Pettitte, Cano, Hughes), that’s not really the issue. Winning a championship is winning a championship, and the way you do that is by hiring the right staff and having them put together the right group of players. You can do that by spending a lot of money or a little. > [@](#): > > And of their recent championship teams, so far Clemens, Rodriguez, and obviously Giambi used steroids. Which makes them unique among baseball teams. I’m shocked, shocked. > [@](#): > > I think what George did has been great…for George. It’s also been pretty good for the Yankees and their fans, and don’t forget what it’s done for the players and for that matter the other owners. That’s not to minimize any downside, ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/22 "2010-07-13T18:15:16Z")
RIP Boss. You did good things for the team. Of course The Onion can be counted upon: [George Steinbrenner dead after firing under-performing heart.](http://www.theonion.com/articles/george-steinbrenner-dead-after-firing-underperform,17710/) ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/23 "2010-07-13T18:23:29Z")
It is worth noting that the Yankees were a footnote before he bought them, then he was the first to truly take advantage of the free agency. BUT THEN his meddling made the team irrelevant practically for 15 years. From 1981 to 1996 they did not win a single AL East title. Then when they finally let the farm develop talent Posada, Rivera, Jeter, Petite then the team became good again. Clearly he was hugely influential, probably the most influential owner in any sport ever in the US. But rekindling the Yannkee mystique and success took decades of missteps to finally figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/24 "2010-07-13T19:30:09Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > …I agree that not anybody could have done what George did, because most people wouldn’t cheat. That’s what the salary cap is for, and he flaunted it daily. I don’t remember the last time the Yankees didn’t pay the luxury tax. I don’t see where he cheated. It would have been cheating if he _hadn’t_ payed the luxury tax. > [@](#): > > Of the 7 championships he brought to New York, I’d say he outright purchased 4 or even all of them. Boston only beat them by playing the luxury tax game themselves. Every championship team consists of players that were acquired. Are you suggesting that he should have refrained from signing players that he wanted? You know, just to give other teams a chance? Am I being whooshed? > [@](#): > > And of their recent championship teams, so far Clemens, Rodriguez, and obviously Giambi used steroids. First of all, Giambi was never on a championship team (unless you meant the AL championship). Secondly, there is no evidence that any Yankee took steroids when they were actually on the Yankees. Thirdly, regardless of the evidence, _every_ player took some PED or other during those years. This includes Jeter and Pujols too. Many just didn’t get caught. I know points 2 and 3 contradict each other. But if you’re going by evidence, the Yankees are innocent. If you’re going by common sense, no one is. > [@](#): > > I think it’s screwed that they made the playoffs 13 straight times between 1994 (the beginning of the 6 team format) until 2007, and 14 of the last 15 (except 2008.) Of those 14 playoff appearances, only 3 of them were wild card. **The other 11 times, they won their division.** > > I think what George did has been great…for George. Great for George, but also great for Yankee fans (we love titles), New York (pride, economic benefits, etc.), all MLB players (higher salaries), baseball in general (higher salaries help draw more talent), other MLB teams (the recipients of the luxury tax money). I’ve always agreed that the rules should be changed to allow for a more level playing field. But until then, I hope Hank and Hal continue the excellent work of their dad. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/25 "2010-07-13T19:42:36Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > And in breaking news, the Afterlife Wire is reporting Billy Martin has just been fired… > [@Brad\_the\_Impaler](#): > > Jesus just walked by and was told “get a haircut or get out”. > > RIP to The Boss. Depending on how you feel about the Yankees and The Big Stein, he’s now either in Heaven threatening to fire God for underperformance, or he’s in Hell and has just received the ultimate promotion. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/26 "2010-07-13T23:25:07Z")
Well, I wish I could say the same, but I must say, with all due respect, I find it very hard to see the logic behind some of the moves you have made with this fine organization. In the past twenty years, you have caused myself, and the city of New York, a good deal of distress as we have watched you take our beloved Yankees and reduced them to a laughing stock, all for the glorification of your massive ego. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/27 "2010-07-14T00:13:42Z")
It was interesting to see the ESPN pretty much gave itself over to coverage of the Boss today. Mike Lupica had an interesting quote today, “Only Steinbrenner could upstage the All Star Game.” I was flipping around and the Mets’ network pre-empted there programming (Boxing) to cover his passing. Needless to say YES (Yankees) was wall to wall coverage. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/28 "2010-07-14T00:40:20Z")
> [@Autolycus](#): > > Well, I wish I could say the same, but I must say, with all due respect, I find it very hard to see the logic behind some of the moves you have made with this fine organization. In the past twenty years, you have caused myself, and the city of New York, a good deal of distress as we have watched you take our beloved Yankees and reduced them to a laughing stock, all for the glorification of your massive ego. How’s life in 1990? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/29 "2010-07-14T01:10:49Z")
Wow, Rush does not know when to shut up. He said "that cracker made a lot of African American millionaires’. Then added, " he knew when to die, there are no estate taxes right now’. cringe ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/30 "2010-07-14T02:15:06Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > In 1973, the Yankees were terrible, and had been for nearly a decade. Actually, in 1973 the Yanks hadn’t won the pennant since all the way back in 1964. They hadn’t finished as high as second since 1970, when they won 93 games. However did Yankee fans endure such long-suffering? :rolleyes: When King George bought them they weren’t terrible, they were average, having gone 82-80 in '71, 79-76 in '72 and 80-82 in '73. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/31 "2010-07-14T02:19:28Z")
I was just thinking that combined, George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard symbolized pretty much anything that anyone could love or hate about the Yankees: success, drive, imperiousness, self-celebration, class, pomposity, vulgarity, and history. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/32 "2010-07-14T12:47:54Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Wow, Rush does not know when to shut up. He said "that cracker made a lot of African American millionaires’. Then added, " he knew when to die, there are no estate taxes right now’. > cringe It tells you a lot about someone when he complains about the race of people getting big contracts. This was obscene, even by LimpBalls’ standards. Personally, I hope Rush’s heirs get a tax-free estate as well. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/33 "2010-07-14T13:23:46Z")
[Seinfeld speaks out on Steinbrenner](http://wcbstv.com/topstories/seinfeld.jerry.seinfeld.2.1803603.html) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/34 "2010-07-14T13:34:41Z")
Rush is such a complete ass. It is a shame his racist crap is allowed on the air. It is a much bigger shame his shtick makes him popular. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/35 "2010-07-14T13:58:59Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > People who aren’t New York Yankees fans undoubtedly hated George Steinbrenner, and I understand. Even we Yankee fans weren’t always crazy about him. I am not a Yankees fan. Aside from my uncle and a few of the people I work with, most Yankees fans are insufferable twits who deserve to have a Louisville Slugger corked up their ass. But Steinbrenner was the King, today is a sad day for baseball. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/36 "2010-07-14T14:04:45Z")
Died of a heart attack? Well, I guess he really did have a heart. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/37 "2010-07-14T14:38:50Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Died of a heart attack? Well, I guess he really did have a heart. Indeed he did. He gave to many charities and sponsored many good causes, and for the most part did so without drawing any attention to himself. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521/38 "2010-07-26T13:31:46Z")
The NYC Seinfeld rerun last night was the one where they thought George had died and Steinbrenner went to tell his parents. Very funny and appropriate. That’s also the Jackie Childs episode with Sue Ellen Mishkie and the bra. Since Childs is a Johnny Cochran clone, it has two tributes in it. Also has the best closing line, when Sue Ellen tries on the bra: Jackie Childs: Trying on a bra over a leotard. Of course it’s not going to fit. A bra has to fit close to the skin…like a glove." [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-steinbrenner-has-died/546521.md?page=1)