George Steinbrenner Passes Away at 80 | Thebigtip

On nearly back to back days, the New York Yankees have lost suffered heart breaking personal losses. On July, 11th, long time public address announcer Bob Sheppard passed away aged 99 years old. Two days later, beloved Yankees owner George Steinbrenner followed him in passing. Heading into the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star break, all Yankee fans and the organization will carry heavy hearts.

Remembering the life of George Steinbrenner is a monumental challenge. Steinbrenner lived a full life that was not just confined to being the owner of the Yankees.

Steinbrenner was the only son of Henry George Steinbrenner and Rita Steinbrenner in Cleveland, Ohio. He would spend the early years of this life getting a B.A. from Williams College in Massachusetts, funny since he would soon become a thorn in the Boston Red Sox side.

At Williams College, Steinbrenner was an active student who was a standout in Track and Field and played halfback for the football team as well. After graduation, Steinbrenner served his country in the United States Air Force.

Steinbrenner would be honorably discharged and take his talents to Ohio State University to get his graduate degree. At OSU, he would be an assistant football coach with legendary Wood Hayes.

He would be part of Hayes undefeated Buckeyes team that won the national championship. More importantly during his time at OSU he would meet his future wife, Elizabeth Joan Zieg.

The two would be married on May 12, 1956 and would stay together thereafter and have four children, two sons and two daughters. The children he leaves behind are Hank Steinbrenner, Hal Steinbrenner, Jessica Steinbrenner, and Jennifer Steinbrenner-Swindal.

After his time at OSU, Steinbrenner would go on to coach at Northwestern and Purdue. Perhaps, his biggest decision was to go back into the family business of shipping.

Steinbrenner would go on to make his fortune with Cleveland based company American Company Shipping in 1957. Three years later in 1960, Steinbrenner made his first foray into sports would be as owner of the Cleveland Pipers of the American Basketball League or ABL.

The team would win the ABL championship in the 1961-62 season but would fold early into the 1962 season. While this initial trip into the sports world could be called mixed success at best but lessons were learned.

Steinbrenner, a native of Ohio, tried to by the Cleveland Indians but failed to do so in 1971. But opportunity would knock twice for Steinbrenner a year later when he joined forces with E. Michael Burke to by the Yankees in 1972 for just $8.8 million.

Over time Steinbrenner would go on to buy out most of his partners to gain complete control of the Yankees. The rest, one would say is history.

The Yankees would make their first World Series appearance under Steinbrenner in 1976 getting swept by the “Big Red Machine” of the Cincinnati Reds. One year later the Yankees would win Steinbrenner’s first World Series in 1977.