Yankees owner George Steinbrenner served in the Air Force three years at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio. (AP photo)
If it’s true that famous deaths come in threes I’d be worried if I was Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died Tuesday morning from a heart attack. His death comes just two days after Bob Sheppard, the legendary Yankees stadium announcer died Sunday.
Known simply as “The Boss,” Steinbrenner bought the Yankees in 1973. As owner, he oversaw 11 American League pennants and seven World Series Championships. Steinbrenner will be remembered as an owner who was never afraid to open his wallet, but was equally demanding that his money fielded a winner.
Before “The Boss” made his fortune in the family ship building business, he wore Air Force blue. He enlisted and served three years in the Air Force after he graduated from Williams College in 1952. Steinbrenner set up athletic programs as an aide to the commander at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio, which was renamed Rickenbacker Air Force Base in 1974.
Steinbrenner’s outsized personality and famous blowups with managers such as Billy Martin made him an easy target in pop culture. “The Boss” often found his way onto both Seinfeld and The Simpsons. Here are two of my favorite clips in honor of Steinbrenner’s passing.
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