So far this week there has been a Future's Game, a Home Run Derby, and a Celebrity Softball Game (basically, a celebrity Home Run Derby). The Future's Game was won by the USA team, which was lead to the 9-1 victory by Angel's prospects Hank Conger (AAA C) and Mike Trout (A OF). The State Farm Home Run Derby was won by David Ortiz as he outlasted Hanley Ramirez in the last round. Other notable performances from the event were Corey Hart's 13 first-round dingers and Chris Berman's constant "back, back, back, back, and gone!" calls from the booth. The Celebrity Softball Game was not as good as it has been (there was no Kenny Mayne, Mike & Mike, or Harold Reynolds), but it was still fun to watch. Jennie Finch and John Kruk kept me laughing and into the game a bit.
On the morning of the All-Star Game, there is sad news making its way around the league.
George Steinbrenner has passed away to a better place at the age of 80 after suffering a massive heart attack. Steinbrenner completely turned around the Yankees organization and always had a second-to-none attitude about winning. There are mixed opinions about him throughout the league and the nation, but, I for one, am deeply saddened by this news. One of the greatest executives in professional sports is no longer with us and he will be missed greatly. My heart goes out to the Steinbrenner family and the Yankee Nation. Win #28 for The Boss!
It is a sad day indeed, especially on the heels of Bob Shephard's passing. I attended my first Yankee game in 1962 when I was 7 years old and became a huge fan of the Mick.
ReplyDeleteThe team was bought by the CBS network in 1964 and this, combined with the introduction of the amateur draft, began the decline of the Yankees. CBS had no clue how to run the team and the draft meant the Yanks couldn't just sign any player they wanted to.
When the Mick got old and retired in 1969, they were a terrible team. In 1973, George bought the team and the rebirth began. We couldn't beat the Big Red Machine in 1976 but we beat the Dodgers in 1977 and 1978. In 1979 we lost Thurman to the plane accident and in 1981, we lost the series to the Dodgers and started another decline.
George was out of control trying to win by signing every top price free agent but never built a team. It was sad to see Donnie Baseball and Winfield go without winning.
In 1990, George got banned for life by the commish but was reinstated in 1993. He decided to let Gene Michael run the day to day operation and our 2nd renewal, which lasts to this day, began. That's when Bernie, Jeter, Mo, Jorge, and Andy were home grown.
In 1993, we lost a pennant race to the Blue Jays. In 1994, we were in first when the strike hit and probably would have played the Expos in the series. We made the playoffs in 1995 and won the series in 1996, after 18 years.
The rest is history. I wasn't a big fan of George, especially the pre 1993 George, but he did restore the Yankees to their glory days and with YES, they are the highest valued franchise in any sport. May he rest peacefully.