Remembering George Steinbrenner

It's been a tough week for the New York Yankees who lost two great figures in their organization, the voice of their franchise Bob Sheppard  (who passed at the age of 99) and now The Boss George M. Steinbrenner (at the age of 80).  While health issues have been circulating The Yankee owner for several years, Steinbrenner suffered a massive heart attack on Tuesday morning and was unable to be revived.

"He was a visionary and a giant in the world of sports. He took a great but struggling franchise and turned it into a champion again," The Steinbrenner family said in a statement.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Steinbrenner during Spring Training in 2006 at the Yankees complex (that is now called George M. Steinbrenner Field." One afternoon, as a  member of the New York Media, I was standing in Joe Torre's office after a leisure afternoon team practice. Standing among 15 or so other writers, GMS entered Torre's office and sat on the leather couch across from Torre's desk as listened to us asking Torre about the day's events.

When the media session was over, GMS shook hands with a few of us before wandering into the clubhouse. That day, GMS seemed a little "lost" and oddly enough had told me, "You need to interview Johnny Damon. Go talk to Damon."  Hmm....

He later put both his hands on my shoulders and asked me, "What are you doing here?" Another Hmm....

But, if I remember correctly, Torre spoke up and said, "That's Jen, she's a reporter for us."

GMS shrugged his shoulders and walked away. And that was my experience with The Boss.  Steinbrenner brought seven Championships to the Yankees and 16 Division Titles and to the team everyone loves to hate or loves to love.... and it was an honor to meet him that day in Tampa.