RIP George

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by dstudeba

I am sorry David but I fail to see your point, could you please clarify it?

I believe David's point is that Steinbrenner put up almost none of his own money when he bought the team.

[nolemmings]

I've been a Yankee fan for 45 years, and was almost embarrassed to say so during the first ten years of Steinbrenner's regime. He is associated with leading the free agency spending that completely changed the baseball landscape, and that association is valid. Still, as time passed, I came to realize that if not George, another would have stepped forward and started the spending orgy. Being first and brashest made him a poster boy for those unhappy with the way baseball operates. I get that, but again, it was inevitable.

BTW--sorry, I don't believe the Yankees lose money. For years anyway, and maybe still, they played the shell game of not counting the money they receive from their interest in the YES network in their bottom line--at least the bottom line they gave to MLB. Not chump change by any stretch--hell, their RADIO revenue was larger than many teams' TV cash.

[tbob]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

I've been a Yankee fan for 45 years.

Wow, and here I thought you were a Twins fan all this time.

[nolemmings]

Wow, and here I thought you were a Twins fan all this time.

I am and have been a Twins fan for that long too. The two teams have seldom put me in conflict, but when they do, I'm Twins first. Was lucky enough (and thereafter poor enough) to have flown up North in late May to to watch the Twins-Yankees three game set at Target Field.

I want the Twins-Yanks ALCS every year. This season, the Yankees should make it into the tournament, but the Twins seem to have made it tough on themselves again.

[dstudeba]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I believe David's point is that Steinbrenner put up almost none of his own money when he bought the team.

Thanks Peter, however I believe my point is still valid. George and the other owners took the risk be it through cash, credit, leases, player contracts, employees, and a myriad of other liabilities that they were on the hook for.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by dstudeba

Thanks Peter, however I believe my point is still valid. George and the other owners took the risk be it through cash, credit, leases, player contracts, employees, and a myriad of other liabilities that they were on the hook for.

For all his other faults. George was smart enough to know that he don't make money without fannies in the seats.

And it's the players--certain ones in particular--that put the fannies in the seats.

So paying what it takes to get those players was--and is--good business strategy.

A strategy that turns your $8.5 million "risk" into a $1.6 billion commodity.

[BCauley]

It's rather disturbing to me that a man dies, and all that is remembered by some is that he "ruined baseball".

Never mind all the charitable work the guy did and his very generous nature.

[Robextend]

Originally Posted by BCauley

It's rather disturbing to me that a man dies, and all that is remembered by some is that he "ruined baseball".

Never mind all the charitable work the guy did and his very generous nature.

I agree, I don't think that was very tasteful in an "RIP" thread.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by BCauley

It's rather disturbing to me that a man dies, and all that is remembered by some is that he "ruined baseball".

Never mind all the charitable work the guy did and his very generous nature.

+1



Unless the person is a murderer or child molester, when they pass away, I feel it's time to remember them positively. Let bygones be bygones....

[yanksfan09]

Originally Posted by Leon

+1



Unless the person is a murderer or child molester, when they pass away, I feel it's time to remember them positively. Let bygones be bygones....

i totally agree. Way to many negative comments and fighting on a thread to honor a man who has just died. Every man has faults, but George had many fine qualities as well. This is a time to remember those. He will be missed and should go to Cooperstown one day, imo. RIP, and to Bob Sheppard as well.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by BCauley

It's rather disturbing to me that a man dies, and all that is remembered by some is that he "ruined baseball".

Never mind all the charitable work the guy did and his very generous nature.

Condolences to his family and the Yankees.

[barrysloate]

When a man dies the positive things he did in his lifetime should certainly be foremost, and many of the not so good things need not be stressed.

However, when writing the obituary that will appear in newspapers throughout the country, it's acceptable to present a balanced picture of a man's life. It's perfectly fine to discuss many of the bizarre hirings and firings, and the often terrible trades Steinbrenner engineered, since that is an integral part of who he was. An obituary should really be a biography of a man's life.

But on a thread like this, which is ostensibly a tribute to Mr. Steinbrenner, there's a different acceptable standard. This is the place to praise him and send condolences-period. No need to discuss the negatives.

[calvindog]

Can someone from Net 54 collect these condolences and send them to the Steinbrenner family? I'm sure they would appreciate that.