RIP George

[tbob]

I heard Billy Martin Jr. on radio this morning telling a story which I thought bore repeating. Steinbrenner had a secretary who constantly messed up his sandwich orders at lunch. George told her he didn't want mayonaisse on his sandwiches but she kept forgetting. The 3rd time it happened, he fired her. One of his employees told him that the only reason she was working was because she was trying to make money and pay her son's college tuition, that she didn't know what she was going to do.
Steinbrenner invited the boy to lunch and spoke with him about it. He didn't rehire the secretary because of what he felt was her inpetitude but sent a check to the college and paid for the last 3 years of the boy's tuition.
The sandwich story made the rounds years ago but now we get to hear the "rest of the story," as Paul Harvey used to say. Steinbrenner could be a real jerk but he also had a huge heart.

[Kalineman]

In my former life as a Sports Editor for 24 years, I got a chance to be around George Steinbrenner several times, mostly at spring training. A very tough man. From what I experienced, very tough on people. But there is no discounting that he was a winner. And I like hearing stories about his softer side.

[barrysloate]

I thought George ate calzones for lunch?

[Rickyy]

I read a blurb from a local writer here in the bay area about Steinbrenner who was the only one to actually send a check to MLB for their part of revenue sharing..(others wired the money) and he always attached a note to it that says..something to the affect of "this is illegal and outrageous"

You have to hand it to him..he brought the Yankees back from the dead and as much as we hate the "evil empire" baseball isn't the same unless we are saying "those damn Yankees!" every season...