Reflections
Welcome To The Endzone: The Boss
By Eric D. Graham, BASN Staff Reporter
Jul 16, 2010

“I will never have a heart attack. I give them”

-George Steinbrenner

Reggie Jackson (left) and "The Boss"

NORTH CAROLINA (BASN) -- George Steinbrenner a.k.a. King George, the Boss of Baseball, the Dearth Vader of the Dugout, the Dictator of the Diamond, the Bob Knight of the Ball park, the Money-making Monarch, the Donald Trump of Baseball, the Yahweh of the Yankees, died this past Tuesday, at the age of 80 after suffering a massive heart attack.

In 38 seasons as the owner of New York Yankees, Steinbrenner won seven World Series, 11 Pennants, and 16 Division Titles and made 19 postseason appearances.

Despite all of these great accomplishment, Steinbrenner, however, was notoriously known for firing managers. He, in fact, made 22 managerial changes at the "Evil Empire" and fired 15 managers.

His favorite manager, however, was Billy Martin, whom he fired five times. So today, whether you loved him or hated him, here in the "End Zone" we pay homage to "The Boss of Baseball" by reading some of his most remarkable remarks.

1. Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next.

2. I am dead set against free agency. It can ruin baseball.

3. I’m really 95 percent Mr. Rogers, and only 5 percent Oscar the Grouch.'

4. I was often misquoted. I was supportive of my managers, even though they all may not think so.

5. I don't think that anybody should be suspended for life for anything, other than murder. How is it helping someone to say, 'You're done forever, your life's over'?

6. I don't want to be in the Hall of Fame. I don't think owners should be.

7. In the end, I'll put my good acts up against those of anybody in this country. Anybody.