George Steinbrenner Officially Passes the Yankee Torch

George Steinbrenner, one of the most notorious owners in professional sports, has officially relinquished control of the Yankees, naming his son Hal as head of the organization. The announcement came from Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig following owners' meetings where Hal Steinbrenner was unanimously approved as new owner. Hal, who runs the financial side of the Yankees, will continue to share the role of chairman with his brother Hank, who oversees the baseball operations. Hank Steinbrenner tends to lead like his father did--drawing headlines for putting down former manager Joe Torre and calling the Red Sox Nation "a bunch of bullshit." The two sons have been running the organization for over a year with their father in fragile health.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Billy Parker in News on November 20, 2008 4:01 PM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

@#9, I thought it would be Hank too. he's the psycho.

cmdrogogov

Considering the amount of public funds the enterprise has soaked up it seems obscene it can be considered an individual's property.

r1b2

Hank will kill Hal in his sleep. This is almost biblical. Ahh, to be thus annointed.

Rfive

should be a hall of famer. how long do owners have to wait?

you GOTTA bury him in center field. its the right thing to do.

NannyState

Now he can focus on what really matters: his shipping empire.

Steven

Many other sports owners pocket their revenue and don't put in back into the team. Steinbrenner spend the money he made and did not save it.

Snoopy

JP ? Joe Torre had nothing to do with this, right?

JP Lynch

Regardless of all his bullshit, still one of the BEST owners in MLB history. Since he has owned the team, the Yankees have been to 10 WS and won 6 of them. Some teams haven't had that many visits to the WS in a much longer time. And don't get me startd on the whole BS excuse that he 'bought' his teams - Steinbrenner worked within a system that was already in place and strived.

Qraymond

Good Riddance!!!! Now, if only his sons would go away too.

Snoopy

Say it ain't so George. Your sons don't know shit about shitting on the team like you did. Please George don't give up. One more winning season and then turn it over. Come on, the new stadium is almost finished and New Yorkers would really like to see you buried in center field. Hang in there George.