Baseball lost a giant today, as long time New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner passed away after a massive heart attack.  He was 80-years-old but seems to have lived at least twice that long.  An avid sports fan and arguably the fiercest competitor among all owners in any sport, the Ohio native will forever be remembered amongst baseball fans simply as The Boss.

Under his leadership, the New York Yankees won 11 American League pennants and 7 World Series titles.  He brought Reggie to the Bronx, hired and fired Billy Martin seemingly as often as he changed socks, and created the modern day Evil Empire by keeping home grown talent like Derek Jeter surrounded by high priced free agents like evil doers Roger Clemens and Alex Rodriguez.  Steinbrenner was baseball’s perfect foil, always working to make his team the best no matter who he left in his wake.

As a Red Sox fan (and, frankly, an American outside of New York), I hated George Steinbrenner theowner.  He loved to win, and he loved to tell you about it.  Steinbrenner was a driving force in the salary escalation that has created a huge divide in the Haves and Have Nots in Major League Baseball.  Despite his many, many flaws, though, Steinbrenner was fiercely loyal to his team and those that wore the Pinstripes.  Even a Red Sox fan can appreciate that type of commitment.

The Boss had retreated to his Tampa, Florida, home in recent years, ceding day-to-day operations of the Yankees to his son Hank.  His health failing, Steinbrenner did what was best for the franchise.  He did what it took to win.  The Yankees rewarded him with yet another title last fall.

The streets of heaven are a little louder and more boisterous today.  I like to think The Boss is already plotting a hostile takeover of The Big Boss.  Here’s hoping his long time friend Bob Sheppard, the only significant Yankee never publicly criticized by George, can talk him out of it.