To say that the heart and soul of the Yankees is gone is only partially true (“Thanks, George,” Editorial, July 14).
George Steinbrenner’s spirit continues in his sons, who carry the drive to win the next World Series. It also resides in the new Yankee Stadium, which, in having the host team win the championship last year, received the ultimate christening.
The Yankees seem poised to win another one this year, and, in the passing of its principal owner, they have one more motive.
D. Edwards
Brooklyn
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As a Phillies fan, I’d like to pay my respects to Steinbrenner. Sure, we loved to hate him, but that’s only because we envied what he did for the Yankees. Steinbrenner was truly an icon, and baseball would have been boring without him.
That said, my biggest fear is one day we’ll pick up a newspaper and see the following headline: “God Fired. Heaven Signs Exclusive TV Deal With Yankees’ YES Network.”
Mark Drolsbaugh
North Wales, Pa.
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It is amazing to me that if Steinbrenner would have passed away six months from now, his family possibly could have had to sell the Yankees simply to pay off their estate taxes.
What kind of motivation is that? Build a business and be successful, yet fear that when your time is up, you won’t be able to pass the business on to your heirs.
J. Bluemke
Ridgewood, N.J.
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Say what you will about Steinbrenner, to me he was a class act.
In 2006, I sent The Boss a photo of my grandson, Zachary, born on July 4th, and requested that Steinbrenner sign the photo so I could give him a memento of a key Yankee official with whom he shared a birthday.
About a week later, I received a photo bearing the signature: “To Zach, a great future Yankee. George Steinbrenner,” along with a nice note from his personal assistant.
George Haber
Jericho
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Steinbrenner meant a lot to New York, the Yankees and baseball. His impact also was felt here in New England for decades.
The Yankees and Red Sox are rivals, but Steinbrenner will always be a friend. His teams always sold out Fenway, and the stars were out because of him. The game will never be quite the same again.
George Vreeland
Hillsboro, N.H.
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The death of The Boss is significant for many reasons. As the principal owner of the Yankees, Steinbrenner brought glory back to this storied franchise.
He also alternately feted and mistreated two of my favorites — Billy Martin and Sweet Lou Piniella.
I will remember this bear of a hard-nosed business man for his charity and his will to win and do whatever that took.
P. Mullen
St. Petersburg, Fla.
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Did Steinbrenner wait to die so that he could be introduced into heaven by The Voice of God? RIP, George and Bob Sheppard.
T. Shea
Staten Island
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Steinbrenner was loved by many and hated by many — as is often the case with significant doers.
Steinbrenner was an icon. He paved the way for the rise in excellence and integrity within a Major League franchise.
The escalated earnings of the players and the franchise benefited many throughout the country.
Bruce Maltz
Lawrence
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With Sheppard now in heaven, I hope he is able to welcome Steinbrenner home: “Now entering heaven, the greatest sports owner of all time, The Boss, George Steinbrenner.”
M. Nugent
Staten Island
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May Steinbrenner rest in peace, but let’s not fall all over ourselves forgetting his true legacy.
The latest Yankees dynasty has its roots in his three-year exile, when sharp baseball minds renovated the farm and scouting systems, both of which were napalmed during Steinbrenner’s indulgent spending sprees of the 1980s.
The man was larger than life and deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame, but it is only a destination for his baseball fame, not his humanity.
R. Norberto
The Bronx