Grief at the death of longtime Yankees owner George Steinbrenner yesterday rippled from New York to Anaheim, with teary-eyed fans remembering him as the “greatest owner ever.”
The Bleacher Creatures, normally the most rambunctious of Bombers faithful, vowed the ultimate sign of respect at Friday’s game: A silencing of their raucous “roll call.”
“Not really in the cheering mood, you know?” “Bald Vinny” Milano said of the 14-year-old tradition of yelling players’ names and heckling opponents at Yankee Stadium.
Fellow creature Tina “Queen” Lewis yesterday was still crying hours after learning of The Boss’ death and called him the greatest-ever Yanks boss.
Donald Trump, who had more comfortable stadium seats, often right next to The Boss himself, echoed Lewis’ admiration, but noted that Steinbrenner deserved his no-nonsense reputation.
“He was very loyal to his friends and he was brutal to his enemies — and that’s the way it should be,” Trump told The Post. “Yes, he did his share of firing, but he also would take people back. He had a tremendous heart.”
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Former Yanks pitcher David Cone experienced The Boss’ generosity after he threw a perfect game in 1999. “He sent me a bottle of Dom Perignon and welcomed me to Yankee history. It was simple and elegant,” Cone said.
Fans flocked to The Post Web site yesterday, posting hundreds of notes admiring the Bomber leader’s win-at-all-costs attitude.
“Give the Boss his due. He resurected [sic] the dynasty and put his money where his mouth was for 5 (count ’em) decades,” wrote BocaBoomer.
Admirers also trekked to Yankee Stadium, where flowers and cards were placed outside. Edwin Matos, 23, who lives blocks away, was lighting candles there.
“I used to walk by the Stadium every day to play Little League,” Matos said. “I remember in 1995 when they lost to Seattle [in the playoffs], and he went on a tirade. I thought if the guy’s so fired up about a team that’s playing in my neighborhood, I couldn’t not be a fan.”
In Anaheim, where some Yankees prepared for the All-Star Game, pitcher Andy Pettitte said, “He was just, just, great to me, throughout my entire career, through the good times and bad times.”
Even those who were less than fans of the Bombers paid their respects.
Seth Meyerowitz, the founder of one of dozens of “R.I.P. George Steinbrenner” Facebook groups that popped up yesterday, begrudgingly admitted he admired Steinbrenner.
“I’m actually a Mets fan, but obviously, George Steinbrenner had a huge effect on New York baseball in general,” said Meyerowitz, 26, of Merrick, LI. “I hate that he’s done so well that the Yankees have continued to win, but that’s just a jealous Mets fan talking.”
Additional reporting by Reuven Fenton, Amanda Melillo, Perry Chiaramonte and Doug Auer