ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Yankees have several players, manager Joe Girardi and a handful of coaches participating in tonight’s All-Star Game after this morning’s death of owner George Steinbrenner.
“I think he would want us to go out there and win,” Derek Jeter told the YES Network.
Girardi is the AL manager thanks to the Yankees’ 27th World Championship, the seventh under the Boss’ ownership
“It’s a sad day. For me it’s a downer, it changes the day,” Girardi said. “I am sure he’s looking down on us and is very proud of what we accomplished last year.
“This is a man that I think did not ever get enough credit for the way he cared about people. But the way he gave people second chances and third chances, he really tried to makes people’s lives better. I know he changed my life, completely.”
Shortstop Jeter and second baseman Robinson Cano are in the AL starting lineup, with third baseman Alex Rodriguez and right fielder Nick Swisher as reserves.
“It’s a very sad day, not only for the Yankees but baseball as a whole,” Jeter told MLB Network.
“What he did from the ownership role — me and him have a great relationship way beyond just player and owner. He was a friend of mine and will be deeply missed.”
A tribute to Steinbrenner was shown on the video board at Angel Stadium before Tuesday night’s game. Fans and players then honored Steinbrenner with a brief silence.
Steinbrenner traded for Rodriguez in 2004 then gave the slugger a contract worth up to $300 million.
“For me it was always a dream to have the opportunity to play for an owner like George Steinbrenner,” Rodriguez said. “The opportunity to play for the Boss and his family was second to none.”
Rodriguez said he once received a handwritten note from Steinbrenner, which concluded “I’M COUNTING ON YOU.”
“I have that note still to this day,” Rodriguez said.
Andy Pettitte, CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera were named to the AL pitching staff.
“He was great to me always in the good times and the bad,” said Pettitte, a Yankee since 1991 who left to play for the Astros in 2004 then returned three years later. “I know he was hard on a lot of people; he was tough on me, too, at times. But he was always fair to me, always a big supporter of mine, helped me out an awful lot. This is a sad day.”
Sabathia received a $161 million contract from Steinbrenner prior to the 2009 season, the owner’s last foray into the high-priced free agency market he made a fixture in baseball.
“It’s a sad day for us,” Sabathia said. “He was The Boss. It’s a huge blow for us. My condolences go out to his family. It’s tough.”
Swisher exemplified the fierce fan loyalty Steinbrenner helped build by winning the online vote for the final AL roster spot.
“It’s a sad day for the Yankees,” he said.
Steinbrenner was rarely around the team in his later years as his health deteriorated. He died early this morning in Tampa, Fla. at 80.
“I miss him being around, motivating us, patting us on the back, knowing how badly he wants to win,” Pettitte said. “He has obviously done so much for the city of New York and has meant as much to baseball as anybody, I believe.
“He has not only pushed our organization, he has pushed other organizations to be greater, so he’s raised the bar. He was a pioneer for baseball.”
The Yankees will wear a black armband on their left sleeves tonight to honor Steinbrenner. The team plans to wear a “GMS” patch on their uniforms when regular-season play resumes Friday.
Girardi won a World Series under Steinbrenner as both a catcher and a manager.
“I felt he wanted what we all wanted: To win,” Girardi said. “He was a pleasure to play for and a pleasure to work for.”
With Kevin Kernan