The Boss's Reign Hits 30

By Lou Parrotta

This month, George Steinbrenner, principal owner of the famed New York Yankees, celebrates his 30th year as owner. For some, it may seem longer and for others, nonsense. Could this man, the only person who owned a team in 1973 to still own one in 2003, really have been around for 30 years now?

During "The Boss's" often-time unstable reign, 14 different managers have manned the helm, with Billy Martin, former Yankee player, managing the team five different times. In all, Steinbrenner switched leaders 20 times in thirty years, which became a running joke until Buck Showalter and then Joe Torre took over in the early 1990s.

Steinbrenner became owner at a time when free agency was born, and he jumped right into the thick of the free agency game in 1974 by signing future Hall of Famer Jim "Catfish" Hunter. In all, the Yankees have signed over 65 free agents, exercising their financial might in the free agency market. Boss Steinbrenner always said he would reinvest the profits of the Yankees back into the team, and he has. Recently, he has signed Jason Giambi, Hideki Matsui, and Jose Contreras.

Steinbrenner has watched his Yankees produce. His teams have won over 2,600 games, appeared in 12 postseasons, won 9 American League Pennants, and captured 6 World Championships. Over 120 players have been voted in or selected to play in the All-Star game in the middle of the summer. Two players, Thurman Munson (1976) and Don Mattingly (1985) both were awarded the Most Valuable Player Award. Sparky Lyle (1977), Ron Guidry (1978), and Roger Clemens (2001) all won the Cy Young Award. Derek Jeter snagged Rookie of the Year honors in 1996, Don Mattingly, Paul O'Neill, and Bernie Williams won batting titles, Reggie Jackson won a home run crown, and Don Mattingly won an RBI title. All of these honors and awards reflect on the product that George Steinbrenner strives to put on the field.

Steinbrenner has restored "Pinstripe Pride" in New York City. After some sluggish years in the late '60s and early '70s, the Yankees regained prominence with three trips to the World Series in 1976-1978, winning in 1977 and 1978. After a continuance of success through 1981, the Yankees then suffered a deep drought of glory from 1982 until 1994. In the past 8 years, however, the Yankees have returned to glory with several trips to the postseason and four World Championships. In the process, Steinbrenner has continued to place the best talent on the field that is available in order to draw the fans into the stands.

Speaking of fan support, when Steinbrenner took over in 1973, the Yankees were drawing 1.2 million fans to the park. Thirty years later, the team is drawing 3 million-plus fans to home games, not to mention what they draw when on the road. Steinbrenner's Yankees, as long as they continue to produce quality baseball, will win the devotion of their fans.