The recent backbone of perhaps the most enduring legacy in professional sports has died.

New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has passed away at the age of 80.  He had been of declining health over the past few years, and his death came at the hands of a massive heart attack suffered at his home in Tampa, Florida. 

For more than three decades, Steinbrenner has undoubtedly proven to be the most defining forces behind the success of the Yankees and, to a further extent, major league baseball.  Under Steinbrenner’s tenure, the Yankees won 11 American League pennants and 7 World Series titles. 

Steinbrenner’s stubborn during his earlier years rubbed his staff and the general public the wrong way – and in the process, he lost many fans  and followers.  But after hitting rock bottom – including a suspension from the day-to-day involvement with his club, Steinbrenner became forced to trust his specialists.  And that ultimately culminated in more championships over the last 15 years.

Bernie Williams and Steinbrenner - two of New York's biggest winners.

A great deal of the success of Steinbrenner’s teams was unquestionably due to the owner’s penchant for opening his checkbook.  The Yankees have been noted for instituting a no-holds-barred approach when it comes to signing superstars – and that has contributed greatly to the team’s ability to win.

That philosophy has made him, and the Yankees, the most polarizing figures in sports.  New York became a team that is either loved or despised by the vast majority of baseball fans.  But an undeniable truth is that the Yankees have since been a financial kingpin in major league baseball.  During a time where baseball experienced a black eye through the effects of performance enhancing drugs, Steinbrenner’s dedication to winning gave fans something else to focus.  Ticket sales in opposing ballparks spiked when the Yankees visit (and still do), thanks to the impact that Steinbrenner has had.

Steinbrenner:

As I have said many times – my father was a great fan of Bill Dickey’s and he certainly loved the Yankees. I hope that he would be pleased.

The Yankees’ success speaks for itself…and it speaks for volumes for Steinbrenner.