Good afternoon, y'all:
Yesterday, I posted about the theory of playing baseball "the Cardinal Way." Gutsy, tough play based on fundamentals, strong pitching, running out singles, all that stuff we learned playing Little League baseball or from our parents as we watched the game when we were young. A friend of mine (originally from Nevada) remarked to me how unusual and refreshing that Cardinal fans would stand and applaud players from the other team if they used to wear the Birds on the Bat, or were great and gifted players worthy of respect.
Today is no exception.
Granted, I'm not a Yankees' fan, so I wasn't overwhelmed with sorrow, sadness and grief at hearing the news of George Steinbrenner's death earlier today at the age of 80. (Come to think of it, I think there may be a few fans of the Bronx Bombers that may not be too upset as well, but I digress...) But, like the men that take the field or step into the batters box, Mr. Steinbrenner deserves a moment of applause.
Since he took over control of the Yankees, they've gone from a shadow of the team that once had its uniform on the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, and countless other legends to what can be legitimately called as one of the premier teams of Major League Baseball. Seven of the 27 flags representing World Series Championships came under his reign. He's put together a team that, for much of the 37 years, has been a perennial contender. Ranging from Reggie Jackson, Jim "Catfish" Hunter, to Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees have typically represented the best money can buy. (FYI -- Steinbrenner at first saw free agency as something that could destroy baseball!) "Lead, Follow, or Get Out Of The Way" was more than a plaque on his desk -- it represented the management style of the man appropriately nicknamed "The Boss." Demanding the best was one thing, hiring and firing manager Billy Martin FIVE times takes it to a whole new level. Regardless of everything else, the man led the Yankees' back to prominence, back to success, and back to "leading," instead of following or getting out of the way.
Sadly, Steinbrenner's death comes one day after Bob Sheppard, "The Voice Of Yankee Stadium," who long served as stadium PA announcer of the Yankees. His voice and delivery is just as legendary as the players he announced coming to the plate. His voice last graced the stadium three years ago, but the standard he set is as solid as the legacy of any other Yankee honored in Monument Row. Sheppard was 99.
For more information -- From the websites of the Yankees', the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (good stuff there!)and MLB:
On Bob Sheppard
On George Steinbrenner
Views from St. Louis sports writers on Steinbrenner
Requiscat in pace, gentlemen. Well done.
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