New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has died of a massive heart attack at the age of 80.
He reportedly was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa last night and passed away at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Steinbrenner was not only a legendary (and controversial) owner of one of the most legendary sports franchises in all of professional sports, but a huge philanthropist in the Tampa area for years. He had been in ill health for the past several years, due to a series of strokes.
"It is with profound sadness that the family of George M. Steinbrenner III announces his passing. He passed away this morning in Tampa, Fla., at age 80."
I actually met the man one time, back in January of 2003 in Ybor City, where there was a public ceremony for the unveiling of the statue for Roland Manteiga. It was a cold morning when the Boss showed up, unobtrusively in the back with some aides. I remember him telling me he was a regular reader of La Gaceta, that he was always keeping up on local Tampa politics.
His contributions in Tampa led to the CIty Council and County Commission renaming the Yankees spring training home (as well as the home to their class A minor league team) from Legends Field to Steinbrenner Field.
This article appears in Jul 8-14, 2010.