'The Boss'' heart was even bigger than his wallet

By Howard Goldin

The following statement was issued on Tuesday morning, July 13, by the family of George M. Steinbrenner III, “It is profound sadness that the family of George M. Steinbrenner III announces his passing. He passed away this morning in Tampa, Florida, at age 80. He was an incredible and charitable man. First and foremost he was devoted to his entire family-his beloved wife, Joan, his sisters, Susan Norpell and Judy Kamm, his children, Hank, Jennifer, Jessica and Hal; and all of his grandchildren. He was a visionary and a giant in the world of sports. He took a great but struggling franchise and turned it into a champion again.”

The statement briefly encompasses the story of his life. Many words will now be written and spoken of his accomplishments and controversies as Principal Owner of the New York Yankees. The recently opened Yankee Stadium will stand as a monument in the Bronx of his public endeavors. Despite his public posture in years past, Steinbrenner’s efforts to help others, both individually and in numbers, were done very privately. His kindness is not nearly as well known as his temper, yet is at least as important in understanding the man who was George Steinbrenner III.

Several stories immediately come to mind of Steinbrenner’s efforts on behalf of individuals. Bill Stimers, 63, of Brentwood, Long Island was a devoted Yankees fan when he met Steinbrenner shortly after the latter purchased the Yankees. Stimers worked at Entenmann’s Bakery on Long Island and attended Yankees games as often as possible. He came to the attention of Steinbrenner, who befriended Stimers. The Yankee owner has always treated the man who was a stranger as a member of his own family. In June of 1976, after the renovation of Yankee Stadium was completed, Stimers was given a seat in the Yankees Auxiliary Press Box. The devoted Yankees fan with an encyclopedic knowledge of baseball history still retains his seat in the current Yankee Stadium. If this was all Steinbrenner did for Stimers it would be amazing, but there was more.

Several years ago, Stimers’ mother passed away. Afterwards, Stimers found out that his mother had taken a second mortgage and creditors were pressing him for payments. The now retired man spoke to Steinbrenner, who told him, “Don’t worry. We’ll take care of everything.” Eventually the $58,000 owed was paid for by Steinbrenner, and the house was also renovated. When he speaks of Steinbrenner, Stimers acknowledges, “I owe George everything.”

The above story was not an isolated incident. Ray Negron, an advisor to Steinbrenner for many years also owes a great deal to the man he calls “The Boss.” One day as a teenager in the mid-1970’s, Negron and several relatives were drawing what could be considered as graffiti on the exterior of Yankee Stadium. As Steinbrenner and security approached them, everyone ran but Negron who was grabbed by Steinbrenner. Rather than having the teenager locked up, Steinbrenner told him he could pay for the damages from his salary as a Yankee batboy. Thus, began the long relationship between Steinbrenner and Negron.

Negron currently is involved in bringing Yankees players into the urban community to encourage and benefit the lives of children. His example in doing positive work and doing it without public fanfare is George Steinbrenner. When the visits of Yankees players brightens the days and expands the horizons of children in hospitals, at schools and at parks, Negron feels guided by his own mentor, George Steinbrenner. His own life would have radically different for the worse had he not encountered Steinbrenner on a day long ago in the Bronx. Negron has said, “The Boss gave me a life.”

Even in baseball decision making, Steinbrenner gave a chance to those forsaken by the owners of other teams. Steve Howe, Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden were considered by many to be incorrigible drug users, yet the tough Yankees owner employed them when others would not give them a chance. While these examples may seem few and even extreme, they occurred because of the decency within and empathy for others that Steinbrenner felt. As the days pass, additional stories of Steinbrenner’s public and private philanthropies will be told. He may have been a hard-headed and extremely successful business owner, but the less publicized picture of Steinbrenner should not be forgotten.