George Steinbrenner, July 4 1930 – July 13, 2010, was known for his aphorisms during his many years as “The Boss” – the nickname he earned as longtime owner and principal executive of Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees.
Below are some quotable quotes from Steinbrenner interviews throughout last decade, as he discusses the Yankees, tradition, legacy, hard work and other topics.
Steinbrenner on Tradition
“When you're entrusted with a tradition, you've got to protect it.” ( Interview in Esquire Magazine, Jan. 2002 edition)
Steinbrenner on Public Service
“They may call me the Boss, but in the end, to succeed as owner of the Yankees, you have to be a servant — a servant to the history and legacy of the Yankees.” (New York Post interview, Oct. 31, 2009)
Steinbrenner on Business
“My dad never let me have an allowance. He gave me chickens. I had to feed them, gather the eggs, and sell them. I kept ledgers. I had to run it like a business. When I went off to military school, I sold the business to my sisters for too much, and they haven't liked me since.” ( Interview in Esquire Magazine, Jan. 2002 edition)
Steinbrenner on Leadership
“If you can't sit in the saddle, you can't lead the charge.” ( USA Today interview, Feb. 27, 2006)
Steinbrenner on Hard Work
“If you haven't got a hernia yet, you ain't pulling your share.” ( Interview in Esquire Magazine, Jan. 2002 edition)
Steinbrenner on Broccoli
"Every single day of my life I try to do two things that I don't like doing," he says. "[Eating] broccoli is one of them." (Sports Illustrated interview, May 10, 2004 edition)
Steinbrenner on Leadership
"The rate of the pack is determined by the speed of the leader." ( Interview in Esquire Magazine, Jan. 2002 edition)
Steinbrenner on Inspiration
“I like every cab driver, every guy that stops the car and honks, every truck driver. I feed on that. That keeps me working hard to be able to afford to do the things that we do." (Sports Illustrated interview, published May 10, 2004)
Steinbrenner on Humor
“Don't ever get so serious that you can't laugh at yourself.” (Interview in Esquire Magazine, Jan. 2002 edition)
Steinbrenner on Yankee Fans
“Think of those 50,000 people in the stands and everybody watching on TV. They are the most loyal and dedicated fans in sports.” (New York Post interview, published Oct. 31, 2009)
Steinbrenner on Yankee Stadium
”The original Yankee Stadium will always be a cathedral of baseball, but everything changes.” (New York Daily News interview, published July 1, 2007)
Steinbrenner on Charity
“I believe the good you do for others comes back to you," he says. "But if you do something good for some person and more than two people know about it—you and the other person—then you didn't do it for the right reason.” (Sports Illustrated interview, published May 10, 2004)
Catherine Galioto - Catherine Galioto is a Jersey Shore native who enjoys writing on a variety of topics. She has been published in online and local print ...
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