George Steinbrenner Dies

I just saw on CNBC that George Steinbrenner, longtime owner of the New York Yankees, has died. Steinbrenner was a controversial owner due to his relationships with his managers over the years, and his willingness to spend huge money to buy the best talent money could buy in order to allow his team to be in the running for the World Series every year. For a long time, the tactic did not work, but ultimately his management team was able to blend good chemistry among the star players and role players.

Unfortunately, Steinbrenner epitomized what is wrong with baseball today, unless you are a Yankee fan of course. Small market teams do not have the ability to compete every single year. Occasionally, a team like Tampa Bay or Florida is able to have a good team, but then the owner are forced to trade their high priced free agents. Ultimately, it is the California teams along with the New York teams, Philadelphia and Boston who are able to compete year in and year out. Small market teams in Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Kansas City have not been competitive for years.

Steinbrenner is to blame because it was he who started the trend of paying huge money to free agents starting with Reggie Jackson in the 1970's. While his winning legacy will long be remembered by Yankee fans, he will be long despised by fans in these other cities.