It’s a sad day in baseball not simply because of COVID-19, but also because of the passing of Hank Steinbrenner.
Steinbrenner, co-owner of the storied baseball franchise New York Yankees, passed away at the age of 63 on Tuesday. Hank Steinbrenner was the oldest son of George Steinbrenner and one of four siblings who own controlling shares of the Yankees organization. A message from the team said Steinbrenner passed away at his home in Clearwater, Florida because of an already long-standing health issue.
The New York Yankees mourn the passing of General Partner and Co-Chairperson Henry G. “Hank” Steinbrenner. pic.twitter.com/rL07EUHirS
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 14, 2020
Hank was once the outspoken voice for the team from the 2007 season through the 2008 campaign. He was responsible for the club’s business and baseball operations which included contract negotiations and the club’s overall strategy. Hank desired to follow his fathers’ footsteps but in November of 2008, his brother Hal was put in charge.
The History
Hank Steinbrenner was born on April 2, 1957, in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the Culver Military Academy just like his father. That led to Hank attending Central Methodist College in Missouri. He took up the sport of soccer at an early age. After playing at Central Methodist, he coached the sport at Ocala Vanguard High School. His true indoctrination into the world of baseball began when his father George led a group to buy the Yankees from CBS in 1973.
Hank studied under some iconic managers in Lou Piniella, Woody Woodward, and Clyde King. Steinbrenner traveled with the team through the 1985 and 86 seasons but then focused on the Steinbrenner thoroughbred stable in Ocala, Florida. Since 1985 Steinbrenner was a vice president and director of Bay Farms Corp. He was also a member of the board of the Ocala Breeders Sales Co.
Steinbrenner also served as Minch Transit Co. chairman as well as vice president of Mid-Florida Hotels Corp. The miniature drag racer that he was, Steinbrenner coordinated a partnership with Gwynn Racing in 2000. From that came the Gwynn/Steinbrenner Yankees dragster on the National Hot Rod Association tour. Along with his son George Michael Steinbrenner IV, he formed Steinbrenner Racing in 2016. That group then took off taking part in the IndyCar Circuit in 2019.
Hank Steinbrenner is survived by daughters Jacqueline and Julia, sons George Michael IV and John, along with granddaughter Anabel and his three siblings.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
