THE KINDER, GENTLER SIDE OF THE BOSS. HELPING OUT THE LOCAL KIDS
So many times we are saddened to hear the stories of those we admire having a side to their life that causes us to be disappointed. In Steinbrenner's case, he was well known in the Tampa community for philanthropy towards youth sports. This would seem to be at odds with his public persona as "The Boss".
The following story provides just some of the many examples.
Steinbrenner's benevolence extended to youth and high school sports
Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at 3:38 p.m.
By Times Staff
http://hometeam.tampabay.com/blog/2010/jul/14/steinbrenners-benevolence-extended-youth-and-high-school-sports/
George Steinbrenner, best known as the fire-and-brimstone owner of the New York Yankees, also dedicated himself to helping youth athletes live out their dreams. When Steinbrenner found out about a cause, he always opened his pockets — whether it was Little Leaguers or high schoolers playing in a state title game. He even annually held a banquet for high school coaches that featured eye-popping prizes. Here’s a look at some of Steinbrenner’s most notable efforts.
Unlike the Major League Baseball landscape he forcefully roamed, Steinbrenner’s utopian vision of prep athletics wasn’t segregated into haves and have-nots.
Steinbrenner, himself a former coach, delighted in giving all kids the opportunity to perform on the grandest stages. Case in point: the fall football jamboree he financed five years (1994-98) at Tampa — later renamed Houlihan’s — Stadium.
Each year, eight to 10 Hillsborough County teams would converge at the stadium on a rotating basis, so every school would get a chance to play on NFL turf and suit up in an NFL locker rooms.
“We were about to go on the field, and he’s sitting on a metal folding chair,” recalled Robinson coach Mike DePue, then a Knights assistant. “I went over and thanked him and he said, ‘This is what I do.’ He was just a generous man.”
For the past 21 years, Steinbrenner hosted a coaches banquet for Hillsborough County public and private school coaches.
For many, the event — affectionately known as the “coaches prom” — was the highlight of the year. About 25 prizes were given away at each banquet, including trips to New York and Hawaii and even a car.
The event now draws about 1,200 annually.
And I don't want to hear the argument that "He's rich, he should do that." There are many others, rich and poor, who NEVER find the time to help those less fortunate or in need. His civic example will be missed and was probably not heralded enough while he was around.
The flip side to this reinvigoration of Yankee Pride is the story from Bill Madden of the New York Daily News that not one Yankee player, current or former, saw fit to be at the memorial services for Yankee PA announcer and family member, Bob Sheppard.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2010/07/16/2010-07-16_yanks_fail_to_show_stripes.html
At Bob Sheppard's last Mass Thursday, his friends and family were reminded what it was like to be in the presence of "a good and decent man" who, as a husband, father, athlete, wartime naval officer, teacher and public address announcer, lived about the most perfect life, for 99 years, as anyone God ever placed on this Earth.
It was just too bad that not a single player whose name Sheppard introduced, ever so properly and eloquently, over 57 years as the Yankees' P.A. announcer, was among those paying their final respects to the "Voice of God." Even if one player - certainly one among the former players employed by the team for this very purpose - would have shown up, it would have provided the touch of class George Steinbrenner always made sure to exhibit in these circumstances.
YOU STRUCK OUT HERE, DEREK. WAY TO STEP UP AND BE THE CAPTAIN!!!
Members of the Sheppard family, did not publicly show any animosity for the slight--perhaps exhibiting that grace and dignity ran throughout their family--but once again, as the Yankee captain, how can Derek Jeter not show up? The same Derek Jeter that has publicly stated that he wants "The Voice of God" to posthumously introduce him for every AB of his career. And Jeter can't even stay in town and be there for the family? WHAT A DISGRACE!!
It's been a tough week, no doubt, for the Yankees, who are mourning the loss of Steinbrenner, which came on the heels of Sheppard's death on Sunday. Sheppard, especially, probably would not have felt slighted that no player, past or present, was among the hundreds paying their respects at the Church of Saint Christopher in Baldwin, L.I.
As his son, Paul Sheppard, put it: "My father was a man of such humility. He could not understand why anyone would want his autograph."
Nice job, Jeter. When you can use the guy like a prop to enhance your image, it's all good. But then when it's time for you to pay your respects, your FINAL respects, you have to go back to Tampa. For what, did you forget to turn the lights out when you left spring training? RIDICULOUS!!
SHAME ON THE 2010 YANKEES!!
