---

Staff post about: George Steinbrenner Become an Author

Tweet

---

---

“I haven’t always done a good job, and I haven’t always been successful,” says Steinbrenner, “but I know that I have tried.”

From a little boy selling eggs to a big-time owner in the sports franchise industry, Steinbrenner hit a grand slam home run and landed himself right in the baseball big leagues. With 6 World Titles, 10 Pennants, and 13 Divisional Titles to his name, Steinbrenner has owned the Yankees for 35 years, 9 years more than any other owner in the game. How has he brought them to the top of the league?

Money: Steinbrenner once said that “Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next.” It was to that end that Steinbrenner was so willing to spend whatever it took to get the players he wanted – the players that were at the top of their games. He raised the bar, set new industry standards, and gave the city a team it could be proud of.

Culture: When a fellow Yankee died during Steinbrenner’s tenure, he said of the player, “He was both a good man, and a great Yankee.” Being a Yankee for Steinbrenner meant more than just taking the field and playing baseball a few times a week. It was about being a part of tradition, being a part of something great, being a winner. That is why he worked hard to foster a culture of success in his team.

Determination: “I will never have a heart attack,” Steinbrenner once said. “I give them.” Fans and critics alike have acknowledged that only Steinbrenner could get banned from the sport of baseball for life and be back on the field just three years later. Despite having a harsh personality and rubbing many people the wrong way, Steinbrenner worked hard to make sure he always wound up on top.

Focus: Family matters, political correctness, and good manners aside, Steinbrenner was focused on the bottom line. As passionate as he was for his team and the sport, Steinbrenner knew why he was in business and it was not to be a nice guy. It was to make a buck, and that is where he focused his energy.

Fans: “Our team played hard, but we let our fans down,” Steinbrenner said after one particularly poor Yankee performance. “We will do better.” More than perhaps any other baseball team owner, Steinbrenner recognized and paid attention to what the Yankee fans wanted, who they wanted on their team, and what kind of experience they were getting. It was by being loyal to his fans that they remained loyal to him.

Despite his lack of experience in the sports world, Steinbrenner’s gut instinct told him he would make a good baseball business man. He took that instinct and rode it for all he could. Love him or hate him, Steinbrenner revolutionized the game of baseball and has left an everlasting legacy.

Today, the New York Yankees is owned by Steinbrenner’s son, Hal, ensuring the team his father worked so hard to build will remain in the family.

Related Articles

  Defining Public Relations Success
  Lesson #5: Never Lose Sight of Your Fans
  Lesson #1: You Have To Spend Money to Make Money
  Lesson #3: The Boss Can Come Back
  The Public Relations Grand Slam
  From Shipping to Sports: Steinbrenner Makes His Move
  Making the Big Leagues: Baseball Great George Steinbrenner Gets His Start
  Lesson #4: Nice Guys Finish Last
  Lesson #2: A Company is More About the Culture You Create
  Andre Agassi Had the Wrong Big Goal
  Beating Your Own Best
  5 Network Marketing / MLM Intensive Care Actions You Must Take After You Sponsor A New Rep Into Your Business Before Their 63rd Day
  Difference Makers Have Courage
  Federer’s fifth-set stumble at the Australian Open
  The ABC Method of Memory Jogging
  Enlightened Millionaires: AHA Number 10
  George Steinbrenner
  Two Important Qualities
  Critical Thinking and the Wizards
  The Art of Negotiation

Related Forum Posts

Making Money in 2011
Re: Sports
Re: Quote of the Day - “Winning is the most important thing in m
Re: Marketing potential of virtual worlds
Re: Essential Leadership skills

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet