Harrison Baseball Fans Remember The Boss

When people look back at long-time Yankees owner George Steinbrenner's life many will either remember the championship rings, the tumultuous attitude or the man who seemed to fire managers based on the day of the week.

Steinbrenner passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. Although the national image of the man has ranged from the ultimate competitor to the man who ruined baseball, some right here in Harrison will remember The Boss differently, as a man who liked to lend a helping hand off the field - almost as much as he liked to win on it.

Richard Salerno has been a staple here in the Harrison community for as long as many people can remember. He has been involved with the Harrison recreation as both the president of the Harrison Little League and the director of the town's summer camps. He remembers the Yankee owner for his charity and generosity to the youth programs in Harrison.

"The Yankees were very generous to us during their championship run in the late 1990s," Salerno said. "We always had some sort of connection to the organization, but the Yankees always gave us trinkets such as key chains and pennants for the kids and we will always be grateful for Mr. Steinbrenner's kindness."

In 2000 my brother Daniel Rinaldi had the opportunity to fly to then Legends Field with our family and sit in The Boss' seats next to the Yankee dugout. Daniel and my father were also invited into the Yankee locker room before the game to meet Yankee icons like Yogi Berra, Don Mattingly and Derek Jeter.

But what really sticks out with the teen was his thirty-second elevator ride with The Boss.

"My father and I went into the elevator and Mr. Steinbrenner looked at me and he started talking to me as if he knew me for a long time," Daniel said. "I asked him if he could sign a baseball for me and he did it without a problem. He said 'I normally don't sign balls but for you I will.' He signed the ball and gave it to me and I still have it close to me to this day."

Harrison's R.J. Suhre saw a Yankee game courtesy of the Make a Wish Foundation and though he never met the Yankee owner he felt his impact.

"I wish I got to meet the man, I really do," said Suhre. "When it comes to people in the world of sports his generosity was unmatched. He will be missed throughout baseball and I am thankful for the empire that he has turned the Yankees into."

Steinbrenner bought the Yankees from CBS in 1973 for about $10 million, the Bronx Bombers are now estimated to be worth over $1.5 billion and the team has appeared in the playoffs in 15 of the last 16 years. Steinbrenner's win at all coasts attitude bothered some people but for himself and others in the Yankee organization it was a way of life.

George Steinbrenner's legacy will be felt both near and far from baseball fields around the Bronx and surrounding areas. But whether you love him or hate him the truth is "King George" never cared what other people thought, he was only concerned with bringing New York a winning ball club.

Harrison baseball players Michael DeLacy and Peter Viscogliosi never met The Boss personally but as Yankee fans they are thankful for what Steinbrenner did with the team over the years.

"Steinbrenner took the Yankees from a really dark time and built them into a world renowned empire," said Viscogliosi. "He restored what it is to be a Yankee and really brought back a sense of pride, tradition and excellence to New York."

"It was very unexpected and upsetting," said DeLacy. "Because of him the Yankees are what they are today.