Sachem Remembers George Steinbrenner

He demanded winning. He put it behind only breathing in importance. He changed professional sports forever. George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees, died Tuesday in his home in Tampa, Fla. He was 80.

Since purchasing the Yankees from CBS in 1973, 'The Boss" won seven World Series titles, along with 11 American League championships.

Steinbrenner made a name for himself as an owner in the most passionate sports town in the country, with the greatest fans. He led by example, and wanted nothing more than to please Yankee fans and stick it to the enemy.

"I don't think even he realized how beloved he was by the people of New York and by most importantly New York Yankee fans," said Greg Cimino, 22, of Farmingville. "A true icon in sports history and will be truly missed in the game of baseball. I think he should be without any questions in the baseball Hall of Fame for his impact on the sport."

Facebook and Twitter statuses erupted after news broke of Steinbrenner's passing, with writers and fans alike expressing their sadness over the passing of the Yankee owner from coast to coast.

One of the more light-hearted messages that passed through the Twitter-scope was by comedian Michael Ian Black, who said "Somewhere in heaven, Billy Martin just got fired." Martin was hired and fired by Steinbrenner five times.

"I was upset when I found out he passed," said Nicole Ratto, 21, of Ronkonkoma. "He was the best owners of any sports team and I thought he did a great job as their owner."

Even Met fans have respect for the man who forever changed America's pastime. "What he did for baseball was amazing," said Nick Pearl, 22, of Holbrook. "He was able to turn the Yankees and New York baseball into a world-wide name. He did things for baseball I don't think anyone can ever match.

"As a Mets fan, I am anti-George, but as a baseball fan there is no denying the man his credit for what he did for the game. The man wanted to win so he spent money to win."

"Steinbrenner was a man I loved to hate," said Bob Gallagher, 46, of Port Jefferson Station. "He was a true character in New York sports and did everything he could- both good and bad- to bring championships to the Yankees. As a Mets fan, he frustrated and annoyed me, mostly because I wanted a Mets owner to try as hard."

Steinbrenner was known throughout the sport not only for his work on the field, but his philanthropic donations off it.  

He made many contributions to education, including donating money to fund a new high school in Lutz, Florida. The high school, fondly christened George Steinbrenner High School, opened last August.

In 1982 he founded the Gold Shield foundation, dedicated to providing support to the families of police officers and firefighters who were killed in the line of duty.

Shaun Morash, 23, of West Babylon, personally felt Steinbrenner's generosity. In October 2003, Shaun's uncle Thomas, a West Palm Beach, Fla. police officer, was killed in the line of duty.

"When he was killed, it was a huge story in Florida during the Yankees and [Florida] Marlins World Series," said Morash. "At the funeral, I spoke and talked about a time we went to a Yankee game. The speech made it on the news that night, and the next morning, the chaplain said we had an anonymous donation from the Yankees." They were given 50 tickets to game seven of the World Series.

"For George to do that and not want public attention for it just showed what a great heart he had. For that personal moment and for all the great memories growing up as a Yankee fan I owe Steinbrenner a lot," said a somber Morash.

Baseball and sports in New York will never be the same with the passing of "The Boss."

What else they're saying ...

At Momo's Sports Bar & Grill in Holbrook

Lisa, 23, the bartender there went to Sachem but now lives in Patchogue and is a "huge Yankees fan." ... "I think he was definitely an amazing person.  The Yankees were lucky to have him with seven World Series and 11 pennants as owner.  He was definitely somebody that valued what the fans had to say.  He respected what the Yankees were about and understood it really wasn't just about being a baseball team.  He did a good job of making it feel like it wasn't just his team it was everybody's team who was a fan."

An anonymous 38 year old businessman from Holbrook ...  "I feel George Steinbrenner was more about the team brand; no one player is important enough. It's about the team, the Yankees because, that's where he made his money—it's about the franchise."

Ursula Carger, 48, Holbrook ... "He made the Yankees.  He changed baseball, he changed the standards and he was on Seinfeld.  Everyone seemed to perceive that he was angry but, he did a good job and everybody wanted to play for the Yankees.  It makes you wonder what's going to happen."

Keith, 45, Holbrook ... "I know he made his money in shipping it shows he's a good businessman.  I know he made anonymous donations.  It's tough being the boss.  He seemed like a good guy—he liked to win."

The Irish Times Pub in Holbrook

Chris, 44, Holbrook ... "They took a big hit; the announcer, Bob Sheppard, died on Sunday.  He was 99 years old. ... There were two big Yankee losses in the past couple of days."

Keith DeLuise, 37, Holbrook ... "I thought he was the greatest businessman in sports history.  He bought the team for 8.7 million and now it's worth in the billions."

Wayne Heler, 40, lives in Wading River but grew up in Ronkonkoma and is a Sachem graduate ... "I grew up watching the Yankees.  I am a Yankee fan.  During the late '70s and early '80s I didn't like the position he took with the team and players.  The people that made him very powerful and very rich sometimes he treated disrespectfully.  He treated some of them as commodities, throwaways.  When they didn't perform the way he wanted them to he threw them away.  I know it's a business but, these are people too."

Chris Holz, 32, Holbrook ... "He changed the face of baseball and made the Yankees what they are today.  He always wanted to win and put a winning team on the field.  In my opinion he's the best owner of all time."

Gavin "Gooch" Chamberlain, 32, Holbrook ... "He always provided a good atmosphere for Yankee fans through good times and bad."

Bruno's Village Restaurant in Lake Ronkonkoma

Dougy Brohan, 53, Lake Ronkonkoma owner of Bruno's ... "George is great.  Once a Yankee always a Yankee, he was a true businessman.  George threw me out of Yankee Stadium; I asked for his autograph and he told his bodyguard to get these assholes out of here, while he was directing traffic after a game. His sons are going to carry on. George M. Steinbrenner always knew how to grab a headline.  He was born on the Fourth of July and died the morning of the All-Star Game.  His death was bigger than the All-Star Game.  During a time of lull in baseball he was a headline. He waited for Bob Sheppard to die so he could be announced properly into heaven.  Now entering the Pearly Gates George M. Steinbrenner." 

Matthew Mauro, 28, Holtsville, a teacher at Grundy Ave. Elementary School and a lacrosse coach for Sachem North and a Red Sox fan.  His father lives in Boston and he has spent a lot of time there ... "My condolences on the death of George Steinbrenner however, let's go Red Sox."

Shana Braff contributed to this story.