THE Steinbrenner YANKEES; Then and Hal

The New York Yankees are the richest team in MLB. In fact, they are the 2nd richest in all of sports (NFL – Dallas Cowboys at 8 Billion) yet here we are 14 years after George Steinbrenner’s passing, and this team has won only one World Series since.

Steinbrenner owned the Yankees for 37 of his 80 years. Making him not just one of the longest-tenured owners in any sport, but one of the best-known as well. George would pay top dollar for players to win championships year in and year out. In 1980, Steinbrenner signed Dave Winfield to a 10-year, $23 million dollar contract making him the highest paid player in baseball at the time.

Prior to the 1977 season, Steinbrenner locked down Reggie Jackson. Mr. October himself, was given $3 million for 5 years. The Yankees would go on to win the World Series in 1977 and 1978. Other notable free agent George signees include some other big names; Wade Boggs, Alfonso Soriano, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield and of course slugger Alex Rodriguez.

George Steinbrenner’s teams won 11 pennants and 7 World Series Titles in those 37 years of ownership. Now, the Legacy has been passed down to his son Hal Steinbrenner. It has been a little different in Hal’s case as far as their winning mentality goes, George would do what it took to win at all costs. Hal hasn’t been so open with his checkbook. I will say Hal did the right thing by the Aaron Judge signing, if Hal would have let Judge walk in free agency there would have been a riot in NY one would assume.

Hal is not 100% to blame for the Yankees’ struggles to win or produce more titles. In the last 10 seasons the Yankees have made the play-offs 7 have won 6 play-off series with a winning percentage of 56.9%. But, they have 0 World Series victories to show for it. Baseball has changed, and like other sports has even evolved in the time since Hal has had the team. Teams have learned to developed better throughout their minor league systems. And once that good and affordable young talent gets to the big leagues they allow them to lose together in the hopes that they will eventually win together as well. Only a handful of teams hand out big money contracts, like was once done in the Bronx.

The Houston Astros since coming to the American League have been a thorn in the Yankees’ side and have won two World Series titles (2017 & 2022) since the Yankees last title in 2009. The bitter rival Boston Red Sox have two titles as well in that time frame (2013 & 2018).

Do you draft and develop like the Yankees did with Jeter, Posada, Pettitte, and Rivera to win a World Series? Do you trade your good young affordable talent for a top player like the Yankees did for Juan Soto this year? Does simply buying the best players work in modern MLB? Only 2 teams this century who had the highest payroll that season won that year’s World Series. The 2018 Red Sox and yes, the 2009 Yankees.

How should Hal do it? Leave your comments below.

By Rob Henderson

Photo Credits; northjersey.com, New York Times, Uncle Mike’s Musings

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