Longtime New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died Tuesday morning, his family confirmed in a statement.
“It is with profound sadness that the family of George M. Steinbrenner III announces his passing. He passed away this morning in Tampa, Fla., at age 80,” the family said in a statement.
“He was an incredible and charitable man. First and foremost he was devoted to his entire family — his beloved wife, Joan; his sisters, Susan Norpell and Judy Kamm, his children, Hank, Jennifer Jessica and Hal; and all of his grandchildren.
“He was a visionary and a giant in the world of sports. He took a great but struggling franchise and turned it into a champion again.”
The Steinbrenner family said that funeral arrangements will be private, however details about an additional public service will be announced at a later date.
The New York Daily News reported that Steinbrenner died around 6:30 a.m. ET Tuesday in Tampa, Fla.
WABC-TV in New York reported that Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ owner since 1973, suffered a massive heart attack.
Steinbrenner, who celebrated his 80th birthday on July 4, was taken to a Tampa hospital after emergency crews responded to his home Monday night.
Steinbrenner gave his sons, Hal and Hank, day-to-day control of the team in late 2007.
He told The Associated Press last week that he was “feeling good” after spending a couple hours in his office at the Yankees’ spring training complex.
Under his ownership, the Yankees have won 11 AL pennants and seven World Series titles.
Source: ESPN
