[h1]MLB owners approve shift of control of Yanks from George to Hal Steinbrenner[/h1]
Associated Press
Updated: November 20, 2008, 12:52 PM ET
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NEW YORK -- Major League Baseball owners approved the shift of control of the New York Yankees from George Steinbrenner to his son, Hal, on Thursday.
Hal Steinbrenner and his brother, Hank, took over most of the daily operation of the Yankees from their father last fall. George Steinbrenner bought the Yankees in 1973 and became one of the most high-profile owners in all of sports, polarizing fans across the country with his bluster and deep pockets.
"My dad, needless to say, is a tough act to follow," Hal Steinbrenner said.
At 78, George Steinbrenner has been in fragile health, resulting in fewer public appearances and pronouncements. He delivered the balls for the ceremonial first pitches from a golf cart at July's All-Star game at Yankee Stadium, but stayed home in Florida to watch the park's final game on television.
The Yankees have won six World Series titles during his reign.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Thanks for everything Boss
Originally Posted by onewearz
Young men with lots of money tend to wear expensive clothing. That is not to say it's always tasteful, however.
For just about all of the Yankees, especially the younger ones, the t-shirt of choice is made by the designer Christian Audigier. These run for around $175. You read that right, $175.
Mike Mussina found this endlessly hilarious.
As teammates would come into the clubhouse, Mussina would invariably roll his eyes when somebody walked by wearing one of the gaudy designer t-shirts. "I wouldn't sleep in that," he said one day, pointing at the shirt one rookie was wearing. "I'm serious."
The Moose gets his t-shirts on line and they cost $20. One day he would come in wearing a Sanford and Son shirt, the next day would be The A-Team. He wasn't out to impress anybody.
I think that's why he retired. He wasn't out to impress anybody. Perhaps you or I would be motivated by the idea of winning 300 games or making another $10 million or winning a championship. But Mussina was more interested in spending time with his wife and sons. Brycen is 9 and Peyton is 4 and he wants to watch them grow up. They're at that age now where having their dad around all the time means something.
A lot of ballplayers say how much their families mean to them and to some extent it's probably true. But living the life and making some bank usually wins out. By walking away while still healthy and still able to pitch at a high level, Mussina shows that he really means it.
The Yankees will say the right things about him, but Mussina will not be missed by many in the clubhouse. For years, his closest friend on the team was bullpen catcher Mike Borzello. The Moose liked to read, work on crossword puzzles and search on line for old cars to purchase and fix up. If the Yankees had a day off, he immediately went home to Pennsylvania. In the eight years he spent with the Yankees, he probably went into Manhattan 10 times. He had a house in Westchester and he knew how to get to Yankee Stadium. That's all he really cared to know. He liked his privacy.
A few people have e-mailed asking if Mussina will become a coach or a broadcaster. Forget it; he will be a ghost as far as baseball is concerned. Mussina is not somebody who wants to sit around talking about the old days or trying to teach some kid (in a $175 t-shirt) how to throw a curveball.
He did not suffer fools well, especially reporters who asked silly questions. ("What do you want now?" he would say at first before smiling) But if you had a story to write and you needed some perspective, nobody was better to talk to. He also was one of the few Yankees you could engage in a conversation about something other than baseball. For those of us who write about the team, it's a loss. Not having the Moose and The Big G around will cut down on the laughs.
Back in 2002 or 2003, I was assigned to cover a game Mussina pitched in. He took the loss and when reporters gathered around his locker afterward, nobody was sure what to ask for a few seconds. Mussina looked over the crowd and simply said, "Bueller? Bueller?"
If you get that, you get the Moose.
Here's hoping that in five or six years, Mussina gets inducted in the Hall of Fame. Now that would be a good speech.
Mussina retires....
This release from the Yankees:
Five-time All-Star Mike Mussina today announced his retirement from Baseball. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Mussina becomes the first pitcher to retire immediately following a 20-win season since Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax exited the game following his 27-9 campaign in 1966.
Mussina, 39, was a member of the Yankees pitching staff from 2001-08, compiling a record of 123-72 with a 3.88 ERA. Since signing with the Yankees as a free agent prior to the 2001 season, no other American League pitcher recorded more wins than Mussina. He struck out 1,278 batters in pinstripes, ranking sixth on the club's all-time list. His 72 wins at Yankee Stadium were the third-most since 1976 when the facility was remodeled, behind Ron Guidry (99) and Andy Pettitte (95).
With a 123-72 record, he finished 51 games over .500 with the Yankees while going 66 games over .500 with Baltimore (147-81). According to Elias, he joins Randy Johnson as the only pitchers since 1900 to own a career record of at least 50 games over .500 with two different teams (Johnson was 130-74 with Seattle, 56 games over, and 118-62 with Arizona, 56 games over).
Mussina reached the 20-win plateau for the first time in his career in 2008, going 20-9 with a 3.37 ERA in 34 starts for the Yankees. At age 39, he became the oldest pitcher in Baseball history to record 20 wins in a season for the first time in his career, passing Jamie Moyer (20 wins in 2001 at age 3. He also became the Yankees' first 20-game winner with an ERA lower than 3.40 since Ron Guidry went 22-6 with a 3.27 ERA in 1985.
In addition, Mussina earned his seventh career Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2008 (also 1996-99, 2001 and 2003).
Mussina pitched 18 years in the Majors from 1991-2008, making 536 combined starts (537 appearances) with the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles and posting a 270-153 record with a 3.68 ERA and 2,813 strikeouts. Only three pitchers recorded more wins than Mussina during his time in the Major Leagues. He reached 15 wins in a season 11 times, including a career-high 20 victories in 2008, and placed in the top five in Cy Young Award voting six times in his career.
Pitching his entire career in the American League East Division, Mussina finished tied with Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes for 32nd place on Baseball's all-time wins list after surpassing Jack Morris (254), Jim McCormick (265), Gus Weyhing (265), as well as Hall of Famers Bob Gibson (251), Carl Hubbell (253), Red Faber (254), Ted Lyons (260), Bob Feller (266), Eppa Rixey (266) and Jim Palmer (26
Mussina's .638 career winning percentage is sixth-best all-time among Major Leaguers with at least 500 career starts and ranked second among active pitchers (Randy Johnson-.64
A native of Montoursville, Pa., Mussina retired as one of just 18 pitchers in Major League history to own a career record of at least 115 games over .500 (270-153). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, twelve of those pitchers are currently in the Hall of Fame, five are not eligible yet (Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez and Mussina) and one only pitched in nine seasons (Bob Caruthers).
He is the only American League pitcher to record 17 consecutive seasons of 10-or-more wins (1992-200
A master of control, Mussina walked only 785 batters in 3,562.2 career innings, averaging 1.98 walks/9.0IP. According to Elias, he is one of just three pitchers in AL history to toss at least 3,000.0 innings while holding opponents to fewer than
2.0 walks/9.0IP, joining Jack Quinn (1.96) and Cy Young (1.11).
Though he never won a World Series title, Mussina pitched in 23 playoff games (21 starts), going 7-8 with a 3.42 ERA. He twice appeared in the Fall Classic-both with the Yankees-in 2001 vs. Arizona and 2003 vs. Florida.
Originally drafted by Baltimore in the first round (20th overall) of the 1990 First-Year Player Draft, Mussina ranks second all-time among Orioles' pitchers in strikeouts (1,535) and winning percentage (.645, 147-81), third in wins (147), fifth in games started (28
Jeter on Mussina....
Agreed. I've always loved his mechanics and the way he pitches. Also he lands in perfect fielding position, I guess that'swhy he won the Gold Glove. Other pitchers should take notice.
Originally Posted by 4wrestling
Originally Posted by toine2983
Moose.
Thanks for the years of service, you will be missed.
Originally Posted by RavageBX
Originally Posted by 4wrestling
Originally Posted by toine2983
Moose.
Thanks for the years of service, you will be missed.
