Marty Appel Priases The Softer Side Of Steinbrenner

Former Yankee publicist, author and baseball enthusiast Marty Appel, shared both his positive and negative experiences of working with George Steinbrenner ever since The Boss joined the franchise in January 1973.

"We were very excited for him because it was evident from the start that the man was a winner," said Appel."And for many years of lathargic finishes this was a breathe of fresh air."

He admitted that working for Steinbrenner was unpredictable and "crazy" but along with that craziness was another, less recognized side to The Boss; a softer side. Appel talked about how whenever the team returned from a successful road trip, Steinbrenner himself would personally greet the team at Kennedy airport, sometimes as early as three in the morning.

"He would be there with his driver to congratulate us and pass out $20 bills so everyone could take a cab home from the airport" the publicist recalled. "That was the other side."

Even on the worst days, "when you felt like punching a wall," Appel said that everyday put you in the middle of historic daily activity which always made working with the legend exciting.

As for the future of the Yankees, Appel believes that for now, things will remain the same.

"The modus oparendis has always been 'What Would George Do' and my own suspicion is that it will continue that way," he said. "But whether the family will want to own it or will cash in within the next decade, that remains to be seen."

Appel is currently the president of Marty Appel Public Relations, a PR firm based in New York that focuses on sports. He also has written a total of 18 books including children's biographies of former Yankees, Yogi Berra and Joe DiMaggio as well as contributed to a number of sports publications.

Written by Vanessa Misciagna