Meeting George Steinbrenner

It was 1984, and George Steinbrenner already had two, World Series trophies to his credit--and a big office suite in the original, Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. I was a 25 year old news writer for PIX 11, filling in, sometimes, as "on camera" reporter.

I wish I remembered the controversy that was swirling around the Boss at the time, but I don't.
That's surprising, because alot of my memory is encyclopedic, when it comes to the stories I've covered. It may have had something to do with Howie Spira, the gambler who accused Steinbrenner of paying him to dig up dirt on star slugger, Dave Winfield.

Anyway, I was sent to Yankee Stadium to get a "sound bite"--interview--with Steinbrenner, and I don't think the news desk had high expectations. They didn't know me--and I didn't know the Boss.

I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed when I entered the cavernous, glass-enclosed reception area of the Boss' outer offices. WPIX was the "Yankee station" at the time, so we had easier access getting in. That certainly didn't mean the Boss would come out to talk to me. But he did.

I remember he was warm. I remember that he gave me great, TV sound bites. I remember calling the news desk and telling the assignment editor I got Steinbrenner to talk. I remember feeling that this was a feather in my cap.

Eventually, I moved on to a full-time, staff reporter position at WPIX TV. And in 1986, George Steinbrenner was part of the celebrity committee that helped to refurbish the Statue of Liberty for her 100th anniversary in New York Harbor. There was a Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral--and a lunch at the Plaza hotel. Bob Hope attended--and so did the former Chairman of Chrysler, Lee Iacocca.

After shooting video of the lunch at the Plaza, we were in for a special treat. Turns out George Steinbrenner would serve as conductor of the U.S. Military band that was set to entertain.
To say he threw himself into the role would be an understatement. He waved his arms enthusiastically to lead the band--and his head kept rhythm with the beat. For me, it's a moment that remains frozen in time, and it certainly made me smile. I remembered that moment today, when I heard George Steinbrenner had died, at the age of 80. And I remembered his kindness to me, giving me a "sound bite" he didn't have to bother with, when I was just a young reporter, starting out.

I covered three, World Series parades, when the Yankees had their great run in the 90's.
For the 2nd parade, in 1998, I rode on a flatbed truck and had the same "vantage point" as the star players riding up the "Canyon of Heroes". I recall looking down the side streets, as we traveled up Broadway, and seeing dozens of rows of people squeezed in at every corner. It was an amazing glimpse of humanity, and I remember gazing up to the sky and saying "Thank you, God" for an experience like this. Tonight, when I wrote my story about George Steinbrenner's life and times, I found vintage footage of the Boss talking about the night Reggie Jackson hit three home runs in a single World Series game. He talked about Jackson pointing up at the sky, after the final homer, perhaps acknowledging a heavenly power. But then came the punch line: "But then I thought he might be pointing up to me, because I was in the box." It was classic Steinbrenner, and a great moment in the piece.

My son was born in 1996, the year the Yankees reclaimed their dynasty, after an 18 year dry spell. Beginning that year, George Steinbrenner would win five, more World Series titles, before his death in July 2010. He was born on the 4th of July, so it's worth noting he was a =real= Yankee Doodle dandy!

Mary Murphy
PIX 11 News
7/13/10