Thaindian News

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) — New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died on early Tuesday morning after suffering a massive heart attack while at his Florida home, his family said. He was 80.

Steinbrenner died at approximately 6.30 a.m. EDT after he had been rushed to St. Joseph’s hospital in Tampa on late Monday evening. “It is with profound sadness that the family of George M. Steinbrenner III announces his passing,” his 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.”

Only days ago, on July 4, Steinbrenner celebrated his 80th birthday and - while his health has been failing in recent years - there were no obvious signs recently that his health was further deteriorating.

Steinbrenner’s ownership of the club began in 1973, in which the Yankees earned 11 pennants and 7 World Series titles. Their most recent World Series trophies were in 1999, 2000 and 2009.

But, despite his success, he was also suspended from baseball after he was indicted in April 1974 on 14 criminal counts for allegedly making illegal campaign contributions to U.S. President Richard Nixon. He pleaded guilty to the charges on August 23, and was fined $15,000. His firm was assessed $20,000.

And while Major League Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn initially suspended him for two years, he later reduced the penalty to only fifteen months. Steinbrenner returned to the Yankees in 1976. And in 1989, President Ronald Reagan pardoned Steinbrenner.

Funeral arrangements will be private, his family said, but there will be an additional public memorial service with details to be announced at a later date.