NY Daily News: George Steinbrenner, a towering and intimidating figure who dominated the New York sports scene for 35 years, winning 11 American League pennants and seven world championships as owner of the Yankees, died Tuesday morning in Tampa after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 80.
"The Boss" - as he was so aptly named by his longtime antagonist, Daily News columnist Mike Lupica - died at around 6:30 a.m., barely a week after his Fourth of July birthday.
He had been suffering from failing health, the result of a series of strokes, for the past few years.
"It is with profound sadness that the family of George M. Steinbrenner III announces his passing," said a statement released by the Yankees.
"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."
Flags at City Hall were to be lowered in tribute. [MORE]
The sports world has lost a giant. The brash and controversial Steinbrenner helped to make the New York Yankees the super successful franchise it is today. Love him or hate him, New York and the Yankees owes him a lot.
Via: Memeorandum