The Bosses of the Bronx: A Legacy
Mike Vaccaro’s upcoming book, “The Bosses of the Bronx,” which explores over five decades of the Yankees under the Steinbrenner family, is set for release on March 24th by Harper Books. Below, you’ll find the third excerpt shared with the Post.
The captaincy of Thurman Munson was a significant moment for George Steinbrenner, solidifying his role as an influential owner, even if referred to as the honorary boss now. Steinbrenner made that pivotal choice 45 years after Lou Gehrig’s passing.
With a background as a Big Ten coach, Steinbrenner maintained his football mindset, viewing his captains—like Graig Nettles, Willie Randolph, Ron Guidry, and Don Mattingly—in a unique and affectionate manner.
And then, there was Derek Jeter.
Steinbrenner took one last flight to New York, a journey that had initially been a cramped bus ride promising first-class travel. He has since made that trip countless times on his private jet.
At nearly 80 and relying on a wheelchair, he wasn’t about to miss the 2010 season’s home opener on April 13th. By this time, “Boss Watch,” the group of reporters monitoring the stadium, had faded away. He arrived comfortably in Box 44.
Jeter and Joe Girardi made a surprise visit, walking over from the Yankees’ clubhouse to deliver Steinbrenner his World Series ring personally. Jeter noticed his boss was wearing two rings: one from 2000 and the other from Ohio State.
With a laugh, Jeter said, “Boss, please take off your Ohio State ring.”
In response, Steinbrenner’s excitement was palpable as he pointed at Jeter and playfully retorted, “Michigan!”—this connection stemming from Jeter’s early draft days. Jeter then switched rings, trading his 2000 for the 2009 version, which elicited applause. Later, the scoreboard captured Steinbrenner donning sunglasses as “My Way” played, a fitting tribute during the game.
Everyone eagerly awaited as Jeter took his turn to bat, acknowledging, “If it wasn’t for him, none of us would be here and the stadium wouldn’t be here. He will always be The Boss.”
A short time later, during the All-Star Game press conference, Jeter recalled being just 18 when Steinbrenner called him over with high expectations. That memory stuck with him.
Receiving the news of Steinbrenner’s heart attack was heavy, despite it not being entirely unexpected. He had celebrated his 80th just nine days earlier.
After some days of mourning, it became clear that he left a remarkable legacy behind, truly irreplaceable. The absence of a federal estate tax, which had expired earlier, safeguarded the Yankees for his family, ensuring a solid foundation going forward.
Reggie Jackson remarked on the uniqueness of Steinbrenner’s life, while Donald Trump noted the challenge in imagining it fully. Howie Spira held onto his grievances with Steinbrenner, grudgingly maintaining them well into the future.
Hank Steinbrenner, George’s eldest son, often brought a vibrant presence, sharing his thoughts freely and often relished stepping outside for a smoke afterward.
He had plenty of ideas, demonstrating that he was more than just an offshoot of his father, being equally forthcoming with the media. Reporters frequently turned to him for insights.
Hal Steinbrenner took a different approach. He preferred to operate behind the scenes, stepping into a leading role without much of a struggle after Hank chose to recede from the spotlight.
Hal made it clear that the Yankees were primarily a family business, even when times got tough, explaining that fans often wished for the days of his father’s more open spending, especially when the team faced challenges.
Reflecting on past investments, Hal would often chuckle at suggestions to ensure financial security for future generations, emphasizing their focus on the family business.
This narrative is essentially about an American family business entwined with the passions of baseball, illustrating a storied legacy in one city.
