George Steinbrenner passed away today.  He was man who once said that after breathing, winning was his first priority.

Not being a New York fan in any way, shape or form, I really didn't loathe the man or love him either way.  All I know for sure is that when he took over the Yankees in 1973, they were an absolute mess, yet, in just a couple of years, they were champions again.  I also know they went into the tank in the mid '80s and really didn't come back until he made his strangest choice for manager: Joe Torre.

I admire the way that he wanted to win although his methods were a little extreme. Then again, they always say that about people who win and are vocal about it.  Knight. Lombardi. Ditka. 

In the end, he sort of faded away and was fairly quiet, largely because he was rumored to have Alzheimer's.

May he find peace on the other side of the mountain.  I'm sure the all-star game will be a lot more interesting up there tonight then it will be down here.

One more note.  If you believe that these things happen in threes, you understand that the Yankee family has suffered two huge losses in the last three days with the death of Bob Sheppard and now George Steinbrenner.  Yogi Berra may want to stay in bed for a couple of days.