Yankees Drank from Giant Steinbrenner

George Steinbrenner came into this world with a bang on the 4th of July. A life of 80 years was commemorated at MLB's All Star Game Tuesday night when he died that morning of a massive heart attack.

For all the easy, convenient, accurate, and appropriate attacks on the man, one thing cannot be denied. He was a fighter, an innovator, a visionary, and a champion. Greater than 25% of the team's 40 American League Penants 27 World Series were under his reign.

The dictator King George ruled harshly without hesitation, and contributed selflessly to the lives of those less fortunate than him with unmitigated modesty and annonymity. All the while sustaining through 4 decades a Yankee spirit that transcended the team and its championship titles to the fans who celebrated them throughout the world.

For all the glory he earned, he just as bravely stood defiantly in the face of criticism. All he insisted on was achieving excellence, and settling for nothing less than complete focus on his goals by those whom he had charged with responsibility.

Short is the list of great accomplished men without detractors.