Does George Steinbrenner Belong In The Hall of Fame?

Interesting piece by Kevin Kernan in The NY Post today. Kernan, as always, sings the praises of everything and anything pinstripe-related, and in the aftermath of yesterdays unveiling of the George Steinbrenner plaque in Monument Park, Kernan presents a piece simply titled: Enshrine The Boss.

The piece discusses a thought many New Yorkers have already begun considering: whether the late George Steinbrenner deserves to have a plaque in the Baseball Hall of Fame. According to Kernan, The Boss “reshaped the team, won seven World Series title and dominated the baseball stage. For that, he should be in the Hall of Fame.” And former Yankee manager Joe Torre echoed these feelings, saying quite bluntly “(Steinbrenner) belongs in the Hall.”

Here’s what a hand-full of NY Sports Digest writers and contributors had to say on the subject:

Michael Klopman, Sports Page Huffington Post – Not only was George Steinbrenner the greatest owner in baseball history, he was arguably the best owner in all of sports. However, no owner has even been inducted. If they were to start including owners, Steinbrenner would be the man to start with, so I say yes. His impact on the game is too big for the Hall of Fame to ignore. Vote: YES

Stephen Florival, Columnist – Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Mariano Rivera, Joe Torre and Bud Selig.  Moments before a momument honoring Steinbrenner was unveiled, these were the men who walked towards infamous monument park in Yankee Stadium to honor “The Boss”.  A Hall of Fame catcher, Hall of Fame slugger, a future Hall of Fame manager and closer and the commissioner of Baseball.  Don’t you think George Steinbrenner should be inducted into the Hall of Fame? Vote: YES

David Serraro, Columnist - George Steinbrenner should NOT be in the Hall of Fame. The same people who once said Steinbrenner’s free-spending was bad for baseball now want him to be inducted into the Hall. So, which one is it?? Vote: Nope

Cooper L. Train, Columnist - Unless you count Nolan Ryan, no owner has ever been inducted into the Hall. If they ever intend to buck that trend, however, George has to be the guy. To tribute Comic Book Guy: Best. Owner. EVER.Vote: YES

Mark C. Rinaldi, Columnist – Like it or hate it, Steinbrenner belongs in the Hall of Fame. Besides winning seven World Series Rings, the man chaged baseball forever when he signed Catfish Hunter from Oakland and Reggie Jackson from Baltimore. The man virtually invented free agency. Vote: YES

Harry Doyle, Special Contributor – This old Tribesman doesn’t think a whole hell of a lot of the so-called “Boss.” Who could forget that 1989 classic one-game playoff when Jake Taylor bunted home Willie Mays Hayes from second to lift the Indians over the Yanks? Made me totally forget about the five world titles they’ve won since then, (or was that the hooch?) Also, Steinbrenner was born on the banks of the mighty Cuyahoga and left it for filth-infested New York. But I’m voting for him for the Hall for one reason: that man put his rep on the line for a great American, President Richard Nixon. (What’s that? I lost my BBWAA membership in 1977? Gosh darnit.) Vote: Yes

Eric Marmon, Senior Editor – Two words: Howie Spira. Vote: Nope

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Tags: George Steinbrenner, Joe Torre, Yankees