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The One Difference Between Donald Trump and George Steinbrenner
Who blows the trumpet to hail the king?
Baseball fans one and all recall vividly that George Steinbrenner, majority owner of the New York Yankees from 1973–2010, was as outspoken and bombastic a character as ever graced (or disgraced depending on your point of view) the game.
George was no baseball man. He was a super-rich shipbuilder with a reputation for stiffing contractors despite all his wealth. Not surprisingly, George had stormy relationships with his managers and players owing to his regal attitude and especially, his ignorance when it came to the sport itself.
Sparky Lyle, an ace reliever for the team, actually co-authored a book titled “The Bronx Zoo” describing all the drama that George had sown in the locker room.
In his book, Lyle revealed (or claimed) that while watching his team play a game, George cheered when, with two men out and a man on third, one of his players grounded out, ending the inning.
Why would Steinbrenner be happy? He thought that the runner from third crossing the plate before the batter was called out at first meant the run counted. Steinbrenner’s presumption was exceeded only by his ignorance when it came to the sport.