[BleedGreen314]

Originally Posted by SDJETS

Right, that's why I said 10 years. George took over the team in 73 and was suspended for illegal campaign contributions. While he was gone, the team traded for Oscar Gamble (who of course George would trade away a few years later), Micky Rivers (who George then traded away to get Gamble back), Willie Randolph, and Ed Figueroa. That team then made it to the WS.

George than managed to avoid anything stupid or crazy for 4 years until he decided he could run the team the best and started making major decisions on players and managers (which he was already doing, but I don't think we need to get into the managers list). The trades losing Buhner, Tewksberry, Gura, Mcgee, McGriff, Leiter. The signings of Collins, Kemp, Whitson, Tartabull. The public embarrassments (Winfield, dental plan, Berra, Martin, Lemon, Michael etc).

The years George played a direct hand in making the team decisions they got worse and worse. George was at his best when he sat back, let the team run itself with qualified people, and handed out checks and expected results.

Point being, you don't want your owner making your personnel decisions and dictating things. You want him writing checks and demanding accountability. Period.

You have made great points all through the thread so far about Steinbrenner. All I want to point out is that in 1998 he finally made Brian Cashman the VP of baseball operations, and so far we have still got Mike Tannenbaum. I guess at some point, Steinbrenner knew his limitations. I would still argue that it shows his commitment to excellence...and at some point Woody is going to feel it in the checkbook and either 1: Sell or 2: hire a football GM.