George “The Boss” Steinbrenner once said in an interview with the AP, “I’m really 95 percent Mr. Rogers, and only 5 percent Oscar the Grouch.” Those who think he is a grouch may point to April 5, 1974, when Steinbrenner pleaded guilty to 14 criminal charges (and one for obstruction of justice) for making illegal campaign contributions to President Nixon. He was suspended for 15 months. Fay Vincent, baseball commissioner, banned Steinbrenner for life on July 30, 1990, after he asked Bronx gambler Howie Spira to dig up dirt on outfielder Dave Winfield. (He returned, and his Yankees won five more World Series titles.) “The Boss” has a fiery temper, too; he broke his hand slugging two men in the elevator of an LA hotel after the Yankees lost to the Dodgers in Game Five of the World Series on October 25, 1981.
While Yankees fans eventually grew to love his winning attitude, Steinbrenner was never popular outside New York. Fans will always think the Yankees just spend their way to titles.
LIST: George Steinbrenner’s Best Quotes, From the Stadium to Seinfeld