Died in Tampa this morning , He was eighty years old.
TAMPA - A source close to George Steinbrenner says the longtime New York Yankees owner died this morning.
Emergency crews responded to Steinbrenner's home in Tampa late Monday; he was suffering from heart issues.
"I know of no one who has moved here from somewhere else who has done more for this community than he did,'' said Tom McEwen, former longtime Tribune sports editor.
Longtime friend Leonard Levy said Steinbrenner was a great American and a great person.
"He wanted to win above everything else – and that was not only in baseball but everything else," Levy said.
The Boss celebrated his 80th birthday this month. He told the Associated Press last week that he was "feeling good" after spending a couple hours in his office at the Yankees' spring training complex.
Steinbrenner, who makes few public appearances, showed up in May for the dedication of the high school bearing his name. Steinbrenner, his wife and sons and other family members had a front-row seat in the auditorium of George M. Steinbrenner High School.
Though he didn't speak publicly, he smiled through the standing ovations from the crowd and the thanks bestowed by school officials.
Recognized as a baseball maverick, Steinbrenner has deep roots in Tampa and is beloved here for his philanthropy, generosity and community spirit.
