The word "controversial" has preceded the name George Steinbrenner ever since the multimillionaire shipbuilder from Cleveland became the principal owner of the New York Yankees in 1973. Considered to have been the driving force behind baseball's escalating salary structure in the late 1970s and 1980s, Steinbrenner was loathed for his frequent criticism of his players and managers while being credited with bringing winning baseball back to New York City. Never one to shy away from the media limelight, Steinbrenner's brash personality and penchant for grabbing newspaper headlines often overshadowed his team's play on the field.

With his father's retirement from the family shipping business in 1963, George M. Steinbrenner III, a former football player for Ohio State University, was called upon to take over the company. With the millions he made in business, Steinbrenner returned to the sports world, attempting in the early 1970s to acquire...