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From Msnbc.com's Tom Curry and Carrie Dann
Politics and The Old Ball Game have often gone hand in glove, and George Steinbrenner was no exception.
The legendary Yankees owner, who died Tuesday, was one of the ever-dwindling links to the era of President Richard Nixon and one of the few people to achieve notoriety in both Major League Baseball and politics.
Steinbrenner’s political involvement spanned from the White House and the halls of Congress to the receiving end of a felony charge for a campaign finance violation.
Records at the Nixon presidential library show that Steinbrenner, then the chairman of the Cleveland-based American Ship Building Company, showed up at least twice at the White House during Nixon’s presidency: once as part of a group of Ohioans awarding Nixon a certificate from the Robert Taft Institute of Government and at a 1973 state dinner for the Japanese prime minister.
In 1974, the iconic sports executive was suspended from the sport for over a year after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge for having conspired to give an illegal $100,000 contribution to Nixon’s 1972 re-election campaign.
Steinbrenner was fined $15,000, but pardoned in 1989 by President Ronald Reagan.
(Despite his historical association with GOP commanders-in-chief, Steinbrenner’s political donations flowed on both sides of the aisle. He donated to many Democrats’ coffers, including those of Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa. His contributions appear to have not gone unheeded; he succeeded in winning millions in congressional appropriations for Navy vessels constructed by his ship-building operation.)
The felony charge haunted Steinbrenner after he returned to baseball. Yanks manager Billy Martin coined a famous 1978 taunt about slugger Reggie Jackson and Steinbrenner -- “one’s a born liar, the other’s convicted.”
But despite the controversy, Steinbrenner and the former president did not completely part ways. After leaving the White House in disgrace, Nixon used to appear from time to time as Steinbrenner’s guest in his box at Yankee Stadium to watch a game.
But one thing that The Boss appeared not to heed during his life was Nixon’s comparatively mellow philosophy about victory and defeat, as confided to New York Times sports columnist Ira Berkow after the two met during one of the former president’s trips to Steinbrenner’s box.
“Never be afraid of losing,” Nixon said, “because losing only has to be a temporary condition.”
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Hanging with "Tricky Dicky" and some hanky panky with election finance sure made him someone to emulate, right, Pubs?
Steinbrenner, in my mind, was just some filthy rich jerk who happened to own a baseball team. It kind of reminds me of the Oakland Raiders football team with a similar owner. But with that kind of money they can buy what they want and can get away with being a real jerk because they have what people want ($$$$$$$$).
"Steinbrenner, in my mind, was just some filthy rich jerk who happened to own a baseball team"
You have a very, very small mind then. Do some research. Look at what he paid for the Yankees. Then look and see how much they are worth now. You think that happened because of luck? When he bought the team he said they would win within 5 years. Guess what? They did.
How many owners, year after year, put a crappy team on the field and just keep collecting their fan's money (ex, Cubs, Orioles, Pirates, etc). George Steinbrenner would NEVER, EVER do that. He felt he owed it to them and to New York to have the best team possible. Every fan should be so lucky to have a team owner who thinks that way.
I immediately though Al Davis, earlier today - two sports franchise icons who will live in infamy.
So Steinbrenner died. Death is the true leveler. Reagan may have pardoned him, but he was still a convict. But then the people who aspire to public office aren't proud, they'll take anybody's money.
Alder, I would rather be associated with Richard Nixon than good ol Drunk murderer Teddy or crook Murtha any day
Really? Wow. If you really think Teddy murdered Mary Jo Kopechne then I guess I can see how you could form that opinion... but Murtha? I can see why you would think Murtha was crooked, but do you honestly think Murtha was more crooked than Nixon?
Crashing your car into water and then failing to rescue her or call for help is murder, period. Especially since it is believed that she had found an air bubble and likely lived for some time after the crash. A speedy call for help could have saved her. Your liberal hero was a murderer. And yes, Murtha was likely more crooked than Nixon, look it up. There really isn't any comparison....
Chances are Dan doesn't "honestly" think anything. Mary Joe Kopechne, god rest her soul, should get the world's greatest Darwin Award. If you don't know how to hold your breath and roll down a window........................ not that Teddy wasn't guilty of reckless disregard for her wellfare. But then again, wellfare is a bad thing.
Accordingto Ted, he dove in a bunch of times and tried to save her. If she was under water for several minutes and he wasn't able to rescue her then it was a reasonable assumption that she was dead and that calling for help could not save her. Calling for help would still be the right thing to do but if his story is true he would not be a murderer. Maybe he did just walk away and leave her for dead. The point is you don't know for certain what happened so you can't call it murder "period".
Murtha was crooked, but "There really isn't any comparison...."? I can't think of a better two to compare. They were both crooked.
You shouldn't be so quick to condemn the those who you disagree with politically while forgiving the sins of those who you do agree with politically.
..after thinking about this further... that is probably what you should do, since it will help to serve your political agenda. Having integrety will just get in the way of results.
Well involuntary vehicular homicide is hardly MURDER. Dumb and stupid string of events, I'll grant you; but hardly MURDER. You've been watching a little too much Matlock? no?
PS. Teddy spent a lifetime trying to make up for that event,...apparently you've spent a lifetime not letting it go. Who's the bigger fool? And who do you think G-d forgives more?
Meet Mr. John Boehner:
Political controversies
[edit] Connections to lobbyists
In June 1995, Boehner provoked contentions of unethical conduct when he distributed campaign contributions from tobacco industry lobbyists on the House floor as House members were weighing how to vote on tobacco subsidies.[15] Boehner eventually led the effort to change House rules and prohibit campaign contributions from being distributed on the House floor.[16]
[edit] Financial Crisis
On September 18, 2008, Congressman Boehner attended a closed meeting with congressional leaders, then-Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, and was urged to craft legislation to help financially troubled banks. That same day (trade effective the next day), Congressman Boehner cashed out of an equity mutual fund. He said his broker acted alone and did not consult with Boehner prior to making the trade.[17]
HELLO - A BROKER COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT A SIGNATURE. I KNOW I WORK FOR A BROKER. YOU HAVE TO HAVE PROOF THAT A CLIENT WANTS TO SELL!!!!! ANOTHER CROOK.
Didn't Martha Stewart serve JAIL time for just such an atrocity? Boehner's crooked and that's just ONE of the many ways. I will forever cherish my moment in the sun with him in August of 2007 we toured the capital and were able to sit in the gallery while a bill was being 'debated'. He made one of his infamous bone headed cracks about how gentile he was when THEY were in the Majority and if the NOW Majority would show him the same courtesy and respect,...you get the gist. Well from 60 feet away I SCOFFED OUT LOUD and caused no less than 200 members to look up to my section of the gallery. My Congressional Aide indicated that I shouldn't have done it, and I'd say I felt bad; but the crap was SO deep with what he was saying,...I honestlly couldn't contain my scorn. Priceless!
RIP Mr. Steinbrenner. I will never forget the memories. Especially the Billy Martin/Reggie Jackson years.
http://keitholbermann.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/07/george_steinbrenner_1930-2010.html
Here's Keith Olbermann's article on George Steinbrenner from his baseball blog. Also, Keith writes that he will have Joe Torre and Ken Burns on his program this evening to reflect on Mr. Steinbrenner. The segment should start about 8:40. I always look forward to Ken Burns and what he has to say on just about any subject. I have always found him to be a really nice person. And interesting.
Keith did wonderful tributes to George Steinbrenner, the ultimate person whom you either loved or hated ... Definitely no in between. But if you're a NYY fan, this must be difficult day for you all.
It was interesting listening to Keith talk about his interactions with The Boss throughout the years. Such wonderful memories for Keith.
yahd? lol
Ken Burns. He sure has a way of making a point in such a thoughtful way. He always does and I so enjoy listening to him. Doesn't matter what the subject is. He takes joy and passion in all things as he travels through life. We all should.
Joe Torre. As much a part of the NYY/Red Sox rivalry as anybody on this planet.
Amen