Opera Chic

George Steinbrenner (1930 – 2010)

 

Goodbye to The Boss. (Photo from this post)

George Steinbrenner: Another Love Besides The New York Yankees? Opera!

Opera Chic's never been shy about supporting her beloved Inter -- the cooler, awesomer, hawter pick of Milan's two soccer teams. But there's always room in her big, crispy heart for professional athlete warship and truth is that the New York Yankees were always her first love, growing up during the Steinbrenner years as loyal season ticket holders even when the Bronx Bombers totally sucked.

 

NY Yankee owner since the early 70s (and now in the early stages of Alzheimer's) he was known for his quick temper and stern rules, but dragged the Yankess from suckitude in the 80s to the victory of 11 pennants and 7 World Series titles. So are we surprised that such a man (who could make an entire league tremble from just a glare) would be an opera fan? Hell naw!

 

 

In Bill Madden's new book "Steinbrenner: the last lion of baseball", photos show the GM hanging out with fellow friends and NYC opera legends, late greats Robert Merrill and Berverly Sills. Merril, who was one of Steinbrenner's closest friends, would often sing the National Anthem at Yankees' Opening Day and Old Timers' Day in the South Bronx (in a jersey with the number ½).

 

Stenbrenner didn't just do baseball, he was also a pianist and loved classical music. In May 1987, the New York Pops called him up from the minors to guest conduct. It's so adorable. The Boss's b'day is on July 4 and he'll celebrate his 80th.  

 

 

(props to G&H for all their help with this post) :)