"It means a lot to my dad" - When Yankees chairman Hal Steinbrenner dedicated the 2009 World Series to ailing father George, who passed after 7 months
In 2009 when the New York Yankees won the World Series, principal owner George Steinbrenner couldn't attend the series finale due to illness. His son, Hal, and the rest of the team dedicated their 27th and record-extending title to "The Boss."
George Steinbrenner handed all Yankees baseball operations in 2008 and could only attend the first two regular season games in 2009. It wasn't until the home leg of the World Series, Games 1 and 2, that he went back to the Yankee Stadium to support his club.
While Steinbrenner couldn't be there in person for the title-clinching win in Game 6, his son, who spoke on behalf of the team, dedicated the victory to him.
"It means a lot to my dad, it means a lot to us because every body from the team on up wanted to win this for him, I mean, period, win it for him," Hal Steinbrenner said.
When asked about what his father felt about the victory, Hal said:
"It means a lot, he put 35 years of his life into this and nobody worked harder than him, and it means an awful lot and they are right, this was to be one for him."
Hank Steinbrenner's 'weird' feeling of not having their father around
Hal's older brother Hank Steinbrenner also spoke about his father, saying that his absence left him with an uncanny feeling. He also spoke about George's emotional side after learning of the victory.
"Very, very weird,'' said Hank. "Very strange. Very strange. But he's happy now. He was very teary-eyed. It meant everything.''
Most of the senior men in the Yankees roster — Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera — were part of the illustrious late 1990s dynasty that secured a three-peat. During that run, George's presence was a major motivating factor among them. So the players also celebrated their boss's contributions, as the jumbotron showcased the words "Boss, This is for You."
George Steinbrenner passed the following year on July 13, the day of that year's All-Star game. Since his passing, the Yankees have yet to win a World Series and add to their haul of 27 championships.