TAMPA, Fla. — George Steinbrenner, the iconic owner of the New York Yankees, died early Tuesday. He was 80.
Steinbrenner was reportedly pronounced dead around 6:30 a.m. ET at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Fla., where he was rushed after suffering an apparent heart attack.
"He was an incredible and charitable man," his family said in a statement issued by the Yankees. "First and foremost he was devoted to his entire family — his beloved wife, Joan; his sisters, Susan Norpell and Judy Kamm, his children, Hank, Jennifer Jessica and Hal; and all of his grandchildren.
"He was a visionary and a giant in the world of sports. He took a great but struggling franchise and turned it into a champion again."
Steinbrenner has been the principal owner of the New York Yankees since 1973. The storied franchise won seven World Series titles during his reign, the most recent coming last year.
His death was the second in three days to rock the Yankees. Bob Sheppard, the team's cherished public address announcer from 1951-07, died Sunday at 99.
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