George Steinbrenner: Yankee owner, 9/11 memorial supporter

George Steinbrenner, who died Tuesday of a heart attack at age 80, is known for being the chief architect behind rebuilding the Yankees.  He was also a chief supporter behind helping to build the 9/11 Memorial.

“He was a champion who made New York a better place, and who always gave back to the city he loved,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement. “He has left an indelible legacy on the Yankees, on baseball, and on our city, and he leaves us in the only way that would be appropriate: as a reigning world champion.”

Under Steinbrenner’s leadership, the Yankees have made a number of contributions to help rebuild the city in the wake of 9/11 and create a lasting tribute at the World Trade Center. The Yankees organization donated $ 1 million to help build and sustain the 9/11 Memorial.  In 2007, the Yankees hosted a ceremony as part of the 9/11 Memorial’s national tour to help raise funds and awareness for the memorial at Steinbrenner Field, the ball club’s spring training facility in Tampa, Fla.

First responders, 9/11 family members and public officials attended the ceremony. During the event, the public was invited to sign a steel beam that is being used in the construction of the memorial. The beam, which weighs about 4 tons and is about 37-feet long, was signed by George’s son, Hal Steinbrenner.

The Yankees' support goes beyond donations. In the weeks after 9/11, Yankee Stadium was host to an interfaith “Prayer for America” service to help heal a grieving city and country. The event was televised around the world and helped victims’ family members, survivors, first responders, and the public come together in a meaningful way.

Read more here about a ticket stub from the September 23, 2001 prayer service donated to the museum’s permanent collection. In the collection, there is also a well-worn Yankees baseball cap donated to the museum by the family of Steven Morello, who was killed on 9/11.   

Through artifacts linked to the beloved Bronx Bombers, future visitors to the 9/11 Memorial Museum will learn more about the history of the Sept. 11 attacks and how New York City and the rest of the world responded.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff