this is a fascinating piece. In fact, of all the articles have read about Steinbrenner since his passing, this is the only one that has me reconsidering his behavior.
So just as you have divulged your biases, I will divulge mine: I despise George Steinbrenner. Not only is he “The Boss” of the team I unabashedly resent, and which of course is the most titled team in American sports, but he happens to be pompous, cruel, and according to history, crooked. This is the Steinbrenner I (chose) to remember. Of course, there is another Steinbrenner, the stalwart but loving leader, the charitable man, the caring father. Try as I might to negate the latter, I can’t help but notice the contradictions.
Your argument that this seeming paradox masks a core consistency is convincing. His passions ruled him– and, perhaps, that is why he is so beloved and hated (sometimes by the same people). The Boss confuses us. He makes us happy. He makes us angry. Whatever he does, he makes us FEEL something.
After reading your piece I couldn’t help but notice a striking similarity to another famous character….God. Particularly, the God of the Old Testament, the God of Abraham, David, and Moses. This Boss also demands respect, loyalty, and obedience. This Boss is just as petulant and cruel– yet also loving and caring. This Boss’s incongruous behavior is just as hard to reconcile.
After your reading your piece, some of these contradictions are less perplexing. It is doesn’t mean I accept any of this. I can’t excuse the cruelty, nor can I understand all this worship of such vain figures! Maybe that explains why The Boss remains a jerk in my mind (though a winning jerk no doubt)….and why I remain an atheist.