George M. Steinbrenner III will join Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Miller Huggins as the only former Yankees to have actual stone monuments in Monument Park beyond the center field fence in Yankee Stadium.
The Steinbrenner monument will be unveiled in a ceremony on Sept. 20, prior to that night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Steinbrenner, the principal owner of the Yankees since 1973, died of a heart attack at 80 on July 13.
"And I think rightfully so, he should be honored,'' Joe Girardi said before last night's game. "I've always liked looking at the statue of him at Gate 2 and I look forward to seeing this. I think its a wonderful idea.''
The Steinbrenner family released a statement earlier today: "We remain profoundly grateful and touched by the many expressions of sympathy and support from so many. We wish to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers, which we continue to hold close. We are especially appreciative that our family's privacy was respected as we grieved the loss of George. We know we will always share George's memory with Yankee fans everywhere, and a monument in his honor to be located in Monument Park will reflect the special connection, appreciation and responsibility that George felt for New York Yankees fans everywhere as they were always uppermost in his mind.''
Just as Girardi said, this is a spectacular idea by the Yankees and it is, in fact, the right thing to do. This man was everything that resembled the Yankees and he made them into what they were from 1973-today. The man was an American icon and resembled many things that Americans are today with his dedication, hard work and determination for greatness.
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