YANKEES TO WEAR COMMEMORATIVE PATCH TO HONOR HENRY G. “HANK†STEINBRENNER
To commemorate the life and recognize the passing of former New York Yankees General Partner / Co-Chairperson Henry G. “Hank†Steinbrenner, the Yankees will don a uniform patch for the 2020 season.Mr. Steinbrenner passed away on April 14, at his home in Clearwater, Fla., from a longstanding health issue. He was 63.
The commemorative patch will be worn on the left sleeve of the Yankees’ home and road jerseys for the entire 2020 regular season and postseason.
Hank, the eldest son of George M. Steinbrenner, maintained his Yankee office at the spring training complex in Tampa, Florida. Although he was seldom involved in the day to day operations, he was deeply involved in player negotiations, player development, and plotting the future of the Yankees.
Reggie Jackson reminisced on Hank Steinbrenner’s passing. Reggie played for the Yankees from 1977-1981. He was acquired by Hank’s father George M. Steinbrenner in one of the first big trades in baseball at the time. That is when he first met Hank. Since Reggie’s retirement, he has been a frequent guest instructor at the spring training complex in Tampa, Florida, where Hal maintained his office.
Jackson commented that he found Hank to be “very generous, thoughtful, and respectful.†Jackson admired how Hank and his brother Hal worked together without jealousy for the benefit of the club. Reggie expected Hank to run the team after the death of the “boss,†however, after the 2009 Championship brother Hal took the reins of the day to day operations. Although he first met Hank in his playing days, they developed a strong relationship and friendship since then.