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Who's the (Next) Boss?

Steinbrenner's failing health intensifies concerns over his successor

Posted Aug 3, 2007 4:31 PM CDT

(Newser) – George Steinbrenner has mysteriously disappeared from the public eye, and Portfolio reveals that he appears to be in the early stages of dementia. Reporter Franz Lidz made a rare visit to Steinbrenner on an invitation from a golfing buddy—and found the legendary owner pale and swollen, stuck repeating the same phrase long after it was appropriate. The Boss's state throws the future on the Yankees further into confusion.

Steinbrenner’s alleged preference for a male heir rules out his two daughters; his previously designated successor and soon-to-be ex-son-in-law was recently arrested for DUI. Younger son Hal wants the job, but Lidz says the favorite is the eldest, Hank, who has shown tepid interest. To improve the Yankees, Hank joked he would “get rid of my father.”

New York Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner watches the New York Yankees defeat the Atlanta Braves, 11-7, in a spring training baseball game, in this March 11, 2006 file photo, at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla. In a rare interview Thursday night May 24, 2007, from his office in Tampa,...
New York Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner watches the New York Yankees defeat the Atlanta Braves, 11-7, in a spring training baseball game, in this March 11, 2006 file photo, at Legends Field...   (Associated Press)
New York Yankee's general partner and and chairman of Yankee Global Enterprises LLC Steve Swindal stands with wife Jennifer Swindal in the Clubhouse of the Saratoga Race Course Aug. 25, 2006, in Sarasota Springs, N.Y.  Jennifer Swindal, George Steinbrenner's daughter, filed divorce papers Tuesday, Amrch 27, 2007, in Hillsborough...
New York Yankee's general partner and and chairman of Yankee Global Enterprises LLC Steve Swindal stands with wife Jennifer Swindal in the Clubhouse of the Saratoga Race Course Aug. 25, 2006, in Sarasota...   (Associated Press)
New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner watches as pitcher Roger Clemens during a Florida Sate League game Friday, May 18, 2007, at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner watches as pitcher Roger Clemens during a Florida Sate League game Friday, May 18, 2007, at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)   (Associated Press)
New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner , left, pats first baseman Jason Giambi, right, on the chest as the two greeted each other during batting practice at spring training, in this Feb. 26, 2005 file photo, in Tampa, Fla.  (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner , left, pats first baseman Jason Giambi, right, on the chest as the two greeted each other during batting practice at spring training, in this Feb. 26, 2005...   (Associated Press)
New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner watches as pitcher Roger Clemens during a Florida Sate League game Friday, May 18, 2007, at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner watches as pitcher Roger Clemens during a Florida Sate League game Friday, May 18, 2007, at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)   (Associated Press)
New York Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner munches on a snack during the Yankees 12-2 loss to the Houston Astros in a spring training baseball game in Tampa, Fla., Wednesday, March 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner munches on a snack during the Yankees 12-2 loss to the Houston Astros in a spring training baseball game in Tampa, Fla., Wednesday, March 28, 2007....   (Associated Press)
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George Steinbrenner at Legends Field - March 17th, 2007   (numberonespot (YouTube))

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