A few short weeks ago, on a hot July night, my father came home from work and lingered outside our house, waiting for my brother to meet him. As they saw each other for the first time that day, they both walked over to the side of the house and lowered our flag to half-staff.
That morning, every news outlet in the area scrambled to report the news that George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees, had passed away at the age of 80. That night at dinner, we reminisced about the gleam in my eyes when I saw the field at the old Yankee Stadium for the first time as a kid, our favorite players and the emotion of being at a World Series game in 2001.
Personal stories, like the ones my family shared that night are what make the new documentary film, The House of Steinbrenner, so heartfelt. Directed by Barbara Kopple as part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, the film airs on Tuesday, September 21, but was premiered yesterday at the Yogi Berra Museum.
The film takes viewers on an exciting and emotional journey from the last game played at the old Yankee Stadium to the Bronx Bombers’ 27th World Series championship and finally, the death of the equally loved and despised Steinbrenner.
On camera, fans, Yankee players, employees and journalists shared emotional stories of what the stadium and the baseball team have meant to them. The 50-minute film also featured photo montages of Steinbrenner, footage of Yankee Stadium being knocked down and an interview with Hal Steinbrenner, George’s youngest son and successor.
If you are a Yankee fan, the movie will definitely give you chills and might even produce some tears. However, even non-Yankee fans will appreciate the journey of the team’s transition from old to new. The film also discusses Steinbrenner’s love-hate relationship with just about everyone he knew. At one point during the film, the long list of Yankee managers who worked under “The Boss” rolled across the screen, indicating that there were many who didn’t last in the job.
“The film is about traditions, family bonds and the change of an era,” said Kopple, a two-time Academy Award-winning director pictured above with Berra. “It’s something everyone can appreciate.”
Berra, who was in attendance with his wife Carmen, said he was glad the screening was at his museum. During the film, Berra shares his favorite Yankee Stadium memory: catching Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series.
People featured in the film are Maury Allen (former New York Post columnist), Bill Gallo (New York Daily News cartoonist/columnist), Joe Girardi, Goose Gossage, Ray Negron (author/consultant to Yankees), Linda Ruth Tosetti (Babe Ruth’s granddaughter), Lonn Trost (Yankees COO), George Steinbrenner, his son Hal Steinbrenner and daughter Jennifer Steinbrenner.
The House of Steinbrenner is scheduled to air on ESPN Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m.
