In the 1980s, Steinbrenner worked for the
New York Yankees, which his father bought while he attended Culver Academy, gaining experience in baseball working with executives
Lou Piniella,
Woody Woodward, and
Clyde King. He played a key role in selecting
Lou Piniella as manager in 1986. In 1990, when George was suspended from baseball, the Yankees initially suggested Hank would succeed George as the team's managing partner. Steinbrenner left baseball to run
Kinsman Stable, the Steinbrenner-owned horse stable in
Ocala, Florida. He also coached soccer at
Vanguard High School in Ocala, He also served on the board of directors for the Ocala Breeders Sales Company. In 2000, he partnered with Gwynn Racing to field a car in the
National Hot Rod Association. From 2007 onward, George ceded most day-to-day control of the Yankees to Hal and Hank due to failing health. During his stewardship of the Yankees, Hank, like his father, gained a reputation for being outspoken. He was at times criticized by many New York sports columnists for his off-the-cuff remarks that seemed to lack forethought. Despite his outspoken persona, Steinbrenner was not frequently seen around the team and instead did most of his work from the Yankees offices in
Tampa, Florida. He did make a rare appearance in February 2015 to examine
Yoan Moncada.
Controversial statements Steinbrenner voiced his displeasure with the term
Red Sox Nation in a 2008 interview: In response, Red Sox principal owner
John W. Henry inducted him into Red Sox Nation, complete with a membership card giving him access to an array of options, including the group newsletter, bumper stickers, pins,
Green Monster seats, and a hat personally autographed by
David Ortiz. Concerning the Yankees'
spring training feud with the
Tampa Bay Rays in 2008, Steinbrenner stated, "I don't want these teams in general to forget who
subsidizes a lot of them, and it's the Yankees, the Red Sox,
Dodgers,
Mets ... I would prefer if teams want to target the Yankees that they at least start giving some of that
revenue sharing and
luxury tax money back. From an owner's point of view, that's my point." In September 2008, after the Yankees were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 1993, Steinbrenner penned an article in
Sporting News criticizing Major League Baseball's divisional format. ==Personal life==