In 2003, Steinbrenner passed out at the funeral of Otto Graham, who had been quarterback of the Cleveland Browns in the early 1950s when Steinbrenner was a young man recently out of college and getting involved with his father’s shipyard in Cleveland. There was never a medical diagnosis issued to the public, but there was speculation that Steinbrenner may have suffered a mini-stroke. Certainly, he has made few public appearances since. At last year’s groundbreaking for the new Yankee Stadium, he spoke for less than half a minute.

Two years ago, he sat down with Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay on his own YES Network for his last lengthy interview. In it, it as if he were speaking from somewhere else and about people he once knew and a person he once was.

Word is that he still calls his swarms of lieutenants and demands improvements in the team. But nothing comes of it. Not like the old days, when he’d boil over and call a local columnist or beat writer and blister the hired hands.

He doesn’t call Torre after every game as he did with so many managers over the 35 years he’s owned the team. Instead, Torre calls him every 10 days or so. He still wants to win, still knows he’s the owner of the most famous franchise in sports, still goes to the office everyday.

But the old fire-breathing owner is gone. And he’s not coming back.

I miss him already.

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