Commissioner Bud Selig pays tribute to Steinbrenner, calls Yankees owner ‘giant of the game’

Selig calls Steinbrenner ‘giant of the game’

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Baseball commissioner Bug Selig says George Steinbrenner was as much a part of the New York Yankees as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio.

Selig says in a statement Steinbrenner was a “giant of the game.” The Yankees owner died Tuesday morning. He was 80.

Selig says he has known Steinbrenner for nearly 40 years and their friendship was never compromised by any of their disagreements.

Major League Baseball was planning a tribute to Steinbrenner before Tuesday night’s All-star game.