The New York Yankees paid a special emotional tribute to the late team owner, George Steinbrenner, last night at Yankee Stadium, before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays.  Also, honors were dished out to long-time Yankees announcer, Bob Sheppard, who died last Sunday at the age of 99.  New York Daily News has details on the tribute and the Yankees’ 5-4 victory over the Rays.

Steinbrenner, known as “The Boss,”  passed away on Tuesday, July 13, following a massive heart attack. Steinbrenner was 80. In 1973, he bought the struggling Yankees and built them into a Major League success story. Also, Steinbrenner’s style of paying high-salaries for players had a huge impact on sports ownership as well as the game of professional baseball. Nice obit on The New York Times website.

The Dodger organization joined the tributes to Steinbrenner by releasing the following:

STATEMENTS ON THE PASSING OF
GEORGE STEINBRENNER (1930-2010)

“George was a friend who I admired very much.  He was a giant in our game and he built an empire.  All he was was a winner.  He wanted to give the fans a winner, and that’s exactly what he did.”                                         

- Dodger Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda

“I will always remember George Steinbrenner as a passionate man, a tough boss, a true visionary, a great humanitarian and a dear friend.  I will be forever grateful that he trusted me with his Yankees for 12 years. My heart goes out to his entire family. He will be deeply missed in New York, Tampa and throughout the world of  baseball. It’s only fitting that he went out as a world champ.”

– Dodger Manager Joe Torre

“I am deeply saddened to hear the news of George Steinbrenner’s passing.  His vision, passion and commitment to winning, recharged the New York Yankees and revolutionized the game. I remember a man driven to succeed.   He was the owner, “The Boss” and number one fan of the Yankees.  Our relationship was built on mutual respect.  I will never forget and always be grateful for how he treated me and my family both during my playing days and after I retired. I will miss him very much and extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Joan, and all the members of the Steinbrenner family.”           

– Dodger Hitting Coach Don Mattingly

“George Steinbrenner was the first owner to contact me to congratulate me when I purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers.  From that day forward we built a strong and meaningful friendship.  He was a larger than life owner who cared deeply about winning.  George helped shape the game of baseball during his incredible stewardship of the Yankees.  My deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Joan and his four children, Hal, Hank, Jennifer and Jessica and the entire Steinbrenner family.”

– Dodger Owner Frank McCourt

Willie Davis: Photo courtesy Los Angeles Dodgers

Southland baseball star Willie Davis is being remembered today. Davis, the legendary center fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was found dead in Burbank yesterday. A concerned neighbor reportedly called police yesterday morning to Davis’ apartment in the 1900 block of West Victory Boulevard. Officers arrived at the scene and discovered the 69-year-old Davis on the living room floor. Burbank Sergeant Robert Quesada says, “ Mr. Davis showed no signs of life and was pronounced dead. At this time, detectives found no signs of foul play and it appears Mr. Davis died of apparent natural causes.” 

Davis’ story is the classic local gifted athlete makes good tale. Davis was a world-class sprinter at Roosevelt High in Los Angeles when he caught the attention of Dodger Scout Kenny Myers, who saw in the young runner a potential baseball center fielder, according to a press release from the Dodger organization.

Right after graduating from high school in 1958, Davis was signed by the Dodgers. It proved to be a wise decision. Davis played two years in the minor leagues, before moving up and spending 14 seasons with the Dodgers from 1960-1973. Davis is still the franchise leader in hits (2,091), extra-base hits (585), at-bats (7,495), runs (1,004), triples (110) and total bases (3,094). In 1969, Davis set a team record with a 31-game hitting streak. He won three Golden Glove Awards from 1971-1973.

In a statement released late yesterday, Davis received high praise from Dodger Owner Frank McCourt: “He was beloved by generations of Dodger fans and remains one of the most talented players ever to wear the Dodger uniform. Having spent time with him over the past six years, I know how proud he was to have been a Dodger. He will surely be missed and our sincere thoughts are with his children during this difficult time.”

Photo:Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Instyle.com — Sandra Bullock wears Alexander McQueen on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards January 2010.

The fashion industry and many in the entertainment biz are mourning the unexpected death of British designer Alexander McQueen. On Thursday morning, February 11, McQueen was discovered dead, of an apparent suicide, in his London home. He was only 40 and living an incredibly successful career.

I must admit, McQueen’s name was not as familiar to me as some other designers. On this post, are just a few of his stylish creations worn by some of his celebrity fans. It turns out, I’ve admired a number of McQueen’s outfits on the red carpert, not realizing he was the creator.

Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.com/Instyle.com — Jennifer Connelly poses in a red dress by Alexander McQueen at the Hollywood Film Festival in October 2007.

He was born Lee Alexander McQueen on March 17, 1969 in the East End of London. After extensive training as a tailor and designer, McQueen quickly gained fame in the fashion industry. In 1996, he was the head designer for Givenchy and later moved on to partner with Gucci.  

Photo: Gilbert Flores/Celebrity Photo.com/Instyle.com — Cate Blanchett wore Alexander McQueen to the  Golden Globe Awards in January 2007.

McQueen was not only known for his high-quality and provocative couture collections, but also for his imaginative and cutting edge theatrical fashion presentations. The Instyle.com website has extensive coverage of McQueen’s fashions and his talent as a showman, including an article called, ”Daring to Be Brilliant: The Talent of Alexander McQueen.”

March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010

Some voices you never forget. Legendary singer Teddy Pendergrass had such a voice. In its prime, it was raw, sexy, smooth, passionate, and explosive. A true Soul singer. His voice was one of those gifts given to only a few. Hopefully, he’s singing now in a higher place. Pendergrass passed away last night in Philadelphia, apparently of complications following surgery for colon cancer.

His life and career were filled with some highs and lows. In 1982, he was an international sex symbol and entertainer when a tragic car crash left him paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Pendergrass was still able to sing, but not with the power that had been part of his signature style. He was only 31 at the time and had already amassed a collection of platinum albums.

Some of Pendergrass’ classic hits from the ’70s and ’80s include, “Close the Door,” “Love TKO,” “Turn off the Lights,” “Come Go With Me,” “When Somebody Loves You Back,” “You’re My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration,” and with Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, “Bad Luck,” “You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good,” and “Wake Up Everybody.”

Pendergrass continued to record and perform after the accident, but his career never recovered the scope it had achieved previously. Pendergrass was 59 when he died.

I think the words of the hit “Wake Up Everybody” are still relevant today. Other artists have recorded the song, but in my opinion, TP’s version is still the best.

“Wake Up Everybody” (1975)

Wake up everybody no more sleepin in bed
No more backward thinkin time for thinkin ahead
The world has changed so very much
From what it used to be so
there is so much hatred war an’ poverty
Wake up all the teachers time to teach a new way
Maybe then they’ll listen to whatcha have to say
Cause they’re the ones who’s coming up and the world is in their hands
when you teach the children teach em the very best you can.

Chorus
The world won’t get no better if we just let it be
The world won’t get no better we gotta change it yeah, just you and me.

Wake up all the doctors make the ol’ people well
They’re the ones who suffer an’ who catch all the hell
But they don’t have so very long before the Judgement Day
So won’tcha make them happy before they pass away.
Wake up all the builders time to build a new land
I know we can do it if we all lend a hand
The only thing we have to do is put it in our mind
Surely things will work out they do it every time.

Chorus
The world won’t get no better if we just let it be
The world won’t get no better we gotta change it yeah, just you and me.

Photo: Fred Prouser/Reuters/Los Angeles Times — Actor Patrick Swayze poses with his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 18, 1997

Fans are dropping by the Hollywood Walk of Fame star of Entertainer Patrick Swayze today, sharing memories and leaving behind flowers, candles, and other tributes. Swayze died yesterday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The actor, dancer, and singer was only 57.

Swayze appeared in a number of films like”The Outsiders” (1983),  ”Road House” (1989) and “Point Break”(1991), but a little musicial love story called,”Dirty Dancing” (1987) made him a star. My favorite Swayze film is the romantic thriller, “Ghost” (1990). Swayze was terrific as a dead investment banker who comes back to Earth to protect his lady love, played by Demi Moore. The handsome actor was named People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 1991.

Earlier this year, Swayze stared as an undercover FBI agent in the cable TV series, “The Beast.”  The show was canceled in June when Swayze became too ill to work. Swayze is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lisa.

File Photo: April 2008  Adam Hunger/Reuters

One of the most powerful figures in American politics is being remembered today. U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy died last night at the family compound in Hannis Port, Massachusetts at the age of 77 after a valiant battle with brain cancer.

Since the assassination of his brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy in the 1960s, the Massachusetts senator has been the leader of the most influential political family in the country. Ted Kennedy will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery near the graves of his two older brothers.

Kennedy’s endorsement is considered a major factor in candidate Barack Obama winning the Democratic nomination for president last year. Today, President Obama praised Senator Kennedy as one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy: “His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives — in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education’s promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just — including myself.” More of the president’s remarks about Kennedy on the White House blog.

File Photo: April 28, 2009  Pete Souza/White House  — President Obama and Senator Kennedy share a walk on the White House grounds.

John Hughes 1950-2009    Photo:  Los Angeles Times

A nice tribute in photos and prose to filmmaker John Hughes on the Los Angeles Times website today. Hughes reportedly died of a heart attack while taking a morning walk in New York City yesterday. Hughes gained fame for creating poignant films about those awkward but all important teenage years, like “Sixteen Candles” (1984), “The Breakfast Club” (1985), “Pretty in Pink” (1986). and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986).

Also, the prolific Hughes wrote the mega-hit, “Home Alone” (1990) and two sequels, along with a number of other films including “101 Dalmatians” (1996) and “Flubber” (1997).  Hughes was only 59 when he died.