Yankees owner George Steinbrenner gets early 80th birthday party

Steinbrenner gets early birthday party

TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has been given and early birthday party.

Team employees, family members and friends spent time with Steinbrenner at the Yankees’ spring training complex Thursday, three days before the Boss’ 80th birthday on July 4.

Among those in attendance were Steinbrenner’s sons, Hal and Hank, daughters, Jennifer and Jessica, and longtime friend Howard “Hopalong” Cassady, the 1955 Heisman Trophy winner.

Steinbrenner turned over day-to-day operations of the Yankees to his sons in late 2007, He comes to his office at the spring complex about once a week.

Steinbrenner will be with his family Sunday, and also might watch a fireworks display in downtown Tampa.