NEW YORK — George Steinbrenner, a former Lorain businessman who rebuilt the New York Yankees into a sports empire with a mix of bluster and big bucks that polarized fans all across America, died this morning. He had just celebrated his 80th birthday July 4.

Steinbrenner had a heart attack, was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Fla., and died at about 6:30 a.m, a person close to the owner told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not disclosed those details.

For more than 30 years, Steinbrenner lived up to his billing as “the Boss,” a nickname he earned and clearly enjoyed as he ruled with an iron fist. The Yankees won six World Series titles during his reign.

He was known for feuds, clashing with Yankees great Yogi Berra and firing manager Billy Martin twice. But as his health declined, Steinbrenner let sons Hal and Hank run more of the family business.

Steinbrenner was in fragile health for years, resulting in fewer public appearances and pronouncements. Yet dressed in his trademark navy blue blazer and white turtleneck, he was the model of success: The Yankees won seven World Series titles after his reign began in 1973

Till the end, he demanded championships. He barbed Joe Torre during the 2007 AL playoffs, then let the popular manager leave after another loss in the opening round. The team responded last year by winning another title.

His death was the second in three days to rock the Yankees. Bob Sheppard, the team’s revered public address announcer from 1951-07, died Sunday at 99.

Steinbrenner was born in Rocky River in 1930 and made his money as chairman of Cleveland-based American Ship Building Co. American Ship Building closed its Lorain yard in 1983.

Check back at Chroniclet.com for more on this story as it becomes available.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays ended the first half of the season on a roll.

Jason Bartlett hit a game-ending single over a drawn-in outfield in the 10th inning, giving the Rays a 6-5 win over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.

“It’s a nice way to walk off into the All-Star break,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said.

Ben Zobrist opened the 10th with a single off Kerry Wood (1-4) and later was forced out at second on Carl Crawford’s grounder. After Crawford stole second, Evan Longoria was intentionally walked. Bartlett then won it with a long single to right center on an 1-2 pitch.

“He’s a strikeout pitcher, so I was just trying to battle, put the bat on the ball,” Bartlett said.

Crawford homered for the Rays, who are 9-2 in July after going 11-14 during June. Andy Sonnanstine (2-0) pitched a perfect 10th.

Cleveland got two RBIs from Austin Kearns. The Indians, who walked 10 batters Sunday, lost three of four in the series and are 17-32 on the road this season.

More photos below.

“We battled really hard against this good ballclub,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “You can’t be expecting to walk 10 people and stay in the game. You have to work some magic just to not get buried.”

Tampa Bay’s Jeff Niemann left after five innings with back stiffness, but expects to make his next scheduled start Saturday at the New York Yankees. The right-hander, who threw just 70 pitches, gave up three runs and six hits.

“A little bit of tightness,” Niemann said. “It really wasn’t anything big and it shouldn’t affect the second half.”

The Rays loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth against Hector Ambriz, but failed to score when B.J. Upton flew out to short center, Reid Brignac struck out and Sean Rodriguez hit a grounder.

“A lot of good things took place,” Cleveland starter Justin Masterson said. “Hector Ambriz is out there getting out of that jam. That’s pretty cool. We came close.”

Masterson allowed five runs and eight hits in five innings.

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Crawford hit a two-run homer off Masterson and Upton had a sacrifice fly to put the Rays ahead 5-3 in the fifth. Crawford hit a pair of two-run shots in Thursday’s 5-2 win over the Indians.

Cleveland tied it at 5 during the sixth when Trevor Crowe had a run-scoring single and another run scored when Anderson Hernandez hit into a double play.

Kearns drove in two runs with a single and Matt LaPorta hit an RBI double as the Indians went up 3-0 in the first.

The Rays got one run back in the bottom of the first when Crawford scored from third on a botched rundown after Carlos Pena hit a grounder back to Masterson, who then threw the ball to third base. Andy Marte chased Crawford toward the plate before being charged with an error for a bad throw to catcher Chris Gimenez.

“Actually, I think had that ball not been caught by Masterson, it would have been a routine double play up the middle,” Maddon said. “He makes a wonderful play and we get a run out of it, so I guess it was meant to be.”

Brignac’s RBI single got the Rays to 3-2 in the fourth.

Notes

Crawford said his left shoulder is sore and was the DH for the second consecutive game.

Acta said OF Shin-Soo Choo, who has been on the disabled list since July 3 with a sprained right thumb, could return by the end of the month.

Indians DH Travis Hafner (left upper back stiffness) underwent treatment and was available in an emergency situation.

Cleveland LHP Aaron Laffey said he is fine although his velocity was down in Saturday’s start. Acta plans to monitor the matter.

As if losing LeBron James wasn’t enough for Cleveland sports fans to stomach, now, horrifyingly enough, they have to prepare for the probability of Indians third baseman Jhonny Peralta leaving  town.

Talk about your double dose of monumental heartbreak. I mean, seriously, how much more of this can these fans take?

OK, LeBron’s leaving, whatever, the Cavaliers still have stalwarts such as Mo Williams and everyone’s favorite, J.J. Hickson. But Jhonny? Nooooooooooooooooooo.

If Peralta isn’t dealt by the trading deadline, his career in Cleveland will come to a finish at the end of the season, with the Indians owning a $7 million option on him for 2011 – one that will, undoubtedly, not be exercised.

There goes the guy who failed miserably as the heir apparent to legendary shortstop Omar Vizquel.

There goes the inconsistent seasons he produced – one near All-Star caliber, the next more suited for a utility player.

There goes the lackadaisical attitude and rare, if any, signs of passion throughout his eight-year career with the Indians.

There goes an average fielder, at best, who didn’t have the range to play short and has proved only to be adequate at third.

There goes the franchise leader in home runs by a shortstop who has a grand total of six in 82 games as a third baseman and just 11 in 151 games last season.

There goes the speed demon on the base paths who has a total of nine stolen bases in his career.

There goes the guy who owns the unofficial worldwide record of waving at two-strike pitches on the outside corner.

There goes a disappointing player for the majority of his career in an Indians uniform.

What a blow this will be to the Indians and sports fans in Northeast Ohio in general.

And don’t think this won’t be felt economically in Cleveland. The Indians alone will lose a ton on all the Peralta merchandise they peddle at Progressive Field and their team shops. And how about the hit the bars and restaurants in C-town are going to take now that fans won’t be clamoring downtown to see Peralta play?

It’s enough to make Cavs owner Dan Gilbert write another nasty letter in crazy font on his home computer for Tribe owner Larry Dolan, since Dolan probably doesn’t own one – an unnecessary expense, you know …. like good players and contending for World Series titles.

Yes, losing Peralta will join the long list of Cleveland sports agonies, right up there with “The Drive,” “The Shot,” “The Fumble,” “The Decision,” “The Move” and “The Mesa.” Brace yourself, already downtrodden fans. Now we have “The Jhetting.”

All kidding aside, Peralta is a pretty good guy, one that is always approachable in the clubhouse during good times and bad. He’s not exactly a great quote – few are – but he’s  willing to talk.

He was also, on far too few occasions, a pretty good player … one that has spent his entire big league career in Cleveland. That’s saying something, since our homegrown ones don’t even want to stick around.

But, let’s be serious. Peralta won’t be missed.

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Matt Garza’s week ended a lot better than it started.

Garza allowed one hit over six innings, Gabe Kapler hit a two-run single and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Indians 4-0 Saturday night.

Garza (10-5), who struck out two and walked one during an 88-pitch outing, was on a pitch count of around 90 after he worked out of the bullpen earlier in the week. The lone hit off Garza was a one-out, second-inning single by Jhonny Peralta, who is 9-for-19 overall against the right-hander.

“I think I had more intensity,” Garza said. “I set a goal and I knew what my limitations were, so I had to stay under control and get that done.”

Grant Balfour, Joaquin Benoit and Lance Cormier completed a three-hitter for the Rays, who have won 9 of 11.

“Our offense was completely shut down. Their pitching deserves the credit,” Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. “He’s (Garza) one of those guys that any day can shutdown any offense. It’s not like we’re the ‘27 Yankees, but he’s got pretty good stuff and it showed today.”

Garza made his first relief appearance in three years and recorded his first career save by getting two outs to close Wednesday’s 6-4 win over Boston. He was cast in that role because All-Star closer Rafael Soriano had worked the previous four days and Garza lasted just three innings in his start Monday.

“It’s a very emotional week,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. “It’s very unusual these days. You might have seen that in 1957, possibly, or maybe 1948, but it’s rare to see in 2010.”

Kapler put the Rays ahead 2-0 with his hit in the fourth. Willy Aybar’s fifth-inning run-scoring single made it 3-0 and Jason Bartlett had an RBI double in the eighth.

Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner departed after three innings because of left upper back stiffness. Acta said Hafner won’t play today, which had already been set as an off-day for the DH.

Aaron Laffey (1-3) gave up three runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.

“For the most part I threw the ball well,” Laffey said. “I just got into some trouble with two outs there in the fourth and fifth.”

Tampa Bay All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria hit into double plays in the first and third innings. He had grounded into just four double plays in his previous 85 games this season.

Longoria dived to his left and caught Andy Marte’s grounder to start a ninth-inning double play.

Plate umpire Tim Welke stayed in the game after being hit hard in the mask by Jason Donald’s foul in the fifth. Later in the at-bat, Garza caught a liner hit by Donald.

“That wasn’t a catch. … the ball caught him,” Maddon said. “It was self defense. Fortunately it hit him in the glove and not somewhere else.”

Notable

• The Indians designated C Mike Redmond for assignment and recalled C Chris Gimenez from Triple-A Columbus. …
• Rays LF Carl Crawford, who has battled left shoulder soreness recently, was the DH. Maddon said it is a preventive move. …

• Indians SS Asdrubal Cabrera (broken left forearm) remains on target to start a minor league rehab assignment on Monday. …
• Cleveland C Carlos Santana, hit on the left forearm by a pitch in the first, remained in the game and afterward said everything is OK.

TODAY

• WHO: Cleveland at Tampa Bay
• TIME: 1:40 p.m.
• WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.
• PITCHERS: Masterson (3-8, 5.22 ERA) vs. Niemann (7-2, 2.65)
• TV/RADIO: SportsTime Ohio; WEOL 930-AM, WTAM 1100-AM