Davis, Steinbrenner & The USA All Born On The Same Day

Monday, the United States turned 235-years-old. Amazingly, America's Independence Day is also the birthdays of sports' two most famous and influential owners of all-time.

Al Davis was born July 4, 1929, in Brockton, Massachusetts. Davis has served as a coach, general manager, American Football League commissioner and longtime managing general partner of the Oakland Raiders. Davis has won an AFL title and three Super Bowl championships. His legend is further enhanced by his role in the AFL-NFL merger, constant legal battles with the NFL, frequent team relocations and development of the Raiders' hardnosed culture.

The late George M. Steinbrenner III was born on July 4, 1930, in Rocky River, Ohio. The Boss purchased the New York Yankees in 1973, winning seven World Series championships, while also being remembered for his revolving door of managers, suspension from baseball and free spending approach to player contracts.

Remarkably, but maybe not coincidently, these two American originals can and will forever be “Yankee Doodle Dandies, born on the fourth of July.”