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Whether the New York Yankees are the apple of your eye or the bane of your existence, you can't deny all the good done by the Bronx Bombers.

The Yankees and their owner, George Steinbrenner, have given back a lot over the years and continue to do so.

Whether "The Boss" is donating his time, contributing his financial resources or granting the wish of a terminally ill child, he's making an altruistic contribution to society.

Little more than a month after the shootings on April 16, Steinbrenner stepped up to the plate in more ways than one.

On May 23, 2007, the Yankees' owner pledged a $1 million donation to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund and agreed to play an exhibition game against the Tech baseball team during 2008.

"George Steinbrenner was following the tragedy on CNN and was really moved and compelled to do something for the Virginia Tech community," said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. "From the moment that this took place he said he was going to bring the Yankees to Tech. (He said) 'we need to go down there and show them that we're thinking about them' … When 'The Boss' says something, it gets done."

What may have made the Tech shootings so real to someone far away was that it was something people all across America could understand. That understanding made many want to help.

"I just think it's great to be able reach out and to be able to help in such a difficult situation," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "A lot of us have been through college and … we're just trying to do whatever we can to help."

Steinbrenner is no stranger to charitable causes. In the early 1980s he was instrumental in getting the Silver Shield Foundation, which helps provide education to the children of fallen police officers and firefighters, up and running as its founder.

His Yankees also allowed an ill boy from the Tampa Bay area to attend spring training and meet, get autographs from, and take pictures with his favorite Yankee players the week many were on spring break.

"The Boss" also does a plethora of good deeds that stay out of the public eye and go largely unrecognized.

"He does a lot for the community," Cashman said. "He understands the power of the Yankee brand, and when he can use it for things like that, he knows what the impact can be."

An easy way to tell a man's true character is by observing the way in which he treats those he doesn't have to treat well.

In doing so with George Steinbrenner, one can only see what a great guy he truly is. He could easily sit down in Sarasota all year and count his money. Hell, he could even blow it solely on himself if he wanted to.

But he doesn't. Steinbrenner realizes how truly blessed he is, as are the many members of his organization, and looks for ways to share those blessings with others.

Whether you love or hate how he runs the Yankees and acquires his talent, you should respect his altruism and be grateful for it.

Just think: How much better would this world be if more people acted like George Steinbrenner and more business owners ran their operations like he does his New York Yankees?