George Steinbrenner officially relinquished control of the New York Yankees this week, ending a decades-long presence that’s among the most successful – and colorful – the New York sports universe has known.

Steinbrenner, whose health is failing, passed on day-to-day authority to his sons, Hal and Hank, last year, but stuck around long enough to see one last season at the House That Ruth Built.

And what a run it’s been.

The Boss, as he’s universally known, bought the team from CBS in 1973 after it had languished for the better part of a decade – quickly assembling the roster that would reclaim World Series glory in ’77 and ’78.

More recently, he oversaw the dynasty established under Joe Torre, Derek Jeter & Co. in the late ’90s.

His career record: Six world championships and 10 American League pennants in 36 seasons. Not too shabby.

Steinbrenner, of course, was an owner many New Yorkers loved to hate – he was suspended from baseball twice – but his outsized personality was inseparable from his winning ways.

New Yorkers should be especially grateful for the titles of the late ’70s, a time when the city – all but bankrupt, besieged by skyrocketing crime, a stagnant economy and social decay – desperately needed a lift.

That, Steinbrenner gladly provided – largely by shipping in the razzle-dazzle performance of Mr. October, Reggie Jackson.

Now the Boss has left the scene, with Hal replacing him as managing partner of the club.

“My dad is, needless to say, a tough act to follow,” Hal noted Thursday.

You can say that again.