NEW YORK — George Steinbrenner's 35-year reign as boss of the New York Yankees ended today when he passed control of the New York Yankees to his youngest son, Hal.

The elder Steinbrenner has gradually withdrawn from the team's day-to-day operations in recent years, and brothers Hal and Hank were appointed co-chairmen in April. Their father headed a group that bought the team in 1973, and he became perhaps the most high-profile owners in all of sports, spending lavishly on players and changing managers frequently during his first 22 years in charge. But the 78-year-old's health has declined in recent years following a pair of falls.

Baseball owners unanimously approved the change at a meeting Thursday.

"I realize it's a great responsibility," said Hal Steinbrenner, who turns 40 on Dec. 3. "My dad is, needless to say, a tough act to follow."

While Hank, 51, has spoken out publicly far more than his brother in the past year, Hal was at Yankee Stadium far more often than his brother this year. Hal is responsible for financial operations of the club, and Hank oversees general manager Brian Cashman and the baseball operations.

Major League Baseball said George Steinbrenner requested the change in control be made.

"He's been slowing down the last couple years," Hal Steinbrenner said. "Really, for the last two years I have been intimately involved with all aspects and all departments of the company. It's what I've been doing day-to-day. My duties aren't really going to change and my workload isn't going to change much. So, I mean, it's as much a procedural thing within the family, I think, as anything at this point."