New York ? George Steinbrenner’s 35-year reign as boss of the New York Yankees ended Thursday when he passed control of baseball’s most famous team to his youngest son, Hal.

The elder Steinbrenner has gradually withdrawn from the Yankees’ day-to-day operations in recent years, and brothers Hal and Hank were appointed co-chairmen in April.

“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.”

George Steinbrenner, now 78, headed a group that bought the club in January 1973 for an $8.7 million net price and became one of the most high-profile owners in all of sports. He dominated the back pages of New York’s tabloids, earning the nickname “The Boss” as he spent lavishly on players and changed managers 20 times during his first 23 years as owner, feuding with Billy Martin, Yogi Berra and Dave Winfield.

The Yankees regained their former glory, winning six World Series titles and 10 American League pennants from 1976-2003. They also have transformed themselves into a billion-dollar business that owns a cable television network and food concession company and is preparing to move into a $1.3 billion new Yankee Stadium next year.

Steinbrenner is baseball’s longest-serving current owner, but has been in declining health following fainting spells that required hospitalization in December 2003 and October 2006.

BASEBALL

Utley, Feliz need surgery

Philadelphia — Philadelphia Phillies All Star second baseman Chase Utley and starting third baseman Pedro Feliz will undergo surgery within the next week. Utley will have hip surgery next week and could resume baseball activity in three to four months.

He was bothered by a right hip problem during the season, but still managed to lead all second basemen with 33 home runs and 104 RBIs. Depending on the extent of the repair needed, Utley may not be fully healthy until May.

Feliz needs surgery on his back. He was scheduled for a lumbar discectomy Thursday.

Mussina calls it a career

New York — New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina announced his retirement Thursday even as he comes off his first 20-win season.

Mussina, who turns 40 next month, was 270-153 with a 3.68 earned-run avergage in 18 seasons in the majors. He becomes the first pitcher to retire after a 20-win season since Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax in 1966.

Mussina went 20-9 with a 3.37 ERA for the Yankees this season to become the oldest pitcher in MLB history to win 20 games for the first time. The right-hander tossed 200 1/3 innings in 34 starts.

His first 10 seasons were with Baltimore followed by eight in New York.

Mussina had won 123 games since joining the Yankees in 2001, the most in the American League.

Games can’t be shortened

New York — There never has been a rain-shortened game in the postseason, and now there never will be. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced the sport would enact a rules change stating that postseason games cannot be shortened because of bad weather. Selig said the change also would apply to tiebreaker games that decide division titles and wild-card berths.

Phils, Rangers make deal

Arlington, Texas — The World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers swapped former first-round picks Thursday. Texas acquired outfielder Greg Golson from the Phillies for outfielder John Mayberry.

Sabathia gets deadline

New York — CC Sabathia will have a deadline to accept the New York Yankees’ contract proposal. New York offered a six-year contract to the pitcher last Friday, the first day teams were allowed to start talking money with free agents. The proposal exceeds Johan Santana’s $137.5 million, six-year contract with the New York Mets, both in total and average, a baseball official familiar with the negotiations said.

GOLF

Sorenstam cards 74

West Palm Beach, Fla. — Annika Sorenstam’s farewell to the LPGA Tour could come two days earlier than she hoped. Sorenstam shot a 2-over par 74 in Thursday’s opening round of the ADT Championship, good for a tie for 23rd in the 32-woman event, her final tournament before “stepping away” from competitive golf. The field gets trimmed to 16 after today’s play. Sorenstam was 4 over after 10 holes, but rallied with back-to-back birdies on the par-4 14th and par-5 15th and finished six shots behind Katherine Hull (68).

Daly opens with 68

Hong Kong — John Daly fired a 68 and put himself within four strokes of joint leaders Liang Wenchong of China and South African Richard Sterne, who both shot a 6-under 64 in the first round of the $2.5 million Hong Kong Open on Thursday.

BOXING

Bowe to make comeback

Frankfurt, Germany — Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe will fight for the first time in three years on the undercard of the IBF title fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Hasim Rahman. Bowe’s opponent for the Dec. 13 fight is yet to be determined, promoters said Thursday.

Bowe, 41, retired in 1996 and came back in 2004. He had another fight in 2005 and has not fought since.

WNBA

Shock re-sign Laimbeer

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Coach Bill Laimbeer has been re-signed to a two-year contract by the WNBA champion Detroit Shock. The team is not releasing terms of the deal announced Thursday. The two-time NBA champion as a member of the Detroit Pistons guided the Shock this summer to their third title during his seven years as coach.

SOCCER

Crew midfielder wins MVP

Los Angeles — The Columbus Crew’s Guillermo Barros Schelotto, a midfield wizard who was a longtime star in his native Argentina, won MLS’ Most Valuable Player award Thursday.