Legends Field Renamed In Honor of Steinbrenner

Published: Friday, March 28, 2008
Legends Field Renamed In Honor of Steinbrenner
Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. | George Steinbrenner is in the owner's box and on the field now. The New York Yankees' spring training home was renamed George M. Steinbrenner Field during pregame ceremonies Thursday.

An emotional Steinbrenner, the Yankees' owner and Tampa resident, helped pull the cover off a new sign above the scoreboard in left field. He then rode in a golf cart past a standing ovation from the fans and applause by the Pittsburgh Pirates as he went to the plate area to watch his wife, Joan, throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

"It was great," Steinbrenner said. "It was a great ceremony."

Plans to change the name of Legends Field came after both the Tampa City Council and Hillsborough County Commission approved resolutions calling for the honor.

Steinbrenner's two sons, Yankees general partners Hank and Hal, also took part, along with other family members.

"I think he was emotional, without a doubt," Hal Steinbrenner said. "It's an emotional day. We've been here over 30 years as part of the community. It's a great honor."

Hank Steinbrenner also was happy with the ceremony.

"When we told him about a month ago, in the past he would have resisted it, we told him it was something the city wanted to do, and he got very emotional," Hank Steinbrenner said. "He was emotional today as well."

George Steinbrenner also will be honored in 2009 when a Hillsborough County School District high school named for him will open.

thats a nice nod to him.

not a yankee fan, but i always liked him. he is crazy. you always need someone like him around to keep mlb in the spotlight. (even if some where really stupid ideas)

yes, he should be in the HOF.

austin

Legends Field sounds BETTER!

Let me take you down
cus im going to
Steinbrenner field
nothing is real
and nothing to get hung about
Steinbrenner field forever

Paul McCartney Fan 1987 wrote:

Let me take you down
cus im going to
Steinbrenner field
nothing is real
and nothing to get hung about
Steinbrenner field forever

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Paul McCartney Fan 1987 wrote:

Let me take you down
cus im going to
Steinbrenner field
nothing is real
and nothing to get hung about
Steinbrenner field forever

lol haha im gonna love the new name