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Field Testing The Boss's Name

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By ELLEN GEDALIUS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2008

TAMPA - George Steinbrenner Stadium.

A county commissioner and a city councilman think there's a nice ring to it and are pushing to rename Legends Field after "The Boss."

Commissioner Rose Ferlita and Councilman Charlie Miranda plan to ask their colleagues next week to pass resolutions supporting the name change of the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. The Yankees hold spring training at Legends Field.

"I want to do it as quickly as possible so maybe it would be in concert with their first game," Ferlita said.

Their support, however, will be purely symbolic. Only the Yankees have the authority to change the name of the stadium.

Phil McNiff, an executive vice president with the team, said the Yankees support the move.

"The county commission and the city council know how much George did, and they want to honor him just like we do," McNiff said. "That both are behind this makes me feel good."

Steinbrenner is known for his generosity to Tampa, donating money to the Academy of the Holy Names for an aquatic center, to Little League teams needing new equipment and to numerous other causes. Last year, the school district named a new high school scheduled to open in Lutz after the Yankees' team owner.

"What greater legend is there than George Steinbrenner and the Yankees organization?" Miranda said.

Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at egedalius@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7679.

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