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A Legendary Name For Legends Field

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 6, 2008

City Councilman Charlie Miranda recounts working one day as a steward at Tampa Bay Downs, the horse racing track once partially owned by George Steinbrenner.

Steinbrenner noticed a youngster with badly misshapen teeth.

"Find out who that young man is," Steinbrenner instructed. Soon the mouth of the boy, the relative of a jockey, had been completely repaired - with Steinbrenner paying all the dental bills.

It was one of the countless acts of kindness the New York Yankees' principal owner has done without fanfare. He gives to those in need, whether individuals or charitable organizations.

Since moving to Tampa more than 30 years ago, he has raised the bar for local philanthropy.

He launched the Gold Shield Foundation to pay for the college educations of the children and spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty. He hosts an annual dinner for all the coaches in Hillsborough schools. And every Christmas he sponsors the Florida Orchestra Children's Christmas Concerts in Hillsborough and Pinellas, which delight more than 4,000 disadvantaged schoolchildren.

Name a good cause and odds are Steinbrenner, 77, provides help. The Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay, the University of South Florida, Joshua House, St. Joseph's Hospital and the Shriners Hospital are just a few.

And though he prefers big band music, he even came to the rescue of the Florida Folk Festival when the state cut funding for the annual gathering at Stephen Foster State Park.

Now Miranda and Hillsborough County Commissioner Rose Ferlita are proposing that Legends Field, the Yankees spring training facility on Dale Mabry Highway, be renamed George M. Steinbrenner Stadium.

The Yankees, who have turned down chances to sell the stadium name, could make the change on their own. But the team is unlikely to do so without community support, which would be reflected by the commission's and council's endorsement.

Steinbrenner, who has done so much for so many in his adopted hometown, deserves the honor. Legends Field should be renamed for a man whose accomplishments and generosity are themselves legendary.

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