Yankees pay tribute to Steinbrenner

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Flowers were placed on home plate, a moment of silence was observed and Taps was played by a U.S. Army sergeant in a pre-game tribute to long-time New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who died on Tuesday at 80.

With the Yankees' team lined up in front of the dugout, a five-minute video tribute to "The Boss" was played on the jumbo screen in center field before the start of their first game since the All-Star break against divisional rivals the Tampa Bay Rays.

A packed Yankee Stadium crowd was treated to footage of his 1973 press conference announcing his purchase of the club, comments by former Yankees, and clips referencing the 11 American League pennants and seven World Series titles won by the team during Steinbrenner's reign.

Evergreen relief ace Mariano Rivera laid roses on home plate before captain Derek Jeter introduced a moment of silence that also acknowledged the death of Yankees' public address announcer Bob Sheppard, a fixture at the Stadium for 55 years.

"We are here to honor two men who were both shining stars in the Yankees' universe," Jeter said. "They will be forever remembered in baseball history and in our hearts."

"Thanks George," read one large banner held in the stands and made from a bed sheet.

After a West Point color guard marched to center field with the U.S. flag, a poignant rendition of Taps was played from behind home plate as players from both teams held their caps over their hearts.

After the quiet tribute, fans broke into a chant of "Let's Go Yankees" eager to get on with the team's pursuit of extending their Major League Baseball record to a 28th World Series championship.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)