BASEBALL: Steinbrenner honored

Tampa officials have given their blessing to rename Legends Field in honor of George Steinbrenner. Not that they needed to approve the idea, Tampa councilman Charlie Miranda noted yesterday after the council voted unanimously to encourage the christening. Miranda expects the Yankees to go forward with the naming and officially do it on Feb. 29 at the start of a spring training game against the University of South Florida.

* While waiting for resolution on the proposed trade of Erik Bedard to Seattle, the Orioles came to terms with right-hander Daniel Cabrera by agreeing on a one-year contract for $2,875,000 . . . Eric Hinske, the 2002 AL Rookie of the Year, agreed yesterday to a minor league contract with the Rays.

GOLF: Jones leads at Pebble Beach

Kent Jones shot a 6-under 66 and a one-shot lead at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Nationwide Tour grad Roland Thatcher was a shot back along with Q-school grad Brad Adamonis and John Mallinger.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson shot a 71. Greg Norman, playing on the PGA Tour for the first time in 18 months, finished with a 76.

NBA: Francis done for season

Rockets guard Steve Francis will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee, but expects to play again next season. The 6-foot-3 Francis, who spent two seasons with the Knicks, hasn’t played since Dec. 15. The team said Francis will have surgery Feb. 25.

* Sam Cassell acknowledged he’s unhappy with the Clippers, but the veteran point guard made it clear yesterday he’s not lobbying to play elsewhere. The Boston Globe reported Cassell, 38, was trying to buy out his contract so he could play for the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics. “There’s no truth to it,” said Cassell, averaging 13.1 points and a team-leading 4.5 assists in 34 games. He is earning $6.1 million this season – the final year of his contract. “They misquoted me drastically.”

* The Bulls waived forward Viktor Khryapa and reached a settlement on the remainder of his contract.

HOCKEY: Lafleur pleads not guilty

NHL great Guy Lafleur pleaded not guilty yesterday in Montreal to a charge of giving contradictory testimony at his son’s bail hearing last year. His lawyer reserved the option of a jury trial during a brief court appearance. The lawyer entered the plea for Lafleur, who was not present. Lafleur’s son, Mark, is in jail facing more than 20 charges, including sexual assault of a minor and uttering threats.