NEW YORK CITY (AP) -- Flags were lowered to half-staff at New York's City Hall and fans began to gather at Yankee Stadium to pay respects to owner George Steinbrenner.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg calls Steinbrenner a larger-than-life figure who gave his heart and soul to the team he loved. Bloomberg said Steinbrenner leaves "in the only way that would be appropriate: as a reigning world champion."

At the Bronx stadium, someone left roses, one white and one yellow, on top of the team emblem on the pavement.

Laura Delorey had gone there with her father there for a tour. She was raised in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, before moving to Westminster, Mass. - Red Sox turf.

She tearfully admits: "I still bleed blue."

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