JUST A JERSEY GIRL STANDING UP FOR HER HOME STATE

     NJ Gov. Christine Todd Whitman told New York's WNBC-TV that
if the Yankees move to the Meadowlands, they should change their
name to the New Jersey Yankees, and that the Jets and Giants
should follow suit.  Whitman said she is "determined" to have the
two "New York" football teams that play at the NJ-state-owned
Giants Stadium adopt New Jersey's name.  According to Whitman
spokesperson Rita Manno, the comments "were intended to be heard"
by Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner.  Whitman said yesterday
"the door is open" for the Yankees to move to the Meadowlands,
where the state has offered the team a deal for a new stadium.
According to Manno, Whitman's remarks "grew out of the
frustration that New Jersey isn't given the respect it deserves,"
and that teams that play in NJ "ought to have some link to the
title of the state" (Mark Mooney, N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/10).
     LAST PARAGRAPH BEFORE TOLL:  The USBL's newest team will be
called the "New Jersey Turnpikes" and will begin play this season
in Hoboken (WASHINGTON POST, 4/10).