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Abernathy has Olympic spirit

© St. Petersburg Times
published February 23, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- Watching the Olympics has taken on a new meaning for second baseman Brent Abernathy.

A member of the U.S. baseball team that won the 2000 gold medal in Sydney, Abernathy has relived his experience the past two weeks by following the Winter Games.

"I watched the Opening Ceremonies and I still get the chills just thinking and knowing what the people in the stadium were feeling and knowing what it means to represent the country in the biggest sporting event there is," Abernathy said.

"I was watching the other night when the speed skater broke the world record and all that, and it just makes you feel good because you've been there and done that and you know how special it is. I've tried to watch it and follow it as much as I can -- unless figure skating is on."

Abernathy has his gold medal tucked safely away but plans eventually to display it and his other Olympic memorabilia in his home. Right now, the memories still are fresh.

"There were different moments that were highlights," he said. "When we walked into the stadium for the Opening Ceremonies, the first time we took the field against Japan, when (Minnesota's Doug) Mientkiewicz hit the home run to put us in the gold-medal game. But standing on the podium getting the gold medal and hearing the national anthem being played pretty much topped it all off."

RAINY DAYS AND FRIDAYS: Steady rain didn't keep the Rays from getting quality work in, manager Hal McRae said.

Players ran, threw and did conditioning on the fields, hit and pitched in the indoor batting cages and spent some time in "chalk sessions," going over things such as cutoffs and relays, situational hitting, baserunning and pickoff moves.

"I don't feel like we lost a day," McRae said. "It will be difficult (today) if we can't get on the field, and the weather report isn't good. We'll have to see what we can do indoors. As long as we can get in our stretching, running and throwing, we'll be in decent shape. We don't want to lose what we've gained conditioningwise."

MEDICAL REPORT: Top prospect Josh Hamilton, sidelined with a sore back, did not receive cortisone shots as scheduled Friday. Instead, Hamilton and the Rays agreed to have him seen by a third specialist, Dr. Robert Watkins. Hamilton is scheduled to be examined Monday in Los Angeles. ... Reliever Kevin McGlinchy, who was not ready to face hitters with the rest of the staff Wednesday, was unable to throw a scheduled bullpen session Friday because of soreness in his shoulder. He is scheduled to try again today.

CHOOSE YOUR SIDES: McRae said he is not inclined to schedule any intrasquad games in advance of Friday's exhibition opener unless the pitchers need the work. "Personally, I don't believe in intrasquad games," McRae said. "I don't want one of my guys hurting one of my guys in a contest we don't need to engage in. I couldn't sleep at night. Just to do it to do it, I don't see any reasons."

MISCELLANY: Tanyon Sturtze was honored Friday by the Tampa Sports Club as the team's 2001 MVP. ... General manager Chuck LaMar hosted the YMCA of the Suncoast fundraiser at his home Friday night. ... LaMar and coaches Jackie Brown, Glenn Ezell and Tom Foley will attend tonight's Clearwater for Youth fundraiser.

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