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© St. Petersburg Times, published June 6, 2002
TORONTO -- The past year has been so hectic that Joe Kennedy was not remotely aware of the upcoming anniversary.
Kennedy is scheduled to start against the Blue Jays today, exactly one year after he got his first big-league win on the mound at SkyDome.
"My mom told me about that (Tuesday) night when she called," Kennedy said. "Actually my grandmother was the one that said it to her."
The left-hander, whom the Rays recalled from Triple-A Durham on June 2, 2001, allowed two runs in five innings against the Blue Jays on June 6. The Rays won 6-2.
"I was still in the clubhouse watching the game," Kennedy said. "It wasn't like it was a for-sure win. I was a little nervous until that last out."
He kept the game ball, of course, and though he displayed it atop a bookcase for a while it's now packed in a box at his condominium.
"I'm waiting to take it out when I get a house or a condo of my own," Kennedy said.
Today will be his 12th start of the season. Since a complete game against the Mariners on May 21, he has allowed 12 runs and four homers in the past two games, both against Oakland.
"That first win was probably one of my biggest thrills of my life," Kennedy said. "Something like that, you just don't forget."
A WHIM: In his continuing effort to try to find the right mix in the batting order, manager Hal McRae moved leftfielder Greg Vaughn to the No. 2 spot.
It marked the first time since Aug. 8-11, 1994, that Vaughn had batted second. He went 3-for-17 in a four-game series at Tiger Stadium.
Wednesday, Vaughn was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and a walk.
"We're always looking for inspiration," McRae said. "It's just for today. I don't need inspiration every day. I don't know where (the muse) is from. It's better when no one is around when it happens."
McRae batted left-handers Steve Cox, Ben Grieve and Aubrey Huff behind Vaughn for the purpose of getting to Toronto right-hander Esteban Loaiza early.
Loaiza is a low-ball pitcher.
"(Vaughn) is a low-ball hitter," McRae said. "And he walks."
WILLING AND ABLE: When Vaughn fouled a ball off his left foot last week, McRae toyed with batting outfielder Jason Conti in the leadoff spot.
"That's one of the goals I have, to be a major-league leadoff hitter," said Conti, who has never batted leadoff in a major-league game.
"If you throw me a fastball I'm going to hit it. I'm not just going to take one down the middle, especially right now in the short time that I've spent in the major leagues. You can't waste that one. It's one you have to hit."
Brent Abernathy, who was off Wednesday, has taken over as leadoff hitter since Jason Tyner was sent to Durham on May 28. Abernathy is batting .278 with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer and 9 RBIs in 144 at-bats in the No. 1 spot.
MINOR MATTERS: Shortstop Ramon Soler, who was designated for assignment Monday when Bobby Seay came off the 60-day disabled list, was claimed by the Mets.
Reliever Lee Gardner, designated for assignment June 1, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Durham. Gardner was 0-0 with a 4.90 ERA in four appearances.
ODDS AND ENDS: With 70,231 votes, Cox is fifth among AL first baseman in All-Star voting. Rightfielder Grieve is eighth among outfielders with 117,310. ... Blue Jays pitching coach Mark Connor and bench coach Cookie Rojas, both members of former manager Buck Martinez's staff, resigned. Bullpen coach Gil Patterson was promoted to take Connor's place. A replacement for Rojas was not announced. ... Bench coach Billy Hatcher coached third for the third game in a row. ... Recently demoted catcher Toby Hall went 3-for-5 with two runs for Durham against Ottawa on Tuesday and was batting .304 through five games..