No guarantees that McRae will return

© St. Petersburg Times
published September 18, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- Managing general partner Vince Naimoli said Tuesday the Rays' performance this season has been a group effort and not the fault of any one person.

But that doesn't necessarily mean there won't be changes.

Though Naimoli reiterated that general manager Chuck LaMar, who is under contract through 2004, will be back, he did not say the same about manager Hal McRae.

"It's up to Chuck," Naimoli said. "I'd rather withhold comment on it. You can't point to any specifics or any individuals from a specific standpoint. With the number of wins we have, I'm sure all of us have to have dissatisfaction. But you can't assign blame to one individual."

LaMar said he will meet with McRae, who is signed through 2003, during the final road trip next week. Naimoli said he will meet with LaMar shortly after.

ESPN's Peter Gammons reported last week that Mariners manager Lou Piniella, a Tampa native, may try to get out of the final year of his contract in Seattle and mentioned Tampa Bay as a possible destination.

Piniella, who reportedly makes more than $2.3-million a year, denied the report and told Seattle writers: "I've got one more year left on my contract here. I expect to be here."

ANOTHER FIRST: A day before the Rays were to honor him as minor-league pitcher of the year, Lance Carter earned his first major-league win with 22/3 innings of scoreless relief.

"I'm excited, but my personality is I'm pretty much an even-keeled guy," the Bradenton native said. "I don't gloat. I know tomorrow is another day and the next time I go out something different might happen."

Carter relieved Paul Wilson with one out in the seventh. Signed by the Rays in January after calling manager Hal McRae for a tryout, the right-hander struck out five of 12 batters and now has 10 consecutive scoreless innings.

He is 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA and one save in five appearances since being called up from Triple-A Durham on Aug. 31.

"I'm pitching the way I was pitching down there (at Durham)," Carter said. "I'm not giving in to the hitters, not thinking they're any different than what was down there."

COACHING ADDITIONS: Durham manager Bill Evers and pitching coach Joe Coleman, who led the Bulls to the International League championship last week, joined the Rays staff for the rest of the season.

Of the 51 players Evers and Coleman had in Durham, 23 are with the Rays or spent time with the club during the season.

"The guys really responded and understood what they needed to do to make the team successful and were willing to give of themselves," Evers said. "It's a situation where I think winning helps in their development, makes them understand that the hard work pays off."

USING HIS HEAD: The Rays got a scare during batting practice when Andy Sheets was hit in the head by a line drive off Carl Crawford's bat.

Sheets was standing behind a screen positioned to protect players as they practiced turning double plays. The ball sailed over the screen and hit Sheets, who was standing a few feet behind the base.

He was not hurt.

"Just a little bump," Sheets said. "It's alright."

ODDS AND ENDS: The Rays are the first AL team to begin 3-0 and lose 100. ... The 2003 schedule will be released today. The Rays will open at home against the Red Sox on March 31. Their home interleague schedule will consist of games with the Braves, Reds and Pirates. ... The Rays of Hope charity golf tournament Monday raised about $60,000 for the foundation. ... Fans can donate their used sporting equipment Thursday at Tropicana Field. Donations go toward helping disadvantaged kids around Tampa Bay. ... Outfield prospect Rocco Baldelli joins Carter and others who will be honored before tonight's game for their minor-league accomplishments. Baldelli was the organization's player of the year.