Godzilla a pal to Vaughn

© St. Petersburg Times
published March 3, 2003

TAMPA -- Hideki Matsui may be an international man of mystery to many, but to Greg Vaughn he's an old friend.

The Rays slugger and the new Yankees outfielder hit it off during a 1998 postseason tour of Japan and have kept in contact, exchanging occasional postcards. As soon as Vaughn arrived at Legends Field on Sunday, Matsui's interpreter was waiting to bring them together for a chat.

"For probably 12 of the 15 days I was there I was with Matsui every night," Vaughn said. "We had a good time. He took care of me. He showed me around. He's a good guy."

Vaughn, who has a framed Matsui jersey at his home, said he got a glimpse then of just how big a star his new friend was.

"You go over there with him it's like being with Michael Jackson over here," Vaughn said. "We're driving off and you've got 2,000 people chasing the car. It's unbelievable. It really is. Ichiro (Suzuki) is big; I think (Matsui) might even be bigger. I don't know if it's possible, but he might. They're like our Michael Jordan, Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) and Kobe (Bryant). That's what they are."

GAME NOTES: The Rays led 4-2 through six thanks to home runs by Aubrey Huff and Lee Stevens and a run-scoring groundout by Vaughn, but the Yankees rallied. They got two in the seventh off Edgar Huerta, who threw 21 in the inning, then won it in the ninth when Erick Almonte singled off Blake Stein.

RENEWED INTEREST: As expected, the Rays renewed the contracts of the eight players unsigned by Sunday morning. Under the team's revised salary structure for players with less then two years of major-league experience, all got the new major-league minimum of $300,000.

Some players said the system was unfair to those at the top end of the group in experience and performance, but general manager Chuck LaMar said the team felt the increase in the minimum was enough of a raise.

"It's not an issue for the players here," pitcher Joe Kennedy said. "We all got raises and we're not complaining about not getting paid more."

The players were going to get the same salary whether they signed or renewed, but several said they opted for the renewal as a matter of principle, with the hope that it will help them when they are eligible for arbitration.

"It's a business, and they made a business decision," Kennedy said. "It's something we feel will help us in the long run."

The other players renewed were Brent Abernathy, Carl Crawford, Toby Hall, Travis Phelps, Damian Rolls, Jared Sandberg and Jason Tyner.

DUCK: Jim Parque was pleased with his first start, but a trio of balls hit back up the middle were a little disconcerting. "I think I need to pitch with a screen next time," Parque said. "I need to work on my comebackers. It was welcome back."

MOVING PIECES: Lou Piniella's search for versatility and lineup options continues today, with Rolls scheduled to start in centerfield against the Indians and second baseman Marlon Anderson playing center in the B game against the Reds.

Anderson, who hasn't played outfield since his freshman year at South Alabama, has been taking fly balls during workouts.

"I'm getting used to being out there," he said. "I'm used to being in the middle of the infield, so hopefully that will work to my advantage. I feel like I'm an athletic player, so we'll see how it works."

B-ROLL: The Rays will send a squad to Sarasota this morning for the first of the week's three B games. Doug Waechter will pitch against the Reds in the 10 a.m. game against Ryan Dempster. Josh Hamilton, Crawford and Tyner are scheduled to play.

MISCELLANY: Rocco Baldelli is 0-for-11 through the intrasquad, Eckerd and two exhibition games but said he feels good at the plate and isn't pressing. ... Lou Piniella noted that Matsui appeared to be of a contact hitter than expected: "His swing is more conducive to contact than the name Godzilla would indicate." ... The first 1,000 fans today get Al Lopez posters. ... Victor Zambrano, Hans Smith, Phelps, Mike James, Brian Fitzgerald and Seth McClung are scheduled to pitch against Cleveland.