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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 21, 2003
PORT ST. LUCIE -- Rey Ordonez's return to Mets camp nearly turned into headline news. Or even back-page news.
Ordonez, acquired by Tampa Bay in December, stirred things up by telling New York writers before Thursday's 8-2 loss he wanted to confront former teammate Roberto Alomar for making derogatory comments about him behind his back.
"He talked a lot of (expletive) about me," Ordonez said. "I want to see his face now. Every day he had something to say different about me. ... If he's got something on his mind, why not say it during the season?"
Ordonez also said he shouldn't be blamed for Alomar's poor season: "I didn't play second base for him; I didn't hit for him."
But what looked to be a big story fizzled when the writers tracked down Alomar and he said a) he didn't make any such comments and b) he didn't have any issues with Ordonez.
A while later Ordonez and Alomar met on the field and chatted amicably, then both agreed there was no problem.
"He thought I said something I didn't say," Alomar said. "He was upset because he heard, or his wife or his agent saw something in the paper and I told him, 'You know what Rey, if I have something to say to you, as a man I'll say it to your face.' "
That was good enough for Ordonez. "Everything is good now, everything is clear. He said no to my face. I'm more relaxed now."
It still wasn't a quiet night for Ordonez, who was booed lustily by the sellout crowd still upset that he called the New York fans "stupid" last season.
KENNEDY OFF AGAIN: Joe Kennedy keeps saying it's only spring training, and the Rays don't have much choice but to believe him.
The opening-day starter had a second straight rough outing, allowing seven hits and three runs over four innings while throwing 85 pitches in his second-to-last outing. In 13 spring innings he has allowed 22 hits and three walks and has a 6.23 ERA.
"It's all about getting your work in, fine-tuning, getting ready for the season," Kennedy said. "I felt better today than during my last outing. I know what I'm doing wrong, I just have to correct it."
Said manager Lou Piniella: "He needs to get a little sharper his next time out."
GAME DETAILS: The Rays were in it until a sloppy sixth inning. Delvin James gave up four hits, including a home run to Timo Perez; Carl Crawford failed to catch what looked like a routine fly ball; and Ordonez made a bad relay throw. ... John Frascatore allowed a long home run to Cliff Floyd in the seventh. ... The Rays, showing no sign of offense, got their runs on a sac fly and a ground out. They have scored three or fewer runs in 12 of 21 games. ... Piniella's take? "We're starting to see who can perform and who can't."
DRIVE FOR FIVE: A strong performance against Baltimore today could make Steve Parris the fifth starter.
With Dewon Brazelton slowed by injury and Jorge Sosa and Jason Standridge struggling a bit, Parris, a 35-year-old veteran who has allowed one run in 91/3 innings over four games, has become the leading candidate for the job.
"It's sitting there," Piniella said. "Of all the pitchers we have here Parris has pitched the best."
SCARY NIGHT: Three members of the clubhouse staff suffered minor injuries Wednesday night when the equipment van they were driving hit a large cow on State Road 70 outside Okeechobee.
Torian Sands, who had to be removed from what was left of the 15-passenger van by rescue personnel, was treated and released at an Okeechobee hospital, receiving three stitches near his right eye and numerous cuts and scrapes. Jose Fernandez, who was driving, and Mike Ferrario were bruised and sore.
"If you saw the van, you'd know we're lucky to be alive," Ferrario said.
NO REGRETS: Despite some creative questioning, Piniella refused to acknowledge any regrets about not getting the chance to be considered for the Mets job. "It's all over with," he said. "I was fortunate Seattle let me negotiate with one team. They owned my contract."
MR. VERSATILITY: In his continuing search for versatility and additional offense, Piniella started third baseman Jared Sandberg (who has a .189 average) at second base, his original position.
That could be significant because Piniella wants to occasionally move second baseman Marlon Anderson to the outfield (he started in center Thursday) and needs a backup.
Sandberg, who hasn't played second since early in his minor-league career, turned a nice double play. Since he can also play first he would offer more versatility than Brent Abernathy. Piniella noted, however, "It would be nice for (Sandberg) to hit a little bit."
MISCELLANY: Russ Johnson, whose 2002 season with the Rays was interrupted by treatment for depression and anxiety, said he is feeling good and having fun competing for a backup infield job with the Mets.