Lou wants higher sartorial standards

The sign went up in the Devil Rays clubhouse last week. By orders of manager Lou Piniella.

LONG PANTS TO THE BALLPARK.

It's not that Piniella has anything against seeing a player's knees, but wearing shorts to a game is no way for a major-leaguer to dress.

"You know I look at these guys coming in with shorts, and I think they've been at the beach, and that's not comforting to me," Piniella said. "You're a major-league player. You get paid like a major-league player. At least resemble one when you get to the ballpark."

On the road the Rays, like all teams, dress for success. They wear sportcoats, dress pants, nice shoes. At home, though, teams tend to get a little casual, especially in sunny Florida.

That changed last week.

No more shorts. No more flip-flops. The players don't have to look as if they are about to step on the cover of GQ, but they shouldn't look like a Beach Boys video either.

For Piniella, it's all about respect for the game.

"That's what it is," he said. "Before you can have discipline on the field as a team, you got to have some personal discipline, too. I believe in that strongly."

SANDBERG BACK: The roster shuffling will continue today with the expected recall of third baseman Jared Sandberg from Triple-A Durham.

Having demoted Jorge Sosa after Sunday's game, the Rays would appear to need another pitcher, at least in time to start Saturday's game at Baltimore.

But they apparently are planning first to call up Sandberg, who had a chance to win the starting job in spring training but didn't hit enough.

His numbers after five weeks at Durham aren't particularly impressive - a .236 average, five homers and 12 RBIs in 34 games, 50 strikeouts in 123 at-bats - but the Rays may want to give him a look in their search for right-handed power to balance their lineup.

Veteran Damion Easley has been playing third, but he hasn't been very productive with a .175 average and four RBIs in 26 games.

If the Rays are going to call up a pitcher to start Saturday, the top rostered candidates would appear to be Jason Standridge and Doug Waechter.

LAST AND LONELY: After drawing 56,540 total for a six-game homestand, the Rays dropped back to last in the majors with an average attendance of 12,237 through a major-league-high 22 home games.

The Montreal/San Juan Expos are 29th, with an average of 12,280, with Florida (13,693) 28th, Detroit (15,388) 27th and Milwaukee (15,890) 26th.

ON A ROLLS: Outfielder Damian Rolls, who has been out since fracturing his right thumb April 23, hopes he can return to the team after the Rays complete a two-week trip that begins today in Toronto. But, he said, he'll know more as he takes more swings during extended spring training.

"I'll have to wait and see, but it's feeling pretty good," Rolls said.

MIX IT UP: The Rays' starting rotation seems to change by the day, but it was having a little success before Sosa's meltdown Sunday.

Maybe it's because the Rays don't throw the same type of pitcher two games in a row.

Joe Kennedy can bring heat and a good breaking pitch. Jim Parque throws junk. Seth McClung rears back and fires. And Dewon Brazelton has a nasty changeup that often fools hitters.

"I'm starting to like the mix we have in our rotation," Piniella said. "We have some power, we got a little finesse. It's a nice mix."

MISCELLANY: To help reduce SARS-related stigma, a Toronto businessman bought more than 20,000 tickets to Wednesday's game with the Rays and three others, which will be resold for $2, with the proceeds going to charity. Fans also will get free refills on soft drinks and popcorn.