IDOL WORSHIP: Jason Standridge knew Ruben Studdard before he became big. And before he became a star on Fox's American Idol show.
Standridge and the heavyweight singer were on the same Little League team in Birmingham, Ala., as 10-year-olds, Standridge pitching and Studdard, who went by his middle name of Chris back then, catching.
Standridge didn't know about Studdard's rise to stardom until spring training, when their old coach came to visit and asked if he had seen his former teammate on TV.
"I was like, "No way, you've got to be kidding me,' " Standridge said. "It was really funny. But then I was pulling for him all the way. I enjoy watching Ruben sing. He was awesome. He really made me proud."
Near the end of the Idol competition, the other finalist, Clay Aiken, made an appearance at the Durham ballpark. Standridge considered asking him to pass on a hello to Studdard, who won the competition, but instead will try to catch him when the Idols make a concert tour stop Aug. 13 in Tampa.
"I didn't realize he could sing that well," Standridge said.
FAMILY AFFAIR: Javier and Jose Valentin have played against each other a handful of times in the majors and during the winter in their native Puerto Rico.
But it still will be special this week when Jose's White Sox come to town.
"It's always exciting," said Javier, the Rays catcher whose full name is Jose Javier Valentin. "We're brothers outside, but between the lines it's all business. We don't even talk when we play."
The two have been playing baseball together as long as Javier can remember. "That's our life, baseball," he said. "It's in our blood."
Jose, a shortstop whose full name is Jose Antonio Valentin, is six years older and more experienced. Does that mean he's the better player? "I don't know," Javier said. "Ask him that."
YOU DON'T SAY
"Pretty much the same way I react to anything else - take it in stride and don't worry about it too much." - BEN GRIEVE, on how he'd handle Lou Piniella's criticism.
BIG NUMBER
28: Walks issued by Rays pitchers in four games against the Yankees.
- Compiled by Marc Topkin.
[Last modified June 29, 2003, 08:04:32]
Today's lineup
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Other sports
