By TOM JONES and MARC TOPKIN
Published April 6, 2004
ST. PETERSBURG - The last time Don Zimmer watched a major-league game from the stands was ... uh. Zimmer has to think. And think. And think.
Other than a few World Series games, Zimmer, to the best of his recollection, last watched a game from the stands June 13, 1986, the day after being fired as third-base coach of the Cubs.
"I think that's the last time; I don't really remember," Zimmer, a special adviser to the Devil Rays, said. "Put it this way: 56 years of baseball and I haven't done it too much. Just a couple of times maybe."
Starting today, Zimmer will watch Rays games from somewhere other than in uniform from the dugout. Zimmer will be in uniform during the pregame but will not be allowed on the bench during games because the Rays have the maximum number of coaches allowed in uniform.
"It's definitely going to be different," Zimmer said. "I might watch some games from the stands, I might watch some from up in the clubhouse. I don't know. But it definitely will be strange not being on the bench."
The strangest sights of the week, though, might not be seeing Zimmer in street clothes during the game. It might be the faces in the crowd for Wednesday's game. All fans will be given Zimmer masks before the game. Someone suggested to Zimmer that it might feel as if he is walking into a nightmare seeing his face everywhere.
"Actually, it will be a nightmare for everybody else," Zimmer said. "Look at this face. Not exactly made for Hollywood."
LOCAL YOKEL: Tampa native Jason Romano feared the worst when Dodgers officials called him into the manager's office Saturday before an exhibition in Anaheim.
Instead, he got just about the best news he could have imagined: a trade to the hometown Devil Rays.
"I was a little worried, and they're like, "You're going home to Tampa Bay,"' Romano said Monday. "I was like, "Wow!' I couldn't believe it. I called my family and they were all excited."
Romano, 24, has played parts of two seasons in the majors but has not played in Tropicana Field since a predraft workout in 1997. The Rangers made him the 39th overall pick out of Hillsborough High, but he has been traded to the Rockies and the Dodgers. Los Angeles let him go despite his spring-high .379 average, five home runs, 14 RBIs and five steals, in part because he was out of options.
A third baseman in high school, Romano has evolved into a versatile utilityman. The Dodgers used him primarily as an extra outfielder, but the Rays plan for him to fill in around the infield and be a pinch-runner.
Romano said he had not taken ground balls "in about a year" but was ready to do whatever was asked of him, and the Rays put him right to work.
"He's an athletic young kid, he had a great spring with the Dodgers and we've been looking to add depth to our middle infield," manager Lou Piniella said. "He's a welcome addition."
To make room for Romano, the Rays designated Charles Gipson for assignment, which gives them 10 days to trade or release him or pass him through waivers.
TICKET TIME: As of Monday afternoon, the Rays had tickets for tonight's opener remaining in several price categories. They are anticipating a large walkup crowd that could result in a sellout and are urging fans to arrive early to avoid long waits. Tropicana Field ticket windows open at 9 a.m.
JET-LAGGED: Most of the Rays said they are finally over the jet lag from flying to Tokyo and back in less than a week and sleeping regular hours.
"I think we're pretty close to being on an eastern time zone schedule," Piniella said. "It took a while, though."
MISCELLANY: Fred McGriff is likely to remain on a minor-league contract for a couple more weeks, still hoping for a big-league job somewhere. ... The Rays have won their past three Tropicana Field openers and are 3-3 overall. ... The top spring training rookie will receive the Al Lopez Award before the game.
