From the Top

Arroyo sings, Jeter swings and what Bonds' ball brings

By MARC TOPKIN
Published January 30, 2005

Bronson Arroyo has a solid windup. It turns out that he has a pretty smooth delivery, too.

Having established himself as a major-league starter and winning a World Series with the Red Sox, the Hernando High grad fulfilled another dream by cutting his first album.

Covering the Bases, a CD of Arroyo covering mostly '90s rock, is tentatively set for a July 12 national release, with the possibility of a July 13 concert in Boston and an ensuing DVD.

"He's awesome," said veteran record producer Loren Harriet. "He's unbelievable how good he sounds. People are going to get blown away by it. He really has that special thing, whatever that special thing is. I think he's Roy Hobbs."

Arroyo may be a natural for the rock scene. Harriet said Arroyo has an " Eddie Vedder/Pearl Jam/Alice in Chains kind of vibe" and tons of talent.

"This is not a novelty, and it's not vanity," he said. "He has some background in music. He loves to sing. He's very, very good at it. And he's ready to go to the next level."

Arroyo, who recorded for a week in Los Angeles and did the rest at Emerald City Recording in Oldsmar, even swapped his cornrows for a more hip 'do.

"He's definitely looking the part," agent Lou Mann said. "He loved it and had a great time."

SEEN AND (OVER)HEARD: So much for the question if pro golfer Natalie Gulbis and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are an item. Gulbis, who poses in a bikini on the cover of her own calendar, was late to Derek Jeter's charity tournament at Avila on Monday because her plane was delayed leaving Pittsburgh, which was not the site of an LPGA event. ... Michael Jordan's visit for Jeter's tournament featured stops at the Signature Room Grille at Channelside and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. ... Tampa businesswoman Martha Korman bid $40,000 to charity during the night-before auction to have Jordan play in her group. ... Simeon Rice could have some even more interesting views of the world after co-hosting FHM magazine's Super Bowl party. ... Jeter and Shaq were on the guest list for Donald Trump's wedding.

NEWS BRIEFS: After reading of new Hall of Famer Wade Boggs' hunting exploits in the Times, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals folks sent him a letter reading "it takes a real "chicken man' to shoot defenseless animals" and threatening to put him in the PETA Hall of Shame. ... Radio broadcaster Paul Olden, "surprised and disappointed" to be let go by the Rays, heads to Jacksonville for his 12th year as the public address voice of the Super Bowl, then continues his search for another baseball job. ... Up for Grabs, a documentary about the fight over Barry Bonds' record-setting 73rd home run ball, screens Saturday at the Sarasota Film Festival, 3:15 p.m. at the Regal Hollywood 20 Cinemas, 1993 Main St. ... Rays top draft pick Jeff Niemann's sister, Emily, is a 6-foot-1 sophomore reserve forward for the No. 7-ranked Baylor women's basketball team, averaging nearly 10 points ... Lawrence Taylor's team had the low score at the Jeter golf tournament and Brett Hull won the longest drive and closest to the pin contests. ... Rays manager Lou Piniella and senior adviser Don Zimmer are among the headliners for the Connecticut Sports Foundation Against Cancer dinner Feb. 11 at the Mohegan Sun. ... Rays pregame TV host Todd Kalas will do play by play for the Arena Football League New Orleans VooDoo.

How long will Bucs general manager Bruce Allen and coach Jon Gruden keep up the charade of sounding excited about rebuilding with young players?

If Tony Saunders makes it back to the majors after twice breaking his arm, could he be nominated for the annual Tony Saunders courage award?

If/when the NHL season does start, will all the anger and frustration fans had over the lockout last more than a day?

Won-loss/average home attendance for USF men's basketball team: 8-9/3,015

Won loss/average home attendance for USF women's basketball team: 14-6/506

[Last modified January 30, 2005, 00:10:19]