Rays get dose of Japan's Nomo fixation

By MARC TOPKIN
Published February 25, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - They came early to get a good view and stayed late for the final word. Most pitchers throw their first batting practice session of the spring in relative anonymity, but, as the Devil Rays are finding out by the size of the Japanese media contingent, whatever Hideo Nomo does is big news.

Thursday, the right-hander threw 33 pitches to a group of five hitters who are likely to open the season in the minors. And there were 18 reporters and photographers chronicling every move.

"I don't know why people are so interested in my batting practice," Nomo said through an interpreter.

Rays pitching coach Chuck Hernandez was surprised at the high level of interest for such a mundane endeavor.

Said Nomo: "I feel the same way."

For what it's worth, Nomo looked good during the brief session, mixing three or four impressive split-fingers with his assortment of fastballs and curves.

"He threw that splitter and I was like, "Wow,' " outfielder Joey Gathright said. "I didn't expect it to be that good."

Hernandez said he liked what he saw.

"He threw a lot of strikes," Hernandez said. "I think his velocity is starting to come little by little. He seems to be increasing every time out. We're encouraged at this point. We've just to keep on going and see where he ends up."

Left-hander Denny Neagle, the other veteran looking to make the rotation, was also sharp, impressing Hernandez with sharp command and a good changeup.

"Today felt great," Neagle said. "I'm encouraged."

PINIELLA UPDATE: Manager Lou Piniella stopped by briefly toward the end of practice, having been away since Saturday attending to his 86-year-old father, Louis Sr., who remains in the critical care unit of Tampa's St. Joseph's Hospital.

"He's resting comfortably," Piniella said. "There's not much else we can do."

Piniella, who greeted many of the players as they came into the clubhouse, said he hopes to be back on the field today.

CORDOVA RETIRES: Nonroster outfielder Marty Cordova, 35, decided to retire rather than report to camp with a nagging back injury that would have kept him from playing.

"It was a tough decision, and he thought long and hard about it," agent Sam Levinson said. "He realized it would be the wrong thing to do as an invited player to come into camp the first day and go right into the trainer's room. He thanked Chuck ( LaMar) for the opportunity."

Cordova hasn't played since April 2003.

HEADING NORTH: Charlie Slowes, who was let go after seven seasons in the Rays radio booth, was hired Thursday as the voice of the Washington Nationals.

"I'm ecstatic," Slowes said. "There is so much buzz about this team. I don't know what the odds are of being the original announcer for two new teams in two cities."

PITCHING IN: Scott Kazmir and minor-leaguer Chris Seddon also stood out during Thursday's throwing session. ... Left-hander Bobby Seay came the closest to hitting a batter, nicking outfielder Dee Brown on the right sleeve. ... Dewon Brazelton broke Aubrey Huff's bat with a sinking fastball. ... Top draft pick Jeff Niemann, who hasn't pitched in a game since May, will throw to hitters for the first time today. ... Minor-league pitchers Jon Switzer, Brian Stokes and Jason Hammel are being held out of throwing for medical reasons.

MISCELLANY: Brazelton (around $1.1-million), Lance Carter (around $360,000) and Seth McClung (around $320,000) agreed to terms on one-year deals, leaving three players unsigned: Rocco Baldelli, B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford, with whom the Rays have reopened talks on a long-term deal. ... The Rays are planning to play intrasquad games Monday and Tuesday. ... Kazmir will throw out the first pitch at the St. Petersburg Northeast Little League opener 2 p.m Saturday. TV announcer Joe Magrane will do the same at the Tampa Bay Little League at 9 a.m. ... Former Rays prospect Greg "Toe" Nash was arrested again in Louisiana, this time for a probation violation.

"It was a love tap." - BOBBY SEAY, pitcher, on throwing a pitch that nicked outfielder Dee Brown.

The workout starts at 9:30 a.m. and should last until around 1 p.m. at the Naimoli complex, 7901 30th Ave. N. The highlight will be live batting practice, with pitchers throwing to hitters, beginning at 10:50 a.m. Admission and parking are free.

Nonroster infielder Brandon Larson holds the franchise records at Triple-A Louisville with 70 home runs, 227 RBIs and 148 extra-base hits.

[Last modified February 25, 2005, 00:52:18]