Return to pinstripes a comfortable fit for Tino
By MARC TOPKIN
Published March 20, 2005
ST. PETERSBURG - Tino Martinez returns to Progress Energy Park today, and he couldn't be happier to be coming back as a visitor.
The Tampa native took something of a gamble when he turned down an offer to return to his hometown Devil Rays this season, but it paid off big when he got the chance to go back to the Yankees.
And after a month in the familiar pinstripes, he couldn't be more pleased with his decision.
"Of course it's fun," Martinez said. "I'm very comfortable here. I love playing for Joe Torre. I know what to expect and how the team operates. It's a great opportunity to try to have a chance to play for this team and to win again."
Under baseball's free-agent rules, Martinez had to decide on the Rays' offer without knowing for sure whether he could make a deal with the Yankees, who had to sort out what they were going to do with Jason Giambi. The Marlins and Rangers were other options, but Martinez knew where he wanted to end up.
"If I had the chance it was something I couldn't pass up," Martinez said. "I always had that door open hoping one day I could come back here and play another year or two and finish my career here and have another chance to win a World Series.
"This is definitely where I want to be."
FOR OPENERS: Dewon Brazelton will be the Rays' seventh different opening-day starter in seven seasons, joining Wilson Alvarez (1999), Steve Trachsel (2000), Albie Lopez (2001), Tanyon Sturtze (2002), Joe Kennedy (2003) and Victor Zambrano (2004). Meanwhile, Brad Radke - a Tampa product - will be making his seventh straight opening-day start for the Twins. ... Ex-Ray Paul Wilson is scheduled to make the opening-day start for the Reds.
RAYS RUMBLINGS: Pitcher Matt White, who got a $10.2-million bonus to sign with the Rays in 1996, is rehabbing from a third shoulder surgery and hopes to be pitching in games by the fall instructional league. ... USA Today Sports Weekly's crystal ball forecasts Scott Kazmir as the 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner and B.J. Upton as the 2008 AL MVP. ... Kazmir is third in Baseball America's projected 2005 rookie of the year voting behind Dallas McPherson (Angels) and Nick Swisher (A's). ... With three players retiring this spring ( Roberto Alomar, Danny Bautista and Marty Cordova), manager Lou Piniella said "I'm going to check the locker room every day." ... Does Lance Berkman's six-year, $85-million contract with the Astros make it more or less likely the Rays and Carl Crawford can work out a long-term deal? ... Top draft pick Jeff Niemann was so impressive this spring, he could be back for good by the end of the summer. ... Ex-Ray Jason Standridge made a good impression on the Rangers before being sent to the minors. ... Crawford today will receive his 2004 team MVP award from the Tampa Bay chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Jorge Cantu will get the top rookie award and Martinez the Champion award.
MR. SENSITIVE: Red Sox manager Terry Francona takes things seriously. Before deciding on the makeup of the middle of his batting order, he held a joint meeting with Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz to discuss their feelings since both wanted to bat third. "I want them to know I care," Francona said. The verdict? Ramirez will hit third and Ortiz fourth.
A NEW PLATOON: The Tigers are considering a novel way to replace Alex Sanchez in centerfield - using speedster Nook Logan for home games at vast Comerica Park and powerful Craig Monroe on the road, where there is less ground to cover and closer fences to hit the ball over.
MISCELLANY: There is a lot of speculation that Mark McGwire's poor performance at the congressional hearings cost him a first-ballot election to the Hall of Fame. ... Baseball America ranked commissioner Bud Selig first on its list of the game's power brokers; last time in 1998 he was second to union chief Don Fehr. ... The Angels may have some interest in reliever Mark Guthrie, who was released last week by the Rays. ... San Diego is planning to give manager Bruce Bochy a contract extension. ... Depending on the health of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, the Cubs could open the season with Ryan Dempster, Glendon Rusch and Sergio Mitre in their rotation. ... Todd Ritchie, who pitched briefly with the Rays last season, went to camp with the Pirates but decided to retire. ... The Nationals, who are still owned by the other 29 clubs, will open the season with a payroll of about $47-million, some $15-million to $17-million more than the Rays.
Information from other news organizations was used in the report.