Rays tales

By MARC TOPKIN
Published May 8, 2005

Anyone who watches the Devil Rays knows Aubrey Huff can swing.

What you might be surprised to know is he also can sing.

Pretty darn well, actually.

Huff's vocal talents are showcased on a new CD, Oh Say Can You Sing, that is being released this week featuring tracks by 10 big-leaguers plus Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith.

Huff, who dabbles in karaoke and jokes about performing on a country American Idol or Nashville Star, delivers a quality version of the John Michael Montgomery country hit, Letters From Home.

"Without a doubt, Aubrey had the absolute best voice on the CD," producer Scott Schorr said. "He could be a songster. He could be a star in music, absolutely A-plus. He nailed it in two takes. His pitch was almost perfect. And he had a hangover when he sang."

Schorr came up with the idea for the CD, got the project licensed by MLB and the players union and set about identifying players who could perform.

"I'm really into baseball, and I'm really into cool music," said Schorr, who produces CDs for indie rock bands from his Hawaii base. "I was looking for players who had musical ability."

Huff, whose breakout performance came at Travis Harper's October 2002 wedding, had mentioned to his agents that he liked to sing country songs, so when Schorr called they sent him Huff's way.

"I figured, "What the heck; it would be fun,' " Huff said. "At first I thought it was a joke or something. But it was cool."

Schorr came to Huff's Tampa home before spring training, and they knocked the project out in about an hour. Schorr was impressed, enough to tell Huff he'd do a full country CD with him.

The CD, which also includes original hip-hop tunes by the Phillies' Jimmy Rollins and the Indians' Coco Crisp, and covers by Omar Vizquel, Jeff Conine and Sean Casey, is available online from www.goodsportsrecordings.com and www.mlb.com for $17.99, with a portion of proceeds going to the players' favorite charities.

Starting Tuesday, the CD will be available at Borders and at the team stores in Tropicana Field and WestShore Plaza. Huff will sign CDs May 28 from 11-noon at the mall store.

Schorr and others have raved, but Huff isn't ready to brag about his work.

"Scott said it was the best, but that's what he said," Huff said. "I've heard it, and you know how Britney Spears' voice is computer enhanced? Mine sounds pretty enhanced too. It sounded better on his computer than it did live, believe me."

Mark Hendrickson's four seasons as a player in the NBA make him something of the Rays' resident hoops expert. After watching first-round play, he agreed to analyze the field and give us his top three picks for the title:

1. Pistons

2. Spurs

3. Heat

"It's pretty self explanatory," he said. "It's playoff time and Detroit is turning it up, especially on defense. I think San Antonio will come out of the West. I'd like to see Miami win because it would be a big thorn in the Lakers' side."

The Yankees didn't have much fun losing three straight games to the Rays last week, but from the looks of it, the headline writers at the New York tabloids had a blast. Here are five of the best we saw:

STINKO DE MAYO

Yanks lose to Rays, fall into last-place tie - New York Post, May 6

TORREBLE

Reeling Yanks fall into last-place tie with D-Rays - NY Daily News, May 6

$200-million Yanks sink into last-place tie with D-Rays - Newsday, May 6

Boss can't watch as Henn, Yanks lay egg against D-Rays - NY Daily News, May 5

Change does no good as Rays rock bombers - NY Post, May 4

"I've had so many conversations this year, I think I'm brain dead." - LOU PINIELLA, Rays manager, when asked what advice he gave Alex Sanchez

[Last modified May 8, 2005, 00:46:16]