Rays tales

By MARC TOPKIN
Published May 15, 2005

THE SINGIN' SLUGGER (CONT.)

Last week, we provided the news about Aubrey Huff's venture into the singing business, noting his performance of the John Michael Montgomery hit, Letters From Home, on a new baseball player compilation CD, Oh Say Can You Sing.

This week, we offer some reviews of his work by his teammates.

"It's pretty good," reliever Trever Miller said. "He had that Travis Tritt/George Strait filter right in front of the microphone and he did a nice job. He knew the song, he knew all the words and he pronounced everything right. We're proud of him. But I've got to say, the acoustics on the plane must be different because he sounded a lot different than I've heard."

Travis Harper also thought Huff gave a solid performance, but suggested he may have received some assistance from the production department.

"Maybe they cleaned it up a little bit for him," Harper said.

Outfielder Rocco Baldelli said he had no doubt Huff got some help.

"It's amazing," Baldelli said, "what they can do with a synthesizer."

Reliever Lance Carter, whose wife, Amanda, sings country songs, admitted to being unexpectedly impressed.

"Actually it's not bad for Huff," he said. "But I don't think we have to worry about it climbing the Billboard charts."

We're still waiting for a letter from home with Montgomery's review, but we asked some others in the music business for their assessment.

"I was pleasantly surprised at what seemed a natural, effortless job by Aubrey," said Hank Shaw, longtime overnight DJ for the Tampa Bay area country station WQYK-FM 99.5. "Over the years, I've listened to countless tributes, and other assorted recordings of such and such dancer, actor or athlete, and this was one of the first that I thought did a very credible job. His vocals have appeal and he certainly could hold his own with many other singers whom I'm sure could not hit a 97 mile an hour fastball."

Another WQYK on-air personality, the single-named Veronica, heard the song first and was rather surprised to find out that Huff was the singer. "He did a great job," she said. "It will definitely help sell the CD."

Huff has taken some gentle ribbing from his teammates - "The next American Idol!" outfielder Chris Singleton chirped - but nothing too bad.

"It's mostly been people being surprised," Huff said. "I gave some CDs to my mom and sister, and they listened to it and called me right away and said, "Oh, my God, we can't believe it's you.' "

With a piece of a broken bat flying at his head, pitcher Casey Fossum took some rather dramatic evasive action during Wednesday's game, and the obligatory ribbing from his mates.

"Oh, gosh," Fossum said. "I blew that bat up and I started to go and cover first and I see a sliver of the bat coming right at my head. Someone said it looked like I was in the Matrix."

Mark Hendrickson's four seasons as a player in the NBA make him something of the Rays resident basketball 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."

Being the Devil Rays' opening-day starter is not necessarily a good thing. Dewon Brazelton is the latest to experience the "honor."

Year OD starter What happened ...

1998 Wilson Alvarez Went 6-14, spent six weeks on DL.

1999 Wilson Alvarez Went 9-9, was placed on DL twice.

2000 Steve Trachsel Went 6-10, traded in July to Jays.

2001 Albie Lopez Went 5-12, traded in July to D-backs.

2002 Tanyon Sturtze Lost AL-high 18 games, nontendered.

2003 Joe Kennedy Went 3-12, lost job, traded to Colo.

2004 Victor Zambrano Went 9-7, traded in July to Mets.

2005 Dewon Brazelton Sent to Triple A w/1-7, 6.43 record.

"We're 1-(9) in day games. We've got a young club. I don't know exactly how to read this. Is it the late nights, or the inexperience?"

- LOU PINIELLA, manager, on one of the issues facing the team

[Last modified May 15, 2005, 01:21:24]