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First day for new regime
The new owner, new front office executives and new manager greeted 41 pitchers and catchers.
By MARC TOPKIN
Published February 17, 2006
ST. PETERSBURG - The Devil Rays opened their ninth spring training Friday with a new attitude and a new optimism.
With new owner Stuart Sternberg in attendance, new front office executives Andrew Friedman and Gerry Hunsicker on hand and new manager Joe Maddon in charge, 41 pitchers and catchers went through a three-hour workout on a sun-drenched morning at the Raymond A. Naimoli complex.
"It's optimistic, it's entertaining, it's exciting," said Sternberg, the New York investor who bought into the team in May 2004 and took control from Vince Naimoli in October 2005.
"On a scale of 1 to 10 of expectations, it's way past 10."
Under the new administration, the Rays have made numerous changes designed to reintroduce the team to the community. Friday, they got on the field to work out, and the new optimism showed up there too.
Said veteran catcher Toby Hall: "We want to go to the playoffs."
[Last modified February 17, 2006, 13:55:03]
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