Rays/MLB

Maddon becoming an avid Young fan

By MARC TOPKIN
Published September 13, 2006

NEW YORK - The last time Joe Maddon sat in the Yankee Stadium dugout talking about Delmon Young in late July, it was not a good thing.

Young, having been suspended earlier for throwing his bat at an umpire, had just made controversial comments about the Devil Rays organization to USA Today and Maddon was, in his own word, "incensed" at the then-minor-leaguer's actions and attitude.

But having had Young on his team for the past two weeks, Maddon sat on the same bench Tuesday and said he couldn't be more pleased - or more impressed- with the rightfielder, who turns 21 on Thursday, and said he expects Young to become a role model.

"Now that he's been here and I've been able to get to know him better and we've had a chance to talk about it, now I'm here to say this guy's handled himself as well as any rookie or any veteran that I've ever been around. On top of that, his way of playing the game has exceeded a lot of veterans in regard to fundamentals," Maddon said.

"He's won me over big time. He's been great in the clubhouse. He's been great on the field. His work ethic is among the best. And his mind for the game is among the best even though he's going to be 21 (Thursday). That's incredible. So I think he's come a long way in a short period of time."

Did Young surprise Maddon?

"I can't say I'm surprised because I didn't know him enough to know what to expect. I just knew what I knew of him from spring training and the episodes that I heard about. But when you get to be with somebody on a daily basis and you have a chance to interact, maybe that can change, and obviously it has. He's been exemplary. I have no problem and I never expect a problem from him in the future. I think he is going to set the example for a lot of players and hopefully for a lot of new Rays players that come along, because I love the way he plays."

Though Young on Tuesday played in just his 13th major-league game, Maddon said it would take "something dramatic or drastic" for him not to be the starting rightfielder next season.

HAMMEL HYPED: Growing up in the Seattle area, Jason Hammel used to watch Alex Rodriguez when he was a young star for the Mariners. Tonight Hammel will pitch against A-Rod when he makes his first start against the Yankees, seeking his first big-league win.

"It's unreal," Hammel said. "I watched him on TV day, and now I'll be out there 60 feet, 6 inches away. But it's still baseball."

PITCHING IN: Maddon's plan for the weekend series in Toronto is to start Jae Seo, J.P. Howell and rookie Brian Stokes. Maddon inquired whether Toronto ace Roy Halladay, who was hit on the elbow in his last start, was still scheduled to pitch Friday. Told Halladay, who has already beaten the Rays four times this season, was, Maddon joked: "That's too bad. He should take an extra day or two, I believe, to really make sure he's fine."

MINOR MATTERS: Double-A Montgomery lost 6-4 to Huntsville in the opening game of the best-of-five Southern League championship. Ace Jeff Niemann had a no-hitter and 2-0 lead through five innings, but the Biscuits, who made five errors, let it slip away. ... Class A Visalia went into play late Tuesday seeking to eliminate San Jose (Giants) in the best-of-five California League semifinals with Jonathan Barratt on the mound and advance to the championship round against the Lake Elsinore-Inland Empire winner. The Oaks beat the Giants 10-3 late Monday behind a three-run homer by John Jaso and a strong start from James Houser. ... The Rays and Biscuits agreed on a two-year extension of their player development contract, through the 2008 season.

INSTRUCTIONAL SESSION: Top draft pick Evan Longoria, promising prospects Reid Brignac and Joel Guzman and pitcher Doug Waechter, who started the season in the majors, are among 51 players invited to participate in the instructional league, which opens next week with workouts at the Naimoli complex and includes a 17-game schedule starting Sept. 25. Also scheduled to attend are Josh Hamilton, who is recovering from knee surgery, and major-league veteran Al Reyes, who is coming back from elbow surgery.

MISCELLANY: The Rays dropped a season-low 30 games under .500 at 57-87. ... Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield, the Tampa native out since May 30 with an injured left wrist, took batting practice for the first time Tuesday and could be activated as soon as Thursday. ... Dioner Navarro matched his career high with three hits. ... Derek Jeter scored 100 runs for the 10th straight season. ... The Rays are hosting a game-watching party Thursday at the Seminole Hard Rock hotel in Tampa.

- MARC TOPKIN, Times staff writer

[Last modified September 13, 2006, 06:19:25]