Rays/MLB

Gonzalez would consider Rays

By EDUARDO A. ENCINA
Published October 20, 2006

NEW YORK - Asked if he might follow in the footsteps of fellow Tampa Bay area major-leaguers and play for the Devil Rays at the end of his career, Luis Gonzalez left the possibility open.

Gonzalez, 39, working as an analyst for Fox during the NLCS, will declare for free agency after the World Series. The Diamondbacks previously announced they would not pick up his $10-million option for 2007.

"It just depends on what direction the organization is going in," he said. "I wouldn't see myself being a part of something if they're going young unless I'm brought in to do something different. Right now, I want to get to a place (where I can) win another championship ring."

The Jefferson High graduate likely will sign for much less than the $10.67-million he made this season. Gonzalez said he would like to play for the next three or four years, and the Rays likely would have interest in him to be a designated hitter and occasional outfielder if they could sign him for a good value.

With 2,373 hits, Gonzalez would like to play long enough to make a run at 3,000. He hit .271 with 15 homers and 73 RBIs last season. His 15 homers were his fewest in an injury-free season since 1997, but his 52 doubles were second in the National League.

Gonzalez has reportedly said he'd like to play at home, much like Tampa's Wade Boggs and Fred McGriff did in their final years. This week, Gonzalez, a member of Arizona's World Series title team in 2001, said his main objective is joining a team that could win him another title, especially after feeling the postseason excitement first-hand this year as a commentator.

SWEATING IT OFF: Mets manager Willie Randolph said he was "floating around all day long" in anticipation of Game 7.

"I've been looking forward to getting to the ballpark and ready to be out there with my boys," Randolph said. "I couldn't wait to get here. I had a quick workout just to calm down a little bit. I couldn't stop moving."

CARDINAL SUPERSTITION: When asked before Game 7 whom he might start in Game 1 of the World Series, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was caught off guard and in the process revealed his superstitious ways.

"Well, I like the positive opening question," La Russa said. "I'm trying to figure out which one of my superstitions I'd screw up if I answer the thing. It's just that I follow it religiously, we get beat. I do the opposite, I mess it up."

SERIES SINGERS: Michigan natives Bob Seger and Anita Baker will perform before the first two games of the World Series in Detroit. For Game 1, Seger will perform America the Beautiful and Tigers greats Al Kaline and Willie Horton will throw out the first pitch. For Game 2, Baker will perform the national anthem and Sparky Anderson, manager of the 1984 World Series champion Tigers, will throw out the first pitch.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

[Last modified October 20, 2006, 01:50:42]