Maddon more secure in convictions

By MARC TOPKIN
Published February 22, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Manager Joe Maddon will deliver the keynote address to the full squad this morning, stressing the importance of developing the Ray Way of doing things and changing the culture throughout the 10-season-old organization.

"I feel good about the message," Maddon said. "I was walking with one of the coaches today and I said, 'You know, I don't know how long I'll be able to be here, but I do know what we're doing right now is right. I know what we're saying is right. I know what we're doing is right. I know how we're doing it is right.'

"For me, that's a very comforting thought. We're not fabricating, we're not trying to do what anybody else thinks we should be doing. I think we've gotten together collectively and created this plan, and I couldn't be more on board than I am. Walking out there delivering the message, I feel really good about because I totally believe it's the right thing to do in all different ways. That was my epiphany for today."

Some of Maddon's key points include playing the game with intensity and effort, paying attention to detail, being fundamentally sound and being extremely prepared.

He also will tell them that jobs have to be earned.

"It's not necessarily a whole lot about rah-rah kind of stuff," Maddon said. "I just want them to start understanding that we want to do things our way."

BIG DEBUT: Today also is the first official act for Japanese 3B Akinori Iwamura, who has been participating in informal workouts for two weeks.

"Of course I'm looking forward to the first day," Iwamura said through interpreter Masa Koyanagi. "I'm hoping to talk to a lot of my new teammates and have more communication. Because it's my first year in the major leagues, I don't know the routine and exactly how things work. I've been playing in Japan for 10 years. So I'm a little anxious."

But is he nervous?

"No," Iwamura said in English. "It'll be fun."

PITCHING IN: RHP Shinji Mori, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, threw about 20 pitches off the mound, getting more comfortable as he went. "He was a little hesitant at first, then he started to let it go a little more," Maddon said. "I think that's natural."

CIVIC DUTY: Closer Seth McClung rejoined workouts after spending Tuesday on jury duty. McClung was in the jury pool for a sexual assault trial but was not selected.

"It was interesting to see how the process worked," he said.

MISCELLANY: INF/OF Joel Guzman is delayed by visa problems in the Dominican Republic, joining RHPs Tony Peguero and Juan Salas; the Rays hope they arrive Friday. ... New special adviser Fred McGriff is expected to make his first onfield appearance today as an instructor. ... Pitchers will throw BP starting Friday. ... About 15 players participated in Wednesday's pre-workout yoga class.

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com or 727 893-8801.

[Last modified February 22, 2007, 06:50:58]