Rays: News and notes

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Published February 15, 2008

Quote of the day

"I'm excited. I'm optimistic. I'm good with all this. It's almost like an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

Joe Maddon, Rays manager, on the team's positive outlook

Number of the day

3 Members of the 1998 original Rays expected to be on hand today -Mike Difelice (catcher), Dave Martinez (bench coach), Fred McGriff (adviser)

Did you know?

New bench coach (and former outfielder) Dave Martinez got the first hit in franchise history, a third-inning single off the first-base bag in the March 31, 1998, inaugural game. He also was the first Ray to steal two bases in a game, and the first to hit an inside-the-park homer (though 11 days later went on the DL with a season-ending hamstring injury).

Who's on third?

A daily look at the Rays' biggest positional issue:

For now, it has to be Longoria, none of the others (Joel Guzman, top left, and Willy Aybar) have arrived yet.

The dish ...

Today's first workout for pitchers and catchers will start around 10 a.m., after physical exams, and continue until around noon at the Naimoli complex, 7901 30th Ave. N. All pitchers will throw brief bullpen sessions starting around 11. Some position players are also expected to work out. Admission and parking are free.

Info: 1-888-FAN-RAYS (326-7297)

List of the day

The Rays open spring training today as the third-youngest team in the majors based on average age of their 40-man roster:

Team Average age

Oakland 26.39

Florida 26.44

Rays 26.95

Arizona 26.98

Minnesota 27.16

Pittsburgh 27.18

Source: Rays

Random note

As part of their physical exams, players will undergo MLB-mandated Impact Concussion Assessments, a 20-minute computerized collection of data on their recall and reaction to stimuli. Results will be maintained by the training staff and used as a baseline in determining if a player who sustains a concussion should return to action. "This gives us some hard data on every player," Rays head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield said.

Rays exhibition schedule

Games at Progress Energy Park, St. Petersburg

Tickets: Field box ($20), loge box ($17), grandstand ($15), general admission berm ($7). Available at RaysBaseball.com, through Ticketmaster and at Tropicana Field box office. All games 1:05 p.m. unless noted.

February

29 - at Reds

March

1 - Blue Jays

2 - at Pirates

3 - at Tigers

4 - Twins

5 - Astros

6 - at Phillies

7 - Phillies

8 - at Yankees, 1:15

9 - Reds

10 - Indians

11 - at Twins

12 - Yankees

13 - at Red Sox

14 - Blue Jays

15 - at Braves (ss)

15 - at Yankees (ss), 1:15

16 - Tigers

18 - at Phillies

19 - Phillies

20 - at Indians

21 - at Yankees, 7:15

22 - Pirates

23 - at Reds

24 - Pirates

25 - at Blue Jays

26 - at Twins

27 - at Indians

28 - Reds

29 - at Reds

[Last modified February 14, 2008, 22:13:12]