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Rays: News and notes
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Published February 16, 2008
Quote of the day
"I told him, 'Don't ever call me that again.'"
Bench coach Dave Martinez, 41, on being referred to as "Coach" by his former teammate and longtime friend, catcher Mike Difelice, 38
Number of the day
60 Years in professional baseball for senior adviser Don Zimmer, who started playing in 1949 and last month turned 77.
Did you know?
Pitching prospect Wade Davis, a Lake Wales native, is second cousin to former catcher Jody Davis, a two-time All-Star with the Cubs and Braves.
Who's on third?
A daily look at the Rays' biggest positional issue:
It's got to be Longoria's job for now - at least until Joel Guzman, or Willy Aybar report to camp.
The dish ...
Today's workout starts around 10 a.m. and continues until about 12:30 p.m. at the Naimoli complex, 7901 30th Ave. N. Pitchers scheduled for bullpen sessions, starting around 10:55, include ace Scott Kazmir, closer Troy Percival and top draft pick David Price. Admission and parking are free.
Info: 1-888-FAN-RAYS (326-7297)
List of the day
Over the past three seasons, Scott Kazmir has built quite a fan club, ranking first in strikeouts per nine innings:
Pitcher, team K/9
Scott Kazmir, Rays 9.65
Jake Peavy, Padres 9.61
Johan Santana, Twins 9.44
Erik Bedard, Orioles 8.95
A.J. Burnett, Jays 8.68
Random note
The annual team Fanfest is Feb. 23 at Tropicana Field and will feature more than just the current Rays. Nineteen former major-leaguers will sign autographs. Former big-leaguer Harold Reynolds, now an MLB.com analyst, will hold a question-and-answer session. Admission and parking are free.
New Ray Dept.
Infielder Akinori Iwamura has a new interpreter, Tateki "Bori" Uchibori, 35, who spent 10 seasons working with English-speaking players in Japan. Uchibori, who attended Quincy College and Western Kentucky, also interpreted for the band Little Feat.
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 15, 2008, 22:24:51]
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