Rays: News and notes

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Published February 21, 2008

Quote of the day

"As one of the coaches said, 'For $6-million, he should have a good delivery.'"

Manager Joe Maddon on top draft pick David Price's performance in providing the Joke of the Day.

Number of the day

127 Games Rocco Baldelli has played the past three seasons due to injuries.
 

Did you know?

Akinori Iwamura must be a details man. Knowing the team changed colors, he came back from Japan with a blue-trimmed version of his special batting practice bat, which bears a Nike swoosh, his nickname BIG GUN and the Japanese characters for the Soul of Nanikuso, which is his credo of No Pain, No Gain.

Who's on third?

A daily look at the Rays' biggest positional issue:

Evan Longoria continues to take advantage of the absence of Joel Guzman and Willy Aybar to make good impressions; Eric Hinske has a shot.

The dish ...

Today's full-squad workout will start around 9:30 and continue until about 1 p.m. at the Naimoli complex, 7901 30th Ave. N. The highlight will be the first live batting practice sessions of the spring, from 11:20-12:10 with Scott Kazmir and David Price among the pitchers scheduled to work. Admission and parking are free.

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

Random note

The Rays incorporated a new routine into their morning pre-workout meetings: the Joke of the Day. LHP David Price had the honors Wednesday, and the top draft pick from Vanderbilt did well, even better with Troy Percival as the punch line. "His delivery was tremendous," manager Joe Maddon said.

List of the day

Carlos Pena saved his best for last, with a September that was among the most productive months in the majors in 2007:

Player, team HRs/month

Alex Rodriguez, 14/AprilNYY

Alfonso Soriano, 14/Sept.Cubs

Carlos Pena, Rays 13/Sept.

Prince Fielder, 13/MayBrewers

Hideki Matsui, NYY 13/July

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 20, 2008, 20:43:00]