Trammell still pining for his chance

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 9, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- Bubba Trammell wasn't playing much. Then two players ahead of him, designated hitter Jose Canseco and leftfielder Greg Vaughn, were hurt. And Trammell still hasn't got to play much, starting just one of the past 11 games.

At 28, Trammell knows better than to complain publicly. He basically has to be dragged into a conversation about his lack of playing time. If the Rays want to use him as a pinch-hitter and occasional starter, then that's what he'll be rip-roaring and ready to do. But inside, the frustration definitely is bubbling. And the longer he goes between opportunities, the more pressure there is to produce when he gets one.

"It's a tough role for me," Trammell said. "It definitely is. I don't feel like they're getting my full potential. For example, the other day (when he struck out twice late in Monday's 12-inning game) I was swinging at sliders that normally I'd lay off of, but I hadn't seen a slider in three weeks. Not like that. That's frustrating for me, not being able to lay off those pitches in those situations."

The Rays still value Trammell's abilities, but obviously have other priorities. Jose Guillen has been playing well in rightfield, Steve Cox has been hitting well enough to get some time at designated hitter and Vaughn is due back in the lineup tonight.

Trammell always has maintained that he can be a productive offensive player if he's in the lineup regularly, especially because his power tends to come in streaks, and he still feels that way. Getting the chance has proved to be the big hurdle.

"I thought I did last year. I thought I'd come back with a chance to play every day," he said. "But it just didn't work out that way."

PITCHING IN: If the Rays really have turned the corner, it's because their pitchers have turned their performances up a notch. The Rays had a staff ERA of 2.94 during the six-game trip, and that had a lot to do with their 3-3 record. "The fact that we pitched as well as we did on the road is an important as anything," manager Larry Rothschild said. "If we continue that then we will have a chance to turn it around."

SOMETHING'S FISHY: The Marlins haven't been very good the past two seasons -- except when they play the Devil Rays. Florida went 8-2 against Tampa Bay in 1998-99, 110-204 against the rest of baseball. If it makes the Rays feel any better, the Marlins have most of their success against AL teams. Their 34-21 interleague record is the best of any club.

GO 'NOLES: Rothschild will be pulling for his Florida State alma mater in the College World Series. Rothschild was part of the Seminoles team that went to the 1975 Series ranked No. 1 in the nation but was upset by Eastern Michigan and Seton Hall. "It was fun, but it would have been more fun if we'd won," he said. "That team kind of put Florida State back into the national picture where they belong."

SAFE GROUND: After being out of the lineup for 10 of the past 12 games because of a sore right hamstring, Vaughn expects to return to action tonight and stay there for a while. The Rays, in case you were wondering, went 5-5 without him.

DRAFT BREEZE: The Rays signed their first players from this week's draft, getting six under contract Thursday. The highest pick to sign was 12th-rounder Kelly Eddlemon, a third baseman from Sam Houston State University. Also signed were three college pitchers, No. 13 Richard Dorman of Western Baptist, No. 14 Timothy Coward of Guilford and No. 23 Josh Anderson of Bishop State (Ala.) Community College; speedy centerfielder John Hill, a 29th-rounder from Mississippi; and 47th-rounder Juan Renteria, a pitcher who didn't play college ball after graduating high school. ... No. 1 draft pick Rocco Baldelli's team advanced to the Rhode Island state semifinals, which means contract talks probably won't start until next week.

RAYS BITS: Trammell will sign autographs from 10-noon Saturday at Eckerd Drugs (505 S Belcher Road in Largo). Miguel Cairo will be signing at Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse (2365 25th St.) from 11-1. ... There will be a Christian music concert, featuring Michael W. Smith and Out of Eden, before Saturday's game. Gates open at 11 a.m.; show time is 1 p.m. The game starts at 4:15.

Tonight: Marlins at Rays

• WHEN/WHERE: 7:15; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg.

• RADIO: WFLA-AM 970, WLCC-AM 760 (Spanish).PITCHERS: Florida -- RHP Ryan Dempster. Tampa Bay -- RHP Steve Trachsel.

• NOTES: Dempster, 23, has won five of his past seven starts, allowing an average of 2.57 runs during the stretch. ... Trachsel has been alternately very good and very hittable. He has allowed one earned run over 30 innings in games against Brad Radke, Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez and Al Leiter, and 41 runs over in 43 2/3 in his nine other starts. ... Dick Vitale will speak in a pregame tribute to cancer survivors. Former Senators pitcher Casey Cox, a cancer survivor, will throw out the first pitch.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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