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Rays Tales

By Compiled by MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 20, 2000

When you think Tonya Harding, the first thing you think of is baseball analyst, right? Right!

HIT SHOW: As part of (what else?) a mini-bat giveaway promotion the other night, the Charleston (S.C.) RiverDogs had former, and disgraced, Olympic skater Tonya Harding on hand. She greeted fans, threw out the first pitch and did a few innings in the radio booth. No word on whether she took a couple swings.

HELPING HAND: Roberto Hernandez is donating money for renovations of the baseball field at Shorecrest, the St. Petersburg private school his children attend. Hernandez didn't want to talk much about the generous gift, and said he doesn't want any credit, such as the field being named in his honor. "I'm doing this as a father, not as a player. I'm just helping out the school."

DON'T I KNOW YOU?: Rolando Arrojo was the fourth former Devil Rays pitcher to start against them. The Rays are 2-3 in those games, losing to Arrojo, Dennis Springer and Dwight Gooden, while beating Jason Johnson and Springer. They've also faced Bobby Witt and Johnson in relief.

.400 CLUB: Okay, it's not quite as exciting as Ted Williams hitting .406 over a full season. Nor will it draw the attention of the latest .400 bids by Todd Helton and Nomar Garciaparra. But Miguel Cairo has a shot to finish with a .400 batting average with runners in scoring position. Three American Leaguers, according to Stats, Inc., have done it the previous five seasons -- Paul O'Neill (.428) and Frank Thomas (.417) the last in 1997. Rickey Henderson hit .419 in 1995.

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