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Watching (football), waiting

Up next for ex-Ray Tony Saunders? For now, Wednesday's tribute at Tropicana.

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 26, 2000

TORONTO -- Football. Tony Saunders watches a lot of football. Ravens. Redskins. Bucs. "Whatever I can do to pacify myself," Saunders said.

It's been 33 days since Saunders' pitching career came to a horrible end when he broke his left arm for the second time in 15 months, and he's still learning to cope.

"It's done and over with," Saunders said. "There's nothing else I can do."

Saunders is back at his Baltimore-area home, spending time with his wife and two children, trying to find things to occupy the free time he never expected to have.

One thing he has not done is watch baseball. "I really don't want to right now," he said.

His left arm in a brace, Saunders will return to Tropicana Field on Wednesday to be honored by the Rays in a pregame ceremony and video tribute. The plans are for him go to the mound with his 3-year-old daughter and have Samantha throw out the first pitch.

"I think it will be good for him to get back and see everybody and for the fans to give him some appreciation for what he did," manager Larry Rothschild said.

Saunders is still sorting through the thousands of cards, letters and e-mails from Devil Rays fans. "There's a lot of people out there who want to wish me well," he said. "They're still sending me stuff."

During his visit, he may talk with Rays general manager Chuck LaMar about a job in the organization.

"I'm trying to figure out what I want to do next," Saunders said. "I just wasn't expecting to have to have to choose a career path at age 26."

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