Rays

[Times photo: Toni L. Sandys] In his first full season as Tampa Bay manager, Hal McRae expects his team to reflect his hard-charging and aggressive image. Story

Sizing up the Rays
With the month-long exhibition season about to start, it's time for the real competitions to begin. Though the core of their young team appears set, the Rays have several interesting decisions to make by the April 2 regular-season opener.

Blue Jays
A new point of view
With a year's experience heading up the Blue Jays, manager Buck Martinez is making adjustments.

Blue Jays at a glance
2001 RECORD: 80-82, third in AL East.

Yankees
Regular duty is next in Spencer's odyssey
Outfielder has conquered the minors and a stream of injuries along the way.

Yankees at a glance
2001 RECORD: 95-65 regular season (first in AL East), AL champions.

Phillies
Phils on the way up
Larry Bowa's team surprised the NL East in 2001. Don't suggest to him it was a one-year fluke.

Phillies at a glance
2001 RECORD: 86-76, second in NL East.

Rays
The McRae way
ST. PETERSBURG -- Ask Hal McRae to describe the style he wants his team to play and the words and phrases fly out fast and furious.

Mako talks a good game
Oliveras takes pleasure in teaching young players how to win.

New coaches: a closer look
A look at the three coaches who are new to the staff

First look
These eight players are appearing with the big-league team for the first time:

Who's new in Tampa Bay?
A look at the 15 players who are new to the organization:

Fans guide to spring training
WHERE: Florida Power Park, 180 Second Ave. SE along the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg. Take Interstate 275 to Exit 9 (I-175) and go east.

Rays minor league affiliates
Triple A

The league
Spring training: teams at a glance
ANAHEIM ANGELS

Fun and sun will be easy to find
ST. PETERSBURG -- After an offseason filled with news of contraction, labor negotiations and curious franchise transactions, baseball returns to the field in earnest this weekend with the start of the exhibition season.