By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Speed note of the day
RHP Joel Peralta looked pretty impressive Friday night, beating speedy former Ray Carl Crawford to first for an out. But the 34-year-old has no illusions about a straight race. "Not a chance," Peralta said. "I'm too old, I'm slow and I'm fat."
Shields of the day
The retirement of longtime Angels reliever Scot Shields, top left, should make life easier for Rays RHP James Shields, who gets asked about 20-25 times a year to sign the other's baseball card. "Hopefully I don't get called Scot anymore," James Shields said. "I figure I've got about five years in the big leagues now, I think it's about time people call me by my right name." James is 56-51, 4.25 over 977 2/3 IP; Scot was 46-44, 3.18 over 697 IP.
Waive of the day
Last weekend's waiver weirdness, when Rule 5 pick LHP Cesar Cabral was claimed by the Blue Jays then put back on waivers and reclaimed by the Rays, came with an explanation, the Toronto Sun reported. The Jays had a handshake agreement not to take any Red Sox players in the Rule 5 draft in return for interviewing several Sox coaches and eventually hiring John Farrell as manager. The Jays felt they could claim Cabral from the Rays (who had drafted him), but the Sox felt it still violated the agreement, so — after brief trade talks — the Jays instead gave him up, and the Rays got him back, for now.
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out?
Rays manager Joe Maddon insists he's going to decline the invite to sing with childhood friend Willy Forte's B-Street Band — a Bruce Springsteen tribute group — during today's postgame concert.
Rays vs. Orioles
When/where: 1:05 today; Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte
Radio: 620-AM
Tickets: Reserved seats $19-$27, berm/boardwalk $10. Available through raysbaseball.com and Ticketmaster, at Tropicana Field and Charlotte Sports Park box offices and Tampa team store.
Gates open: 11 p.m.
Directions: Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Exit 179 (Toledo Blade Road), go west 6½ miles (crossing U.S. 41) to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, complex is on the left.
Parking: $10, lots open at 10
Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
Pitchers: Rays — Jeff Niemann, Adam Russell, Cesar Ramos, Jake McGee; Orioles — Brad Bergesen, Jim Johnson, Jeremy Accardo, Ryan Drese
Heads-up
The Rays aren't taking batting practice on the field today; most of the big names are expected to play, with Manny Ramirez in leftfield and Johnny Damon at DH.
Who is this Ray?
He named his dog Jeter in honor of one of his favorite players growing up. He was a 2005 fourth-round pick. He is the first Iowa native to play for the Rays. He was named 2010 minor-league player of the year by several publications.
Schedule
21: Yankees
22: at Red Sox
23: Phillies
24: at Astros
25: Pirates
26: Orioles
27: at Pirates
28: at Yankees, 7:05
29: at Red Sox
30: vs. Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, 4:10
Who is this Ray answer: RHP Jeremy Hellickson
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
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