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Acy powers Baylor rally

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Times wires
Monday, February 20, 2012

AUSTIN, Texas — Quincy Acy had 22 points and 16 rebounds to power No. 13 Baylor to a tough 77-72 win over Texas on Monday night.

Baylor (23-5, 10-5 Big 12) rallied from a 12-point deficit early in the second half and Acy scored seven straight to give the Bears a five-point lead with less than three minutes left. Johnathan Holmes made a 3-pointer to pull Texas within 71-70 before Pierre Jackson made six consecutive free throws to put the game away.

J'Covan Brown scored 18 to lead the Longhorns but had a turnover with 12 seconds left that prevented Texas from shooting for a tie. Brown dribbled into a double team, then his wild pass was intercepted.

Brady Heslip helped spark the Baylor rally with three 3-pointers in the second half.

former green devil sets mark: Former St. Petersburg High standout Antwan Carter became Longwood (Va.) University's all-time leading scorer Monday, with 1,808. He surpassed Kevin Jefferson's 22-year-old record of 1,806.

ALABAMA: Coach Anthony Grant suspended junior forward Tony Mitchell for the rest of the season but cleared senior JaMychal Green to return to practice. Grant didn't elaborate.

REF REPRIMANDED: The ACC publicly reprimanded official Karl Hess for failing to follow procedure when ejecting former North Carolina State stars Chris Corchiani and Tom Gugliotta from the stands during Saturday's loss to Florida State.

AP POLL: FSU moved up to 15th from 20th. No. 18 New Mexico and No. 22 Temple entered for the first time, and Saint Mary's and Gonzaga fell out. Kentucky and Syracuse remained 1-2.

Women

NO. 3 NOTRE DAME 68, NO. 16 LOUISVILLE 52: Skylar Diggins scored 21 to help the visiting Fighting Irish (26-2, 13-1) move a step closer to a Big East title. The Cardinals (19-8, 8-6) lost for the fourth time in six games.

NO. 11 PENN ST. 84, NO. 8 OHIO ST. 66: Nikki Greene had 25 points and 18 rebounds to help the host Lions (22-5, 11-3) rout the Buckeyes (23-4, 10-4) and clinch at least a share of their first Big Ten title since 2004.

NO. 13 KENTUCKY 70, VANDY 61: Samarie Walker had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the host Wildcats (22-5, 11-3 SEC), who bounced back after three straight road losses that knocked them out of the top 10.

MISSISSIPPI ST.: Coach Sharon Fanning-Otis plans to retire after the season. Fanning-Otis is 608-457 over 36 seasons at three schools and is one of 14 women's coaches with 600 career wins.

AP POLL: Miami moved up a spot to No. 5. St. John's entered at No. 20 and Gonzaga re-entered No. 25 while South Carolina and BYU fell out. Baylor remained the unanimous No. 1.


Sports in brief: Boxer Chisora expresses remorse for brawl after loss

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Times wires
Monday, February 20, 2012

boxing

chisora remorseful for postfight brawl

LONDON — Dereck Chisora apologized "wholeheartedly" Monday for the brawl with David Haye that followed his loss to WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko.

Haye blamed Chisora for the clash that followed his fellow Londoner's defeat in Munich and the beaten challenger has acknowledged that the violence at the post-bout news conference marred the biggest night of his career.

"Whilst my behavior was inexcusable, there were many things that went on behind the scenes that ultimately caused my frustrations to boil over," Chisora said. "Despite all of this, the bottom line is I have let my family, my team and — worst of all — the sport I love down.

"I acknowledge that my actions were totally unprofessional, with or without provocation."

Chisora, who was questioned by German police and is being investigated by the British Boxing Board of Control, did not say what provoked him to descend from the top table and confront Haye.

Former WBA champion Haye had been at the news conference trying to taunt Klitschko into agreeing to a bout this year. Haye also waved three fingers at Chisora, indicating that his compatriot had just suffered the third loss of his 18-fight professional career.

tennis

Hard-serving Ljubicic pushed to three sets

Ivan Ljubicic hit 27 aces but needed three sets to beat Florent Serra 6-4, 6-7 (7-3), 6-3 and reach the second round of the Open 13 in Marseille, France.

The seventh seed broke for a 4-2 lead in the final set.

Edouard Roger-Vasselin downed Jarkko Nieminen 6-2, 7-6 (7-4), advancing to a matchup against Flavio Cipolla, who stunned eighth-seeded Andreas Seppi 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

Copa Claro: Kei Nishikori reached the second round in Buenos Aires, Argentina, beating former No. 1-ranked Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5, 3-6, 6-2. Fernando Gonzalez, who will retire next month, advanced after Albert Montanes retired with a hip injury. Gonzalez was leading 7-5, 1-0.

et cetera

Horses: Castaway and Secret Circle, Bob Baffert-trained horses, won both divisions of the $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. Rafael Bejarano rode both horses in the mile Derby prep race, which was split into two divisions after 21 horses were entered.

NFL: The Chiefs agreed to terms on a $19.6 million, three-year deal with cornerback Stanford Routt. The deal includes a $4 million signing bonus and $6 million the first season, the Associated Press reported.

Olympics: Qatar says it will send female athletes to the Games for the first time in London, swimmer Nada Arkaji and sprinter Noor al-Malki.

Times wires

Banged-up 'Canes blank Caps

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Monday, February 20, 2012

RALEIGH, N.C. — To say the Hurricanes played with a bit of a patchwork lineup Monday against the Capitals would be accurate.

To say it didn't matter also would be accurate.

Carolina frustrated and beat Washington all over the ice, rolling to a 5-0 victory as captain Eric Staal had two goals and an assist and Justin Peters earned his first NHL shutout with 17 saves.

Peters started in place of the injured Cam Ward. Mike Murphy, hastily called up Sunday from AHL Charlotte, was the backup.

Forwards Jerome Samson and Drayson Bowman, who have spent most of the season in Charlotte, played for Carolina and Derek Joslin, usually a defenseman, was a fourth-line forward.

Jiri Tlusty had two assists, giving him points in a team-best eight straight games.

Capitals goaltender Tomas Vokoun allowed two goals on seven shots before he was pulled. Washington lost a chance to tie Florida for the Southeast Division lead at 65 points.

KUBINA ARRIVES: Pavel Kubina, who was traded from the Lightning to the Flyers last week and talked on Sunday about how hard it was to leave Tampa Bay, sounded more upbeat Monday. "It's good to go on the road and get to know the guys," the Philadelphia Inquirer quoted Kubina as saying after practice. The Flyers begin a four-game road trip tonight at Winnipeg. "It's a great organization and a great team and always has been one of the top teams in the league," said Kubina, who brought two draft picks and a minor leaguer for the Lightning.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza each scored twice and Craig Anderson made 28 saves for the visiting Senators, who defeated the Islanders 6-0 to pull within two points of first-place Boston in the Northeast Division.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: The Predators extended the contract of David Poile, the only general manager in team history, through the 2014-15 season. Assistant GM Paul Fenton was also given an extended contract. … The Red Wings put goaltender Ty Conklin on waivers; he'll be assigned to AHL Grand Rapids if he isn't claimed by noon today.

at Hurricanes3115
Capitals0000

First Period1, Carolina, Faulk 6 (Brent, Tlusty), 3:41 (pp). 2, Carolina, Stewart 7 (E.Staal, Tlusty), 5:09. 3, Carolina, Nodl 3 (Bra.Sutter), 19:30. PenaltiesHamrlik, Was (elbowing), 3:29.

Second Period4, Carolina, E.Staal 17, 5:56 (sh). PenaltiesJoslin, Car (elbowing), 5:13; Hendricks, Was (roughing), 7:25; Joslin, Car (roughing), 7:25; Hendricks, Was, major (fighting), 9:31; Joslin, Car, major (fighting), 9:31; Alzner, Was (holding), 13:58; Brouwer, Was, major (fighting), 16:49; Faulk, Car, major (fighting), 16:49; Knuble, Was (holding), 19:38.

Third Period5, Carolina, E.Staal 18 (Spacek), 5:51. PenaltiesBrent, Car (hooking), 7:39; Perreault, Was (tripping), 11:08. Shots on GoalWashington 5-6-6—17. Carolina 16-12-12—40. Power-play opportunitiesWashington 0 of 2; Carolina 1 of 4. GoaliesWashington, Vokoun 23-15-2 (7 shots-5 saves), Neuvirth (5:09 first, 33-30). Carolina, Peters 2-3-0 (17-17). A16,837 (18,680). T2:29.

Senators3126
at Islanders0000

First Period1, Ottawa, Karlsson 11, 1:08. 2, Ottawa, Spezza 26 (Foligno, Neil), 1:35. 3, Ottawa, Karlsson 12 (Alfredsson, Gonchar), 14:03. PenaltiesCowen, Ott (tripping), 10:23; Parenteau, NYI (slashing), 12:00; Parenteau, NYI, minor-misconduct (unsportsmanlike conduct), 15:11.

Second Period4, Ottawa, Phillips 3 (Turris, Gonchar), 9:37 (pp). PenaltiesStaios, NYI (delay of game), 9:20; Smith, Ott, major (fighting), 12:59; Martin, NYI, major (fighting), 12:59; Ottawa bench, served by Foligno (too many men), 15:54; Niederreiter, NYI (tripping), 17:31.

Third Period5, Ottawa, Lee 1 (Karlsson, Condra), 9:49. 6, Ottawa, Spezza 27 (Karlsson, Kuba), 10:57 (pp). PenaltiesParenteau, NYI, game misconduct, 9:49; Pandolfo, NYI (hooking), 10:26; Foligno, Ott (high-sticking), 14:29. Shots on GoalOttawa 15-12-5—32. N.Y. Islanders 5-5-18—28. Power-play opportunitiesOttawa 2 of 5; N.Y. Islanders 0 of 3. GoaliesOttawa, Anderson 28-19-6 (28 shots-28 saves). N.Y. Islanders, Poulin 2-3-0 (5-3), Montoya (1:35 first, 27-23). A15,818 (16,234). T2:19.

Tampa Bay Rays: AL East championship banner Joe Maddon's answer to Yankees; Jeremy Hellickson fails to get a tan in winter in Iowa

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 20, 2012

The dish

Today's first workout for pitchers and catchers starts around 10 a.m. (subsequent days at 9:30) at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and will last 2½-3 hours. Admission and parking free. Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Toledo Blade Road, go west 6½ miles to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, stadium complex is on left. For more information: (941) 235-5025.

Rays tickets: $9/12-27, available via raysbaseball.com, at box office, through Ticketmaster.

Info: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)

All games 1:05 unless noted.

Key dates

Saturday: Position players report

Sunday: First full squad workout

March 1: Intrasquad game.

March 3: Exhibition opener vs. Twins in Fort Myers

April 6: Season opener vs. Yankees at Tropicana Field

Exhibition schedule

March

3: at Twins

4: Twins

5: Orioles

6: Twins

7: at Yankees

8: Tigers (ss)

at Twins (ss)

9: Orioles

10: at Red Sox (7:05)

11: Pirates

12: Twins

13: at Orioles

14: Marlins

15: Phillies

16: at Jays

17: at Pirates

18: Red Sox

19: Off

20: at Marlins

21: Yankees

22: at Pirates

23: Jays (7:05)

24: at Twins (3:05)

25: Marlins

26: at Twins

27: at Red Sox (1:35)

28: Pirates (7:05)

29: at Phillies

30: at Pirates

31: Red Sox

April

1: at Orioles

2: Twins

3: at Twins

4: vs. Future Rays, 1:40, at Tropicana Field

Who is this answer: Jake McGee

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Quote of the day

"The banner's up there — that's cool."

Rays manager Joe Maddon, on winning the 2010 AL East title given the Yankees' claims of conceding.

Tan-line quote of the day

"I worked on it a little bit more, but it went away."

RHP Jeremy Hellickson, who spent the winter in his native Iowa, on his "tan" — or lack thereof

Author of the day

Super Sam Fuld runs, hits, throws, flies through the air to make catches — and writes. Fuld typed out a guest piece for Grantland.com on his memories of the Rays' epic regular-season finale. A highlight: How when Evan Longoria hit the walkoff homer, Fuld couldn't make it up the dugout steps. To read the piece, go to tinyurl.com/77zyn5von

Big-league moment

Matt Moore spent time in the home clubhouse at Charlotte Sports Park with the Class A Stone Crabs in 2010. Monday, despite three big-league regular-season outings and a start in the ALDS opener, he walked in for his first day of spring training. "That's kinda funny," he said. Another adjustment? "It was kinda cool going into Tijuana Flats (Saturday in Tampa) and that was the first time I saw somebody wearing my jersey," he said.

Who is this Ray?

He passed on a scholarship offer from UNLV to sign with the Rays. He was married Christmas Eve 2009. He is one of eight pitchers to not allow a hit in his first six outings.

Jimmie Johnson recharges after Sprint Cup title streak ends

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By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

DAYTONA BEACH — Jimmie Johnson's frustration was gone, and the disappointment had not yet settled in.

So when the five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion left for last year's season finale knowing his historic reign atop the sport was over, he felt relief.

"When I left Phoenix, it was crazy just feeling the pressure kind of leave," Johnson said. "I didn't realize what was on me and the high standard I had hoped for myself or the pressure I was carrying. And when it left, it was kind of like, okay, there it goes. Now it's time to enjoy Homestead."

And from there, it was time to enjoy an offseason away from his No. 48 Chevrolet, away from Hendrick Motorsports and away from the sport he fell in love with at age 5. He avoided the garage. He didn't race at the 24 Hours at Daytona for the first time since 2006.

Instead, Johnson stayed home. He spent time with his family and crossed things off of his honey-do list around the house.

"It sounds hilarious," Johnson said, "but there are a lot of things that we ignore through the course of a year, especially over the last six years and what I've been through."

Most important, he recharged his desire to race and reflected on his historic run.

What he found was that he and his team had come to expect wins. They became complacent. Johnson didn't improve his communication. His team made changes, including a pit crew overhaul before last year's Daytona 500, but it wasn't enough.

The rest of the field caught up.

"It's tough to leave a successful road map," Johnson said.

Hendrick teammate Jeff Gordon knows that feeling well.

From 1995-98, Gordon won three series titles, finished second the other year and took 40 checkered flags — including a modern record 13 in 1998. He finished out of the top five in points in each of the next two seasons.

"To not take it for granted and to not get complacent, I think is impossible, when you're winning that much and you win that many championships back to back," Gordon said. "I think Jimmie did a really, really good job handling everything that was coming at him as well as he did."

Now that the pressure of his streak is gone, Johnson isn't happy with 2011. He called his career-worst sixth place finish in the points "terrible."

Frustration simmered after wrecks at Charlotte and Talladega and three straight finishes outside the top 12 to end the Chase. Disappointment followed when he saw Tweets about the series championship luncheon and realized that he wouldn't be the guest of honor.

"I don't want to do that again," Johnson said.

His 2012 season is already off to a rocky start heading into Sunday's Daytona 500. A wreck stuck him with a 14th-place finish at last weekend's Budweiser Shootout, and crew chief Chad Knaus could be punished after NASCAR found improper C-posts on the back half of Johnson's car.

But Johnson said his low-key offseason has fueled him to avenge last year's disappointment and attack the series with the intensity he had before his streak began.

"There is just an energy you have when you walk through those gates as a rookie ..." Johnson said. "There is something a little different when you come in and you're early in your career. I feel like I have found those things again."

Matt Baker can be reached at mbaker@tampabay.com.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan happy to run Greg Schiano's defense

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Greg Schiano won't be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive coordinator and likely won't be making play calls during games. But make no mistake: The Bucs will be playing his defense, not Bill Sheridan's.

That much was made clear by Sheridan today in his first meeting with Tampa Bay reporters at One Buc Place.

Sheridan, hired by the Bucs as defensive coordinator on Friday, said today that he welcomes the assistance of Schiano and special assistant Butch Davis as he takes on his new role.

"I think our defense, it's going to be Greg Schiano's defense because he's our head coach and I'm coordinating for him," Sheridan said.

"Obviously he hired me because he thinks I have a lot of experience, knowledge and competence, and he's relying on that as well. "I'm excited about jumping into it and trying to mesh our ideas. But it's Greg's defense for sure. He was an outstanding defensive coach long before he was ever coach at Rutgers."

Schiano's decision to hire Sheridan was made in spite of Sheridan's shortcomings as a defensive coordinator with the Giants in 2009. Sheridan came into his news conference prepared to deal with questions about that season, in which his unit yielded the second-most points in franchise history, leading to his firing after the season.

He outlined several reasons he believed that defense faltered, emphasizing that he'd learned important lessons that will serve him well in Tampa Bay.

"I took and take full responsibility for the fact that we didn't play good enough defense at the end of the year when I was coordinating that year," Sheridan said. "Because I was put in charge of that, and the bottom line, at the end of the year, we didn't keep people out of the end zone well enough to be successful."

So, what happened?

"Even though we started out the season 5-0 and we had the No. 1-ranked defense in the National Football League after sustaining a couple of season-ending injuries to some of starters – Antonio Pierce, Kenny Phillips. . . we started to falter and we hit a skid during the middle of the season," Sheridan said. "In hindsight, looking back, I think one of the things we probably did was we assumed, as a defensive staff, we assumed because we had made the playoffs four previous years . . . that things would get turned around, they would get better."

Sheridan said his staff made another important miscalculation.

"I think the second thing that happened as we sustained those injuries in the early to middle part of the year, in an attempt to help some of the new players we were bringing in and working with, and some of them were free agents that were on the street and we ended up having to bring them in and they played in our lineup at the end of the year, I think we tried to be very simple for them," he said. "But in hindsight, I think we may have been guilty of maybe being too simple. Because again, it's great for your own players that you present to them a simplistic scheme that they can execute on Sunday, but you're also not posing enough issues for the teams you play against. You're not giving them enough problems."

Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier out indefinitely with hand/wrist injury

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Tampa Bay Lightning received what GM Steve Yzerman called "a blow, for sure," when it announced captain Vinny Lecavalier will be out indefinitely. Officially, he has an upper-body injury, but Lecavalier was seen on Tuesday leaving the players lounge at the Tampa Bay Times Forum wearing a soft cast around his right hand/wrist, leading to assumptions he could have a fractured bone.

"It's real disappointing," Lecavalier said. "We're making a push and we're playing well. It's too bad I can't help my teammates."

Lecavalier said he is not exactly sure how the injury occurred, though it did happen during Saturday's 2-1 win against the Capitals. Lecavalier said he felt some discomfort after the game. An MRI exam on Monday revealed the injury.

"The test showed no gray areas," Lecavalier said.

"We've been getting slaps all year, so why change now?" coach Guy Boucher said.

The Lightning recalled center Trevor Smith from AHL Norfolk, but Boucher said filling Lecavalier's spot in the lineup — he has 21 goals, 46 points in 58 games, plays on the first power-play unit and averages 19:04 of ice time — will be done "by committee."

"Stamkos and St. Louis will sleep on the ice, that's obvious," Boucher said of Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis. "But we still have to manage it so they're able to maintain 60 minutes of solid play."

Making things more difficult is that center Dominic Moore was traded last week to the Sharks.

"The lineup is thinner and the danger is always the other team wears you out," Boucher said. "You have to manage your top guys and third- and fourth-liners in a way that we get energy but at the same time we don't get worn down come the third period."

Tonight's game against the Ducks at home begins an important four-game stretch for the Lightning, which is six points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and just seven behind the first-place Panthers in the Southeast Division.

Yzerman has said if the team stays in the playoff hunt through these four games (three of which are on the road) he might change his strategy leading to Monday's trade deadline. He would not turn into a buyer but would let the players he has make a run at the postseason. Lecavalier's injury, in and of itself, will not change his approach, Yzerman said.

"This is the part of the year you want to be part of something and be with the guys every single game," Lecavalier said. "Every game is a playoff game so you want to be part of that. Unfortunately, I won't be able to. It's frustrating. It's part of the game. It happens."

Other stuff from the morning skate: There was a scary moment when right wing Steve Downie, going full speed, ran into and flipped over defenseman Victor Hedman, who had lost an edge and fallen. Downie hit the ice hard and was shaken up enough he sat on the bench for a while and then went with a trainer to get checked. Hedman said he is okay. Downie was not available for comment, but Boucher said he is fine as well. ... Defenseman Branden Mikkelson, drafted 31st overall in 2005 by the Ducks, faces Anaheim for the first time. "There's definitely that familiarity there," Mikkelson said. "I still know most of the guys on that team fairly well. You definitely want to play well and there's a little bit inside you that wants to show what they gave up I guess you could say. You definitely want to show you're a player. It's just a personal pride thing. But at the same time you can't get clouded by that. I still have to focus on the same things I've been trying to focus on every game."

Tampa Bay Lightning trades Steve Downie, acquires first-round pick in three-team trade

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

TAMPA — Steve Yzerman knew the timing again was awful; knew he again was going to disrupt the emotional balance of the locker room.

Yzerman even admitted trading right wing Steve Downie to the Avalanche was in the short term "maybe one step backwards;" not the best message for a team fighting for its playoff life.

But the Lightning general manager, with visions of draft picks dancing in his head, did it anyway as part of a three-team deal in which he primarily acquired a 2012 first-round draft pick from the Red Wings.

It was one of three trades Yzerman made Tuesday and one of five in the past six days. And with the Downie deal announced hours before Tampa Bay defeated the Ducks at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, it also was the third straight game day in which a front-line player was traded.

The payoff: a stockpile of picks in the June draft that includes two first-rounders and up to four second-rounders, more than enough to perhaps use to trade for the No. 1 goalie he so covets.

Still, "I don't know if there is ever a perfect time to do it," said Yzerman, who on Thursday sent center Dominic Moore to the Sharks and on Saturday defenseman Pavel Kubina to the Flyers.

"I'm trading players and popular players for draft picks. These moves are made for the future. My only message is I'm going to do what I feel is necessary to be a Stanley Cup contender, and I think these moves help us get going in that direction."

The Downie trade highlighted a tumultuous day in which it also was announced captain Vinny Lecavalier will be out indefinitely with a non-displaced fracture in his right hand.

The team also made a minor-league deal with Chicago for left wing Brandon Segal and called up forward Mike Angelidis from AHL Noroflk.

Yzerman is walking a tightrope between planning for the future and not throwing under the bus a team with a shot at the playoffs.

"The message it sends to our players is we want to win a Stanley Cup," Yzerman said of his moves.

And that is what drove the Downie deal that brought from Colorado defenseman Kyle Quincey, who then was shipped to Detroit for the first-round pick and minor-league defenseman Sebastien Piche.

Yzerman admitted the trade "is maybe one step backwards when we trade players off our roster for draft picks, but it puts us ahead in the long run."

As Yzerman looked at the big picture, players saw the loss of a popular teammate, not to mention the best friend of star Steven Stamkos.

"You just try to take it as professional and business-like as possible," said Stamkos, who joined teammates Marty St. Louis, Ryan Malone, Teddy Purcell and Brett Clark in the players' parking lot as Downie's bon voyage committee. "Everyone knows how much he meant to out team and how close he was to everyone."

"I don't know what Steve's plans are," Stamkos added. "We believe in him. Obviously, he's done a lot for this organization. … It's just really unfortunate we have to lose not only Downs but Mooresey and Kuby because ultimately we didn't start the year the way we wanted to. It's tough not to blame yourself as well."

Yzerman said, "I don't expect to be incredibly busy" before Monday's trade deadline, partly, he joked, because "we're running out of bodies."

Even so, he added, "Any situation that comes along through the trade deadline to the offseason we're willing to look at.

"These draft picks give us options. They don't help today, no question, but, again, my goal is to win a Stanley Cup here. We have to do some difficult things to do that."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@tampabay.com.

Five trades in six days

>> Thursday: C Dominic Moore and a 2012 seventh-round draft pick to the Sharks for a 2012 second-round pick.

>> Saturday: D Pavel Kubina to the Flyers for a second-round draft pick in 2012 or '13 (conditional from Panthers), a 2013 fourth-round pick and LW Jon Kalinski (assigned to AHL Norfolk).

>> Tuesday: RW Steve Downie to the Avalanche for D Kyle Quincey; Quincey to the Red Wings for a 2012 first-round pick and D Sebastien Piche (assigned to ECHL Florida); Norfolk F Mike Fornataro to the Blackhawks for F Brandon Segal (assigned to AHL Norfolk).


Toronto Blue Jays try to climb to top of American League East

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

DUNEDIN — Veteran reliever Casey Janssen admits the question has crossed the Jays' minds.

What if they were in another division?

Toronto has four consecutive fourth-places finishes in the American League East, where they face the gantlet of the Rays, Red Sox and Yankees. It's not that the Jays are bottom dwellers, as they've won 85-plus games four times in the past eight seasons, with a good enough record in two years to win another division. Yet the Jays never sniffed the playoffs the last decade, getting as close as eight games back in the wildcard.

But instead of using it as an excuse, players say it's an honor to compete in arguably the toughest division in sports. They want to beat the best. And after adding some veterans to an already strong young core, the Jays opened camp Tuesday believing they can contend.

"We don't need anybody to be Superman or come out and do anything extraordinary," said slugger Jose Bautista. "We just need a good team effort together, and we probably will make the playoffs."

Said ace Ricky Romero: "Anything's possible — it's baseball. You can be in last place one day, and the next day you get hot and you're in the playoff race."

Toronto has looked to the Rays as a model, going from worst in 2007 to first in 2008, building through the draft and growing young talent together. The Jays boast one of the league's best farm systems, with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman saying Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos has been "building a beast."

"They've got an amazing farm system with a lot of good young talent," Cashman said. "So please, don't forget about them."

Second-year manager John Farrell likes what he sees on the current roster, from catcher J.P. Arrencibia and third baseman Brett Lawrie to centerfielder Colby Rasmus. Bautista (97 homers the past two years) anchors the middle of the order, and Romero tops the rotation. The Jays revamped the bullpen, with new closer Sergio Santos surrounded by veterans like Francisco Cordero and Darren Oliver.

"We know going up against the teams we finished behind last year, we feel like we've made some adjustments that present more of a challenge to them," Farrell said. "And I'll tell you, in this room and this organization, we feel like this is a year for us to contend."

Farrell knows a few things have to go their way. He points out one key to making up the 10-game gap is how their rotation performs. But Farrell believes they've added some more athletic and energetic players that will allow them to play a "different style of game as opposed to being one-dimensional."

Arrencibia said they've developed a loose and close clubhouse, which he pointed out worked for Tampa Bay. "Those guys look like they're having the best time of their life every game out there."

Arrencibia talks about wanting to eventually win — and dominate — the division. "Yeah, we're in the AL East, yeah they're a good team, but we want to beat them, too."

And Janssen, the longest-tenured Jay (since 2006), that's also crossed his mind.

"The day that it does happen, and we are in the playoffs, you know you can look back and those teams that we beat and say, 'Damn, those guys were pretty good.' "

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

Tampa Bay Lightning acquires Brandon Segal from Chicago Blackhawks

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Times staff
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired forward Brandon Segal from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for forward Matt Fornataro, GM Steve Yzerman announced in a news release.

Here are some details, from the release:

Segal, 6-foot-2, 209 pounds, has played in 53 games with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League this season, collecting 13 goals and 25 points, to go along with 63 penalty minutes. Segal ranks fourth on the IceHogs in goals and is seventh in points.

The Richmond, British Columbia native has played in 92 career NHL games with the Lightning, Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings, collecting 11 goals and 22 points. He played in two games with Tampa Bay during the 2008-09 season, including his NHL debut on March 3 versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was originally drafted by the Predators in the fourth round, 102nd overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

The 28 year-old has skated in 508 career AHL games with the Milwaukee Admirals, Portland Pirates, Norfolk Admirals, Manchester Monarchs, Texas Stars and Rockford IceHogs, collecting 120 goals and 233 points.

Ex-Colts WR Pathon close to joining Bulls

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

USF coach Skip Holtz could be turning to a former NFL receiver to fill the opening, as Jerome Pathon, receivers coach at the University of San Diego the past three years, interviewed for the receivers job last week and is very interested in joining the Bulls.

His hiring is likely to be announced today.

"I'm excited about the possibility of becoming a part of that staff, and part of that football program," Pathon said Monday.

Pathon, 36, an All-American at Washington, played eight NFL seasons, mostly with the Colts and Saints. He caught 260 passes in his career, including 15 touchdowns. Pathon started his coaching career working with receivers at his alma mater, and joined Division I-AA San Diego in 2009.

One of Pathon's Saints teammates was USF receivers coach Phil McGeoghan, who encouraged him to apply when he left to become the Dolphins' assistant receivers coach this month.

Pathon, who was born in South Africa and raised in Canada, lived in Fort Lauderdale for four years at the end of his playing career, and said he has long known of Holtz through NFL teammates like Jeff Burris and Lake Dawson, who played with him in Indianapolis and at Notre Dame when Holtz coached there.

Receiver should be one of USF's deepest and most talented positions, with Sterling Griffin and Terrence Mitchell returning from injuries and Andre Davis, Deonte Welch and Victor Marc coming off breakout seasons. UF transfer Chris Dunkley and freshman D'Vario Montgomery add playmakers.

staff shuffle: Holtz is shuffling three offensive assistants to work with new positions, with offensive coordinator Todd Fitch now working with quarterbacks, as he did for Holtz at East Carolina before coming to Tampa. Taking Fitch's spot in working with running backs will be tight ends coach Larry Scott, a more prominent position. Peter Vaas, who coached quarterbacks the past two seasons, will coach tight ends. There are no changes in playcalling.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon pleased with team's conditioning, hopes for "high-energy" spring

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — Manager Joe Maddon felt the Rays players extended the momentum from their dramatic 2011 push to the playoffs by working hard, and working out often, during the winter.

Now he wants them to take it out on the field.

"I would really like to see a high-energy spring training," Maddon said. "I think if we just go through the motions it's going to diminish our chances of getting off to a good start. I think if we get after it, we have a good chance for a good start, which I think is really important.

"I'm not talking about necessarily winning games, although I believe in spring training if you're playing well you're going to win spring training baseball games."

Overall, Maddon said he was impressed with how the players looked as well as how they acted. "As first days go, it's so nice to know that everybody came to do their jobs," he said.

All 38 pitchers and catchers worked out, and by the end of the day 14 of the 21 position players had checked in, including all but two of the rostered players, Carlos Peña and Ben Zobrist. The others who haven't shown up — the first full-squad workout isn't until Sunday — are non-roster SS Hak-Ju Lee, 1B Juan Miranda and OFs Brad Coon, Jesus Feliciano and Jeff Salazar.

3B Evan Longoria, who reported Tuesday afternoon, said the heavy turnout is meaningful: "We're excited; we're hungry. … It's good to see guys excited to want to get back and play baseball again and get back to the postseason."

WINTER WONDER: After ceding to the Rays' request to not pitch winter ball in his native Dominican Republic for the first time in what he said was at least 10 years, RHP Joel Peralta isn't sure what to expect this spring.

"My arms feels great, that's one thing for sure," Peralta said. "I hope it's for good. These people know what they're doing, so we'll see."

The Rays wanted Peralta, 35, to rest after he worked 672/3 innings over a career-high 71 appearances in his first full season in the majors since 2007. That year, he worked 872/3 innings over 62 games, then pitched winter ball and struggled the next season.

GOMES A GO: RHP Brandon Gomes' first session throwing off a mound since late November back surgery went well, furthering his confidence that he will be ready for opening day.

"My back felt great, the ball was coming out good and everything was down, so I'm very happy with the way it went," he said.

Gomes threw 20 pitches (all fastballs) while other pitchers threw about 40 during their 10-12 minute sessions. He won't pitch in at least the first few exhibitions but expects to make up for the missed time. "I can't imagine being very far behind," he said.

MISCELLANY: CF B.J. Upton reported "a little stronger" after adding about 5 pounds of muscle with additional weight work at former Bucs WR Yo Murphy's Fight Factory gym in Tampa. … Among the pitchers who caught Maddon's eye during the first bullpen sessions was RHP Josh Lueke, acquired from Seattle: "Pretty impressive." … With Stan Boroski, who has more of a pitching background, replacing bullpen coach Bobby Ramos, minor-league coordinator Jamie Nelson is working with the catchers. Maddon, a former catcher, will do so during the season.

Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria reveals he's dating model Jaime Edmondson

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — Rays third baseman Evan Longoria really is living the dream: Fame, fortune, great job — and now a model girlfriend.

Longoria confirmed to the Times on Tuesday he is dating Jaime Edmondson, Playboy magazine's Miss January 2010.

"Yes, we are dating," he said. "It's been a secret for long enough; it's not really been a secret, but nobody has asked about it."

Edmondson, a 33-year-old former Miami Dolphins cheerleader and two-time contestant on The Amazing Race reality show, has certainly attracted plenty of attention during her career.

But, Longoria, 26, said, "I don't even think of her like that. She's actually more informed on sports. She did a fantasy football blog the whole year, and she does a show on Sirius satellite radio. So it's pretty cool to be able to talk to somebody on that level outside of the whole modeling thing."

Longoria and Edmondson have been seen together in public recently, at Disney's Animal Kingdom and a Lightning game, and have exchanged Twitter messages, leading to speculation they were dating.

Captain's Corner: Early spring conditions bring sheepshead

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By Brent Gaskill, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

What's hot: Sheepshead fishing is steadily improving in the lower bay. They are considered a go-to fish during the winter months but their best action typically occurs during a transition into spring, when they migrate to the passes and out to rocky structures in the near shore gulf waters to congregate for spawning. With warm conditions, our spring seems to be arriving early so the sheepshead have already begun their journey.

Bait choices: The No. 1 bait is fiddler crabs. Their downside is the time and effort to acquire them. A few local tackle shops sell them; call ahead to assure availability. Shrimp are the easiest bait to use and to obtain. Smaller shrimp or fresh chunks of shrimp will outperform larger ones. Oysters and barnacles also make excellent alternative baits for sheepshead.

Rig right: Heavy tackle is needed only from a pier or bridge where added lifting power is necessary. Typically a 10- to 12-pound mainline is sufficient with a section of 20-pound leader. A knocker-rig where a sliding weight rides on the leader and rests directly on the eye of the hook is the simplest to use and very effective. Use just enough weight to feel in contact with your bait while keeping it in the strike zone. Use short shank sturdy hooks to withstand the sheepshead bony jaw and shell-crushing teeth.

Brent Gaskill runs Summer Vacation Charters out of the St. Petersburg area and can be reached at captbrent@summervacationcharters.com and (727)510-1009.

College basketball preview: USF Bulls at No. 2 Syracuse Orange

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012


Schedule to give USF Bulls several opportunities to boost NCAA Tournament resume

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

If a signature win is the biggest hole in USF's NCAA Tournament resume, the Bulls have ample opportunity to remedy that in the final two weeks of the season, starting tonight at No. 2 Syracuse.

A win at the Carrier Dome would be the biggest in Bulls history — NCAA bubble context or not — but even if USF (17-10, 10-4 Big East) can't pull off the upset, they have two home dates against other Big East teams battling for the same postseason goal.

With that in mind, the Big East's own bubble contingent — teams like Cincinnati, West Virginia, Connecticut and Seton Hall — will shift around the Bulls in the next four days before USF hosts Cincinnati. West Virginia is at Notre Dame tonight, Cincinnati has Louisville at home on Thursday, West Virginia gets Marquette at home Friday and Connecticut hosts Syracuse on Saturday. USF needs those bubble teams to fall short of upsets.

If USF can simply win its remaining home games against Cincinnati and West Virginia, it will have at least 12 Big East wins, and an advantage on other league bubble teams; a win tonight or next week at Louisville would be more convincing to the selection committee.

USF needs one win to secure a first-round bye in the Big East tournament, unimaginable for most of the Bulls' history in the league. That will give the Bulls a second-day game they should win, then a quarterfinal game to showcase itself as NCAA-worthy.

DEDICATION: In an honor that USF president Judy Genshaft first announced at Lee Roy Selmon's funeral service in September, USF's main athletic facility — a centerpiece building built during Selmon's time as athletic director — will be formally renamed the Lee Roy Selmon Athletic Center this afternoon.

"An enduring example of integrity, academic excellence, compassion, competitiveness and commitment to young people," reads the plaque outside the main entrance to the building that now bears his name, but you can see Selmon's legacy quite literally on USF's athletes this spring.

Baseball coach Lelo Prado is having one player each game wear No. 63 in tribute to Selmon. Through three games, that player has had at least one hit, and the Bulls are 3-0.

"They've embraced it, and now I have a big problem, because now I've got everybody wanting to wear it," Prado said Tuesday. "I would love to dress 35 guys in No. 63, because we know he's looking down on us. It would make my life a lot easier. It's a tribute to what kind of man he was, and it's special to them."

THIS AND THAT: Asiantii Woulard, a coveted quarterback from Winter Park, committed to sign with the Bulls next year, helping a position of need. No scholarship QBs were in the 2012 class just signed. Woulard, 6 feet 4 and 205 pounds, is the third commitment for USF in 2013. The Bulls are expected to sign two QBs in this class. … Jerome Pathon, announced Tuesday as USF's new receivers coach, was close friends with his predecessor, Phil McGeoghan, a teammate with the New Orleans Saints. McGeoghan recommended Pathon for the job. … Three former Bulls baseball players are in spring training: INF Jeff Baisley with the Dodgers, and RHPs Dan Otero and Shawn Sanford with the Giants. … Softball is 6-1, and USF has shown pitching depth. Freshman Sam Greiner and junior Lindsey Richardson have combined to give up two earned runs in 322/3 innings.

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com and at (813) 226-3346. Check out his blog at tampabay.com/blogs/bulls and follow him at Twitter.com/gregauman.



Tampa Bay Rays: Four prospects on Baseball America list; J.P. Howell critiques performance giving urine sample

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By Marc Topkin, times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Key dates

Saturday: Position players report

Sunday: First full squad workout

March 1: Intrasquad game.

March 3: Exhibition opener vs. Twins in Fort Myers

April 6: Season opener vs. Yankees at Tropicana Field

The dish

Today's workout for pitchers and catchers starts at around 9:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and lasts 2½-3 hours. Admission and parking free. Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: 1-75 South to Toledo Blade Road, go west 6½ miles to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, stadium complex is on left. For more information: (941) 235-5025.

Heads up: Among the pitchers scheduled to throw bullpen sessions today are RHP James Shields and LHPs David Price and Moore. The "action" starts around 10:30.

Rays tickets: $9/12-27, available via raysbaseball.com, at box office, through Ticketmaster.

Info: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)

All games 1:05 unless noted.

March

3: at Twins

4: Twins

5: Orioles

6: Twins

7: at Yankees

8: Tigers (ss)

at Twins (ss)

9: Orioles

10: at Red Sox (7:05)

11: Pirates

12: Twins

13: at Orioles

14: Marlins

15: Phillies

16: at Jays

17: at Pirates

18: Red Sox

19: Off

20: at Marlins

21: Yankees

22: at Pirates

23: Jays (7:05)

24: at Twins (3:05)

25: Marlins

26: at Twins

27: at Red Sox (1:35)

28: Pirates (7:05)

29: at Phillies

30: at Pirates

31: Red Sox

April

1: at Orioles

2: Twins

3: at Twins

4: vs. Future Rays, 1:40, at Tropicana Field

Who is this answer: RHP Brandon Gomes

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Quote of the day

"I was a little too strong; a little too much movement."

LHP J.P. Howell, on his performance during Tuesday's physical exam giving a urine specimen

List of the day

Baseball America included four Rays among its ranking of the top 100 prospects:

2. LHP Matt Moore .

44. SS Hak-Ju Lee

89. RHP Chris Archer

90. RHP Taylor Guerrieri



The Maddon rule? The Fuld rule?

MLB is trying to close a loophole exploited last season by Rays manager Joe Maddon, who had OF Sam Fuld warm up on the mound in Milwaukee so Cesar Ramos had more time in the bullpen. With the change to Rule 3.05, managers are now prohibited from having a pitcher warm up "with no intention" of having him pitch because a reliever isn't ready. Asked if it should be known as the Maddon Rule, he told the AP's Fred Goodall: "Make it the Sam Fuld Rule. I'm good with that."

Number of the day

14 Position players, of 21, who reported early.

Who is this Ray?

He pitched collegiately at Tulane. His dad built him a new electric guitar to replace one destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. He was married in November, to a former college soccer player. He was acquired in trade from San Diego.

Catcher eager to put ordeal in past

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Times wires
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

VIERA — Three months have passed since Wilson Ramos' budding baseball career was interrupted by a gunpoint kidnapping in his native Venezuela.

Yet there the catcher was Tuesday, smiling and laughing alongside his Nationals teammates during their first full workout for pitchers and catchers.

his ordeal, Ramos, 24, was emotional and candid in talking about the harrowing two days he was held in the Venezuelan mountains before being freed by a bullet-filled rescue.

Now as he prepares for his second full season in Washington, Ramos said he has put it behind him and wants to only talk about baseball going forward.

"I feel like I'm living again," Ramos said. "I've got a new life. Everybody in my family is happy with me. My family before was a little separated, and now everybody's together. So that's good for me and my family. I'm happy for that and I will play hard for my family and my team."

Last season Ramos became the Nationals' primary catcher, appearing in 113 games. In line to be the opening day starter in 2012, he decided to go home to Venezuela to play winter ball.

Before he could play his first game, Ramos was seized outside his parents' home one night and driven away by his abductors. It was the first known kidnapping of a major-leaguer in Venezuela.

HANLEY AT THIRD: Marlins All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez worked out at third base for the first time, fielding practice grounders and sending the strongest signal yet that he's willing to make the change.

When Ramirez came off the field, he was asked if he's okay with the switch. "I never said I'm not going to do it," he said. "I'm positive mentally. I feel great."

Miami signed All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes to a $106 million, six-year deal in December.

MANNY'S NEW GIG: Manny Ramirez is expected to join the Athletics at their spring facility on Friday. Ramirez, 39, played five games with the Rays last season before retiring rather than face a 100-game drug suspension. "I'm feeling really good, mostly on a spiritual level. I'm very confident with the shape I'm in heading to spring training," Ramirez said during an interview on Dominican radio.

ROTATION TRANSITION: Aroldis Chapman will be tested as a starter this spring by the Reds. The left-hander, 24, has a 3.27 ERA in 69 relief appearances over the past two seasons.

ICHIRO MOVED DOWN: Mariners manager Eric Wedge said he will begin the season having third baseman Chone Figgins bat leadoff and rightfielder Ichiro Suzuki third. It would be the first time that Suzuki, 38, an 11-year veteran, has not batted leadoff on a regular basis.

EPSTEIN COMPENSATION: The Cubs sent right-handed reliever Chris Carpenter and a player to be named to the Red Sox for a player to be named, settling a four-month dispute over what Boston should get as compensation when general manager Theo Epstein left for Chicago.

GIANTS: Right-hander Tim Lincecum didn't throw because of lower back soreness and is considered day-to-day.

INDIANS: Infielder Cristian Guzman took a physical and said he will sign a minor-league deal.

METS: Left-hander Johan Santana, who missed all of last season after 2010 shoulder surgery, reported no problems after throwing a bullpen session.

NATIONALS: First-base prospect Chris Marrero tore his hamstring playing in the Dominican Republic and is expected to miss at least the first half of the season.

ROCKIES: Triple-A left-hander Joseph Torres was suspended for 50 games under baseball's minor-league drug program.

Tampa Bay Rays already impressed with defense of new catcher Jose Molina

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — The Rays have been watching Jose Molina for years.

The pitchers would look on enviously from the bench, admiring how he set up and caught the ball, his impressive game-calling, the way he shut down potential base-stealers and the remarkable job he did in getting borderline-at-best pitches called strikes. It was pretty obvious, starter James Shields said, "he might be the best receiver in the game."

Standing in the batter's box, Evan Longoria saw it a different way. "I've told him that I actually hate being a hitter against him," Longoria said, "because he just gets so many strikes."

Tuesday, the Rays got their first look at what it's like having Molina on their side. And though it was only the first pitchers-and-catchers workout of the spring, they couldn't help but be even more impressed.

From the meticulous way he prepared and checked his new blue-colored gear to how he talked to the pitchers before, during and after catching their bullpen sessions to the time he spent and knowledge he shared with young proteges Jose Lobaton and Robinson Chirinos.

"J-Mo may be the one thing that we've kind of been missing," manager Joe Maddon said. "Not to denigrate — I thought (Kelly Shoppach) did a really good job behind the plate last year — but J-Mo just brings a little bit more of an edge back there. … I know how he operates. I know how much pride he takes in what he does back there."

Molina's effectiveness is well-known and documented, from stats that show he has been the toughest catcher in the majors to steal against over the past four years by throwing out 36.5 percent of runners and that the 3.94 ERA pitchers have with him behind the plate is fifth best of all active catchers (with 500 games) to studies that seek to quantify the impact of his uncanny pitch framing, with Baseball Prospectus estimating that over a full season he could save his team a major-league-most 35 runs.

"I do my job, that's all," Molina said.

But what Molina hasn't done is play on more than an occasional basis. And that's why it's not possible to say exactly how much impact he will have on the Rays, especially since he turns 37 in June.

Unlike older brother Bengie, who retired after spending 2010 with San Francisco and Texas, and younger brother Yadier, the three-time All-Star in St. Louis, Jose Molina has never been an everyday player. Aside from 2008, when he started 81 games (and played in 16 others) for the Yankees, he has averaged 50 starts (and 59 appearances) over his eight other full big-league seasons, also with the Angels and Blue Jays. He hasn't started back-to-back games behind the plate since August 2010.

Maddon said a "legit number" of starts would be 80-90, with the idea Molina could be a defensive replacement in other games, with an eye toward maximizing the matchups offensively and defensively. Molina said he'll be ready every day and do whatever Maddon — a coach with the Angels when Jose and Bengie played there — asks.

The lack of opportunity has never been a source of frustration or envy, Molina said, especially not within the family. "I've never felt that way about my brothers or any other catchers," he said.

More so, he takes pride in the amazing accomplishment that the three sons of a factory worker — Benjamin Sr. — in Bayamon, Puerto Rico all made the major leagues as catchers, and each with two World Series rings. "It's great, it's awesome, it's hard to believe it but it's true," Jose said.

"They're they catching Molinas," Maddon said.

The combination of skills, effort, knowledge, personality and pride makes Molina a good fit for the Rays.

"I can't wait to throw to him," Shields said. "Anytime you put a Molina back there, you should be in good business."

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com.

Depleted Tampa Bay Lightning defeats Anaheim Ducks 3-2

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

TAMPA — Lightning players did not formally dedicate Tuesday night's game with the Ducks to Steve Downie.

Instead, players honored their popular former teammate with an effort of which they knew he would be proud.

"We wanted to come out hard and fight like Downs has done here for four years," wing Marty St. Louis said. "We did that early on and we stayed with it."

The result, just hours after the scrappy right wing was traded to the Avalanche, was a 3-2 victory at the Tampa Bay Times Forum over one of the hottest teams in the league.

"Downs was a warrior for this team," St. Louis said. "He's going to be missed. He's a heck of a hockey player and always played with a lot of heart. … Unfortunately he's not going to be here any more."

For the third straight game day Tampa Bay's players dealt with the emotions of a front-line player being traded as general manager Steve Yzerman, eyes on the future, stockpiles draft choices and prospects.

Add the absence of captain Vinny Lecavalier, out indefinitely with a fractured right hand, and the team's three-game winning streak — which moved Tampa Bay (27-26-6) to five points from the last playoff spot in the East and five points from first-place Florida in the Southeast Division — is even more impressive.

"I have the utmost respect for what these guys have done," coach Guy Boucher said.

Steven Stamkos, with a league-best 42 goals, scored twice in the first period, including on the power play 28 seconds into the game, and had an assist. Teddy Purcell also had three points and the winner with a sweet backhand that made the score 3-1 2:40 into the second period.

And goaltender Mathieu Garon made 28 saves as Anaheim (on a 15-3-4 run) had a 30-16 shot advantage, including 11-3 in the third when the Ducks pushed the depleted and fatigued Lightning.

It is not going to get easier on a three-game road trip that begins Thursday in Winnipeg and goes to Pittsburgh and New Jersey.

Tuesday, though, the focus was on one game; actually, one player. Boucher said he delayed pregame meetings so Downie, who had 47 goals, 112 points and 554 penalty minutes in 214 games for Tampa Bay, could say goodbye to his former teammates.

Boucher said he stayed out of the way "so players were able to pay respects to the man, their friend and the player that was here, and everything that he has given us."

"Downie had some real buddies in here," Boucher added, "some best friends in here."

Downie ducked out without commenting. But Purcell said, "The message was just because there are some guys leaving we're not giving up in here. We're going to keep fighting and claw our way back."

Downie couldn't have said it better.

Lightning2103
Ducks0202

First Period1, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 41 (Malone, Purcell), :28 (pp). 2, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 42 (B.Clark, Purcell), 17:58. PenaltiesFowler, Ana (hooking), :22.

Second Period3, Anaheim, Koivu 11 (Ryan, Fowler), :40. 4, Tampa Bay, Purcell 15 (Stamkos, Gilroy), 2:40. 5, Anaheim, Ryan 22 (Koivu), 18:38. PenaltiesStamkos, TB (hooking), 5:37; Selanne, Ana (hooking), 6:17.

Third PeriodNone. PenaltiesConnolly, TB (delay of game), 4:57. Shots on GoalAnaheim 8-11-11—30. Tampa Bay 7-6-3—16. Power-play opportunitiesAnaheim 0 of 2; Tampa Bay 1 of 2. GoaliesAnaheim, Hiller 22-20-10 (16 shots-13 saves). Tampa Bay, Garon 19-15-4 (30-28). A18,309 (19,204). T2:19. Referees—Justin St. Pierre, Brad Watson. LinesmenThor Nelson, Pierre Racicot.

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