By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 25, 2011

The Tampa Bay Rays further thinned their roster today, optioning RHP Rob Delaney to Triple-A and reassigning RHP Cory Wade to minor-league camp.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 25, 2011

There's a good chance RW Steve Downie returns to the lineup tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes, giving the Tampa Bay Lightning a much-needed boost with an addition of a top-six forward.

Downie, who had missed nine games with knee and high ankle problems on his right leg, skated - and looked good - in Friday's morning skate, and said afterwards he's ready to go. Coach Guy Boucher said it's a very good possibility he's back.

For Downie, it couldn't have come soon enough.

"I don't like sitting out and I think everyone knows that," Downie said. "It's probably the toughest thing in hockey for me to sit out and watch the team go play hard teams, it's painful. But hopefully it's the best for my ankle and come down the stretch, I'll be ready to go.

Downie said his ankle, which had also bothered him earlier this season, feels stronger and "more powerful." He did a lot of work in the pool and on the treadmill and exercise bike, but said there's no replacement for skating – and considering he just started practicing this week – coach Guy Boucher acknowledged he won't be at his best and will have to manage his ice time.

"I've been out the last couple weeks so just keep it simple and play my game,' Downie said. "I haven't practiced very much, so I won't be as sharp as I liked to be. But it comes down to doing the little things right and keeping it simple as much as possible."

But just having Downie's presence back will add a spark, both in his battles along the boards and how he compliments a line with Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis.

"He brings energy, he brings drive, physicality," Boucher said. "And he makes that Stamkos and St. Louis line click a lot more. And that's a lot."

The Lightning should get back another top-six forward in Ryan Malone (mid body injury) next week, with Boucher saying he's "perfect to go" but needs more work conditioning-wise.

MEDICAL MATTERS: The Lightning got encouraging news on D Randy Jones (high ankle sprain on left leg), with Boucher saying his recovery is a week ahead of schedule, meaning there's chance could be back before the playoffs. Jones' original timetable was four-to-six weeks, bringing him back April 11, but he got on the ice Friday to skate.

*G Dwayne Roloson will be in net, with Boucher saying he hasn't decided yet who will play Saturday in Raleigh.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 25, 2011

TAMPA — RW Steve Downie returned to the lineup Friday night against the Hurricanes, giving the Lightning a much-needed boost.

Downie, a top-six forward who had missed nine games with knee and high-ankle problems on his right leg, said it was difficult being sidelined with his team struggling.

"I don't like sitting out, and I think everyone knows that," he said. "It's probably the toughest thing in hockey for me, to sit out and watch the team go play hard teams. It's painful. But hopefully it's the best for my ankle and come down the stretch I'll be ready to go."

Downie said the ankle, which had also bothered him earlier this season, feels stronger and "more powerful." He did a lot of work in the pool and on the treadmill and exercise bike, but he said there's no replacement for skating.

Considering he resumed practicing just this week, coach Guy Boucher said Downie wouldn't be at his best and would have to manage his ice time Friday. Downie played 12:25, had one shot and was charged with a 10-minute misconduct penalty midway through the third period.

"It comes down to doing the little things right and keeping it simple as much as possible," Downie said.

Boucher was looking forward to having Downie back for what the forward brings in board battles and how he complements a line with C Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis. "He brings energy, he brings drive, physicality," Boucher said. "And he makes that Stamkos and St. Louis line click a lot more. And that's a lot."

The Lightning should get back another top-six forward, W Ryan Malone (mid-body injury), next week. Boucher said Malone is "perfect to go" but needs more conditioning.

MEDICAL MATTERS: The Lightning got encouraging news on D Randy Jones (high left ankle sprain). Boucher said his recovery is a week ahead of schedule, meaning there's a chance he could be back before the playoffs. Jones' original rehabilitation timetable was four to six weeks, which would have brought him back April 11. But he got on the ice Friday.

"He was one of our top guys," Boucher said. "Jones was playing against the first lines before he got injured. When you lose a guy that plays against first lines, you obviously lose a lot."

MILESTONE WATCH: RW Adam Hall played in his 500th career game, but he said what will mean more is if he plays a lot more in the playoffs.

"It's nice to have something like this when you take a second and take a step back and appreciate it," Hall said. "A lot of things are more important to me than this, like making the playoffs. We've got a lot of exciting moments coming up that I'm looking forward to."

odds and ends: C Mattias Ritola was scratched due to a lower-body injury. D Matt Smaby and D Marc-Andre Bergeron were also scratched. Tampa Bay went with 12 forwards.

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

By Jim Tomlin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 25, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Championships don't carry quite the currency in IndyCar that they once did.

Or at least don't guarantee as much currency.

Dan Wheldon, Tony Kanaan and Sebastien Bourdais know this all too well.

Wheldon, the 2005 IndyCar series and Indianapolis 500 champion and St. Petersburg resident, isn't running the full season in the series this year. He announced Friday that he will run at Indy with Bryan Herta Autosport.

Kanaan, the 2004 IndyCar series champion, lost two rides in a matter of months because of sponsorship issues and just signed this week to run the season with KV Racing. The team is co-owned by his friend and former Champ Car rival, Jimmy Vasser.

Bourdais won the final four Champ Car titles, in 2004-07, before that series merged with IndyCar. He signed this week to run a partial schedule with Dale Coyne; Bourdais will run the street and road courses only.

In addition to his other feats in 2005, Wheldon also won the inaugural IndyCar race in St. Petersburg, leading a 1-2-3-4 finish for the Andretti Green team (with longtime friend Herta fourth) in his adopted hometown.

"When you're out of it, it's amazing how much you want to be back in," Wheldon said Friday of his offseason search for a ride. "It's been a bit of a rollercoaster but I think it's very positive for me to be in this situation. ... I think it will give me a very good chance to win at Indianapolis which is a special race for me.

"The economy's incredibly tough," Wheldon said. "We had some opportunities in November that we declined. Sometimes you think back and you're like, 'Maybe I should have said yes to that.' "

But Wheldon said he enjoyed extra offseason time with his family (his second son was born last week) and wasn't going through the difficulties alone.

"We all support each other through Twitter," Wheldon said of fellow drivers who sought jobs such as Kanaan, another former teammate. "... It's tough. There's no point in letting yourself get down about it."

Kanaan lost his longtime ride at Andretti Autosport after eight seasons, then agreed to drive for De Ferran Dragon. But that deal fell apart too and the 36-year-old Brazilian was left to scramble. His search ended Monday when his deal with KV was announced.

"I feel like my first day in school," Kanaan said Friday of his team, where he was still learning names.

The learning curve in the offseason, in pursuit of sponsor dollars, was much longer. Kanaan said he had 89 meetings in three months.

"People had offseasons. I didn't," he said. "I was working really hard. … I came out stronger after everything.

"I think it's the reality of the world right now," Kanaan said, adding that on this weekend's 25-car grid, "everybody's really good. But then there is somebody that is as good as you, but he has half a million dollars. He's better than you already. I think if you go around and you ask (teams) if they could have Paul Tracy or Dan Wheldon or Tony Kanaan, they would take it. But if they don't have the funding to run, (teams have) got to survive as well."

Kanaan and Vasser both say the ability to sell oneself is now as important for young drivers to learn as on-track skills.

"Some of the older drivers haven't been accustomed to finding sponsorship," said Vasser, the 1996 CART champion. "The younger guys bring their sponsor packages along with them. ... The older guys like P.T. or Tony are just now realizing, 'Hey, if this is going to happen for me I need to be doing this too.' It's just a sign of the times."

Bourdais, a former St. Petersburg resident, still hasn't sold his house here ("I wish," he says, "but '07 wasn't the best time") and is renting it out. But until this week hadn't been back here since leaving America for a disappointing year and a half in Formula One. The 32-year-old Frenchman still has racing commitments in Europe, which is why he's running a partial season.

"It's very difficult right now; the reason I'm not at Newman/Haas right now is because they can't afford it," Bourdais said. "Everybody's struggling to find money. ... The only one who could offer a deal and was excited about it was Dale."

Bourdais admits life at Coyne will be different from his Champ Car days, when he won 31 times in five seasons.

"I know it's going to be the exact opposite of what I did at Newman/Haas because (there I had) a championship-winning car and I made good use of it. Here I know you've got to build everything from scratch."

Still, he feels he has a chance in IndyCar, more than F1.

"(In F1) they need drivers who can adapt to whatever the car is like and that's just not me. I need a car to fit my driving style. And that's what we're going to try to do. ... That's why I'm excited to do this."

That's something he shares with Wheldon and Kanaan. And as it turned out, Kanaan's tenacious driving style translated off the track in the offseason.

"I'm not the kind of guy that would give up that easy," said Kanaan, who had overtures from teams in other series. "My priority was IndyCar. And if I had to sit out for a year because I was going to pursue only IndyCar I was ready to do that. I was fully committed to IndyCar. And that's why I'm here."

Jim Tomlin can be reached at tomlin@sptimes.com.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 25, 2011

Manager Joe Maddon told his team in his opening spring address that the "report of our demise has been greatly exaggerated," reaffirming that their goal was to defend their American League East championship.

And despite Tampa Bay losing several key players (Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Matt Garza), the Rays division rivals expect them to be in the thick of the race once again.

"I think they'll be better than last year," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "They made some really good additions. I don't think anybody that knows what's going on feels they (dropped off) in any way. I think they stepped forward more than they have back."

Though the Rays have won two of the past three AL East titles, Boston has emerged as the popular pick thanks to the offseason additions of ex-Ray Crawford and slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

But Red Sox star second baseman Dustin Pedroia said the Rays have plenty of talent left to defend their title.

"They've got a ton of great players," Pedroia said. "I don't think anybody is overlooking them at all. They've got a great team, and I know they lost Garza but they still have great pitching. They're going to be fine. They're going to be right there."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi has pointed to the Rays young rotation, led by AL Cy Young runner-up David Price, as a reason they'll always be tough, as well as the aggressive style with which they play.

"When you have the rotation they have, anything is possible," said Red Sox reliever Dan Wheeler, one of the departed Rays. "The way they've been playing the last three years, and I've watched it, is just putting pressure on a lot of teams, that's something you can't overlook."

Others, like Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher, said Rays additions like veteran hitters Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez could be big. "They still have a lot left in the tank, in my opinion," Swisher said.

Combined with the talent Tampa Bay has returning — All-Star Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton, and emerging players like Matt Joyce and Dan Johnson — Orioles righthander Jeremy Guthrie said it'll be a very good lineup.

"They're well-balanced," Guthrie said. "They've added some veteran leadership. I think Manny will be a big addition for them, giving them a bit of experience and one of the best hitters the game has ever seen in the middle of their lineup. So it'll be interesting to see how they shake out. They could be better very easily, and they could be the same. You never know."

The question mark with the Rays is their bullpen, which had to be revamped after the departure of Wheeler, Grant Balfour, Randy Choate and AL-saves leader Rafael Soriano, who signed with the Yankees. But newcomers like Kyle Farnsworth and Joel Peralta have pitched well in spring, as have right-hander Juan Cruz and lefty Cesar Ramos.

"They do a great job of attacking their needs and giving themselves options," Showalter said. "They've got great evaluators and coaches there, and Joe does a great job with them. I'll look for them to be even better than last year, I really do."

Then there's the intangibles. The Rays relished the underdog role back in their 2008 World Series run, motivated by those who doubted them along the way. So despite predictions that Tampa Bay will take a step back, Crawford knows better.

"Those guys are still going to compete and I'm pretty sure they're going to want to show they can win it without the guys they lost," Crawford said. "So they're going to be motivated to do that."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 25, 2011

Manager Joe Maddon told his team in his opening spring address that the "report of our demise has been greatly exaggerated," reaffirming that the Rays' goal was to defend their American League East championship.

Despite losing several key players, including Carl Crawford, Carlos Peña and Matt Garza, the Rays' division rivals expect them to be in the thick of things again.

"I think they'll be better than last year," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "They made some really good additions. I don't think anybody that knows what's going on feels they (dropped off) in any way. I think they stepped forward more than they have back."

Though the Rays have won two of the past three AL East titles, Boston has emerged as the popular pick thanks to the offseason additions of Crawford and slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

But Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia said the Rays have plenty of talent left to defend their title.

"They've got a ton of great players," Pedroia said. "I don't think anybody is overlooking them at all. They've got a great team, and I know they lost Garza, but they still have great pitching. They're going to be fine. They're going to be right there."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi has pointed to the Rays' young rotation, led by AL Cy Young runnerup David Price, as a reason they'll always be tough, as well as the aggressive style with which they play.

"When you have the rotation they have, anything is possible," said Red Sox reliever Dan Wheeler, one of the departed Rays. "The way they've been playing the last three years, and I've watched it, is just putting pressure on a lot of teams, that's something you can't overlook."

Others, such as Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher, said Rays additions Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, two veteran hitters, could be big. "They still have a lot left in the tank, in my opinion," Swisher said.

Combined with the talent Tampa Bay has returning — All-Star Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton, and emerging players such as Matt Joyce and Dan Johnson — Orioles right-hander Jeremy Guthrie said it'll be a good lineup.

"They're well-balanced," Guthrie said. "They've added some veteran leadership. I think Manny will be a big addition for them, giving them a bit of experience and one of the best hitters the game has ever seen in the middle of their lineup. So it'll be interesting to see how they shake out. They could be better very easily, and they could be the same. You never know."

The question mark with the Rays is their bullpen, which had to be revamped after the departure of Wheeler, Grant Balfour, Randy Choate and AL-saves leader Rafael Soriano, who signed with the Yankees. But newcomers such as Kyle Farns­worth and Joel Peralta have pitched well in spring, as have right-hander Juan Cruz and lefty Cesar Ramos.

"They do a great job of attacking their needs and giving themselves options," Showalter said. "They've got great evaluators and coaches there, and Joe does a great job with them. I'll look for them to be even better than last year, I really do."

Then there's the intangibles. The Rays relished the underdog role during their 2008 World Series run, motivated by those who doubted them along the way. So despite predictions that Tampa Bay will take a step back, Crawford knows better.

"Those guys are still going to compete, and I'm pretty sure they're going to want to show they can win it without the guys they lost," he said. "So they're going to be motivated to do that."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 25, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE — Given that they sent down the two other candidates, and the only other healthy reliever left in camp is Rule 5 pick LHP Cesar Cabral, it seems the Rays settled Friday on RHP Juan Cruz and LHPs Jake McGee and Cesar Ramos for the final spots in the bullpen.

Or not.

"You can draw that conclusion if you like," manager Joe Maddon said, "but it's not totally etched in stone yet."

That's because the Rays, as expected, are going to look hard over the next few days for help — via trade or waivers — from the outside as other teams make their final decisions. Out-of-option relievers, such as Colorado's Felipe Paulino and Cincinnati's Jose Arrendondo, could be of interest.

"There's still the opportunity to do some other things that we're looking into externally," Maddon said. "Just a couple other little things going on, obviously I'd-have-to-shoot-you-if-I-told-you kind of stuff."

The Rays got to this point by sending down RHPs Rob Delaney (3-0, 3.38 in 8 games) and Cory Wade (0-0, 5.56 in 7). Cabral (0-0, 3.52 in 6) has been inconsistent and remains more likely to be traded or put on waivers than make the team.

The Rays have until Thursday to set their roster. Both McGee and Ramos could be optioned to Triple-A if the Rays acquire another reliever; Cruz is on a minor-league deal but could draw interest from another big-league team, so the Rays are more likely to keep him.

Overall, Maddon said, "our final moments aren't going to be that difficult." OF Sam Fuld and INF Elliot Johnson seem likely to get the two reserve spots, leaving 1B Casey Kotchman headed to the minors or elsewhere.

JASO RETURNS: C John Jaso felt so good in the morning workout he talked his way into catching two innings in a Class A game, his first action since being hit in the groin by a foul tip March 19.

Jaso, wearing a second jockstrap for support, said there was still "a little bit of uncomfortability there," but he got through it, even running hard to back up a throw at first. He will play, and hit, in another minor-league game today and said he expects to be ready for Friday's season opener.

FARNSWORTH TOO: Farnsworth looked fine, and said he felt fine, throwing 23 pitches in an inning of a Class A game with no issues from the left knee agitation that forced him from Thursday's game after one pitch. "I didn't even worry about it," he said. "Everything feels good."

PITCHING IN: RHP Jeff Niemann's six-inning line was a little tattered (9 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 6 K, 0 BB), but he felt good about the work he did in his last extended spring start, throwing 106 pitches (79 strikes).

"I felt like we kept together pretty well out there on the mound and continued to make pitches," he said. "I felt great about today, the curveball and the slider were both there. The fastball was a little bit up but those are adjustments that are easier to make than the breaking ball stuff. ''

Struggling RHP Adam Russell (24 baserunners in 8 innings) said his delivery was better and his slider sharper after making some suggested adjustments and using them in a minor-league game Thursday. "I had a better feel all around," he said. "I'm so close to getting in all in sync it's going to be there real soon."

GAME DETAILS: Despite playing what Maddon called one of their "least effective" games in terms of execution and defense, the Rays won for the 13th time in their last 18 and improved to 14-12-1. ... Fuld had a two-run double, and non-roster OF Justin Ruggiano knocked in three. ... RHP Joel Peralta extended his spring scoreless streak to nine innings over eight games.

MISCELLANY: Maddon said he'll settle on the batting order next week, with the biggest question deciding between 1B Dan Johnson and RF Matt Joyce for the Nos. 5 and 7 spots vs. RHPs, with CF B.J. Upton No. 6. ... Changes at Tropicana Field include the addition of fresh burger, chicken wings and gluten-free concession areas and conversion of the Batter's Eye restaurant to the Everglades BBQ Smokehouse. ... Today is the final spring game in Port Charlotte.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 25, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE — Given that they sent down the two other candidates, and the only other healthy reliever left in camp is Rule 5 pick LHP Cesar Cabral, it seems the Rays settled Friday on RHP Juan Cruz and left-handers Jake McGee and Cesar Ramos for the final spots in the bullpen.

Or not.

"You can draw that conclusion if you like," manager Joe Maddon said, "but it's not totally etched in stone yet."

That's because the Rays, as expected, are going to look hard over the next few days for help, via trade or waivers, from the outside as other teams make their final decisions. Out-of-option relievers such as Colorado's Felipe Paulino and Cincinnati's Jose Arredondo could be of interest.

"There's still the opportunity to do some other things that we're looking into externally," Maddon said. "Just a couple other little things going on, obviously I'd-have-to-shoot-you-if-I-told-you kind of stuff."

The Rays got to this point by sending down RHPs Rob Delaney (3-0, 3.38 ERA in eight games) and Cory Wade (0-0, 5.56 in seven). Cabral (0-0, 3.52 in six) has been inconsistent and remains more likely to be traded or put on waivers than make the team.

The Rays have until Thursday to set their roster. Both McGee and Ramos could be optioned to Triple A if the Rays acquire another reliever; Cruz is on a minor-league deal but could draw interest from another big-league team, so the Rays are more likely to keep him.

Overall, Maddon said, "our final moments aren't going to be that difficult." OF Sam Fuld and INF Elliot Johnson seem likely to get the two reserve spots, leaving 1B Casey Kotchman headed to the minors or elsewhere.

JASO RETURNS: C John Jaso felt so good in the morning workout that he talked his way into catching two innings in a Class A game, his first action since being hit in the groin by a foul tip March 19.

Jaso, wearing a second jockstrap for support, said there was still "a little bit of uncomfortability there," but he got through it, even running hard to back up a throw to first. He will play, and hit, in another minor-league game today and said he expects to be ready for Friday's season opener.

FARNSWORTH, TOO: Farnsworth looked fine and said he felt fine, throwing 23 pitches in an inning of a Class A game with no issues from the left knee agitation that forced him from Thursday's game after one pitch. "I didn't even worry about it," he said. "Everything feels good."

PITCHING IN: RHP Jeff Niemann's six-inning line was a little tattered (nine hits, five runs, three earned, six strikeouts, no walks), but he felt good about the work he did in his last extended spring start, throwing 106 pitches (79 strikes) in the Rays' 9-5 win over the Pirates.

"I felt like we kept together pretty well out there on the mound and continued to make pitches," he said. "I felt great about today, the curveball and the slider were both there. The fastball was a little bit up, but those are adjustments that are easier to make than the breaking ball stuff."

Struggling RHP Adam Russell (24 baserunners in eight innings) said his delivery was better and his slider sharper after making some suggested adjustments and using them in a minor-league game Thursday. "I had a better feel all around," he said. "I'm so close to getting in all in sync it's going to be there real soon."

GAME DETAILS: Despite playing what Maddon called one of their "least effective" games in terms of execution and defense, the Rays won for the 13th time in their last 18 and improved to 14-12-1. … Fuld had a two-run double, and nonroster OF Justin Ruggiano knocked in three runs. … RHP Joel Peralta extended his spring scoreless streak to nine innings over eight games.

MISCELLANY: Maddon said he will settle on the batting order next week, with the biggest question deciding between 1B Dan Johnson and RF Matt Joyce for the Nos. 5 and 7 spots vs. right-handers, with CF B.J. Upton No. 6. … Today is the final spring game in Port Charlotte.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Friday, March 25, 2011

NEW ORLEANS — He could be somewhere else, maybe a lot of somewhere elses. He could have packed his bags. He could have chased his dream.

Given the right breaks, given the right circumstances, Alex Tyus could be on the end of an NBA bench. Maybe in Minnesota. Maybe in Sacramento. Maybe (shudder) in Cleveland.

After all, it was a year ago when Tyus put his name into the NBA pool, and he had gone about the business of trying to convince scouts he was better than they thought. Besides, if he didn't make the NBA, he could update his passport in pursuit of foreign currency. Maybe in Italy. Maybe in Turkey. Maybe in China.

He could have been in different colors, maybe a lot of different colors. He could have traded in his teammates. He could have found a new gymnasium. Maybe he could have played for Cincinnati. Maybe St. Louis. Maybe (gasp) Butler.

After all, it was two years ago when Tyus announced he was transferring from the Gators for parts unknown, and he spent the better parts of two weeks answering calls from potential landing spots.

Twice, the wanderlust hit Alex Tyus, and twice, he eventually came home to the Gators.

Turns out, Florida was where he belonged all along.

Watch him now. Tyus is having the time of his life, sprinting and pushing and crashing and grinning. In his last two games, he has 30 rebounds, and it is fair to say that if he had had, say, 25, the Gators might be home by now. He is a man who finally recognizes his place, and that place is in the air up above the basket.

Funny how life can work. Over his career, Tyus has spent a lot of time of thinking about going somewhere else. Instead, he is carrying his team somewhere else.

"I don't think too much about where I could have been," Tyus said. "I'm more of a person who lives in the moment. But, yeah, those times make this even sweeter."

It is hard to imagine Florida surviving Thursday night's game against BYU without Tyus, who scored 19 points and had 17 rebounds against the Cougars. It was a dominating, energetic performance, one of those games that makes you wonder where this kind of impact has been all along. "A monster," teammate Kenny Boynton called him.

After the game, it was Tyus who sprinted to his teammates yelling, "One more game, one more game," until the Gators were finally able to cut down a net.

When it comes to Tyus, who knew it would happen while he was still with the program?

Always, it seems, Tyus has had a foot out the door. After his sophomore season, when the Gators were forced to play him at center because, frankly, there was no other choice, Tyus announced he was transferring. In those days, didn't every Gator recruit? Florida players were leaving so fast in those days that you wondered if someone had tripped a fire alarm.

"In my freshman and sophomore years, we didn't have much of a team," Tyus said. "I wanted to go somewhere and win. We had guys leaving left and right.

"A lot of schools were calling, and I thought, 'Uh-oh, here comes the recruiting process again. That kind of turned me away from the whole deal. I had a great conversation with Coach Donovan. If I had any aspirations of playing in the NBA, it wasn't going to be as a 5 (a center). Coach told me with Vern Macklin coming in, I wasn't going to have to play every game against the other team's biggest player anymore. I could guard some wings or even guards."

Tyus decided to come back, but a year later, he declared for the NBA draft. It is fair to say the response from the NBA was not "Wow." It was more like "Huh?"

"They told me to try to rebound more," Tyus said. "They told me to be more active, and to work on my jump shot. They told to come back to school and help the team win on a higher level. They told that I'd probably be a late second-round pick or I'd be undrafted."

In the NBA, the odds aren't good for players drafted there. Only 23 percent of players taken past the first half of the second round stick at all. Odds are, Tyus would have ended up in an overseas league. Still, there are European Leagues that pay well, too.

So here's the question: Say Tyus knew he could have been taken in the second round and signed a million-dollar contract. Is this better?

"Definitely," Tyus said. "This run has been special. Besides, if we keep wining, who is to say that deal can't get better?"

For most of the season, Tyus has still looked like a Tweener, not big enough to play inside, not a good enough shooter to play outside. But for 32 minutes against BYU, when he had his best game as a Gator, the guy looked like a prospect. This guy would get into somebody's camp.

The truth of it is that the Gators needed Tyus to be great. Today, against Butler, they need him again. Donovan refers to Butler as "the most physical team in the country." That means its time for Tyson to be a monster again.

These days, that doesn't sound like too much to ask.

After all, why else is he here?

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Friday, March 25, 2011

NEW ORLEANS — He could be somewhere else, maybe a lot of somewhere elses. He could have packed his bags. He could have chased his dream.

Given the right breaks, given the right circumstances, Alex Tyus could be on the end of an NBA bench. Maybe in Minnesota. Maybe in Sacramento. Maybe (shudder) in Cleveland.

After all, it was a year ago when Tyus put his name into the NBA pool, and he had gone about the business of trying to convince scouts he was better than they thought. Besides, if he didn't make the NBA, he could update his passport in pursuit of foreign currency. Maybe in Italy. Maybe in Turkey. Maybe in China.

He could have been in different colors, maybe a lot of different colors. He could have traded in his teammates. He could have found a new gymnasium. Maybe he could have played for Cincinnati. Maybe Saint Louis. Maybe (gasp) Butler.

After all, it was two years ago when Tyus announced he was transferring from the Gators for parts unknown, and he spent the better part of two weeks answering calls from potential landing spots.

Twice, the wanderlust hit Alex Tyus, and twice, he eventually came home to the Gators.

Turns out, Florida was where he belonged all along.

Watch him now. Tyus is having the time of his life, sprinting and pushing and crashing and grinning. In his past two games, the senior from St. Louis has 30 rebounds, and it is fair to say that if he had had, say, 25, the Gators might be home by now. He is a man who finally recognizes his place, and that place is in the air up above the basket.

Funny how life can work. Over his career, Tyus has spent a lot of time of thinking about going somewhere else. Instead, he is carrying his team somewhere else.

"I don't think too much about where I could have been," Tyus said. "I'm more of a person who lives in the moment. But, yeah, those times make this even sweeter."

It is hard to imagine Florida surviving Thursday night's game against BYU without Tyus, who scored 19 points and had 17 rebounds. It was a dominating, energetic performance, one of those games that makes you wonder where this kind of impact has been all along. "A monster," teammate Kenny Boynton called him.

After the game, it was Tyus who sprinted to his teammates yelling, "One more game! One more game!" until the Gators were finally able to cut down a net.

When it comes to Tyus, who knew it would happen while he was still with the program?

Always, it seems, Tyus has had a foot out the door. After his sophomore season, when the Gators were forced to play the 6-foot-8, 220-pounder at center because, frankly, there was no other choice, Tyus announced he was transferring. In those days, didn't every Gator recruit? Florida players were leaving so fast in those days that you wondered if someone had tripped a fire alarm.

"In my freshman and sophomore years, we didn't have much of a team," Tyus said. "I wanted to go somewhere and win. We had guys leaving left and right.

"A lot of schools were calling, and I thought, 'Uh-oh, here comes the recruiting process again. That kind of turned me away from the whole deal. I had a great conversation with Coach (Billy) Donovan. If I had any aspirations of playing in the NBA, it wasn't going to be as (a center). Coach told me with Vern Macklin coming in, I wasn't going to have to play every game against the other team's biggest player anymore. I could guard some wings or even guards."

Tyus decided to come back, but a year later, he declared for the NBA draft. It is fair to say the response from the NBA was not "Wow." It was more like "Huh?"

"They told me to try to rebound more," Tyus said. "They told me to be more active and to work on my jump shot. They told me to come back to school and help the team win on a higher level. They told me that I'd probably be a late second-round pick or I'd be undrafted."

In the NBA, the odds aren't good for players drafted there. Only 23 percent of players taken past the first half of the second round stick at all. Odds are, Tyus would have ended up in an overseas league. Still, there are European leagues that pay well, too.

So here's the question: Say Tyus knew he could have been taken in the second round and signed a million-dollar contract. Is this better?

"Definitely," Tyus said. "This run has been special. Besides, if we keep winning, who is to say that deal can't get better?"

For most of the season, Tyus has still looked like a tweener, not big enough to play inside, not a good enough shooter to play outside. But for 32 minutes against BYU, when he had his best game as a Gator, the guy looked like a prospect. This guy would get into somebody's camp.

The truth of it is that the Gators needed Tyus to be great. Today, against Butler, they need him again. Donovan refers to Butler as "the most physical team in the country." That means it's time for Tyson to be a monster again.

These days, that doesn't sound like too much to ask.

After all, why else is he here?

By Greg Auman and Jim Tomlin, Times Staff Writers
Friday, March 25, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Danica Patrick has just started her second season in NASCAR's Nationwide series and finished no higher than 19th in 13 races last year, but her moonlighting with stock cars has helped extend her reach to another large group of fans.

"Perhaps. Just like there's IndyCar dedicated fans, there are dedicated NASCAR fans, and then there's a whole lot of just race fans," she said Friday before a practice session for Sunday's Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. "I guess I'm doing a little bit of both to kind of serve whatever fans' taste buds, which series they like. You can't tell if they're one fan or another necessarily. There's a whole lot of NASCAR fans … a couple million people watch every weekend. I suppose there's more awareness now."

In terms of popularity, Patrick has a following that far more established, successful drivers have trouble keeping up with — consider Twitter.com, where Patrick's official account has 325,420 followers, a strong number for a driver.

By comparison, IndyCar's Helio Castroneves has one-tenth as many followers (31,894), and even maybe the most successful NASCAR driver, Jimmie Johnson, has 16,136 followers on his official account. Jeff Gordon, one of NASCAR's most popular drivers on Twitter, has 46,636.

If Patrick can find consistent success in NASCAR, that could only add to her following. Three weeks ago, she had her best finish, taking fourth in Las Vegas.

Another open-wheel driver, Dario Franchitti, didn't fare well when he competed on NASCAR's Sprint Cup circuit in 2008 and said the highest stock car circuit is a different challenge entirely.

"She seems to be getting better," said Franchitti, who watched her last Nationwide race on TV. "I think Nationwide is one thing and for me, it wasn't difficult to be top 10 in Nationwide. … Try doing that in Cup, that's a whole different level. That's when it gets really difficult."

Really, she's 29: Patrick celebrated a birthday Friday and said she misses the days of being the youngest driver in a field, though she still has plenty of racing ahead of her.

"I might feel a little worse when I'm 30," she said. "I'm used to being young. I remember the days when I was the youngest driver. That's not the case anymore."

POWER'S PRACTICE: Defending race champion Will Power clipped the Turn 8 wall in the second of two IndyCar practices but still had the top lap of the day at 102.247 mph (1 minute, 3.3759 seconds).

"It was a bit of a mixed-up day," the Penske Racing driver said. "I had to put a new front tire on, and I didn't get that many laps. This is a really difficult car to drive. It is difficult to get the balance."

Franchitti, two-time defending series champion, was second for Chip Ganassi Racing at 102.018 mph, 0.14 seconds behind Power.

"I can never get away from this guy," Power said of Franchitti, who overtook him in the season finale to win the title last year.

LOCAL EFFORT: Patrick Long of Belleair earned the pole for today's SCCA World Challenge race, the first of two this weekend. Long ran a top lap of 86.318 mph (1:15.071) in a Porsche 911 GT3.

OTHER SERIES: Anders Krohn was fastest in Indy Lights practice at 93.863 mph (1:09.0371). Spencer Pigot earned the pole for today's USF2000 race, the first of two this weekend, at 87.621 mph (1:13.955).

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Friday, March 25, 2011

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — You learned to love their devotion to teamwork. You came to appreciate the sensibility of players putting egos aside.

For that is what made Florida State different. All season long, it is what made the Seminoles special.

And in the end, being unselfish may have contributed to their undoing.

Driving to the basket in the final seconds of overtime against Virginia Commonwealth in the Southwest Region semifinal Friday night, FSU senior Derwin Kitchen opted not to take the final shot. He passed to Chris Singleton whose shot was blocked at the buzzer.

And so the journey ends for Florida State with a 72-71 loss to the 11th-seeded Rams.

"We came up one play short," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said.

Sometimes, in the arc of a shot, you can see the journey of a lifetime.

So when the ball left Singleton's fingertips from well beyond the 3-point line in the final minute of regulation, it was almost as if you had time to recall every detail of every moment along the way.

For it took years for the Seminoles to arrive here. They went through coaches and heartbreak. They went through recruits and disappointments.

And when Singleton's shot dropped safely through the net to tie the score, you were almost certain fate had finally arrived on FSU's side.

But Kitchen failed to get off a potential winning shot in the final 12 seconds of regulation, and then made the choice to put the ball in Singleton's hands at literally the last moment of overtime.

"When I slipped the defenders, I fumbled the ball a little bit and I didn't think I could get a good enough shot," Kitchen said. "So I passed the ball off, but there wasn't enough time."

The Seminoles had a 71-70 lead when VCU called a timeout with seven seconds remaining in overtime. The Rams took several seconds to get the in-bounds pass in, but then Bradford Burgess came open under the hoop for an easy layup.

"It was a mistake by me," Single­ton said. "I was guarding Burgess and I turned my head the wrong way, and he slipped … and got a clean look at the basket."

It was only the second time since the NCAA Tournament field was expanded in 1985 that two teams seeded No. 10 or weaker met in the Sweet 16.

Think about that. It's like Cinderella showing up for the royal ball and discovering some other scrub girl trying to hook up with Prince Charming.

FSU could not have asked for a better chance. The Seminoles survived the regular season in the ACC. They went through the Big 12 in their first NCAA game, beat the Big East in their second, and then got take out by the Colonial Athletic Association in the Sweet 16?

A Colonial team that finished behind George Mason, Old Dominion and Hofstra in the conference's regular season? A team that lost to USF?

The Rams could not hang with FSU on the boards, and they had no post players to speak of to work the ball inside, but they had a smart and effective game plan that left the Seminoles constantly scrambling to contest open shots.

VCU essentially took Florida State's greatest strength and used it against the Seminoles. FSU's defense is so aggressive, the Rams would make a pass, anticipate the overpursuit, and quickly send the pass right back to the now-open shooter.

And so a defense that held Texas A&M and Notre Dame to a combined 31 percent shooting from the field last weekend, watched as VCU hit 50 percent of its shots in the first half on Friday night.

"It was my last game. I'm kind of devastated," Kitchen said. "I really wanted to keep this going as long as possible, and to end my college career on basically a last-second shot feels pretty bad."

Still, this Florida State team deserves to be remembered for more than what has happened in the past eight days in the Southwest Region. Particularly what happened on the final day.

For what FSU's tournament run has done is it has shined a spotlight on how far the program has come in the past few years.

In the end, the scoreboard cannot be ignored. After all, it is the reason we care.

But, in this case, the final result should not be construed as the last word on a season.

The Seminoles may have lost a game, and they may have blown a rare opportunity, but they also reawakened a world of possibilities for Florida State basketball.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 25, 2011

NEW ORLEANS — The text messages from former Butler players started arriving in Ronald Nored's cell phone early Friday morning. The Butler junior guard and several teammates have heard from many former players in the past 24 hours.

When No. 2 seed Florida (29-7) and No. 8 Butler (26-9) meet today in the NCAA Southeast Region final, it will be a stark reminder of years gone by — and tough losses against Florida.

The Gators and Bulldogs have been down this road — their paths crossing for the third time since 2000 at the most critical juncture of the season, the NCAA Tournament. The previous meetings between the two were memorable and part of Gator Final Four runs.

So it's no surprise that Bulldogs from all over are fired up and trying to rally the current players for today's meeting.

"I think everyone in the program is pretty aware of what's taken place with the guys before us," Nored said Friday. "I've gotten some texts from some of the guys who were on the 2000 team and then some of the guys on the '07 team just about what they went through against Florida.

"And we've seen some film. We're aware, and we want to just do what we can for those guys, and hopefully, they appreciate our effort (today)."

It was the 2000 NCAA first-round game in which Mike Miller's shot rolled in as time expired to give the Gators a 69-68 overtime victory that began a run that ended in Billy Donovan's first Final Four and a trip to the national championship game — a pivotal point in the Gators' building process.

And in 2007, Florida defeated Butler 65-57 in the region semifinals on its way to its second straight NCAA championship.

Butler senior guard Shawn Vanzant is a Tampa native (a graduate of Wharton High) whose close friends, Brandon Crone and Brian Liggins, are former Bulldogs. And as a Florida native, Vanzant knows firsthand the history between the teams.

"Brian Liggins has been giving me advice and basically keeping me levelheaded about this game," Vanzant said. "He's given me some advice about playing Florida and being here on this stage. That 2007 Florida team was amazing, and so is this one. So he told me to just prepare the best way you can and get ready for the game."

Florida has won 13 of its past 15 games. Butler has won 12 in a row, including its three tournament games by a combined 11 points.

"They played for the national championship last year, and they only lost one guy," Florida senior forward Chandler Parsons said. "So they've got a lot of guys that have been in this situation before, and they understand what it takes to win."

In the NCAA Tournament, Florida is allowing 63 points per game while Butler is giving up just 60. The Bulldogs have solid guard play in Nored, Chase Stigall and Shelvin Mack. Florida counters with Kenny Boynton, Erving Walker and Scottie Wilbekin.

With Butler center Andrew Smith nursing a sprained left ankle sustained Thursday against Wisconsin, the Gators hope to establish an inside presence early with senior Alex Tyus and contain Butler senior forward Matt Howard.

Most of all, Donovan said, the Gators have to be able to handle the Bulldogs' toughness.

"What Butler does best is they are the most physical team in the country," Donovan said. "People may look at them being from a non-BCS program and teams maybe being taller, maybe built bigger or stronger. It means absolutely nothing.

"They've got a tough, hard-nosed group of physical guys, and they take on physical confrontation. And they do a great job of initiating physical confrontation. And that's the way they play. And that has allowed them to do what they do."

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com. Follow her coverage at gators.tampabay.com.

Times staff
Friday, March 25, 2011

Baseball classic: 2 p.m. on ESPN Classic. A replay of Matt Garza's no-hitter against the Tigers last season.

30 Clubs in 30 Days: 6 p.m. on MLB Network. A preview of the 2011 Boston Red Sox.

HBO Boxing After Dark: 9:45 p.m. on HBO. Main event features undefeated featherweight champion Yuriokis Gamboa (19-0, 15 KOs) taking on veteran Jorge Solis (40-2-2, 29 KOs).

By Bill Hardman, Times Correspondent
Friday, March 25, 2011

What's hot: Divers are still seeing big sheepsheads on the ledges out to about 70 feet of water. They're in shallower water north of Pinellas County. Also occupying the ledges are nice mangrove snapper. The hot topic with divers remains the large quantities of gag grouper on almost every ledge from 30 to 100 feet.

Grouper rules: The closed season in federal and state waters for red grouper, black grouper and scamp ends March 31. The federal interim rule closure for gag grouper stays in effect until mid summer, and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Council might continue the closure for all of 2011. Gag grouper in state waters is open after March 31 but still closed in federal waters. For Florida regulations, go to http://myfwc.com/media/1068044/FINAL.pdf.

Tournament: The fifth annual Tampa Bay Spearfishing Challenge is a favorite of many who spearfish because prizes are randomly distributed and not determined by placement. Spearing begins April 9, the weigh-in and awards are April 10 at the WingHouse in Pinellas Park starting at 10:30 a.m. Go to tampabayspearfishingclub.org for information.

Bill Hardman teaches scuba, spearfishing and free diving through Aquatic Obsessions Scuba in St. Petersburg and can be reached at CaptainBillHardman@gmail.com or (727) 344-3483.

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, March 25, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — His cruising speed is comparable to many. His top speed is second to none.

Kelsos Ace High is the greyhound to beat in the 52nd annual $80,000 Distance Classic, Derby Lane's richest stakes that begins tonight.

"Ace is getting so much faster, he scares me," Lester Raines kennel assistant manager Jeanne Lesperance said. "He's one of those dogs that you hold your breath when he runs."

Kelsos Ace High is the track's ace under trainer Ken Lesperance, Jeanne's husband. He leads the meet with 11 victories. He has clocked six of the top-10 times at 660 yards, including a season-best 37.13 seconds on March 9. He specializes in coming from behind, rallying for 19 of his 25 career victories.

"His extra gear usually kicks in at the head of the homestretch," Jeanne said. "He starts to motivate it in the middle of the far turn. I think Ace is the fastest three-eighths (mile) dog here, but what we really want is some luck."

The distance-course dynamo has won 22 of 46 starts at 660 yards or longer. He is 3-for-16 at 550. Kelsos Ace High's pedigree is excellent. His sire, former sprinter Kelsos Fusileer, raced in the inaugural Derby Lane Million in 2006. Kelsos Picilino, his dam, was a marathon performer.

Kelsos Ace High is owned by sexagenarian John Kelly, who owns a breeding farm with wife Elizabeth in Farmingdale, N.J.

"John has raised some nice dogs over the years and is a big advocate of adopting every single dog he owns through New Jersey," Jeanne said.

This is the third stakes for Kelsos Ace High, who arrived at Derby Lane in 2010 after a brief stint at Wheeling Island (W.Va.). He finished second in the $75,000 660-Yard Challenge on Dec. 18. Last summer, the 76-pound greyhound was injured in his stakes debut, the $30,000 St. Petersburg Derby. Kelsos Ace High was knocked into the inner rail, cutting his left front stifle joint (knee). He required stitches and missed seven weeks.

"We babied him along since he was so young," Jeanne said. "Because he's a mellow dog he could have lost interest real quick."

Lester Raines, the defending kennel champion, has never won the Distance Classic. Kelsos Ace High drew box 7 in Race 10 (10:11 p.m.). Morning-line favorites in the other qualifiers: McAllister kennel's Flying Masago (Race 4), D'Arcy's Midnight Light (Race 6) and Red Oak Racing's Hammered Tight (Race 8). After four qualifying rounds, eight of the 32 entries will advance to the 660-yard finale April 9. First place plays $32,000.

STATE RULING: Ronnie Williams, the Ebro Greyhound Park trainer found responsible for the deaths of 37 greyhounds last year, had his license permanently revoked and was fined $170,000 recently by the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering. The fine is the largest assessed against an individual licensee.

Times wires
Friday, March 25, 2011

CLEARWATER — Phillies closer Brad Lidge was shut down with right shoulder soreness and could begin the season on the disabled list, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said Friday.

The 34-year-old right-hander made his first appearance in nearly two weeks Thursday. He started the ninth against the Twins with two outs but was pulled after giving up a homer and back-to-back walks.

"We're going to have to rest it for a while," Lidge said, "and it's basically up to them how long they want to rest it for."

Lidge will have an MRI exam when the team arrives in Philadelphia on Monday.

Ryan Madson and Jose Contreras both had experience saving games last season.

"We've used them before, they can get it done," manager Charlie Manuel said, declining to say who may get the job.

Short hops: RHP Joe Blanton blanked a Braves split squad for six innings en route to a 3-1 win. … RHP Roy Oswalt played catch and had no ill effects from getting hit with a line drive below his right ear Wednesday. He is scheduled to pitch in an exhibition against the Pirates this Wednesday.

Yanks: Nova shines

TAMPA — RHP Ivan Nova all but locked up a spot in the Yankees rotation, pitching six impressive innings in a 6-4 victory over the Astros.

"Figured out a way to get through six innings when his stuff was not extremely sharp," manager Joe Girardi said. "That's actually maturing, and that's a good thing because you're not always going to have great stuff and be sharp."

Girardi is expected to announce today that Nova will fill one of two open spots in the rotation. Nova, Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon were all but assured spots on the pitching staff earlier in the day when RHP Sergio Mitre was traded to the Brewers for OF Chris Dickerson.

Garcia is the frontrunner for the second starting spot. If Colon is not a starter, he will likely replace Mitre as the long man out of the bullpen.

Dickerson, 28, is insurance if CF Curtis Granderson (strained muscle on right side), is not ready for opening day.

Just in case: The Yankees reached agreement on a minor-league deal with RHP Kevin Millwood. The 36-year-old was 4-16 with a 5.10 ERA last season with Baltimore.

Jays: New guy up top

DUNEDIN — John Farrell took over the Blue Jays with zero experience as a manager anywhere in the major or minor leagues.

But the fact that Cito Gaston's replacement was Boston's pitching coach for the past four seasons has been beneficial for the hitters, some players say.

"It's very exciting when you get to talk to him about what he's seen in the way that (opposing pitchers) attack you," LF Travis Snider said. "He can see the strengths and weaknesses that you can work on."

Hitfest: RHP Jesse Litsch, a Pinellas Park native, gave up four earned runs over 4 2/3 innings and 11 of Boston's 17 hits, but the Jays had seven extra-base hits among their 15 in an 11-8 win. Litsch later went to a hospital because of dehydration.

Times wires
Friday, March 25, 2011

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Ailing Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo, a Hernando High graduate, has been tested for a fungal infection in his lungs.

The right-hander has been sick for more than 10 days with flulike symptoms. He said Friday that he got blood tests and chest X-rays to see if he has valley fever, a fungal infection found in desert regions of the Southwest. The fungus is released from the soil and inhaled.

The disease is treated with rest and drugs.

"I'll be good to go for the season, whether the tests are positive or negative," Arroyo, 34, said. "If they're positive, I can get the right medication to knock it out."

Arroyo was scratched from a start March 21 because manager Dusty Baker was concerned about his health. Baker also pushed him back from second to third in the rotation for the regular season, giving him a little extra time to recuperate.

Arroyo threw during a minor-league game Thursday and felt better. He's going to push himself as hard as he can in his last spring training start and see what happens.

"My last start here on the 29th will be like the first game of the season," Arroyo said. "I'll go 100 percent."

More Reds: The team's rotation took another hit as right-hander Homer Bailey will open the season on the disabled list because of a shoulder problem. He needs to rest a week and then start a throwing program. If all goes well, he will miss only two starts. Right-hander Sam LeCure will take Bailey's spot in the rotation.

Indians: Right-hander Josh Tomlin beat out left-hander David Huff and right-hander Jeanmar Gomez for a rotation spot. Huff and Gomez were optioned to Triple A along with outfielder Ezequiel Carrera. Manager Manny Acta said outfielders Travis Buck and Shelley Duncan made the team, and that Jack Hannahan will open the season at third base.

Orioles: Right-hander Brad Bergesen was hit on the right forearm by a line drive in the first inning against the Twins and left the game after throwing only four pitches. X-rays were negative and the injury was determined to be a bruise.

Padres: Pitcher Mat Latos has a sore right shoulder and, though he says it has improved, he won't make his scheduled spring start today, which puts a potential opening-day start against St. Louis in jeopardy. He is being treated for an inflamed bursa sac.

Pirates: Left-hander Joe Beimel won't be ready for opening day, leaving the team without its main offseason bullpen acquisition. Beimel, 33, has been hampered by injuries to his forearm and elbow.

Rangers: Right-hander Tommy Hunter, who was supposed to be in the opening-day rotation, will be out at least six weeks with a strained right groin muscle.

Retirements: Mike Sweeney, a five-time All-Star in Kansas City, signed a one-day minor-league deal with the Royals and retired. Sweeney, 37, said he would remain with the team in some capacity to work with minor-leaguers. …Told that he would not make the Cubs' major-league roster, right-hander Braden Looper, 36, ended his comeback bid after missing last season and decided to retire.

Times staff
Friday, March 25, 2011

Tickets

Today general admission: $25 for adults, $10 for 12 and younger.

Sunday reserved: Upper rows $80 for adults, $55 for 12 and younger; lower rows $60 for adults, $35 for 12 and younger.

Sunday general admission: $40 for adults, $15 for 12 and younger.

Paddock passes: Three days, $55 for adults, $50 for 12 and younger. Single-day today or Sunday, $30 for adults, $25 for 12 and younger.

Go to gpstpete.com or call (727) 898-4639, ext. 225, for details or to buy.

Times staff

Weekend schedule

Today

8:05 a.m. — Star Mazda qualifying

9:10 a.m. — Indy Lights practice

10:10 a.m. — IndyCar practice

11 a.m. — Road to Indy driver autograph session, Speed Zone

11:20 a.m. — Drifting cars

11:50 a.m. — Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg, World Challenge race No. 1

12:30 p.m. — IndyCar driver autograph session, Group B, IndyCar fan village

1:25 p.m. — Indy Lights qualifying

2:30 p.m. — IndyCar qualifying

4:10 p.m. — Star Mazda race

4:45 p.m. — IndyCar driver autograph session, Group C, IndyCar fan village

5:20 p.m. — USF2000 race No. 1

Sunday

8:05 a.m. — Indy Lights warmup

8:40 a.m. — IndyCar warmup

9:20 a.m. — Drifting cars

10:30 a.m. — Indy Lights race

Noon — IndyCar prerace ceremonies

12:30 p.m. — IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

3:30 p.m. — USF2000 race No. 2

4:30 p.m. — Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg, World Challenge race No. 2

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 25, 2011

Music note of the day

Evan Longoria is lending his name to help Tampa singer-songwriter Daniel B. Marshall, right, — hosting his CD release party tonight at Jackson's Bistro on Harbour Island — because the third baseman likes what he has heard. Longoria and some teammates first heard Marshall play in 2008 at Tampa's 717 South, then followed him to the Dubliner for his twice-weekly pop-rock gigs. "I think he's unbelievable," Longoria said. "In that business it's just a matter of getting your material in the right people's hands. He's really good." Doors open at 10; $8 for women, $11 for men.

Matchup of the day

Manager Joe Maddon has tried fishing off the dock of his rented Punta Gorda house but got shut out the other night despite even checking the tide charts beforehand. "The matchups of me vs. the redfish weren't good," he said.

Pomp and circumstance

Friday's home opener will feature the raising of the 2010 AL East championship banner, the national anthem performed by saxophonist B.K. Jackson, the colors presented by 125 members of the St. Petersburg Police Department and a moment of silence for the three slain officers. Already announced, Gov. Rick Scott will throw out the first pitch.

Predictions

• ESPN The Magazine picks the Rays to win the AL wild card, finishing second behind the Red Sox at 88-74 but a game ahead of the Yankees.

• Bodog.com posted its odds, and the Rays are 11-2 (and third) to be the AL wild card, 8-1 (third) to win the East, 11-1 (fifth) to win the AL pennant and 25-1 (ninth) to win the World Series.

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 a.m.

Directions: Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: Interstate 75 south to Exit 179 (Toledo Blade Road), go west 6½ miles (crossing U.S. 41) to El Jobean Road (State Road 776), go right 2 miles, complex is on left.

Parking: $10, lots open at 10.

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

Pitchers: Rays — Jeremy Hellickson, Juan Cruz, Cesar Cabral; Orioles — Ryan Drese, TBA.

Heads-up

Jeremy Hellickson, who missed the first two weeks of games with a hamstring issue, is still building up his pitch count with an eye toward starting the fifth game of the season.

Who is this Ray?

He threw two no-hitters in high school and was named a first-team All-American. He considered attending Florida State before signing with the Rays. His father is a college basketball referee. He owns a Rhodesian ridgeback dog.

On deck

Sunday: at Pirates (Bradenton), 1:05. Rays — David Price; Pirates — Paul Maholm

Who is this Ray answer: CF B.J. Upton

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer