Times wires
Wednesday, April 4, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The young star looked as uncomfortable as one would expect considering the events he had just experienced.

His shirt untucked and his hands pressed against the brim of his cap while they covered the sides of his face, Rory McIlroy faced a disintegration of his golf game in front of a worldwide audience.

McIlroy went from near-certain champion to the sympathetic figure of a historical Masters collapse, ending a champion­ship celebration that seemed assured based on his pedigree as the best young golfer in the world and his play through 63 holes at Augusta National Golf Club.

Charl Schwartzel became the first golfer to birdie the final four holes to win the Masters, holding off a large group of potential champions down the stretch. The 2011 Masters, however, might best be remembered for McIlroy's final-round 80 and the images of a distraught 21-year-old approaching every shot on the back nine knowing his chance to win the Masters was fading away.

"I knew my chance to win the tournament was over by the 13th," McIlroy said. "I had five holes where I just sort of played and thought about it and could almost reflect on what happened straightaway."

McIlroy's coronation, of course, came two months later when he torched the field at Congressional Country Club to win the U.S. Open. He went on to become the top-ranked player in the world and earn the inevitable comparisons to fellow golfing prodigy Tiger Woods.

Still, the now 22-year-old returns to Augusta National, ground zero for his darkest hour in golf, to exterminate any demons still lurking from last year's collapse.

"Mentally, now I feel like if I get myself in a position again, I'll be able to approach it a lot better," McIlroy said. "I felt like I didn't approach it well at all last year. And really the way I approached it was out of character for me, and I realized that and realized that I just needed to try and be myself a little bit more. That was something that I tried to put into practice at the U.S. Open when I had to go out with the lead and try and just get the job done."

Few expected McIlroy to stumble after he carried a four-shot lead into the final round. He began unraveling on the 10th hole Sunday, hitting his tee shot left into the cabins that line the left part of the 10th fairway. He later hit a tree and finished with a triple bogey on the hole. His lead was gone, but his struggles were not as he limped home.

McIlroy won the admiration of many, however, with his classy showing following the round. Many golfers avoid the media after bad rounds, let alone the heartbreaking ones that cost them major championships. McIlroy stopped and answered questions.

After the Masters, McIlroy immediately went to Malaysia for a European Tour event, and he received a phone call from Greg Norman, the man most equipped to discuss losing the lead at Augusta National.

"He said a couple things to me that I found very useful and sort of put into practice, especially weeks like this where there's so much hype and there's so much buildup just to try and create this little bubble around yourself," McIlroy said, "and just try and get into that and sort of don't let any of the outside interference come into that. That was big for me. It was just great to get the phone call from him, because I think he knew more than anyone else how I was feeling at that point."

MUM ON MEMBERSHIP: Faced with questions at his annual news conference about when a woman would become a member at the home of the Masters, Augusta National chairman Billy Payne gave different variations of the same answer: That's our business, not yours.

The topic was on the front burner again on the eve of the year's first major because one of the club's longtime sponsors, IBM, has a new CEO, Virginia Rometty. The last four CEOs at IBM, all male, have been invited to be members.

Payne's polite but firm responses were in direct contrast to those of his predecessor, Hootie Johnson. Faced with the issue 10 years ago, Johnson famously declared female membership would come on the club's timetable and "not at the point of a bayonet."

"As has been the case whenever that question is asked, all issues of membership have been and are subject to private deliberations of the members," Payne said when the inevitable question was asked for the first time. "That statement remains accurate and that remains my statement."

WEATHER STOPS EVENT: Rain and lightning washed out the end of the Par 3 tournament at the Masters, leaving Padraig Harrington and Jonathan Byrd as the de facto champions at 5 under. It's an honor most golfers might rather avoid, considering no Par 3 champion has ever gone on to capture the green jacket.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Soaking it in

OF Josh Sale, the Rays' first pick in the 2010 draft, was excited to play his first game at the Trop and even got an at-bat for the big-league club in the exhibition. Sale, facing LHP Matt Moore in the seventh, grounded out on the first pitch. "It was cool, I'm just trying to get back up here as quickly as possible, that's for … sure," said Sale, who will start in extended spring. "I was soaking it up as much as I could."

Steal of the day

UTL Elliot Johnson stole third, then tried stealing home, in the fifth inning, saying he slid under the C Jose Lobaton tag even though he was called out. "I was in there," Johnson said. "It's a fun play, definitely gets your heart beating. Even in an intrasquad game, it's exciting."

Reaction of the day

When DH Luke Scott grounded out into the defensive shift in the fourth inning, hitting it to 2B Jeff Keppinger in short rightfield, he had fun by over-running first base and pretending to charge toward Keppinger. What was Keppinger thinking? "I thought about dropping my glove and giving him a left hook," Keppinger joked. "He's a character."

Fan tribute of the day

Fans of Rays LHP David Price were honored Wednesday night by Price at a special VIP party for raising more than $22,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters. The event was held at Pin Busters in downtown Tampa.

Locker talk

In the Rays clubhouse, CF B.J. Upton gets the corner locker used last year by Johnny Damon, 1B Carlos Peña gets his old locker (Sean Rodriguez's last year) and C Jose Molina and DH Luke Scott get doublewides (Molina in C Kelly Shoppach's old spot, and Scott in Upton's, next to 3B Evan Longoria).

Rays spring leaders

Batting leaders

G: 28 Elliot Johnson/Jeff Salazar

Avg. (min. 40 at-bats): .327, Desmond Jennings

R: 11, Evan Longoria

H: 18, Jeff Keppinger

2B: 4, Johnson/Salazar/Ben Zobrist

HR: 4, Longoria

RBIs: 9, Longoria

SB: 4 Jennings/Salazar

Pitching leaders

W: 3, James Shields

SV: 2, Ryan Reid/Romulo Sanchez

ERA (min. 15 IP): 2.08, Shields

IP: 23, David Price

SO: 23, Price/Shields

Today: off

Optional workout, 9:30 a.m., Tropicana Field. Closed to public.

Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297

On deck

Friday: Season opener, vs. Yankees, 3:10 p.m., Tropicana Field. Rays — James Shields (16-12, 2.82 in 2011); Yankees — CC Sabathia (19-8, 3.00). Sold out.

Saturday: vs. Yankees, 7:10 p.m., Tropicana Field. Rays — David Price (12-13, 3.49); Yankees — Hiroki Kuroda (13-16, 3.07)

Sunday: vs. Yankees, 1:40 p.m., Tropicana Field. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (13-10, 2.95); Yankees — Phil Hughes (5-5, 5.79)

Monday: off

Tuesday: at Tigers, 1:05, Comerica Field. Rays — Matt Moore (1-0, 2.89); Tigers — Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.75)

Wednesday: at Tigers, 1:05, Comerica Field. Rays — Jeff Niemann (11-7, 4.06); Tigers — Justin Verlander (24-5, 2.40)

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Times wires
Wednesday, April 4, 2012

MIAMI — The sellout crowd in the Marlins' new ballpark cheered the introduction of their starters, who were accompanied by women dressed as Latin showgirls. There was another roar for Muhammad Ali, who delivered the first pitch.

Then Kyle Lohse and the World Series champion Cardinals went to work, and the place grew quiet.

Lohse held Miami hitless until the seventh inning and pitched into the eighth to help St. Louis win the first game in Marlins Park, 4-1 Wednesday night.

The Marlins' new home-run sculpture never budged. It was the fourth inning before they even managed a baserunner, and by the time they scored in the eighth, they trailed 4-0.

"It's a good ballpark for a pitcher, obviously," Lohse said. "It's pretty hard to get it out."

New Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen was asked if the team's new home is a pitcher's park.

"For Lohse, yes," Guillen said. "But it's too early to say how the ballpark is going to play."

The crowd of 36,601 included newly retired Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who quietly rooted for his former team from the press box.

He watched Lohse retire the first 10 batters before hitting Emilio Bonifacio with a pitch. The runner was erased when Hanley Ramirez grounded into a double play.

Newcomer Jose Reyes singled for Miami's first hit to start the seventh, and Omar Infante scored the Marlins' run in the eighth on John Buck's double. Lohse went 71/3 innings, allowing only two hits and one run.

The right-hander led the Cardinals last season with 14 victories and a 3.39 ERA but got the opening day call only because ace Chris Carpenter is sidelined with nerve irritation that has caused weakness in his pitching shoulder.

David Freese, the World Series MVP, had a two-run single in the first inning to give Lohse the cushion he needed. Freese and Rafael Furcal each had three of the Cardinals' 13 hits.

"Tonight was fun," Freese said. "It's always nice to get the season going and to open up here, beautiful ballpark, the fans were excited about it and so were we."

Jason Motte earned the save with a one-hit ninth, completing the four-hitter and sending the Cardinals to the clubhouse to celebrate first-year manager Mike Matheny's debut win.

"We gave him a little water shower," Lohse said. "Most people go with the adult beverage but we went with the water."

Marlins ace Josh Johnson allowed 10 hits and three runs in six innings. The 2010 NL ERA leader was pitching for the first time since May 16, when shoulder inflammation ended his year.

Times wires
Wednesday, April 4, 2012

GLENDALE, Ariz. — In his past three games, Coyotes goalie Mike Smith has faced 136 shots. None has made it into the net.

The three shutouts were capped by Smith's 54 saves in a 2-0 victory over the Blue Jackets late Tuesday, the most saves in a regular-season shutout win in league history. "It wasn't easy, obviously," said Smith, who hasn't allowed a goal in 219 minutes, 59 seconds, "but pucks just seemed to be hitting me."

General manager Don Maloney said the former Lightning goalie "is willing us into the playoffs." Smith's best efforts have come as the Coyotes work to survive a tight scramble for a Western Conference berth. Phoenix is tied with the Kings with 93 points, but Los Angeles is the Pacific Division leader because it owns the tiebreaker. That leaves Phoenix in seventh, one point out of eighth.

With the Lightning from March 2008 through last season, Smith left as a free agent in the summer. "I always knew I had the ability to be this guy I am today," he told USA Today. "But I never had the consistency and haven't done it prior to this season."

wednesday's game: Johan Franzen scored on consecutive shots in the third period to end Brian Elliott's shutout streak after more than 31/2 games, and the Red Wings beat the host Blues 3-2 in a shootout. Elliott had a franchise-record shutout streak of 241:33 snapped.

First Period—None. Penalties—Steen, StL (roughing), 6:00; Kronwall, Det (holding), 19:25.

Second Period—None. Penalties—Steen, StL (roughing), 5:41; Berglund, StL (hooking), 10:15.

Third Period—1, St.L, Perron 20, 7:18 (sh). 2, St.L, McDonald 10, 10:19. 3, Det, Franzen 27 (Datsyuk, Bertuzzi), 13:55. 4, Det, Franzen 28 (Datsyuk, Bertuzzi), 16:10. Penalties—Reaves, StL, served by D'Agostini, major-game misconduct (boarding), 6:01; Holmstrom, Det (hold stick), 10:10.

OT—None. Penalties—None. Shootout—Det 1 (Datsyuk NG, Hudler NG, Bertuzzi G), St.L 0 (Oshie NG, McDonald NG, Perron NG). Shots—Det 13-6-6-3—28. St.L 11-9-7-2—29. PP opps—Det 0 of 4; St.L 0 of 2. Goalies—Det, Howard 35-16-3 (29 shots-27 saves). St.L, Elliott 23-9-4 (28-26).

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 4, 2012

MONTREAL — It truly is bewildering what comes over the Lightning on the road.

So tough to play against at home, where this season it tied the franchise mark of 25 victories, the team puts up relatively little resistance as a visitor.

"It seems like we're a different team on the road," acknowledged captain Vinny Lecavalier.

And it might never have been worse than Wednesday night's 5-2 loss to the lowly Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Tampa Bay players seemed to expend about as much effort as it took to lace up their skates.

"We didn't compete," coach Guy Boucher said. "We got a bad result, and we deserved it."

With only 10 shots in the final two periods and considering it was outshot 25-16 in the game, the result actually was better than the Lightning deserved.

To top it off, Steven Stamkos was held without a goal for only the second time in seven games to remain stuck at 58.

Granted, this is a tough time of year. The Lightning (37-36-7) is out of the playoffs, and with just two games left, also on the road against other nonplayoff teams, motivation could be difficult to find.

But that doesn't excuse a 12-22-5 road record and 29 road points that are fewest in the Eastern Conference.

"We definitely are more physical at home," Lecavalier said. "Physicality brings everything after it. It brings that momentum we didn't have at all (Wednesday night)."

"We're probably a bit too loose (defensively)," defenseman Eric Brewer said. "You've got to stick with moving the puck forward and spending less time in the defensive zone."

One thing for sure, Boucher said, the game plan doesn't change home and away.

"At some point," he said, "the players have to be better."

The Lightning never led a Canadiens team that is last in the East, entered in a 1-3-4 slump and because of a concussion was without No. 1 goaltender Carey Price.

Lecavalier scored after goalie Peter Budaj had a brain cramp and passed the puck to the captain in front of an open net. And Bruno Gervais' goal 3:42 into the third period cut Tampa Bay's deficit to 3-2.

But when Brewer "blew a tire" in the defensive slot, Max Pacioretty pounced on the puck and scored for a 4-2 lead at 5:58.

And defenseman Victor Hedman (missing a hip check on Pacioretty) and goaltender Sebastien Caron (missing Pacioretty's unscreened shot) could not have looked worse as Montreal took a 5-2 lead.

"We have to find a way to play better," Boucher said. "It was a poor effort and poor execution."

First Period—1, Montreal, Emelin 3 (Desharnais, Budaj), 2:11. 2, Tampa Bay, Lecavalier 22, 7:26. Penalties—Thompson, TB (roughing), 13:31; Staubitz, Mon (roughing), 13:31.

Second Period—3, Montreal, Cole 33 (Desharnais, Pacioretty), 1:42. 4, Montreal, Cole 34 (Plekanec, Markov), 14:34 (pp). Penalties—Emelin, Mon (delay of game), 2:21; Lecavalier, TB (hooking), 8:15; Leblanc, Mon (hooking), 10:21; Wallace, TB (cross-checking), 13:47; Connolly, TB (tripping), 17:37.

Third Period—5, Tampa Bay, Gervais 6 (Wallace, Hedman), 3:42. 6, Montreal, Pacioretty 31 (Gorges, Plekanec), 5:58. 7, Montreal, Pacioretty 32 (Subban), 14:57. Penalties—Lecavalier, TB (hooking), 12:33; Leblanc, Mon (hooking), 16:01. Shots on Goal—Tampa Bay 6-5-5—16. Montreal 13-6-6—25. Power-play opportunities—Tampa Bay 0 of 3; Montreal 1 of 4. Goalies—Tampa Bay, Caron 1-1-0 (25 shots-20 saves). Montreal, Budaj 4-7-4 (16-14).

By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 4, 2012

CLEARWATER — Osceola's Alexis Irwin was already spent after running, and winning, the 800- and 1,600-meter races at the Pinellas County Athletic Conference meet on Wednesday.

Still, there was another race to go.

Irwin's last race was the most grueling: the 3,200. Through eight laps around the track, Irwin staggered. She wilted. But she kept going as the race tested her endurance.

Irwin didn't win; she finished sixth. But it might have been her most important race because she picked up valuable points in a tight battle with Lakewood for county supremacy among girls.

The Warriors, thanks to a lot of small contributions that added up, won their first conference title, scoring 93 to beat the Spartans by 3 ½ points. It was sweet redemption for Osceola, which lost last year's title to Lakewood by a point.

"We were so close last year, and this is what we planned for all season," Irwin said. "It took every individual effort. In the (3,200) I didn't think I could make it. I wanted to just give up halfway through the race. But I knew I had to keep going because my team needed those points."

The girls meet had several strong individual performances. Boca Ciega's Chaise Cook-Martin won the long jump, triple jump and the 100 hurdles. Lakewood's Sharell Keys was dominant in the sprints, winning the 100, 200 and running the anchor leg on the winning 4x100 relay.

The results of the boys meet were not complete because the pole vault ran late. Still, that did affect the outcome of the team title. Nobody had enough vaulters to catch the Spartans, who won with 94.5 points.

Better still, Lakewood won the meet despite being disqualified in the 4x100 relay and finishing seventh in the 4x400 relay.

The Spartans' Shaquem Griffin won the triple jump and took second in the discus. Teammate Tim Holmes was the 300 hurdles champion. Lakewood also won the 4x800 relay.

Gibbs' Trayvon Bromell continued to race past his competitors in the sprints, winning the 100 and 200. He also has won both of his signature events at the West Coast Invitational and Ed Wells/Kiwanis meet.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 5, 2012

Florida Gators guard Kenny Boynton said on his Twitter account today that he plans to return for his senior season.

"To confirm the questions being ask lately I have reached a decision and I am returning to Gainesville for my senior season #go gators,'' Boynton said.

Boynton was the team's leading scorer this past season with 15.9 points per game and hit a team-high 110 3-pointers. He shot 40.7 percent from beyond the arc.

For the record, Boyton told reporters during the NCAA Tournament West Regional in Phoenix that he planned to return, but after the team's NCAA run ended, new speculation began that he was thinking of bypassing his senior season.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports columnist
Thursday, April 5, 2012

They are going to be nine levels of wonderful. Of course they are.

But what if they aren't?

For months now, analysts have written sonnets to the talent of the Tampa Bay Rays. Why, they have perhaps the best rotation in baseball. No one plays defense the way they do. They will have more power than last year. Assuredly, they will make a run at the postseason.

But what if they don't?

What if this season turns out to be the 2009 fizzle all over again?

This is baseball, and sometimes, things go wrong. Someone gets injured, and someone has a bad year, and before you know it, a team underachieves. In a game with screwballs, success is never guaranteed.

So, yeah, it could happen here, too. Remember 2009? The Rays were fresh off their World Series season, and a lot of experts liked the look of that team, too. That was the year the Rays hung their first playoff banner then spent the first month of the season looking up to admire it.

By the time the World Series hangover wore off, the team was essentially out of the race. The lights flickered, and a bad case of third place broke out.

Let's face it: By and large, the Rays seem to do better when they can sneak up on a season. In 2008, no one expected much from the Rays. They had never won more than 70 games. Who expected a 97-win season and a trip to the World Series?

By the same token, after the 2009 season landed foul, who knew what to expect in 2010? That team made the playoffs, too.

Then came last year, when the Rays roster was depleted after Carl Crawford, Carlos Peña, Rafael Soriano and others left town. Expectations were meager. Yet, in a historic comeback, the Rays made the post-season again.

Which leads us to this year and to the very high expectations that come with it.

What can go wrong?

1. The bad injury, for one. True, a lot of teams in baseball can say this. However, the Rays still spend less than any team in the division, which means they have the least money to throw at a problem.

2. In particular, the Rays cannot afford any more trouble with David Price and his Attack Towels.

3. A bad start. Time and again, Rays manager Joe Maddon has stressed how much this team needs to start fast. That won't be easy. Of the Rays' first 22 games, 16 are against the Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Angels and Rangers.

Nevertheless, the Rays can't afford a sluggish start. In the underachievement of 2009, the Rays were only 8-14 in their first 22. In their playoff seasons, the Rays have been 11-11, 17-5 and 11-11.

4. What if the Yankees, like, really try this time?

5. A bad journey. When the Rays have been good, they've been good everywhere. In their three playoff seasons, they have averaged almost 44 victories on the road. In 2009, they went 32-49, which was 20 games worse than their home record.

6. Bases loaded, Josh Hamilton at the plate, and J.P. Howell still doesn't sound like a good idea.

7. A spring hangover. In their three playoff seasons, the Rays averaged 17 victories in spring training. This year, they had 10.

8. A bad night. How about Luke Scott Gun Giveaway night at the Trop?

9. The Red Sox … this year, only the game is on tap.

10. Closing time. Perhaps the biggest surprise of last season was the way the Rays' patchwork bullpen came together. Only Detroit and Philadelphia blew fewer saves. Only Philly and San Francisco gave up fewer earned runs. Only five bullpens had a lower batting average against.

The secret: No team worked their bullpen less. The Rays' starters consistently went deep into games, which left the team as the only one in baseball where the relievers worked fewer than 400 innings.

So what's the worry? For one, it's the nature of the position. It's harder to predict success from a relief pitcher than anyone else. For another, this still isn't the highest profile bullpen in the league. There isn't a designated closer. Howell still has to prove he's healthy, and Kyle Farnsworth will start the season on the disabled list.

All of this, I am sure, is needless worry. Why, the Rays are going to hit the switch once the regular season is going and sail to, say, 94 victories. The pitching will be sharp, and the defense will be dazzling, and the playoffs are there for the taking.

Aren't they?

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 5, 2012

When Carlos Peña returned "home" to the Rays after a one-year stint with the Cubs, he said he felt like he never left. The team leader, slugger and Gold Glove first baseman is also a Renaissance man — a fan of film, travel and literature — which is evident in this discussion with Times staff writer Joe Smith.

You've talked about how much you love the area. What's your favorite spot in Tampa Bay?

I love the beach, all the St. Pete beach, that area is beautiful. It's laid back, a very special place. To just walk around there, drive around Gulf Boulevard, it's beautiful.

Other than your family, what three things would you take with you to a deserted island?

I'd have my computer, a book and a big sack of platanos (fried plantains).

Your favorite book?

One of my favorite books is The Alchemist. Anything in that genre is awesome. It's inspiring, it's calming and soothing, thought-provoking. It's a feel-good book. I love it.

Favorite movie?

Gladiator. It's hard to beat. It blows my mind. The photography of it is awesome, the storyline is awesome. It's inspiring.

Must-see TV show?

The History Channel, they have a series called The Universe. I love it. Pretty much anything on the History Channel, I love, it's my favorite channel. I'm a big fan of history. It's entertaining and educational. When I'm watching it, I get lost, it's a good getaway.

Band you'd like to be on stage with?

The Gipsy Kings (laughing).

Since you didn't play yourself in Moneyball, who should play you on the big screen?

Mario Lopez.

Where all have you traveled overseas?

All over the Caribbean, and in Europe, to France, to Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Hawaii. I think going to Rome and to Venice and Florence, those places are so special. That trip is always memorable.

Most memorable souvenir you've brought back?

I went to a winery in Tuscany, and it was so beautiful there, and I brought back some wine from that particular vineyard. I thought that's pretty cool, and I have it at home.

Best dad activities with daughter, Isabella, 4, and son, Nicolas, 1?

Going on walks with them. It's pretty cool. Sometimes my baby and I like to pull the little

wagon, and my daughter walks or sometimes jumps in and we go around, and just go for a walk.

Your dad, Felipe, is an electrical engineer, your brother, Pedro, a Ph.D. What would you do if you weren't playing baseball?

Something to do with film, something where I could be really creative. Film makes so much sense, that was my minor in college, and it was my minor for a reason. Film is one of those things that there's only one of the senses that is not experienced and that's smell, and touch. But those senses could be suggested through film, so it's the closest thing you have to reality.

The hardest job you've ever had?

When I was a kid, we used to work on this farm. It wasn't particularly an easy job, but we enjoyed it, preparing the market, we were around all these beautiful vegetables and fruit. It was early in the morning. When 12 o'clock came, it was hot as heck. But it was a group of friends and we had a blast. We learned a lot about agriculture, how to cultivate and nurture the plants. It was a very earthly job, you were in tune with nature.

Favorite Joe Maddon saying?

"Try easier." It's Zen-like, very powerful. I like it. Of course, he's very Zen.

Hidden talent?

I can draw really well. I'm very artistic, I would say my penmanship is very good. That's a forte of mine, arts. I've always took pride in penmanship, when you see my notebooks, you're like, "Whoa, they're very nice, neat and good-looking!" It is a lost art.

You said there are still a few chapters you have left with the Rays; what would be a fitting final one?

I think everyone would quietly or inside all of us, we know exactly how we would like that chapter to end. But even my most sublime suggestion for that chapter may dwarf it, so I don't want to do that. Whatever I can imagine, it's probably not going to be as good.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 5, 2012

Principal owner Stuart Sternberg is the boss, but he typically comes across as one of the guys who just happens to run the Rays. He's involved in all facets of the operation, from the major issues to some small projects, as you'll read. He sat down during a recent spring training game with Tampa Bay Times baseball writer Marc Topkin for his annual Q&A session and talked about things such as the coolest name in his cell phone to his botched wedding proposal to what type of restaurant he'd own. And he touched on his favorite subjects of food (yes, Mallomars came up) and music, including, of course, Springsteen. Some excerpts:

Oldest thing in your wallet?

I use a money clip, not a wallet, and it's the money clip itself, which my sister gave me for my 40th birthday, 12 years ago. (It's a gold version of a squared paper clip.)

Oddest thing in your money clip?

I carry the pocket schedule, which I design each year. I'm very proud of my pocket schedules.

Coolest name in your cell phone?

I don't think I have a cool name in my cell phone. I probably delete anything that would be considered cool because you see all this hacking and lost cell phones. And my cell phone, being a flip-phone Blackberry, I don't think it qualifies to have anything cool on it.

Is Bud Selig in there?

Bud is here; if Bud has been described as cool before?

There has to be somebody cool in there.

(Talk show host) Keith Olbermann, how about that?

How did you meet your wife, Lisa?

On a ferry to Fire Island. People were going to introduce us, but we actually met there, and it was random at that point.

How did you propose?

Badly. It's so bad, it's as bad a job as I've ever done. And I'm able to point to it and say I need to do things better because it was bad.

How bad?

I had some flowers, but it was bad. I had the date chosen to do it, but I had an absolutely brutal day at work, but I was going forward with it on that day, and it was just awful. But it's worked out great — we have our 25th anniversary coming up next year.

Oddest injury you've ever had?

A group of six bicycles hit me when I was about 9. I was in the street playing ball, six bicycles came charging down and I couldn't get out of the way, like a squirrel. I got hit, fell over, got cut up real bad and busted a tooth.

Favorite thing to do on vacation?

Have some green tea and a chocolate croissant outdoors looking at whatever view where we are — the water, some flora, whatever.

Favorite store to kill an hour in?

Probably a wine store.

Most prized bottle in your collection?

I was born in '59, Lisa bought me a bottle of '59 Chateau Latour that I was going to drink on my 40th birthday, then my 50th birthday, now I guess we'll wait 'til 60. I won't drink it then, either.

Current ringtone?

It's a gong.

Screensaver?

My son Jake sent me a picture of a subway sign that says to Canarsie (the Brooklyn neighborhood where he grew up).

Last movie you saw?

Cinema Paradiso.

Last book you read?

Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman.

Favorite TV show?

Still Modern Family. I love Phil Dunphy, he's my favorite character.

Last song you downloaded?

Thompson Twins — You Take Me Up.

Favorite Internet site?

Coolhunting.com (which looks at innovations in design, technology, art and culture) and itsnotonthetest.com (about pop culture).

Which reality show could you be on?

The one I couldn't be on is Survivor. I couldn't be on Dancing with the Stars. How about America's Got Talent? I'll wiggle my ears or something.

Which one would you like to be on?

How about The Voice?

So, you can sing?

As long as there's a shower on in the background.

If you had your own restaurant, what would it be like?

I've thought about this, because I've had my eye on some spaces at times. It would have a real patina, a real '50s wood old-bar feel, with an analog clock. Not a large menu, just some basics with a good steak, a good fresh piece of fish every day. Reasonable lighting, sort of darkish. And a real jukebox in the corner.

You have thought about this?

Oh yeah. I keep threatening. I'd have to sell the baseball team.

What would you call it?

Wherever it would open I'd try to find what the telephone exchange was, because every neighborhood had one. Where I was, it was Cloverdale. So I'd call it Cloverdale One. It would be a takeoff on BUtterfield 8, which is a new restaurant in New York.

And if you had a boat?

Hole in the Water. I would never — take the last thing I would ever own, and then a boat comes behind it.

What are you scared of?

A lot of things, but heights — anything related to heights.

You've mentioned in years past chocolate-drizzled popcorn, dates and flaxseeds — what's your newest food kick?

I still have my dates, my flaxseeds, my Greek yogurt. Those are my staples. Now, brussels sprouts.

Late-night snack?

Mallomars (his beloved chocolate-covered marshmallow and graham cracker cookie) and Yodels. Nothing's changed.

Best memory of Game 162?

Laying on the floor at my sister's house in disbelief when (Dan) Johnson hit the home run.

Anything you saved from that night?

A bunch of text messages from people who sent stuff after. We were driving home and Lisa was reading them to me. We had a good time.

Investment advice in this economy?

Stocks. Still stocks.

Favorite place to sit at a ballgame?

Ten rows behind home plate.

Three people you would like to hear sing at the Trop?

Taking Lisa into account, Cee Lo Green, she'd like to see him. Tom Waits. And Leonard Cohen.

Best reason to buy a ticket this year?

It's exciting. The most popular team in Tampa Bay.

Our annual feature — the Springsteen song that best captures last season?

If I Should Fall Behind.

And for this season?

I think we have to go with a classic, Born to Run. We're ready to go.

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

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays set their lineup for Friday's opener against New York Yankees LHP CC Sabathia, and it has a few surprises:

Jennings cf

Zobrist rf

Longoria 3b

Keppinger DH

Rodriguez ss

Johnson 2b

Pena 1b

Molina c

Joyce lf

Shields p

The two biggest questions seem to be why Luke Scott isn't playing, and why Elliot Johnson is hitting ahead of Carlos Pena.

The answers are in the numbers:

Scott, a lefty hitter, is 2-for-11 with 6 Ks vs. Sabathia, while Keppinger is 6-for-14.

Pena is 4-for-35, with 19 Ks vs. Sabathia, and Johnson is 2-for-9 w/a HR.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays claimed LHP John Gaub off waivers from the Cubs and added him to their 40-man roster.

Gaub, 26, spent most of last season at Triple-A Iowa, posting a 3.42 ERA in 55-1/3 innings. He appeared in four games for the Cubs.

Gaub fills the open spot on the 40-man roster created when RHP Matt Bush was moved the restricted list following his DUI-related accident.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays made the expected move official, placing closer Kyle Farnsworth on the 15-day disabled list Thursday and calling up reliever Josh Lueke.

Farnsworth has an elbow strain that will require rest, possibly up to six weeks. In his absence, the Rays are planning to use a match-up arrangement at the end of games, with Joel Peralta the likely first option but Fernando Rodney, J.P. Howell, Jake McGee and eventually Wade Davis all in the mix.

Lueke, 27, was acquired in trade from Seattle for catcher John Jaso. Lueke worked 25 games over two stints during his first season in the majors, going 1-1 with a 6.06 ERA from the Mariners, but improving as he went. He didn't have a very impressive spring and was optioned to Triple-A on March 23.

Brandon Gomes would have been the likely choice, but the Rays wanted to give him more time to regain velocity and command as he was coming back from off-season back surgery.

By Dave Mistretta, Times Correspondent
Thursday, April 5, 2012

Red grouper: Minimal wind all week allowed us to stop the boat up current of an area and deploy all six lines. We caught our limit of four in three long drifts, not once dropping anchor. This method of grouper fishing can be quite productive during calm sea conditions. We also have been limiting out on kingfish while we drift.

Tackle and locations: Use larger-than-normal sinkers when drift fishing so each baited hook stays in position. Different-sized leads lead to tangled lines and frustrated anglers. A 6- to 8-ounce sinker is ideal. Recently we traveled to about 90 feet of water looking for hard bottom on the bottom machine. We drifted across large areas of hard bottom, often referred to by anglers as "Swiss cheese bottom." These are large areas of flat bottom with sheets of limestone rock. Many of these rocks crack over the years and produce openings ideal for grouper to congregate.

Tips: Most of the time if one big grouper is found on a drift, another drift over that same area will produce more. The productive spot should be marked with a push of a button on the bottom machine.

Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call (727) 439-2628 or visit jawstoo.com.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor
Thursday, April 5, 2012

Making news

March of the Kingfish events continue

The Rotary Club of Clearwater will host its 20th annual kingfish tournament on April 14 out of the Clearwater Harbor Marina at Coachman Park. The event starts 6 p.m. Thursday with the Fishing for Charities Gala at the Harborview Center (300 Cleveland St., Clearwater). This kid-friendly event will include a game zone, touch tank and the movie A Dolphin Tale. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12. The tournament has an entry fee of $250 a boat and will pay $5,000 for the heaviest king mackerel. To learn more, visit clearwaterrotary.org.

Regulations

Many grouper species in season

April 1 was a big day for anglers who fish the Gulf of Mexico. Spiny lobster is now off limits for divers until July 25-26 for the two-day sport season. Regular lobster season opens Aug. 6.

Several species of grouper — including red, black, yellowfin, yellowmouth, rock hind, red hind and scamp — are now fair game in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico (to 9 miles offshore). The season remains open through Jan. 31.

Anglers north of Tampa Bay in Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin counties — including all waters of the Steinhatchee River, Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass — can also fish for gag grouper through June 30. But these regulations will only be in effect for 2012.

Anglers in the rest of the state (excluding the previously mentioned counties) will have their grouper season in both state and federal waters from July 1 through Oct. 31. To learn more about the gag grouper season in the Gulf of Mexico, visit myfwc.com/fishing and click on "Saltwater" and "Latest News-Hot Topics."

Remember, when fishing for grouper in the gulf, federal law requires the use of circle hooks and having a dehooking device and venting tools aboard the boat.

Free fishing days

Florida has announced four free fishing days and the first one (freshwater fishing only) is Saturday. You won't need a license, just a rod, reel and bait. The other free-fishing dates are June 2 (saltwater), June 9 (freshwater) and Sept. 1 (saltwater).

Solunar Chart

AM PM

minor major minor major

4/6 5:30 11:40 5:50 0

4/7 6:20 12:05 6:55 12:45

4/8 7:30 1:15 8:00 1:45

4/9 8:30 2:20 9:05 2:50

4/10 9:35 3:25 10:10 3:55

4/11 10:40 4:30 11:15 5:00

4/12 11:45 5:35 0 6:05

Send your news to Outdoors Editor Terry Tomalin at ttomalin@tampabay.com or call (727) 893-8808.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Thursday, April 5, 2012

All we needed was one big fish. The water boiled with smaller king mackerel, but Steve Papen said he would rather go home empty-handed than have his photograph taken with a "schoolie." That's what veteran kingfish anglers call the little guys, the baby kings, 24 inches in length or smaller.

"We want a 'smoker,' " said Papen, referring to a fish weighing more than 30 pounds. "Something worth the effort."

Papen's group hit the water early, knowing that the bite wouldn't last past 9 a.m. His fishing party caught several small Spanish mackerel to "match the hatch" and then hooked them to the stinger rigs that now trailed behind the boat.

"A fresh (Spanish) mackerel will catch a big king," Papen said. "But you have to get them while they are fresh."

Every kingfisherman has his bait of choice. King mackerel are a migratory species that spends its winters fattening up in the warm waters off the Florida Keys before moving north along the coast to the summer breeding grounds in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

These free swimmers are voracious feeders. They eat on the run, and most successful tournament anglers say live bait is the key: scaled sardines (commonly called whitebait), threadfin herring (commonly called greenbacks), blue runners and, of course, the Spanish mackerel.

The fish dance

It didn't take long for a big king to zero in on a freshly caught Spanish mackerel trailing in the prop wash about 20 feet behind the boat. The kingfish, which probably weighed about 40 pounds, bit clean through the 2-pound bait and the wire of the stinger rig as it skyrocketed through the air.

"That was our chance," Papen said. "I doubt we will get another fish like that."

Papen motored slowly in circles as other boats fishing the hard bottom a few miles off the beach made do with the smaller, more plentiful schoolies. With only two baits left, Papen began to lose patience. The two kids on board, who were both tired and cranky, only made things worse with their incessant pleas to go swimming.

"You want to do something to help?" Papen asked my 8-year-old daughter, Nia. "Then get up on the deck and do a fish dance."

My little girl, a budding actor, rose to the occasion and began whirling on the foredeck. "Keep it up," Papen told her. "I think it is working."

She danced in circles for at least 10 minutes until her brow dripped with sweat. Then, just when it seemed like it might not work, a rod screamed under the weight of a fish. Before that king could be subdued, a second one hit the other bait.

"Double hookup!" Papen yelled.

It took about 10 minutes to get both fish on board. After photos, the 20-plus-pounders were tossed in the cooler.

"Hey, do you rent her out for tournaments?" Papen quipped.

Best of the West

Frustrated with the small payouts of local king mackerel tournaments, Papen and friends gathered several of the Tampa Bay area's elite kingfishing crews for the first installment of the Wild West Kingfish Tournament Series.

"These are the hard-core fishermen," Papen said. "We all fish the same tournaments. So we know all the diehards."

The tournament series, which will crown a "Best of the West" champion, has 25 teams preregistered for the four events. The first weigh-in is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the Hooters on John's Pass.

"Each of those teams paid $2,400," said Dave Bayes of Dogfish Tackle, a tournament sponsors. "Each tournament will pay out $6,200 for the first-place fish."

The purse could increase if more teams join and pay a $500 daily entry fee for any of the three remaining tournaments. Those anglers, however, will be ineligible for the additional aggregate prize money, which could be as much as $6,000 per tournament.

"This is tournament is really unique because it pays out 100 percent of the entry fees," Papen said. "You don't see a lot of money wrapped up in overhead."

With a smaller playing field, anglers stand a better chance of winning. "The competition will be high, but so will the payout."

Dates for the three other tournament legs are April 22, Oct. 13 and Nov. 17. To learn more, go to angler armory.com.

By Laura Keeley, Times Staff Writer


Thursday, April 5, 2012

TAMPA — Ferris State was the only school that recruited Kyle Bonis, and even the Bulldogs had enough questions about his ability that they asked him to walk on.

Little did coach Bob Daniels know then that three years later Bonis would be on the top line and collect the go-ahead goal late in the third period Thursday to give Ferris State its first opportunity to play for a national title with a 3-1 victory over Union in a Frozen Four semifinal game at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

"So we have a walk-on that scores 20-plus goals on the year. That's terrific," Daniels said. "The things we were worried about, his skating, weren't there."

Bonis' goal at the 15:17 mark of the third period broke a 1-1 tie. Senior defenseman Brett Wysopal, who also took an unusual route to Ferris State when he transferred from Colorado College, let a wrist shot fly from the left faceoff circle. Union goalie Troy Grosenick blocked it, but a long rebound went right to Bonis, who was waiting on Grosenick's glove hand side. Bonis put it past him as he was transitioning to the other side of the net.

"It wasn't a good shot, I'll tell you that," Wysopal said of his attempt. "I just got him in the right spot and was just praying that it wouldn't be out of reach for Bonis."

"When it finally went in, I was obviously really excited," Bonis said. "But I looked up at the clock and realized we still had 4:30 left to go."

In a change from earlier in the year, Daniels said the Bulldogs (26-11-5) didn't just wait for the clock to tick down. Ferris State added an insurance goal at 19:05 when Aaron Schmit took immediate advantage of Union's decision to pull Grosenick and play with an empty net.

That goal, Schmit's second of the game, was Ferris State's third straight.

Union (26-8-7) had opened the scoring in the second period, finding the first hole in a game featuring two teams known for their defense.

"There was a lot of nerves early on in the game, the puck was jumping off everyone's stick," Wysopal said.

The Dutchmen came out to a 6-2 shot advantage after the intermission. Union put one past goalie Taylor Nelson at the 7:56 mark when a Jeremy Welsh slapshot from the top slot near the blue line was redirected off of Daniel Carr and into the net.

Ferris State tied it later in the period, as Schmit put in a close-range shot in the waning seconds of a power play. That was the score until Bonis, the former walk-on with questionable skating, came up with the rebound goal in the third.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Thursday, April 5, 2012

TAMPA — Tim Marcum said "he'd live to fight again" and would "bring a team (to Tampa to) kick your butt" after the longtime Storm coached resigned amid controversy before last season.

Tonight, he gets the chance in the Big Easy.

The Storm travels to New Orleans, where Marcum was recently named associate head coach.

Marcum, the winningest coach in Arena Football League history, guided the Storm to four league championships in his 15 seasons as coach and general manager.

His tenure ended less than a month before the start of the 2011 season when he admitted forwarding racially insensitive and pornographic emails.

Welcome Back: The Storm's passing game, sixth in the league at 299.3 yards per game, gets a boost tonight with the return of WR Amarri Jackson. The former USF star came off injured reserve this week after missing the first three games with a concussion.

Last season, Jackson set franchise rookie records for catches (125), receiving yards (1,619) and touchdowns (35). He took the roster spot of WR Mark Jones, a former Buccaneer out with a rib injury.

More moves: LB David Akinniyi went on injured reserve with a broken arm. He was hurt during the second half last week against Jacksonville while trying to recover a fumble. … DL Reggie Kinlaw (sprained ankle) was activated. … Former Cowboys LB Steve Octavien was signed. … FB/LB Eric Ortiz, a former Alonso High star, was released.

Hardware: WR Victor Williams was named the league's Ironman of the Week. During the 71-69 win against Jacksonville, he returned a kickoff for a touchdown, recorded a sack, forced a fumble and caught three passes for 28 yards.

Times wires
Thursday, April 5, 2012

NEW ORLEANS — On the same day the NFL heard the Saints' appeals in their hits-for-cash scandal, a recording of Gregg Williams emerged that purports to capture the disgraced defensive coordinator telling players to "put a lick" on 49ers receiver Kyle Williams to see if he had lingering effects from a concussion.

Filmmaker Sean Pamphilon, who had access to Saints meetings for a documentary featuring former Saints special teams player Steve Gleason and his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, posted the audio on his website.

Williams, suspended for his admitted role overseeing a bounty system that offered Saints defenders payment for painful hits, did not respond to messages left with his foundation in Missouri seeking comment.

Williams left New Orleans after last season — his third with the Saints — and was hired as the Rams' defensive coordinator.

Pamphilon made the recording of Williams' speech during a meeting before the Saints lost to San Francisco in the division playoffs in January, the final game Williams coached.

When the Giants defeated the 49ers a week later in the NFC title game, several Giants made similar comments about wanting to get hits on Kyle Williams, who fumbled twice in the game, because they knew he had previous concussions.

In Pamphilon's recording, Williams also tells his players to go after running back Frank Gore, quarterback Alex Smith and receiver Michael Crabtree.

"We need to decide on how many times we can beat Frank Gore's head," he says.

Williams also implores his charges to "lay out" Smith and later adds, "We need to decide whether Crabtree wants to be a (expletive) prima donna or he wants to be a tough guy. He becomes human when we … take out that outside ACL."

Pamphilon also described Williams pointing to his chin when he said, "We hit (expletive) Smith right there."

The NFL has said Williams' bounty system offered cash payments of $1,000 or more for hits that either knocked targeted opponents out of games or left them needing help off the field. The system continued for three seasons, from 2009 when the Saints won the Super Bowl through 2011.

"Since you were a baby you've understood never take out a man's knees and on this tape he's talking about taking out an ACL," Hall of Fame receiver and NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin said. "I almost threw up when I heard it. … If he is out of the league forever, it would be only the right thing to do."

Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Saints head coach Sean Payton for the entire 2012 season for the bounty system, while handing down additional suspensions of eight games to GM Mickey Loomis and six to linebackers coach Joe Vitt. The team was fined $500,000 and docked draft picks.

The recording was released hours before Payton, Loomis and Vitt went to NFL offices in New York for an appeal hearing regarding their punishments.

After Vitt's appeal was heard, his lawyer, David Cornwell, was asked about the audio tape. Cornwell said Payton viewed Williams' comments as "a rogue coach about to get fired."

But when Williams left New Orleans for the Rams in January, nobody with the Saints characterized it as a firing.

Pamphilon told Yahoo Sports that Payton and Loomis were not in the room when the Williams recording was made.

Leak warning: Goodell has sent a memo to all 32 teams threatening "significant discipline" to anyone caught leaking confidential information to the public on draft prospects. The Associated Press obtained the memo that was sent Wednesday after reports that LSU defensive back Morris Claiborne allegedly scored poorly on the Wonderlic test. The exam is used by teams to try to gauge a prospect's intelligence, problem-solving ability and cognitive skills. Various mock drafts have the Bucs selecting Claiborne with the fifth overall pick. League rules prohibit disclosing the results, but scores have routinely been leaked for years.

BENGALS: Receiver Jerome Simpson was sentenced to 15 days in jail and three years probation after a plea agreement on a drug-related charge in Covington, Ky. Simpson, now a free agent, pleaded guilty March 1 to the felony charge resulting from about 2 pounds of marijuana shipped to his home.

Colts: Free agent defensive tackle Brandon McKinney, previously with the Chargers and Ravens, signed.

By Marc Topkin and Joe Smith, Times Staff Writers
Thursday, April 5, 2012

Stat of the day

The Rays have won four straight against the Yankees; they have never won five in a row.

For openers

Among several Rays participating in their first major-league opening day are rookie OF/C Stephen Vogt, left, who attended several Giants openers as a kid. "It's going to be really, really fun to be on the line during an opening day instead of in the stands," he said. Other Rays first-timers: OF Desmond Jennings, LHP Matt Moore and C Jose Lobaton. "It's my first," Lobaton said. "But I hope next year I'm going to say the same, the second, third."

Rays vs. Yankees

When/where: 3:10 p.m. today, Tropicana Field

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Tickets: Sold out today and Saturday. $19-$300, available at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team Tampa store; $3 surcharge within five hours of game time

Promotion: Schedule magnet for all fans

Probable pitchers

Rays

RHP James Shields (16-12, 2.82 in 2011)

Yankees

LHP CC Sabathia (19-8, 3.00 in 2011)

Watch for:

Big Game James: Shields has a .733 winning percentage in April, his highest of any month. He's 3-1 with a 1.46 ERA in his last five home starts against the Yankees.

Ace in hole: Sabathia, starting his fourth Yankees opener, feels good despite a shaky spring (0-1, 5.00 ERA). He has been solid vs. the Rays, 9-7, 3.10 ERA in 24 career starts.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Sabathia

Jeff Keppinger 6-for-14

Evan Longoria 10-for-30, 4 HRs

Carlos Peña 4-for-35, 2 HRs

Yankees vs. Shields

Robinson Cano 22-for-57, 4 HRs

Curtis Granderson 3-for-43

Mark Teixiera 6-for-41

On deck

Saturday: vs. Yankees, 7:10 p.m., Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (12-13, 3.49); Yankees — Hiroki Kuroda (13-16, 3.07)

Sunday: vs. Yankees, 1:40 p.m., Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (13-10, 2.95); Yankees — Phil Hughes (5-5, 5.79)

Monday: Off

Rays on the disabled list

• C Robinson Chirinos, concussion, 15-day

• RHP Kyle Farnsworth, right elbow strain, 15-day

• OF Sam Fuld, right wrist surgery, 15-day

• OF B.J. Upton, lower back soreness, 15-day

Marc Topkin and Joe Smith, Times staff writers

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Streak saver of the day

The Rays still have a streak of 896 games started by pitchers who are under 32, dating to June 25, 2006, when 32-year-old Mark Hendrickson faced the Braves. That is the only game started by a pitcher over 30 since the Andrew Friedman/Joe Maddon regime took over in 2006.

Quote of the day

"I'm 30 years old, but I still feel young."

RHP James Shields, the "old man" of the Rays staff

Streak buster of the day

James Shields' first pitch today will end the Rays' major-league-record streak of 764 straight games started by a pitcher under the age of 30. "I'm definitely excited to break the streak, but yet it's kind of sad in a way," said Shields, who turned 30 in December. "It's something we don't have to talk about anymore."