Times staff
Saturday, April 7, 2012

The Storm (2-2) lost to host New Orleans 66-47 in the Arena League on Friday.

Tampa Bay's Prechae Rodriguez led all receivers with nine receptions for 121 yards and four TDs. He was knocked out of the game late when he was hit in the head by a defender.

Storm QB Stephen Wasil was 25-of-47 for 310 yards and seven TDs. He threw three interceptions, one in the second quarter that was returned for a touchdown and put the VooDoo (2-2) up 30-14. New Orleans outscored the Storm 26-0 in the second quarter.

Times wires
Saturday, April 7, 2012

Angels 5, Royals 0

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jered Weaver struck out 10 in eight dominant innings, Peter Bourjos' bases-loaded infield single broke open a scoreless game in the eighth, and Albert Pujols was hitless in his Angels debut. Erick Aybar put a bases-loaded triple down the rightfield line moments after two infielders couldn't handle Bourjos' chopper, giving a comfortable lead to the Angels. Pujols lined into a first-inning double play, then popped out and struck out on three pitches.

Times wires
Saturday, April 7, 2012

Dodgers 6, Padres 0

SAN DIEGO — Chad Billingsley came within two outs of a complete game, striking out 11 and allowing only three hits for the Dodgers. Billingsley retired pinch-hitter Jeremy Hermida leading off the ninth before allowing Cameron Maybin's single to left. Jamey Wright got the final two outs. Andre Ethier drove in four runs with a double and triple. The Padres committed two more errors, giving them five in their first two games. They've struck out 18 times in 18 innings.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 7, 2012

There was one overriding theme for Steven Stamkos during his pursuit of 60 goals: He would much rather his success had propelled the Lightning into the playoffs.

"You trade this stuff in a heartbeat for winning a championship," Stamkos said. "You don't play to score a certain amount of goals or to get individual awards. You play to win a league championship game."

That's a pretty level-headed statement for a 22-year-old. But Stamkos has a frame of reference from which to draw. He played last season into Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final, the most fun he has had playing hockey, he said.

And he certainly has had teammate Marty St. Louis whispering in his ear about how nonplayoff seasons have made him appreciate so much more Tampa Bay's 2004 Stanley Cup run.

Stamkos still enjoys his accomplishments. His favorite word recently has been "surreal."

He used it when he became the seventh NHL player — with Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy, Joe Nieuwendyk, Pavel Bure and Alex Ovechkin — to have two 50-goal seasons before age 23.

He used it when Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman compared his playing style to Bossy's.

But Stamkos added this: "What gets you being mentioned with those players is also having a championship. That's when you know you have done a lot."

In the meantime:

Stamkos' 47 even-strength goals entered Saturday 10 more than any other player. His 36 goals at home by themselves would have tied him for ninth in the overall league race. His 12 winners led the league entering Saturday, and his 96 points were a career best.

"But the gold standard is a Stanley Cup championship," he said. "That's what you work hard to win. There are so many people who have played this game for so long and never gotten a chance. Obviously, you want to take that opportunity and cherish it, take nothing for granted. My goal is to win a championship. I haven't done that yet, and I'll keep working hard towards that."

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 7, 2012

5 questions RW J.T. Brown

What position did you play when you played football?

Running back.

Because your dad, Ted, played the position for the Vikings?

I guess it was easier to start there. He could help me out more so than other positions.

When did you quit football?

When I was 15.

Why play hockey?

My passion for the game.

What's better, scoring a goal or a touchdown?

It feels good to score in anything, whatever you do.

Championship feeling

Coach Guy Boucher and assistant Marty Raymond did not mask their glee at McGill University's first Canadian national championship in the program's 135 years.

"Huge," Raymond said of the 4-3 overtime win over Western. "It was very exciting."

Boucher played at McGill from 1991-95. Raymond spent 22 years at the school as a player and coach. Raymond, head coach for 14 seasons before leaving in the summer of 2010 to join Tampa Bay, said he recruited 13 of the players on the championship team.

Boucher and Raymond watched the March 26 title game on a laptop in the Lightning's Philadelphia hotel.

"We woke up the neighbors next door after the overtime goal," Raymond said. "It was pretty excited. For me, that's like my second family."

"It was a good day for Marty," Boucher said. "It was a good day for McGill."

A good cause

F Tom Pyatt admitted his shaved head looked "a little scary" but said he is proud to have joined teammates Vinny Lecavalier, Bruno Gervais, Brett Connolly, Teddy Purcell and Marc-Andre Bergeron in the Cut for a Cure to raise money for cancer research.

The Lightning's effort so far has raised $16,064, said Nancy Crane, executive director of Tampa's Pediatric Cancer Foundation, which is sharing the proceeds with the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.

"You just hope it gets people involved," Pyatt said. "I'm sure I'll do it again."

Donate through May 4 at pcfcutforacure.org, or text CUT to 50555 to donate $10.

Quote to note

"One thing is sure, he's among the top goal scorers in history because there are not a lot of guys you can compare him to."

— coach Guy Boucher, on C Steven Stamkos, left

Number of the day

2 Games Vinny Lecavalier needs to reach 1,000

Times wires
Saturday, April 7, 2012

Nationals 7, Cubs 4

CHICAGO — Adam LaRoche homered and matched a career high with four hits, and Washington rallied against Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol for the second straight game, scoring five and sending up 11 batters in the eighth after falling behind against former Ray Matt Garza.

Times wires
Saturday, April 7, 2012

Mets 4, Braves 2

NEW YORK — Lucas Duda homered twice and became the first player to take advantage of the pulled-in fences at Citi Field to back R.A. Dickey. David Wright had a homer and two singles as New York improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2009. The All-Star had two hits and drove in the only run in Thursday's opener against Atlanta.

Times wires
Saturday, April 7, 2012

Blue Jays 7, Indians 4

12 innings

CLEVELAND — Rajai Davis hit a two-run double in the 12th, and Toronto rallied for a second straight game against Cleveland's bullpen two days after a 16-inning win. Davis' hit off Tony Sipp gave the Blue Jays a 5-3 lead. Indians starter Ubaldo Jimenez took a no-hitter into the seventh.

By Jim Huddleston, Times Correspondent
Saturday, April 7, 2012

What's hot: With a very moderate winter, many inshore species are showing late spring patterns. The larger speckled trout have started to move out onto the beaches and jetties along the coast. Incoming tides seem to stimulate these females on a better feeding pattern. Most of the trout will hang deep in troughs and be found tight to the rocks or structures. The snook are beginning to stack up along the Spoil Islands working out from the back country. Larger, free-lined greenbacks are the ticket to getting these finicky fish to feed. The passes are showing good numbers of linesiders on swift-moving tides around new and full moons.

Tips: The most prevalent inshore species found now are redfish, which are schooling up and moving into the grass flats, oyster bars and docks throughout St. Joseph Sound. The reds are following the mullet schools into the shallows as the tide floods, feeding on bait and crabs that get flushed out of the grass. On higher tides, these schools will move into the mangrove tree line and aggressively hit anything tossed into the shadow line. This combat zone can make for a great bite for anglers prepared with the right tackle.

Tackle: When fishing for reds in the trees, anglers need 25-pound leader with a heavy splitshot right above the hook to keep the bait in the strike zone for a longer period. This will help reduce cutoffs from overhanging limbs.

Jim Huddleston charters out of Tampa, Palm Harbor and Clearwater and can be reached at (727) 439-9017 and at jim@captainhud.com.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 7, 2012

There's still much to learn about Greg Schiano, but here's something we can unequivocally say about the Bucs' new coach: He is not one to cave to peer pressure.

While at Rutgers, Schiano resisted the spread offense that now is widespread in college and high school, instead running a pro-style offense.

And now that he occupies the corner office at One Buc Place, Schiano has no plans to employ an offense that resembles many of today's pass-happy NFL schemes.

In an era in which offensive records are falling at a breakneck pace, Schiano is sticking to his principles. The Bucs will run the ball, then run it some more. Yes, QB Josh Freeman has a big arm, and WR Vincent Jackson — the centerpiece of the team's recent foray into free agency — specializes in catching deep balls.

But based on what Schiano has shared about his offensive philosophy, it's not hard to tell what his intentions are.

"Punting is okay. We have a great punter (Michael Koenen)," he said. "Scoring drives, they may be one series, they may be two series, they may be three series. If you punt the ball and get the ball back in better position, the drive just continues and you put it in the end zone."

But is this a realistic approach in a pass-first league? Schiano believes it is. But it's worth noting he's willing to be flexible.

"I do believe at times the best way to play is keep-away, especially with the quarterbacks we have in our division," Schiano said. "But if you look back, when we had guys (at Rutgers) like (WR) Kenny Britt, we were the first team in NCAA history to have a 3,000-yard quarterback, a 2,000-yard running back and two 1,000-yard receivers. So we'll throw it around when we have the guys to do it and when you have the quarterback to do it. I think it'll be a good mix."

But if you had questions about what to expect from the offense, think 49ers and Ravens more than Patriots and Packers: run first with a successful but selective passing game.

DOES IT MATTER? You might have heard that LSU CB Morris Claiborne, a prime candidate for the Bucs' No. 5 overall draft pick, reportedly scored a 4 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test given at the combine.

It's unfortunate his low score became public because it does nothing but suggest he is dumb and subjects him to public ridicule. As for if the score should be a red flag, the answer is most likely no. Claiborne is not a quarterback or offensive lineman, positions that require a heavy volume of learning.

But as far as the Bucs are concerned, they have an asset that will ensure they make an educated decision on Claiborne. His college position coach, Ron Cooper, now is Tampa Bay's defensive backs coach. If Claiborne has issues with grasping concepts, no one is in better position to help than Cooper.

Despite all the hubbub, the conventional wisdom says the Bucs will pick Claiborne if the Browns take Alabama RB Trent Richardson at No. 4.

DT Okoye, former first-round pick, signs

Free agent DT Amobi Okoye was signed Saturday to a one-year deal, his agent said, adding much-needed depth to a position that has been besieged by injuries the past two seasons. Okoye, 24, who will earn $2 million, helps with depth behind starters Gerald McCoy and Brian Price, both of whom have been injured the past few seasons.

The 10th overall pick by the Texans in 2007, Okoye has started 59 games in five seasons, recording four sacks in a part-time role with the Bears last season. The native Nigerian is considered a disruptive force who is quick off the line of scrimmage.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@tampabay.com.

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 7, 2012

.fast facts

Encompass Insurance Pro-Am of Tampa Bay

When/where: Friday-April 15, TPC Tampa Bay, Lutz

Purse: $1.6 million ($240,000 winner's share)

TV: Friday, 12:30 p.m.; Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (taped); Sunday, 7 p.m. (taped); Golf Channel.

Format: 54-hole stroke-play event with no cut. Friday-Saturday one amateur with one professional in a team better-ball format. Low 16 teams play Sunday.

Defending champion: John Cook

Notable pros scheduled to play: Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer, Nick Price, Curtis Strange, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Brad Faxon

Notable celebrities: Rick Pitino, Craig T. Nelson, John O'Hurley, Stone Phillips, Joe Theismann, Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks, Phil Esposito

Tourney information: tampabayproam.com

Notes: This is the 25th anniversary of the Senior/Champions Tour in Tampa Bay. … Palm Harbor's John Huston makes his Champions Tour debut in the Tampa Bay area this week. Huston has won seven times on the tour; five of the wins have come in Florida. … Encompass Insurance is a one-year sponsor of the event. It will sponsor a tour event in Chicago in 2013. Outback Steakhouse pulled out as title sponsor after the 2011 event. A title sponsor is needed for the 2013 tournament.

Times wires
Saturday, April 7, 2012

D'backs 5, Giants 4

PHOENIX — Aaron Hill hit two homers and Chris Young had two RBI doubles for Arizona, which has seven runs in the first two innings of its first two games. Hill drove in three of those, a solo homer off Madison Bumgarner in the first inning and a two-run shot in the second. Young also hit the first of his RBI doubles in the first, giving starter Daniel Hudson just enough cushion.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 7, 2012

tom jones' two cents

If you have been following the headlines of late, you have seen that old-timers just don't play in old-timer games anymore. They play in real games. And they play them well. Seems as if 45 might be the new 35. Here's a look at some of the old guys we still root for. And with the way they are playing, it's easy to root for them. Take a look.

Jaromir Jagr

When you see the Czech superstar shifting, cutting, dancing and dipping all over the ice, you can't help but have flashbacks to the 18-year-old rookie who helped the Penguins win a Stanley Cup in 1990-91. Then you realize the guy is now 40. The only thing missing is he no longer sports that rad mullet that used to drip down his back onto his No. 68. The former five-time NHL scoring leader and one-time MVP (he should've won a couple of more MVPs) spent the past three seasons in Russia, and there was a question as to whether he had anything left when he returned to the Flyers this season. Hovering near 20 goals answered that question.

Jamie Moyer

When Moyer won his first major-league game with the Cubs in 1986 against Steve Carlton and the Phillies, the team he now pitches for (the Colorado Rockies) didn't even exist. In fact, they were seven years away from playing a game. What's stunning is Moyer, who has won 267 big-league games, missed all of last season with Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, but he earned a spot in the Rockies rotation with an impressive spring. Moyer becomes the first 49-year-old major-leaguer since Julio Franco in 2007 and, get this, the first 49-year-old pitcher since Hoyt Wilhelm in 1972. What's more is it has been 20 years since Moyer was released by the Cubs.

Omar Vizquel

Okay, while we are very impressed by Moyer pitching in the big leagues at age 49, we are absolutely blown away by Vizquel playing middle infield at his age. Vizquel, one of the finest gloves the game has ever seen, turns 45 this month. He will be a utility player for the Blue Jays in what will be his 24th major-league season. One of his teammates, Brett Lawrie, wasn't even born when Vizquel broke into the majors.

Nicklas Lidstrom

You could make an argument that Lidstrom is the second-best defenseman in NHL history, behind only the great Bobby Orr. But even now, Lidstrom, who turns 42 this month, remains one of the best blue-liners in the game. This season, for the first time in his career, the Red Wings star missed a good chunk of time with an injury. Still, his numbers in the games he has played showed there is little, if any, dropoff in his game. He still dictates the pace as well as anyone. He isn't going to be named the league's top defenseman. But if you were drafting a team to play Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, you would give serious consideration to making Lidstrom the first defenseman you picked.

Grant Hill

If you watched this year's NCAA basketball tournament, you saw a lot of flashbacks as college fans celebrated the 20th anniversary of the great region final between Duke and Kentucky that ended with Christian Laettner's buzzer-beater. Then you remember that it was Hill who made the pass. Now, 20 years later, Hill, 39, is still playing in the NBA. He has spent time with the Pistons, Magic and Suns. What should have been a Hall of Fame career was sabotaged by injuries. Even so, he is approaching 1,000 games and, for his career, has averaged 17 points per game. He has remained healthy since joining Phoenix in 2007 and continues to be a double-digit-a-game scorer. And he happens to be one of the nicest and classiest athletes of all time.

John Kasay

The longtime NFL kicker is 42. So what, you say, he's just a kicker. Oh yeah? Well, if it were so easy to make millions by kicking a football, why don't more 40-somethings do it? Kasay kicked last season for the Saints, making 28 of 34 field goals and all 63 extra points. He isn't assured of a job next season, but don't you get the feeling that he will be kicking somewhere at some point?

Davey Johnson

There are plenty of coaches/managers who are long in the tooth. The Tigers' Jim Leyland might be the best manager in baseball right now and he's 67. The Phillies' Charlie Manuel has done as good of a job as anyone in baseball over the past several years and he's 68. But let's take a look at Nationals manager Johnson, who is 69. Geez, isn't that hard to believe? He played for the Orioles against the Miracle Mets in 1969. He was the manager when the Mets last won a World Series in 1986. And now he's in charge of leading the up-and-coming Nationals.

Broadcasters

We have to recognize a couple of broadcasters on this list, starting with Brent Musburger. Bet you didn't realize that Musburger turns 73 next month. He might be a better broadcaster now than he was 35 years ago when he was hosting CBS's The NFL Today with Jimmy the Greek, Irv Cross and Phyllis George. (Wow, doesn't that take you back?) These days, Musburger is ABC's No. 1 voice for college football, as well as one of ESPN's top play-by-play announcers for college hoops. Meantime, how about ABC/ESPN NBA analyst Hubie Brown? He is 78 and still has the passion and enthusiasm of a broadcaster half his age, yet he brings twice the knowledge. And even though the former coach is fast approaching 80, Brown is among the best analysts on TV.

Steve Nash

It's difficult to decide which is harder to believe, that Nash is 38 years old or that he is leading the NBA, by far, in assists. Probably the former. The Suns point guard still plays with the same gusto and energy that he had when he won back-to-back MVP awards in 2005-06. There are whispers that Nash has a bad back that is getting worse by the season, but he has missed only four games this season and is averaging more than 11 assists. And he isn't close to being done. Some are guessing that he will end up with the Heat next season.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 7, 2012

GAINESVILLE

When he met with the media shortly after spring football practice concluded with the annual Orange and Blue game Saturday, Florida coach Will Muschamp actually had a smile.

He doesn't have a starting quarterback, still seeks a backup running back and some consistency at wide receiver and was missing quite a few key players because of injuries. But Muschamp firmly believes he has a much better team than the one that struggled to 7-6 last season.

"I'm really pleased with where we are at this point," said Muschamp, who said his offensive line is the most improved unit on the team. "I feel much better standing here today than I did a year ago as far as where we are as a football team — our physicality as a team, our togetherness as a team — as this moves forward. We've got the right kind of guys."

Battle heats up

With a starting job to be determined, both Jacoby Brissett, top, and Jeff Driskel had impressive numbers and showed improvement from last season. Driskel was 10-of-11 for 133 yards, including a 44-yard pass to WR Andre Debose. He set a spring game record for highest completion percentage (.909), previously held by John Brantley (15-of-19 in 2010). Brissett was 8-of-12 for 181 yards and two touchdowns, including a 43-yard pass to WR Latroy Pittman. Driskel, who played five games last season, said he's considerably more comfortable. "Just knowing the playbook gives you confidence," he said. "Last year I was clueless out there, just kind of locking on to one guy. I feel like I'm going through my progressions more and just playing instead of thinking."

Both quarterbacks said they recognize the need for serious work in the offseason and each said he welcomes the challenge.

"I love it, coming out every day competing against the No. 1 quarterback in the country a couple of years ago," Brissett said. "It don't get no better. Jeff is a great quarterback, and he can make every throw that I can make, so it's going to be tough to see what the real difference is."

For those keeping score, Driskel's blue team defeated Brissett's orange team 21-20.

Injury update

UF entered spring without several injured players and several others missed Saturday's game due to injuries during drills. LB Ronald Powell, top right, sprained his knee in the game and limped off before halftime. S Matt Elam sat out with a groin injury suffered early in spring drills; he had groin surgery in January. Also missing: WR Frankie Hammond (ankle), former Nature Coast High WR Ja'Juan Story (ankle), LB Jon Bostic (back spasms) and CB Willie Bailey (undisclosed).

Impressed recruits

Attendance was announced at 38,100, but the ones Muschamp probably cared most about were the high school recruits sitting in the south end zone. The Gators picked up three oral commitments: OL Josh Outlaw of Lithonia, Ga., 6-foot-3 WR Ahmad Fulwood of Jacksonville, and DB Tre Bell of Jersey City, N.J. That brings the Gators' total to 14 for the 2013 class.

Making contributions

Former Tampa Catholic High standout Hunter Joyer, bottom left, had a 3-yard touchdown run, and WR Michael McNeely (Palm Harbor University), middle, had a 52-yard reception from Jeff Driskel late in the game. Joyer has become known for his ability to produce in short yardage situations. "I like that the coaches respect me enough and think highly of me to get the ball in those tough situations," he said.

Times wires
Saturday, April 7, 2012

Royals 6, Angels 3

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Luke Hochevar took a shutout into the seventh inning and Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas hit solo homers off Dan Haren to lead Kansas City. Albert Pujols got his first hit with Los Angeles, a double in the fourth. Hochevar pitched 61/3 strong innings. The right-hander went in 0-3 with an 8.02 ERA against the Angels.

Times wires
Saturday, April 7, 2012

Brewers 6, Cardinals 0

MILWAUKEE — Corey Hart homered twice and Zack Greinke pitched seven three-hit innings for Milwaukee. Rickie Weeks homered, and Ryan Braun had two doubles and a walk for the Brewers after going 0-for-5 on Friday. Greinke's strong outing overshadowed the long-awaited return to the mound for St. Louis' Adam Wainwright, who missed all of the 2011 season after having elbow surgery.

Times wires
Saturday, April 7, 2012

Tigers 10, Red Sox 0

DETROIT — Prince Fielder hit his first two home runs with Detroit and Miguel Cabrera added two as the Tigers clobbered Josh Beckett. Cabrera opened the scoring in the first with a two-run shot to left-center, and Fielder hit a solo homer in the fourth to the same part of the park. Cabrera and Fielder hit back-to-back solo homers in the fifth.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 7, 2012

All the talk throughout the winter and spring about the Rays' preserving their pitching depth seemed a bit manufactured, as they didn't make an expected deal to add a bat (or a front-line catcher) in trade for Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis.

But on the first weekend of the season, it looks like a pretty smart decision.

The same with the signing of free-agent reliever Fernando Rodney, a move greeted, at best, with raised eyebrows given the arms they already had in their bullpen and his recent lack of success.

With closer-designate Kyle Farnsworth idled at least the next four-six weeks to rest his ailing elbow — and assuming it's better, he'd need more time to work back to game form — suddenly the Rays find considerable comfort in having Davis and Rodney in the bullpen.

Rodney, with the most end-game experience of the remaining relievers, seems likely to take over as the unofficial closer, and Davis will be fast-tracked to start working high-leverage innings. The role could be important enough that if the Rays needed another starter, at least on a short-term basis, you wonder if they wouldn't call up Alex Cobb and keep Davis in the pen.

Of more concern is their lack of depth of position players, with OFs Sam Fuld and B.J. Upton sidelined and INF Reid Brignac playing with a plantar fascia issue in his right foot.

"Going into spring I think the one area where we had a little bit of an uncomfortable feeling was on the position player depth side, and we're really testing it now out of the gates," executive VP Andrew Friedman said. "We feel very good about what we have (at the big-league level), it's just that we're in a very tenuous spot with the depth behind it."

With Upton heading out on a rehab assignment and targeting a return during a homestand that begins April 20, they'll potentially have another decision to make soon, whether to send down Brignac or OF/C Stephen Vogt.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 7, 2012

The key to a good bullpen is diversity.

The Rays feel they have that, even with closer-designate Kyle Farnsworth sidelined at least into May and Josh Lueke the current replacement: They have righties and lefties, experience and raw athleticism, hard and soft throwers, craftiness and talent.

But the better mix may be among the personalities, a diverse, eclectic, entertaining mix.

And for a breakdown, we'll let the most unique of them all, lefty — of course he's a lefty — J.P. Howell, take over:

Burke Badenhop

"He's starting to come out of his shell, and now we're seeing how cool he really is, and it's awesome. He's got sarcasm, and he's persistent. And he can talk."

Joel Peralta

"He's got short-man syndrome, but he plays at 6-4, 225. So he's allowed to have it. He's a competitor, and he's got a lot of heart."

Fernando Rodney

"He's a silent assassin. Big heart, teddy bear, but will be a protector of the whole pen. Like in hockey, he's the enforcer."

Wade Davis

"He's the new guy, so he reminds me of me in '08. No ego, never scared to ask a few questions. And he's a grinder, so he fits right in. He's country, but he's starting to pick up some swagger. He's got a little zest in him."

Lueke

"A ball of energy ready to explode. He doesn't sit still, and the volume's a little loud. Youthful excitement."

Jake McGee

"MacGeezy — he's pretty much the fly on the wall. He's soaking it all in. He's extremely smarter than he looks. Extremely. And he's got amazing talent."

Farnsworth

“Mister Farnsworth is Daddy. He's the one down there, he makes the rules, and we listen. And if you don't, you're in a choke hold. That's the way it works, that's the rules, and I agree with them: Mister Farnsworth said so."

And on himself

"Weird. Just a weirdo, trying to get some love. That's all."

Buddy Ball

Commissioner Bud Selig was in Miami for Wednesday's Marlins opener, and he was willing to talk about the Rays' stadium situation, but he passed on coming over to make what would have been his second regular-season appearance at the Trop in 15 seasons. Instead, MLB was repped by senior VPs Joe Garagiola Jr. and Pat Courtney.

Selig was quoted saying of the Rays, "They're playing in a stadium where they can't make it." But he also offered a tad of optimism, noting, "Five or 10 years ago, you could make a case this (Marlins Park) would never happen."

Rays Rumblings

Neat that the city of St. Petersburg took out an ad touting its support for the Rays "in their 14th season on the field." Neater had they gotten it right since it's their 15th season. … Principal owner Stuart Sternberg on the increased expectations for this season: "People picking us for the World Series may have lost their minds, but that's all right." … Team president Matt Silverman is off the eligible bachelor's list: After a romantic beachfront proposal, he's engaged to be married this December in Austin, Texas. … Triple-A Durham OF Kyle Hudson, acquired in trade from Texas, paired at wide receiver at the University of Illinois with the Bucs' Arrelious Benn. … Dan Johnson, he of the Game 162 homer heroics, is playing at Triple A for the White Sox, waiting for his next chance. … Seen at Friday's opener, and leaving before the fabulous finish: Former managing general partner Vince Naimoli, walking with a cane. … 3B Evan Longoria was 16th in ESPN.com's ranking of the top 500 players, LHP David Price 27th, RHP James Shields 54th, LHP Matt Moore 55th and 2B/RF Ben Zobrist 97th. The lowest Ray was C Jose Molina, at 491. … Sternberg and his extended family had their Passover seder at Tropicana Field after Friday's game. … Christian pop singer Julianna Zobrist, wife of Ben, has a new CD, Crazy Fearless, set for release Tuesday, via iTunes and elsewhere.

Got a minute? Burke Badenhop

Something you are scared of? My cooking. I'm horrible at cooking.

Go-to karaoke song? Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang, by Dr. Dre.

Favorite TV show? Of all time, Lost.

What would be your rapper name? DJ B-Hop.

Celebrity crush? Jennifer Aniston, she's a pretty good-looking gal.



BY MARC TOPKIN | Times staff writer

Saturday, April 7, 2012

MIAMI — Isiah Thomas said Saturday that he was "stunned" by his firing by Florida International, adding he felt the long-struggling program was on the verge of a breakthrough.

The Basketball Hall of Fame player was fired Friday. He went 26-65 in three years, and FIU hasn't had a winning season since 1999-2000.

"I am very disappointed that I won't get a chance to finish the job I set out to do when I got here," Thomas told the Miami Herald by phone. "I was told I'd have five years to build FIU, and I felt I was well on my way to doing it. … Nobody told me I'd have two or three years. I was told five years."

Thomas' former players are not pleased.

"Everyone really, really took it hard," said DeJuan Wright, FIU's leading scorer this season. "…Besides basketball, everyone from top to bottom on our team looked up to coach Thomas. He has really helped us as men."

Wright said he and some players who had been working out were helping Thomas carry hastily packed boxes from his office to his car.

"Surreal. It was bad, man," Wright said. "We're hurt. We're upset."

Thomas had two years remaining on his contract. He came from the New York Knicks, where he was coach and president before a series of on- and off-the-court missteps led to him starting over.

MIAMI (OHIO): The school hired John Cooper, the coach at Tennessee State the past three seasons, as its coach.

SOFTBALL: Sophomore Sara Nevins (Pinellas Park High) was one out away from her second perfect game and third no-hitter this season but settled for a two-hitter in USF's 6-0 win over visiting St. John's. Nevins (22-2) entered the weekend with the top ERA in the country (0.56 in 149 innings). The Bulls (36-5, 9-0 Big East) won their 16th straight and are 18th in the coaches poll.

BASEBALL: Florida (25-7, 7-5 SEC), No. 1 in the Baseball America and coaches polls, blew a five-run lead as No. 12 LSU rallied for a series-clinching 8-7 win before a McKethan Stadium record crowd of 6,108. … USF (23-10, 8-1 Big East) completed a three-game sweep of host Cincinnati, winning 8-5 behind two hits and four RBIs by DH Daniel Rockhold.

FSU LB breaks leg

Florida State senior middle linebacker Vince Williams broke his tibia on Thursday and is out for the rest of spring practice, Warchant.com reported. "In four or five weeks, he'll be fine," coach Jimbo Fisher told the website of Williams, the fifth-leading tackler for the Seminoles last season.