By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 4, 2012

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is likely to be out for the rest of the season after apparently tearing the ACL in his right knee while shagging balls during batting practice before the game in Kansas City.

Manager Joe Girardi said the initial diagnosis is a torn ligament. Rivera, 42, is considered the game's greatest closer, and was considering retirement after the season.

"If that's what it is, that's about as bad as it gets,'' Girardi said. "You lose a Hall of Famer. That changes it a lot.''

Rivera is an integral member of the Yankees bullpen; David Robertson and ex-Ray Rafael Soriano are the two most likely candidates to replace him.

"If we want to play in October, we're going to have to find a way to overcome it,'' Girardi said after the loss in Kansas City.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 4, 2012

Tampa Bay Lightning center Nate Thompson was named an alternate captain for the United States at the world championship, which begins Friday in Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden.

Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson, a member of the silver-medal-winning 2010 Olympic team, was named captain, and Jets center Jim Slater was named the other alternate captain.

The United States, which also includes Lightning forward J.T. Brown, opens play today against France. Canada, which has Lightning forward Teddy Purcell, begins against Slovakia, and Sweden, with Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, faces Norway.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 4, 2012

Florida Gators coach Will Muschamp announced today that sophomore linebacker Graham Stewart, has decided to transfer. Stewart, who is from Connecticut, cited personal reasons for his decision.

"I have some personal family issues that have caused me to evaluate how far I am away from home,'' Stewart said. "I appreciate my time in Gainesville and have nothing but good things to say about Coach Muschamp and the staff at Florida, but some things are more important. I really need to be closer to home."

Stewart's most memorable game as a Gator was in the Gator Bowl this past January when he returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. He played in 12 games as a freshman this past season, mostly on special teams.

"Graham has told me he wanted to leave to get closer to home due to some personal issues,'' Muschamp said. "Family always comes first with me and he needs to be closer to his family. I'm thankful for his contributions to our team and wish him nothing but the best of luck. He will always have my support and backing if he needs any help in the future."

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, May 4, 2012

TAMPA — Perhaps no two positions in baseball are as closely connected as shortstop and second base.

The pair must understand each other, be able to read the other's tendencies and work in tandem. And when it comes to familiarity, who better to have in the keystone combination than family?

Bonded by blood and the baseball passion of their grandfather Tony Saladino, cousins Austin Sullivan and Jordan "Snook" Feist have been side-by-side on a baseball field since they were old enough to properly hold a bat.

"Our chemistry is so good," Sullivan said.

"Ever since we were six (years old)," shortstop Jordan Feist said. "We've been up the middle. Together."

Now the sophomores are two big reasons why Brandon (17-8) will host Riverview Tuesday in a Class 7A region semifinal game.

"It's such a unique situation," Brandon coach Matt Stallbaumer said. "They've been tied in together since birth."

The two have been working on turning double plays since T-ball at South Brandon Little League and are now doing the same on the Eagles' field. The pair has stabilized the middle of the diamond on a team that is built on pitching and defense.

"That's what we're all about," Feist said. "Coach has preached that to us from the beginning and that's what's gotten us as far as we've gone."

The pair turned a slick double play in Brandon's 1-0 win against visiting Haines City in the region quarterfinal Wednesday. After the play, Sullivan and Feist celebrated with an even slicker high-five combination.

"They are always coming up with crazy new handshakes in practice," Stallbaumer said. "It's nuts how well they just know each other."

Although pitching and defense has been the Eagles' mantra, and the cousins have been a huge part of the latter, both have produced at the plate as well. Sullivan is hitting a team-high .347 while Feist is — naturally — right behind at .338 and second on the Eagles with 15 RBIs..

"They are both very good at situational hitting and that's something we work on a lot," Stallbaumer said.

Feist and Sullivan also credit the baseball lineage they share with Saladino., who coordinates the annual Tony Saladino Baseball Tournament.

The tournament and Saladino's longtime work as a physical education teacher aerned him a place of prestige in the community. A baseball field on Sadie Street bares his name and a park on Bryan Road is named for Saladino and his wife Bertha.

"It's what people know me by," Sullivan said. "And that's a good thing. He's the greatest."

Added Feist: "I couldn't ask for a better person to look up to. He always pushes me to be my best, whether it's academically or athletically."

The Eagles' next test will be Tuesday against Riverview, a team Brandon has defeated twice this year, including a 2-0 victory in last week's district title game.

Brandon Wright can be reached at hillsnews@tampabay.com.

Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, May 4, 2012

TAMPA — The most notable rivalry in Arena League history resumes Saturday when Tampa Bay and Orlando hook up in the 49th installment of the "War on I-4."

Though it will be the first time the Storm's 10 rookies suit up in this storied rivalry, the most notable newcomer — former Florida Gator Chris Leak — will likely be under center for Orlando.

Leak, who started the season with Jacksonville, was traded by the Sharks last week and is expected to see his first game action Saturday. Leak, who won a national championship in 2007 at Florida and also a pair of Grey Cup titles in the Canadian Football League, went 21-of-31 for 196 yards and five touchdowns in his only game with the Sharks this year.

Seller's remorse? Kansas City traded quarterback Stephen Wasil to the Storm before the season, and Wasil reminded the winless Command that may not have been the best move.

Wasil went 18-of-27 for 225 yards and six touchdowns (five passing, one rushing) in Monday's 63-46 win. It was also just the second time this season Wasil didn't throw an interception. Kansas City has started three quarterbacks in its 0-6 start.

Home cooking: The Storm is 4-0 at home this season and has a five-game win streak at the Tampa Bay Times Forum dating to last season.

Williams trifecta: Receiver Chandler Williams scored three ways against Kansas City. He caught a TD pass, returned a kickoff 56 yards for a score and recovered a fumble for a touchdown.

Poor turnout: After drawing an AFL season-best 16,054 for the home opener, Monday's game drew just 7,354 to the Tampa Bay Times Forum — the smallest turnout in team history.

Fastest man in the building: Former Olympian and gold medalist Justin Gatlin will perform the ceremonial pregame coin toss Saturday. He will also sign autographs on the main concourse during halftime.

Badge Bowl: The Tampa Bay Times Forum will host the ninth annual Badge Bowl at 1 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds from the flag football game between Tampa Fire Rescue and Tampa Police will benefit the 1Voice Foundation, a local children's cancer charity.

Strange polling: The Storm assumed sole control of the top spot in the South Division after its win against Monday. But it wasn't enough to impress other league coaches. Tampa Bay was No. 10 in the Week 8 AFL Coaches Poll after an 83-48 loss to Philadelphia but dropped out of this week's edition.

Video board: The team announced plans this week to install the largest high-definition center-hung video display of any North American arena.

"After completing the transformation of the Tampa Bay Times Forum this past season, we recognized the need to hang an appropriate state-of-the-art video board in the arena," said Steve Griggs, CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Storm and Forum. "… It promises to be among the best in North America and allows us to further enhance the in-arena presentation for all of our events."

By Steve Papen, Times Correspondent
Friday, May 4, 2012

What's hot: Bottom fishing trips to depths of 100 to 150 feet have yielded great catches of red grouper, mangrove snapper and amberjack.

Presentation: Most of the grouper have been 8 to 15 pounds, but quite a few have been in the 20-pound range. Most have fallen for live bait (Spanish sardines, pinfish, cigar minnows and small to medium-sized blue runners) on a standard fish-finder rig. For tackle, use a 4/0-size reel loaded with 60- to 80-pound test. Longer, heavier leader is also key in boating these fish. I use a 5- to 7-foot length of 80-pound leader fixed to an 8/0 or 9/0 circle hook.

Tackle: Mangrove snapper are one of the hardest fish to capture. They feed in packs and with amazing speed, so you have to be ready. One method for catching them is to use a knocker rig, a 1/2-ounce egg lead on the main line with a 3/0-5/0 circle hook at the end. This rig falls slowly through the water column and reaches the snapper suspended off the bottom. A light main line gets the most action. For amberjack I use a single 9/0 hook and 10 to 12 feet of 80-pound leader with no lead. I also free-line large, live blue runners for these fish with great success.

Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at (727) 642-3411 and fintasticinc.com.

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, May 4, 2012

OLDSMAR — In early December, on the eve of opening day at Tampa Bay Downs, Alan Lockhart started his nonstop drive from New York to Oldsmar. He arrived with no sleep and no idea of what was to happen.

Noah's Expense, a Florida homebred filly owned and trained by Lloyd Lockhart, Alan's 86-year-old grandfather, would become the first thoroughbred to win a race in the Downs' 86th season. Lloyd wasn't at the track that day. But good news traveled fast.

"I called (my grandfather) right after we passed the wire," said Alan, 25, who saddled the $12,500 claimer.

It was the first time the elder Lockhart, a horseman for 60 years and Downs regular for 30 seasons, had won the first race of any meet. With 10 victories and $106,142 in purse earnings, the Somerset, Mass., resident is enjoying his best Downs campaign. He ranks fourth in wins as an owner. After Oldsmar's 92-day campaign ends Sunday, the Lockharts will be among those exiting the Race Track Road facility. Their destination will be Suffolk Downs in East Boston, Mass. "It seems like you see the same people, no matter where you're at," Lloyd said.

The Lockharts also plan to see the 138th Kentucky Derby today. The season's first Triple Crown event (Race 11, 6:24 p.m.) from Churchill Downs in Louisville will be simulcast at Oldsmar, Derby Lane in St. Petersburg and Tampa Greyhound Track. All three Tampa Bay tracks open at 10 a.m.

The Downs continues to have connections to the Derby. Prospective is the eighth Tampa Bay Derby winner in nine years to enter the starting gate. The Mark Casse trainee aims to be the third Downs graduate to win the 1 1/4-mile test, joining Super Saver (2010) and Street Sense (2007). Luis Contreras is his jockey. Two former Oldsmar riding champions have mounts, with Jose Lezcano aboard Rousing Sermon and Willie Martinez on Trinniberg.

Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day at Oldsmar. Unlike the past two years, when the training title wasn't determined until the final day, every individual championship has been decided. Jamie Ness, the nation's wins leader, claimed his sixth consecutive training crown. He shared the title with Gerald Bennett in 2011 and Kathleen O'Connell in 2010. Midwest Thoroughbreds, Ness' major client and No. 1 nationally in victories and purse earnings, will be the leading owner for the third straight year. Jockey Leandro Goncalves, who left in early April, clinched his first Downs crown.

DOGS: The $20,000 Gold Trophy Juvenile begins tonight at Derby Lane. The first of four 550-yard qualifiers for the May 19 finale are Races 4, 6, 8 and 10. … Magic Finch of Abernathy kennel clocked a season-best time of 37.10 seconds Tuesday on the 660-yard course.

Times wires
Friday, May 4, 2012

Cubs 5, Dodgers 4

CHICAGO — Paul Maholm pitched six crisp innings for his third consecutive win and improved to 1-5 with a 4.91 ERA in nine career starts against Los Angeles. Rafael Dolis finished for his second save, taking over for demoted closer Carlos Marmol.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 4, 2012

Media tidbits

• Hubert Davis has left his job as a college basketball analyst for ESPN to become an assistant coach at his alma mater, North Carolina.

• The Red Wings and Maple Leafs are going to play in next season's Winter Classic outdoor game, meaning the teams will be featured on HBO's excellent reality series 24/7: Road to the NHL Winter Classic.

• According to Sports Business Daily, the Golf Channel averaged 115,000 viewers a day during April. That's a 14 percent increase over April of last year.

tom jones' two cents



The latest from the world of sports

Toughest jobs in sports

This week, former Lightning defenseman, and one of the world's all-time pranksters, Marc Bergevin, was named to one of the toughest jobs in sports: general manager of the Canadiens. Bergevin is taking over a below-mediocre franchise in a city with high expectations and higher passion. And not only does he have to deal with a demanding media, he faces a competitive one that comes at him in two languages.

Here's my list of the most difficult jobs in sports in terms of dealing with the media and the public:

1. Manager, Yankees

2. General manager, Maple Leafs

3. (tie) Starting quarterback, Jets

3. (tie) Starting quarterback, Giants

5. Manager, Red Sox

6. General manager, Canadiens

7. Head coach, Cowboys

8. Head coach, Knicks

9. Commissioner, Major League Baseball

10. Owner, Rays

Three things that popped into my head

1. Evan Longoria, Mariano Rivera, Derrick Rose, Amare Stoudemire, Terrell Suggs. Can you remember a stretch in which we had so many serious injuries to so many superstars across several sports?

2. Andy Pettitte, right, now says he might have misunderstood Roger Clemens when the former pitcher told him he used human growth hormone. Really? Don't you think you would know for sure whether your best buddy told you something like that?

3. NBC NHL analyst Pierre McGuire was believed to be a finalist for the Canadiens' general manager's job. Selfishly, hockey fans should be happy he did not get it, so he can continue being the best hockey analyst on TV.

Sports Emmys

The Sports Emmys, recognizing the best in sports television, were awarded Monday night.

In the individual awards, Bob Costas of NBC and MLB Network was named best host. Fox's Joe Buck was named best play-by-play announcer. TNT's Charles Barkley won for best studio analyst, and NBC Sunday Night Football analyst Cris Collinsworth was named best game analyst. NBC's Michele Tafoya was named best reporter.

In the two big show categories, Inside the NBA on TNT was named best weekly studio show, and MLB Tonight on MLB Network won for best daily studio show.

Media feud of the day

Radio host Dan Patrick, top left, who can be heard in the Tampa Bay area on WQYK-AM 1010 from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays, is angry with ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd, bottom, who can be heard at the same time on WHBO-AM 1040.

Patrick interviewed former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner on Thursday about a variety of topics, including Junior Seau's death and the Saints' bounty scandal. He then asked Warner if he wanted his kids to play football; Warner said no.

ESPN ran Warner's answer and credited Patrick, who used to work at ESPN. Cowherd then conducted an interview with Warner on Thursday and asked the same question, which bothered Patrick.

On his show Friday, Patrick said of Cowherd: "You were lazy yesterday, and you know that."

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Friday, May 4, 2012

BROOKSVILLE — Charley Combs went into the U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying tournament on March 31 through April 1 at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, knowing he was a long-shot and determined not to let the results dictate his future in wrestling.

In his first time in competition in five years, the 25-year-old showed some rust, but he also learned some things about himself and the way he needs to be dedicated to training going forward.

And, he decided, he will keep training.

"I knew I was going to come out of (this tournament) having my questions answered and being able to walk away, or I was going to have my curiosity piqued," Combs said. "I left a little more curious and definitely know I want to get back on the mat again."

Competing in the 74-kilogram (163 pounds) weight class in the Greco-Roman bracket, he was awarded a first-round bye.

Combs was then involved in a gritty second-round bout with Joey Kubica from Dubuque, Iowa. He lost 2-0 in the first period to Kubica after being flipped for the lone two-point score.

The close first-period score gave him confidence that resulted in a 1-1 second-period tie, but it meant Kubica got the victory.

Although Combs fell in that first match, it showed that he had the ability to match up with some of the best grapplers in the country, even after his extended layoff.

"In the first match, I was a little tentative," he said, "but I'd say that once I got that first round out of the way, I felt a lot better out there."

His second match, this time in the consolation bracket, came out in a similar way. He struggled in the first period, tied in the second, and ended up with a hard-fought loss.

Both of Comb's matches can be seen on YouTube by searching for "Charley Combs."

A former state medalist for Hernando High and captain of the wrestling team at King College in Tennessee, Combs has been saddled with injuries for much of his career. This tournament showed that when he is healthy and focused, he said, he can still wrestle with some of the best in the country.

"I wanted to be able to weigh in and compete to be relevant," he said. "I felt like I accomplished those things."

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 4, 2012

TAMPA — As usual, it's a busy spring for Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher, who stopped at Raymond James Stadium on Friday night for "Noles Night at the Cove," one out of 15 booster gatherings he'll speak at in a five-week span.

Fisher took a few minutes between a plate of barbecue and pictures with fans to speak with the Times about the season ahead, local high school standouts emerging as Seminoles stars and FSU's return to Tampa Sept. 29 to face USF at Raymond James Stadium. Friday's event drew more than 500 fans, and Fisher took home a $25,000 check from the Tampa Bay Seminole Club toward an indoor practice facility.

Q: Since you're in Tampa, we'll ask about sophomore running back James Wilder, the Plant graduate who was arrested in February and suspended from the team, then reinstated midway through spring drills last month, scoring a touchdown in FSU's spring game. What did you see from Wilder this spring and where does he stand entering the fall?

A: "He's doing very well right now, very well in school. Really thought he had a good second half of spring when he came out. He really understands what he's doing, so he can use that big body and that athleticism. I was very pleased with the spring he had. He catches the ball out of the backfield, he blocks, he runs with power. He's much quicker and faster than people think. He can really add a different dimension to our team. Sometimes, a mistake like that … it made him realize how much he loves ball, how much his future meant to him. He's been outstanding since then."

Q: You have other local stars, like Tampa Catholic's Christian Green, who caught 26 passes as a redshirt freshman last fall. How does he fit in this season?

A: "Very athletic. Plays the slot very well, learning to play outside much better. Very good with the ball in his hands, great runner with the ball. Very strong, very physical. Still learning the receiver position. You know, he was a quarterback in high school. That's what everybody forgets. He's really understanding what he's doing and we expect him to have a very good year. We've got to get the ball in his hands. … (Alonso DT) Demonte McAllister had a very good spring, thought he emerged very big, very strong, a very good pass rusher and successful guy inside. (Hillsborough DT) Moses McCray got healthy this spring. We are excited to see him play. He's a heck of an athlete.

Q: You mentioned sweeping Florida and Miami two years in a row, but you'll also be back in this stadium in late September to face USF, which got a big win in Tallahassee back in 2009. How big is a game like that in the first month of your season?

A: "It's a big game. It's an in-state game. We always talk about a state championship and you add one more team to that. South Florida has a great program. Coach (Skip) Holtz is doing a very good job. It will be a very tough nonconference football game, especially being on the road down here. It'll be a very tough challenge, a lot harder than people think."

Q: This past weekend, Florida's college programs went without a first-round pick in the NFL draft for the first time since 1980. Is there anything you'd point to for the state's down year in the draft?

A: "You've obviously had a lot of coaching transition and, I think, recruiting prowess. There's still great players here. I think you've seen in the last couple of years, we've done a much better job of keeping those kids at home and getting some guys. Things go in cycles, and they'll recycle right back through."

Q: FSU's athletic department made headlines this week with news that the Seminoles had a $2 million shortfall in its athletic budget. Does it concern you that a program as successful as FSU would have such a problem?

A: "I know they'll get it worked out. I'm just coaching football. I've got enough problems on my own, and they'll work the budget issues out. We're the only (school) in NCAA history to have all 19 teams go to postseason play. That's never been done, and we've done it two years in a row. We'll keep having success and people will keep supporting us. I don't think it'll be a big issue."

Times wires
Friday, May 4, 2012

LouIsville, Ky.

Hot pace. Muggy day. One of the deepest, talented fields in years.

That's a delicious stew with all the ingredients for an unpredictable Kentucky Derby.

The 20-horse field for today's race is so stacked that unbeaten Gemologist is the third choice on the morning line. In other years, he would be the talk of the Derby. In this one, early favorites Bodemeister and Union Rags grabbed the spotlight. Still, some very talented colts could go off at big odds, such as I'll Have Another at 12-1 and Take Charge Indy at 15-1, and whose jockey, Calvin Borel, has ridden longshot Derby winners twice in five years.

"This is the best bunch I've seen in a long time," four-time Derby-winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas said. "I was out there riding next to some of them, and let me tell you, this is a (great) group."

Lukas will saddle one of the longest shots, 50-1 Optimizer.

"History tells us that you can't throw anyone out," said Todd Pletcher, a former Lukas assistant who has two Derby starters, including Gemologist.

Some strong contenders — Hansen, for example — have had the most success running at or near the pace. But their task is complicated by the presence of speedball Trinniberg, who could be enough of a pest on the front end to compromise any horse willing to keep pace.

If the early fractions in the 11/4-mile race are fast enough, they could set up well for a deep closer such as Dullahan, Daddy Nose Best or I'll Have Another.

Three-time Derby winner Bob Baffert, who trains 4-1 favorite Bodemeister and longshot Liaison, called it "one of the toughest Derbys I've been in probably the last 10 years."

"I've brought some really good horses here, and they were the best horse, but they got beat," he said, referring to Lookin At Lucky, the 2010 race-day favorite who was trapped on the rail and finished sixth. In 2001, his heavy favorite Point Given wound up fifth.

Bodemeister, ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, goes into the starting gate staring down 129 years of Derby history. The last horse to win without racing as a 2-year-old was Apollo in 1882.

Union Rags, the 9-2 second choice ridden by Julien Leparoux, is the best horse that trainer Michael Matz has brought to the Derby since he won with undefeated Barbaro in 2006. "I was lucky enough once," he said. "It's hard to believe you can get lucky twice."

Matz trains the strapping colt for Phyllis Wyeth, a former steeplechase rider paralyzed from the waist down in a 1962 car accident. She is married to painter Jamie Wyeth, whose father was renowned artist Andrew Wyeth.

Gemologist, undefeated in five races and trained by 2010 Derby winner Pletcher, has been overshadowed by the other entrants after doing most of his training in Florida.

Like Baffert and Pletcher, Steve Asmussen has two horses — Daddy Nose Best and Sabercat — as he seeks to end a 0-for-10 skid. He came close last year when Nehro finished second to Animal Kingdom.

"(Winning the Derby) is definitely on the bucket list," he said.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 4, 2012

TAMPA — QB Jordan Jefferson would probably like to forget about the last time he shared a field with S Mark Barron.

Barron and Alabama held Jefferson and LSU to 92 total yards in a 21-0 win in the BCS national title game Jan. 9. The Tigers crossed midfield once, with 7:58 left in the game, and Jefferson went 11-of-17 for 53 yards and one interception.

When the Bucs' rookie minicamp began Friday, there was Jefferson as a tryout player and Barron beginning his career after being a first-round draft pick last week.

Barron, who made two tackles in the title game, spent most of Friday on a separate field

"I actually didn't have a chance to see him that much," Barron said. "He's a good player, a good quarterback. So I wouldn't mind having him (on my team) at all."

Jefferson and other undrafted players were unavailable for comment.

Coach Greg Schiano said he was intrigued by Jefferson and wanted to take a closer look: "He's a big, strong-armed athlete that we wanted to see just where he is in his development as a quarterback."

MINICAMP, MULTIPURPOSE: The Bucs are using the rookie minicamp to accomplish different goals for different players.

Drafted players such as Barron, CB Keith Tandy (sixth round), LB Lavonte David (second) and LB Najee Goode (fifth) learn drills and techniques that will help them during offseason workouts and training camp.

Undrafted players who were signed, such as Iowa State CB (and ex-Largo High QB) Leonard Johnson, are being evaluated on how they might help the team. Meanwhile, a group of about 40 tryout players have a chance to earn an invitation to training camp.

"We're utilizing all three fields," Schiano said. "Our draft picks, we know, are going to be with us (at camp). So we're teaching more in-depth techniques to them.

"The other two fields we're … doing some drills that we normally wouldn't do at Buccaneers practice but drills you would do if you went to work a guy out at a college campus.

"(Friday) was real productive. I think we gathered a lot of information."

RUTGERS REUNION: Schiano isn't afraid to reach back to his roots for coaches and players. That includes former Rutgers DT Gary Gipson, 29, a backup for the Rams last season who signed Thursday.

Gipson, born in Plant City and raised in upstate New York, had three sacks in 16 games (one start) last season. He started 16 games for the Rams in 2010 (no sacks) and also has played for the Ravens and Panthers.

"Gary is an incredibly hard-working guy," Schiano said. "He trains back in New Jersey. So I know the people who train him, and I think he can help us. I think he can add depth. Competition's always good."

Times staff writer Stephen F. Holder contributed to this report.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 4, 2012

TAMPA — Although there hasn't always been a consensus among his coaches, Bucs rookie Lavonte David believes he was born to be a linebacker.

He believed that even when he was a 65-pound peewee player riding the bench in Miami's talent-rich inner city. He knew it when he watched one of his heroes, Bucs great Derrick Brooks, return an interception for a touchdown during Super Bowl XXXVII three days after his 13th birthday.

And David remained certain it was his destiny even when a high school coach suggested he was better suited to play safety.

"I've played linebacker my whole life," David said. "And I started playing football when I was 6 years old."

That refusal to see himself as anything else has helped bring David to this point, where he is seen as the Bucs' likely starter this upcoming season on the weakside, the position Brooks played for 14 seasons.

Friday marked the first time this year's second-round pick donned a Bucs jersey and helmet as the team conducted the first day of a three-day rookie minicamp at One Buc Place.

And just like he has for years, David came prepared to answer questions about his ability to play the only position he has loved. Listed at 6 feet 1, 233 pounds (He was listed at 225 at Nebraska.) but considered undersized, David knew he would have to confront doubts again.

"On the size, I don't care what anybody says," David, 22, said.

"I've been doubted about my size my whole life. But playing in two different conferences (Big 12 and Big Ten at Nebraska), I (played against) better competition and prevailed in both and made All-American. I was doubted coming into the draft because of my size, but hopefully I can just improve on what I did in college."

The college resume convinced the Bucs to trade up 10 spots to draft David. He was a tackling machine for the Cornhuskers after transferring from Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College, registering 285 over two seasons.

"Just really a very productive linebacker," Bucs coach Greg Schiano said Friday. "At Nebraska, he played a position similar to what we think he can play here. He's a run-and-hit guy who has great instincts, locates the football and is good in pass coverage as well."

That's basically the job description of a weakside linebacker, a position at which the Bucs have a vacancy after Geno Hayes signed with the Bears this offseason.

David can't replace Brooks, an 11-time Pro Bowl pick. But the Bucs would settle for him becoming the sideline-to-sideline playmaker they believe he can be.

David seems aware of the oppor­tunity before him, but his humility won't allow him to make any assumptions.

"You have to earn everything you get," he said. "That's how I was brought up ever since I was playing little league football. My parents put that mentality in my head. I had respect for those guys at Nebraska, and I'll have the same respect for these guys here.

"I knew (the Bucs) needed some help (at linebacker). But you can't take anything for granted. I'm going to try my best and continue working and when it's time to play, be ready, whether it's on special teams or whatever."

Whether he plays special teams remains to be seen, but David will play linebacker.

The last coach who doubted his ability to play linebacker — at Miami Northwestern High — was swiftly proved wrong. David went on to star for the state and national champion Bulls.

"I came in with intentions of playing linebacker," David said. "(My coach) saw me and tried to move me to safety. But the linebackers coach wouldn't let me. So I stayed at linebacker."

Right where he belongs.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@tampabay.com. Follow him on Twitter at @HolderStephen.

Times wires
Friday, May 4, 2012

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rosie Napravnik insists she is just another jockey. She is one with champion's credentials now.

Napravnik on Friday became the first female jockey to win the Kentucky Oaks in the race's 138 years, keeping Believe You Can near the front, then pulling away from Broadway's Alibi in the $1 million race for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.

"I wouldn't say there was pressure because the expectations were nobody had ever done it before," Napravnik, 24, said after her first Grade 1 stakes victory. "It's great for all the women in the industry, in the world. I'm just happy."

In the fillies' counterpart to the Kentucky Derby, Napravnik broke through after finishing second in the 11/8-mile race last year aboard St. John's River behind Plum Pretty.

The victory also gave trainer Larry Jones his second Oaks victory after winning in 2008 with Proud Spell. That celebration was cut short when his star filly, Eight Belles, broke down and was euthanized after a second-place finish in the Derby the following day.

"At that point, we kind of forgot we had won the Oaks," Jones said. "We're going to enjoy this one."

BY ANY OTHER NAME: Derby favorite Bodemeister is working on his third name.

The colt got tagged Bradelberry after being purchased for $260,000 by Ahmed Zayat. Zayat said the name was for Brad Weisbord, his racing manager at the time. When Weisbord left, Zayat felt a name change was in order.

In August the colt became Graham N Spike for Graham Mandl, a Zayat family friend, and Spike, Mandl's dog. But Zayat and his son, Justin, had second thoughts. A month later came Bodemeister, a nickname for trainer Bob Baffert's 7-year-old son, Bode, who is named for Olympic skier Bode Miller.

jockey bounces back: Jockey Javier Castellano was put on a stretcher and into an ambulance after a spill in a race just before he was scheduled to ride Grace Hall in the Kentucky Oaks, then returned in time to mount the race favorite.

Castellano, who appeared to have an abrasion on his cheek, left the ambulance and walked unaided into the jockey's room following the spill in the 10th race aboard Star Channel. The horse pulled up clean.

Castellano was scheduled to ride Gemologist today in the Kentucky Derby.

JOCKEY ARRESTED: Robby Albarado was indefinitely suspended from racing by Churchill Downs stewards after he was arrested and charged with accosting a woman who said she was trying to break up with him. The arrest came hours before he was scheduled to ride Hard Not to Like in the Oaks. He was charged with fourth-degree assault and released on his own recognizance, Louisville authorities said. His arraignment was set for Tuesday.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 4, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays felt for Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Thursday while shagging flies in batting practice.

"It upset me," manager Joe Maddon said Friday.

"It's unfortunate," RHP Jeremy Hellickson said.

But that doesn't mean Rays pitchers will stop their pregame routine of chasing batting practice flyballs.

"Of course not. I don't want it to go away," Maddon said. "That's one of the ways they try to get into shape. If we want to stop doing that, then we're going to have to have every guy picked up on a daily basis by a limousine and brought to the ballpark. They're not a bunch of china dolls, and you can't lock them up. They're baseball players. They're having a good time. Part of it is conditioning. Part of it is routine."

RHP James Shields said he loves shagging flyballs. "It makes you feel a little athletic," he said, smiling. "If they need an extra outfielder, I'm good to go."

Considering batting practice can be boring for a pitcher, fielding the flyballs can be fun.

"If you have any anxiety, you get it out of you," LHP J.P. Howell said. "And it's a way to keep in shape other than being bored in the weight room doing it on the Elliptical (machine) or treadmill. It's definitely a good way to get some cardio in."

Howell said Shields, Hellickson and LHP David Price are among the team's best at shagging flyballs. Hellickson said Price "definitely has the most energy out there." RHP Kyle Farnsworth enjoys taking ground balls in the infield.

"We're out there pretty much every day doing it," Hellickson said. "You really don't hear about that (type of injury) ever."

Maddon said Rivera's injury was "very freakish," comparing it to when Angels 1B Kendrys Morales broke his left ankle jumping on home plate in a walkoff victory celebration in 2010.

"Stuff happens, and you can't understand why sometimes," Maddon said.

BACK TO BASICS: Maddon said Hellickson looked a lot more like the pitcher who won the 2011 American League rookie of the year award in his last start against the Mariners.

Hellickson said he threw 90 percent fastballs and changeups and only a handful of cutters in the no-decision. It was his first game without issuing a walk since Sept. 4. Hellickson had 32 walks and 29 strikeouts in his previous 10 starts. "It feels good to get back on track," he said.

Great scott: DH Luke Scott overtook 3B Evan Longoria for the team lead in RBIs with his two-run single Friday in the 7-2 win against the Athletics. Scott has 21 RBIs in 23 games this season after racking up 22 in 64 games last year with Baltimore. "He understands his swing," Maddon said. "He actually could probably be a very good hitting instructor at some point in his life."

mea culpa: With Price at 106 pitches entering the ninth and a six-run lead Friday, Maddon didn't want to extend him, especially considering Price threw 119 and 117 pitches in his previous two starts.

So Maddon turned to RHP Brandon Gomes, who struggled in allowing two hits, including a homer, and one walk, and hitting a batter. But Maddon took the blame. It was Gomes' first appearance since April 26.

"I've just got to get him out there more often to keep him sharper," Maddon said. "That's my fault."

RHP Joel Peralta finished the game with the first one-out save of his career.

MISCELLANY: A hit given to Mariners C Jesus Montero in the first inning Wednesday was changed to an error on Sean Rodriguez. That dropped Shields' ERA from 3.70 to 3.05. … OF Josh Sale, a 2010 first-round draft pick, was promoted from extended spring to Class A Bowling Green. … OF Sam Fuld will speak at All Children's Hospital Family Diabetes Day at 11 a.m. today in the outpatient care center across the street from the hospital, at 601 Fifth St. S, St. Petersburg. … Maddon will manage his 1,000th game for the Rays tonight.

Times wires
Friday, May 4, 2012

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A lost ball didn't cost Tiger Woods at the Wells Fargo Championship. A lost game did.

Coming off his worst performance as a pro at the Masters, Woods didn't make a birdie on any of the par 5s Friday on another day of low scoring and wound up with 1-over 73 to miss the cut (1-under 143) for only the eighth time in his career.

Nick Watney shot 8-under 64 and had a one-stroke lead after the second round of the PGA Tour event over Webb Simpson (68) at 12-under 132.

Woods, like at the Masters, attributed his problems to his old swing under Hank Haney.

"It just that I get out there and I want to get comfortable, and I follow my old stuff," said Woods, who was at par 144. "And I hit it awful."

It was the first time Woods missed the cut twice at the same event. He failed to qualify for the weekend in 2010 when he had just returned from the adultery scandal in his personal life.

His worst shot of the day led to something stranger than Woods not making a cut.

Going for the green on the par-5 fifth, Woods hooked his approach some 30 yards left of the green and over the gallery. There was a mad scramble by the gallery to get to the ball. When Woods arrived, the ball couldn't be found.

Tour official Mark Russell, speaking to several people who saw the ball land and fans surround it, determined someone took the ball. He had Woods drop where spectators said they saw it without a penalty.

He got no argument from Geoff Ogilvy, who was playing with Woods and was near the green when he hit his second shot from the fairway. Ogilvy said he saw the ball drop from the trees, though he never saw it hit the ground because it was behind the spectators.

"It got picked up for sure," he said.

Champions: Tom Lehman had an eagle and five birdies on the first eight holes of the back nine to shoot 7-under 65 for a one-shot lead after Round 1 of the Insperity Championship at the Woodlands, Texas. Fred Funk and Tom Jenkins were tied for second.

Times wires
Friday, May 4, 2012

Conference USA announced Friday that it is adding five schools in 2013, including Florida International.

Commissioner Britton Banowsky said that in addition to the Miami school, Charlotte, Louisiana Tech, North Texas and UT-San Antonio join the league in all sports, with Charlotte joining in football in 2015.

"This move to Conference USA is about providing greater opportunity for our student-athletes and our fans," FIU president Mark B. Rosenberg said.

Charlotte rejoins after several years in the Atlantic 10. Louisiana Tech and UTSA leave the WAC; FIU and North Texas leave the Sun Belt.

C-USA loses Houston, SMU, Memphis and Central Florida to the Big East in 2013.

The Virginian-Pilot reported that Old Dominion was weighing whether it wanted the expense of moving up from Division I-AA to I-A football.

Also, the Mountain West said WAC programs San Jose State and Utah State will join in 2013.

GATOR TRANSFERS: Florida linebacker Graham Stewart, a sophomore, will transfer. The Connecticut native cited personal reasons. "I have some personal family issues that have caused me to evaluate how far I am away from home,'' Stewart said. In the Gator Bowl in January, Stewart returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.

CLEMSON STAR ARRESTED: Clemson All-American receiver Sammy Watkins was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and a controlled substance. He and soccer player Amadou-Tidiane Daniel Dia were stopped by university police.

BASKETBALL: Kentucky coach John Calipari got a raise after winning the national title. The remaining seven years of his deal are now worth $36.5 million. Three assistants also got multiyear extensions, announced on the day President Barack Obama greeted the team at the White House.

TRACK: The USF women were tied for sixth and the men were ninth after three events each at the Big East meet in Tampa.

Times wires
Friday, May 4, 2012

Reds 6, Pirates 1

PITTSBURGH — Johnny Cueto remained unbeaten, giving up seven hits in his first complete game of the season for the Reds. The right-hander struck out three without a walk to improve to 4-0 and lower his ERA to 1.32. Zack Cozart and Drew Stubbs homered on consecutive pitches in the seventh inning off Pittsburgh starter Kevin Correia to give Cincinnati plenty of breathing room. Jay Bruce later added his eighth homer of the season off Chris Resop.

Times wires
Friday, May 4, 2012

Tigers 5, White Sox 4

DETROIT — Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to rally the Tigers. The Tigers trailed by a run when Alex Avila hit a one-out single, and Peralta ended it with a homer to right-center. "It's the best moment you can feel," Peralta said. "The first home run this year, and walk-off. It's not bad, huh?" Chicago had led 4-2 after Gordon Beckham's tiebreaking two-run shot in the seventh.