By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer


Thursday, July 26, 2012

TAMPA — He has lost 20 pounds, dramatically altering his physical appearance, and has shorter hair. But Josh Freeman believes he is still growing as a quarterback.

Along with his shrinking waistline, the 6-foot-6, 237-pounder knows he must reduce his interceptions and says he will benefit from a new coach, offensive coordinator and supporting cast.

One year after throwing 25 touchdowns and six interceptions, Freeman fell to 16 touchdowns and 22 interceptions last season. The result was a 4-12 record and a hit to his reputation as a rising young quarterback.

"Last season, a lot of things didn't go our way," Freeman said. "A lot of things didn't go my way. But in that, there's a lot to learn from the standpoint of trying to step out of the system, trying to make too many plays, trying to do things when in actuality, as a quarterback, the offense is going to get you there."

Between the firing of coach Raheem Morris and the hiring of Greg Schiano, Freeman decided to rededicate himself to his craft. The first step was getting into the best physical condition of his life. Freeman cut out late-night runs to Taco Bell and hooked up with Grant Gregory, the former Kansas State and Tampa Bay Storm quarterback who worked as a trainer in Harbour Island.

Gregory, who is described by Freeman as always carrying Tupperware "with vegetables, chicken, all that stuff," taught Freeman to eat properly. That and a workout regimen put in place by Bucs strength and conditioning coach Jay Butler enabled Freeman to go from 257 pounds to 237.

"It was a number of lifestyle changes," Freeman said. "After the season last year, the time in between coaches, I had a good discussion with (former offensive coordinator) Greg Olson, and we talked about a number of things, one of which was trying to be at your best, trying to be a pro at everything, not just football, but in your life, lifestyle habits. … I wanted to take the steps and be excellent with my diet, with exercise, with working out year round."

"Everybody is like, 'Oh, did you get faster? Did you lose a little strength?' I can't say I got noticeably faster. I can't say I got noticeably stronger or weaker. But I feel good. Flexibility, throwing the ball. … I feel physically great."

Freeman's decline last season mirrored that of his teammates. Mike Williams was among the league leaders in dropped passes, and the run game struggled.

"We had a lot of breakdowns in a lot of areas," guard Davin Joseph said. "Up front, I didn't feel we played good enough to help Josh. There were a lot of players who could've done better for Josh. We like to focus in on the quarterback a lot. You give him all the praise when he wins, all the bad when the team loses. But we forget it's a team sport.."

This offseason, the Bucs filled a grocery list of needs on offense for Freeman, starting with the signings of receiver Vincent Jackson and guard Carl Nicks and drafting of running back Doug Martin in the first round.

"He has a bad taste in his mouth about last year and has a focus about him," offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan said. "There's a look in his eye that's kind of similar to the look in Eli Manning's eye as far as having a bad year and hearing some criticism and wanting to put that behind him and move forward. He's putting in the time, he's putting in the work and progressing nicely and getting into a good rhythm with his receivers and developing a command of the offense."

How big is this year for Freeman? His contract runs through 2013, and he and the Bucs would like to work toward an extension. That's the real skinny.

"Each year, you constantly learn and grow," Freeman said. "That's what I've got to keep doing this year, finding ways whether it be in practice, in preparation, in footwork, throwing the ball — constantly trying to improve."

Times staff
Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have traded defensive tackle Brian Price, a second-round pick in 2010, to the Chicago Bears and waived wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe, among other moves announced today.

Here is the official release from the team:

BUCCANEERS TRADE DT PRICE TO CHICAGO BEARS; MAKE ADDITIONAL ROSTER MOVES

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced today that they have traded DT Brian Price to the Chicago Bears for an undisclosed 2013 draft pick, pending a physical. The team also announced that they have signed LB Thomas Williams to a two-year contract, as well as waived WR Dezmon Briscoe and DB Devin Holland.

Williams enters his third season in the NFL after spending last year with the Carolina Panthers. In 2011, he played in seven games and started two, recording 11 tackles and four passes defensed. Williams has played in 15 career games, He originally entered the league as a fifth-round pick (155th overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2008 NFL Draft.

The team additionally announced they have placed DE Da'Quan Bowers and CB Derrick Roberson on the Active/Physically Unable To Perform list and T Donald Penn on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 26, 2012

TAMPA — The Bucs followed an offseason of change with two moves on the first day of training camp Thursday.

They traded defensive tackle Brian Price to the Bears for a seventh-round pick and released receiver Dezmon Briscoe.

Price's trade to Chicago is contingent on him passing a physical, the Bucs said.

The team did not comment on motives, but both players had off-field issues during the offseason.

Price, a second-round pick in 2010, has struggled during his first two seasons. A rare condition in his hamstring and pelvic areas limited him to five games as a rookie. And he struggled to cope with the recent death of his sister, which left him so physically and emotionally drained, he required hospitalization.

Price, 23, whose three career sacks came over 15 games last season, also was involved in an altercation during offseason workouts with first-round pick Mark Barron, reportedly getting in a fight with him. Afterward, Price and the Bucs agreed he would spend the rest of the offseason at his home in Los Angeles.

"I needed my family," Price said earlier this week. "I was down and out. I never felt like this before. They felt it was right for me to be with my family and that's what I needed the most."

The trade leaves the Bucs even thinner at defensive line. Already missing is end Da'Quan Bowers, perhaps for the season, because of a torn Achilles sustained during the offseason.

Moving Price means tackle Amobi Okoye, signed during the offseason, could play a bigger role. The Bucs also signed tackle Gary Gibson during the offseason. He started 22 games for the Rams over the past three seasons.

The Bears were elated to pick up Price, general manager Phil Emery telling Chicago reporters, "This is a very talented player when he came out of the draft. He fits our system; very explosive player off the ball, very reactive.

"He has struggled some in the last year. He's a player that needs a new home, and we're excited to bring him to Chicago."

Speaking to the Chicago Sun-Times, Emery added, "(Price's) agent called us first because of our scheme and our fit. He really knew the player would fit and the player, right off the bat, said, 'I'm so excited.' He started naming the Chicago Bears roster. So he definitely has been studying us also."

That suggests Price's agent, Chuck Price, had a hand in brokering the trade, though the Bucs declined comment on any aspect of the deal.

After appearing in only two games as a rookie in 2010, Briscoe caught a team-high six touchdowns in 2011. He missed some voluntary offseason workouts because of an undisclosed family matter.

The Bucs did not cite that as a reason for his release, Briscoe's agent Erik Burkhardt said. But he and his client said there were blindsided.

"We were definitely surprised. Dez loved it there," Burkhardt said. "He had six touchdowns and led the team in what was basically his rookie year. Very few receivers catch six touchdowns when they're the No. 3 guy on an offense that doesn't score much."

"But I respect it. Greg (Schiano) is the head coach. And Dez is really appreciative of the organization because they gave him a chance to get his career started."

In other moves:

• Linebacker Thomas Williams signed a two-year deal. Last season, his third, he had 13 tackles in seven games (two starts) for the Panthers.

• Safety Devin Holland was waived. He appeared in four games last season, making two tackles.

• Bowers and cornerback Derrick Roberson (undisclosed injury) were placed on the physically unable to perform list. They can be activated at any time during the preseason. If they begin the season on it, they must miss at least six weeks.

By Tyson Wallerstein, Times Correspondent
Thursday, July 26, 2012

What's hot: Tarpon and sharks are at the top of the list for those who want to do battle with summer giants. Tarpon are becoming more abundant along the bay bridges at night.

Tactics: Tarpon cruise the shadow lines under bridges at night looking for shad, ladyfish, crabs or shrimp. Anchor up tide of the shadow line and float back a live lady fish right to the edge. During the day, the tarpon are rolling around bridges and deeper areas in the 10- to 15-foot range that attract schools of shad. Cast sinking plugs to rolling fish, or free-line fresh cut shad or mullet on the bottom.

For sharks, such as 3- to 5-foot blacktips or bigger bulls, set up in deep water adjacent to shallow flats, areas that are holding schools of fry bait, which usually has terns working the surface. Keep a fresh chum block out and fish with oily baits on the bottom such as shad, mullet or ladyfish.

Tyson Wallerstein runs Inshore Fishing Charters in the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area and can be reached at (727) 692-5868 and via email capt.tyson@hotmail.com.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Thursday, July 26, 2012

LONDON

When she walks into the arena, you will notice the flag in her hands and the smile on her face.

Not that long ago, you might have noticed the sword in her hands and the tears in her eyes.

The best Olympic stories always begin at the bottom, when an athlete's insides are twisting in agony. That's where the golden journeys usually begin, on the wrong side of a scoreboard.

And so it was with Mariel Zagunis, who will serve as flag bearer when the United States marches into the Olympic Stadium tonight. Once, she was as upset as any athlete you could imagine, and then she won in one of the biggest upsets of them all. Because of that, the finest athletes her country can offer will walk in her footsteps.

Here, in the year of the female athlete, who could be better?

This, after all, is the 40th year of Title IX, the legislation that has made the women of the United States such a force in the Olympics.

For the first time, more women are on the United States team (268) than men (261).

For the first time, every nation in the Olympics has a female athlete. Here's the thing they have in common: None of them wants to get into a sword fight with Zagunis, not on a castle wall and not in competition.

Ah, but back to the tears. It was March of 2004, and Zagunis had just lost a 15-14 decision to Sada Jacobson in saber at the United States Olympic trials. She left the arena weeping. Her Olympic chance was over. She had taken a year away from college to train for it, and now she was destined to be haunted by that one-point difference forever.

Until Zaire exited, that is.

Weeks before the Games, Zaire decided not to send its saber fencer to the Games in Athens. That meant a slot was open for the highest-ranked women who had been left out. Zagunis had fresh mettle.

Weeks later, she won the gold, the first fencing gold for the United States in 100 years. As far as upsets in the Summer Olympics go, you can put that one up with Rulon Gardner and Billy Mills and the '72 Russian basketball team.

Four years later in Beijing, Zagunis did it again, this time beating Jacobson in the final.

Evidently, her teammates were paying attention. It took four tries to break a tie in the voting for the 2012 flag bearer, but the flag ended up in the hands of Zagunis. Now, as she says, all she has to worry about is "not tripping and not letting the flag touch the ground."

In the history of the Summer Olympics, only five other women have carried the flag for the United States. Before 1972, the year Title IX was enacted, there had been one. Forty years ago, 21 percent of the United States team was female. This year, it is 51 percent.

None of that is lost on Zagunis, 27.

"I am where I am today because of the women who paved the way for me, basically," Zagunis said. "They were the ones who fought for our rights. I grew up with so many opportunities that maybe wouldn't exist in another time. For me, it wasn't whether I would play a sport, it's what sport I would play. It wasn't whether I could go the Olympics, it's how many I would go to."

Four decades later, you can still get into a fairly spirited debate over Title IX and how it affects the rest of college athletics. For women's athletics, however, it is the law that changed everything, the legislation that allowed American women to be among the best in the world.

Tamika Catchings, the U.S. basketball player, can recite all the names: Wilma Rudolph and Althea Gibson and Billie Jean King and Cheryl Miller, who had to struggle for everything they got along the way. Then she mentions another name: Wanda Catchings.

"My mother and I used to go to the playground, and then we would race home, and she would always win," said Catchings, 33. "She was fast. She could have run track or played tennis or competed in anything she wanted to compete in, but she never had the opportunity."

"I've talked to some of these women and heard their stories," said Catchings' teammate Sue Bird, 31. "I never didn't have an opportunity. Sports are important. You learn a lot of things about working with others that you use in whatever job you end up with."

Things like resiliency when things seem hopeless. Things like success when no one expects it. Things like the achieving of dreams.

For Zagunis, and for the rest of the United States women, that's sort of the point.

Times wires
Thursday, July 26, 2012

Sprint Cup

What: Brickyard 400

When/where: Saturday, qualifying (ESPN, 2 p.m.); Sunday, race (ESPN, 1 p.m.), Indianapolis.

Fast facts: NASCAR said Thursday it's considering no longer guaranteeing starting spots to the top 35 drivers in points and adding provisional spots. There is no timetable for a decision. … Jeff Gordon has a series-high four victories at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Standings: 1. Matt Kenseth, 707; 2. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 691; 3. Greg Biffle, 667; 4. Jimmie Johnson, 656; 5. Denny Hamlin, 628; 6. Kevin Harvick, 622; 7. Tony Stewart, 618; 8. Martin Truex, 617; 9. Clint Bowyer, 614; 10. Brad Keselowski, 613.

Nationwide

What: Indiana 250

When/where: Saturday, qualifying (Speed, 12:30 p.m.), race (ESPN, 4:30 p.m.), Indianapolis

Fast facts: The series is racing at historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time, on the oval course, and a quick swapout will be needed after the Grand-Am Series runs its debut race on the road course today. … Trucks regular Ty Dillon, Austin Dillon's brother, is entered.

Standings: 1. Elliott Sadler, 675; 2. Austin Dillon, 664; 3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 656; 4. Sam Hornish Jr., 633; 5. Justin Allgaier, 597; 6. Michael Annett, 569; 7. Cole Whitt, 550; 8. Mike Bliss, 491; 9. Danica Patrick, 443; 10. Brian Scott, 430; 11. Joe Nemechek, 421.

Formula One

What: Hungarian Grand Prix

When/where: Today, practice (Speed, 8 a.m.); Saturday, practice, qualifying (Speed, 8 a.m.); Sunday, race, (Speed, 8 a.m.), Budapest

Fast fact: Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel has one victory this year — in Bahrain in April — after 11 last season.

Standings: 1. Fernando Alonso, 154; 2. Mark Webber, 120; 3. Vettel, 110; 4. Kimi Raikkonen, 98; 5. Lewis Hamilton, 92; 6. Nico Rosberg, 75; 7. Jenson Button, 68; 8. Romain Grosjean, 61; 9. Sergio Perez, 47; 10. Kamui Kobayashi, 33.

NHRA

What: Sonoma Nationals

When/where: Today, qualifying; Saturday, qualifying (ESPN, 7 p.m., taped); Sunday, final eliminations (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Sonoma, Calif.

Fast fact: Last year at Sonoma, Antron Brown won the third of his six 2011 Top Fuel victories.

Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Spencer Massey, 1,071; 2. Antron Brown, 1,060; 3. Tony Schumacher, 990. Funny Car — 1. Robert Hight, 1,060; 2. Ron Capps, 994; 3. Mike Neff, 863. Pro Stock — 1. Allen Johnson, 1,104; 2. Greg Anderson, 1,085; 3. Jason Line, 1,072. Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Eddie Krawiec, 714; 2. Andrew Hines, 670; 3. Hector Arana, 574.

Trucks

Next: Pocono Mountains 125, Aug. 4, Long Pond, Pa.

Standings: 1. Timothy Peters, 395; 2. Ty Dillon, 372; 3. Justin Lofton, 365; 4. James Buescher, 360; 5. Parker Kligerman, 346; 6. Matt Crafton, 345; 7. Ron Hornaday Jr., 334; 8. Joey Coulter, 322; 9. Nelson Piquet Jr., 302; 10. Jason White, 295.

IndyCar

Next: Honda Indy 200, Aug. 5, Lexington, Ohio

Standings: 1. Ryan Hunter-Reay, 362; 2. Helio Castroneves, 339; 3. Will Power, 336; 4. Scott Dixon, 301; 5. James Hinchcliffe, 286; 6. Tony Kanaan, 279; 7. Simon Pagenaud, 276; 8. Dario Franchitti, 258; 9. Ryan Briscoe, 241; 10. Graham Rahal, 237.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor
Thursday, July 26, 2012

Solunar chart

AM PM

Minor Major Minor Major

7/27 12:55 7:00 1:10 7:30

7/28 1:45 7:50 2:00 8:20

7/29 2:35 8:55 3:05 9:15

7/30 3:30 9:45 3:55 10:10

7/31 4:25 10:40 4:50 11:10

8/1 5:20 11:30 5:40 0

8/2 6:15 12:00 6:50 12:40

Making news

Hammerhead sharks Among those protected

Summer is when many gulf anglers like to catch big sharks. These toothy predators can be great sport, but conservation-minded fishermen should remember that several species are categorized as threatened and, as a result, are protected.

As of Jan. 1, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has prohibited the possession, sale and exchange of tiger sharks and great, scalloped and smooth hammerhead sharks taken in state waters. These sharks can still be caught and released.

If you plan to target these sharks during peak season, use tackle heavy enough to land the fish quickly and improve its chance of survival upon release. If possible, keep the fish in the water and use a dehooking device. Use nonstainless steel hooks because if you can't get a clean release, the hook will dissolve quickly in the salt water. Non-offset circle hooks help prevent gut-hooking the shark.

Anglers can keep one shark per person or two sharks per vessel. There are roughly two dozen overfished, vulnerable or rare shark species that are catch-and-release only in Florida waters. To learn more, go to MyFWC.com.

Things to Do

Raise a sail

If you want to learn about wind-powered watercraft, the Tampa Sailing Squadron in Apollo Beach (1250 Apollo Beach Blvd.), is hosting sailing expos on Saturday and Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Both events will feature seminars on cruising, racing and sailing for kids and adults. Boat ownership is not required, as skippers are looking for crew members. The Tampa Sailing Squadron has club-owned boats available for members. To learn more, go to sail-tss.org, or call Julie Stocksdale at (727) 418-5119.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor
Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Hawaiians call it the "Channel of Bones," the body of water 26 miles wide and more than 2,000 feet deep that separates the islands of Molokai and Oahu. Also known as the Molokai or Kaiwi Channel, it is the blue-water paddlers' version of Mount Everest.

"It is one of the most treacherous bodies of water on the planet," said stand-up paddleboarder Christian Cook of St. Petersburg. "But if you want to make your mark, it is something you just have to see sooner or later."

Every summer for 15 years, the world's top watermen — a term islanders use to describe men and women who ride big water — gather for the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship. This year's 16th crossing is Sunday.

The hundreds of paddlers who participate come from California, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand and most recently, Florida, to compete in what is widely viewed as one of the most grueling open-water races in the world.

On a good day, the ocean swells can top 12 feet. The fastest paddlers can cover the 32-mile course in less than five hours. But most competitors are happy just to finish.

"I thought I was in good shape until I got out there and paddled it the first time," said Cook, who completed Molokai crossings in 2009 and 2010. "It is the most physically demanding thing that I have ever done."

Pure stoke

Cook, a 45-year-old father of three, describes himself as an "eternal optimist." He joined the Army right out of high school. "It was great. Three meals a day and place to sleep. It was awesome," he said.

Afterward, he spent more than a decade managing restaurants. "You have to know your people … work as a team," he said.

Then one day about seven years ago, he saw a magazine photograph of big-wave surfing legend Laird Hamilton on a stand-up paddleboard.

"I told my wife, 'That's for me,' " he said. "I've just got to do it. And once I got a taste, I was addicted."

The sport, which originated in Hawaii, was beginning to gain momentum in the Sunshine State.

"It was still pretty new," he said. "So I threw everything I had into it."

Cook quickly realized that anybody could paddle, and paddle well, if they put their mind to it. He began offering classes for beginners and on-the-water fitness sessions for the more advanced. Eventually he opened a shop on Madeira Beach called NRG Salt.

"It is all about the lifestyle," he said. "Once you start paddling you won't want to do anything else."

From Hawaii and back

Nobody knows for sure who first stood up on a tandem surfboard and got it moving with an extra-long outrigger canoe paddle.

Some credit Leroy Achoy, a legendary Hawaiian surfer who used to paddle a large surfboard along the break at Waikiki taking photos of fellow wave riders in the 1970s.

Others believe stand-up paddleboards (SUPs for short) can be traced to the early 1900s and the father of surfing and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, Duke Kahanamoku.

The sport went mainstream in the early 1990s, thanks to Hamilton, a 6-3, 215-pound Hawaiian waterman probably best known for an American Express commercial that showed him sliding down the face of 100-foot wave on a "strap-in" surfboard.

Today, nearly 20 years after the first modern SUPs appeared on the scene, paddleboarding is the fastest-growing water sport. Kids, women, seniors … it seems like everybody is paddling Florida's warm, calm waters.

But for the hard-core competitors, the Molokai Channel is still the ultimate challenge.

"I always tell my boys that anything is possible," Cook said. "If you see a star, don't be afraid to reach out and grab it."

So Sunday, Cook will be making the crossing again, this time as part of one of two relay teams consisting of local paddlers of varying skill levels and experience.

There will be two teams of three: Cook, Kacie Wallace and Marc Shen; and Dana Hart, Chad White and Shane White. In addition, there will be two local solo paddlers: Eric Shamas on a traditional prone board and Dr. Patrick Klemawesch on a SUP.

"It is one of those things that you will never forget," Cook said. "And that is what life is all about."

To learn more, call Cook at NRG Salt, (727) 260-2362, or go online at nrgsalt.com.

Times wires
Thursday, July 26, 2012

Cardinals 7, Dodgers 4

ST. LOUIS — David Freese and Matt Carpenter each had three of the Cardinals' season-high 18 hits as St. Louis answered the Dodgers' four-run fifth with four runs in the bottom half. "I just for whatever reason got a little sloppy with my location," said Chris Capuano, who dropped to 0-4 with a 7.90 ERA at Busch Stadium.

Times wires
Thursday, July 26, 2012

Blue Jays 10, A's 4

TORONTO — Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer to wake up a Blue Jays team stung by a 16-0 loss the day before. Kelly Johnson added a solo shot to help end the A's seven-game win streak. "Guys just kind of relaxed and put up better at-bats the rest of the game," manager John Farrell said of Encarnacion's shot. "We didn't miss as many pitches in the strike zone."

Times staff, wires
Thursday, July 26, 2012

7:30 p.m. – Midnight Ch. 8

• Opening ceremony

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 26, 2012

Rays at Angels

When/where: 10:05 tonight; Angels Stadium, Anaheim, Calif.

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

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Alex Cobb (4-7, 5.05)

Angels: RH Dan Haren (7-8, 4.76)

On Cobb: He has lost four of his last five starts but feels fine after suffering a lower right leg bruise his last time out, forcing him to leave after two innings. He is 1-0 with a 4.22 ERA in two career starts vs. the Angels.

On Haren: He allowed just two runs in six innings against the Rangers last time out. He is 6-2 with a 2.69 ERA in 11 career starts vs. Tampa Bay.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Haren

Jeff Keppinger 4-for-11

Ben Zobrist 2-for-21

B.J. Upton 9-for-26, 4 HRs

Angels vs. Cobb

Erick Aybar 1-for-5

Torii Hunter 2-for-4

Mark Trumbo 2-for-5

On deck

Saturday: at Angels, 9:05, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (6-7, 4.23); Angels — C.J. Wilson (9-6, 2.89)

Sunday: at Angels, 3:35, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (5-6, 3.42); Angels — TBA

Rays disabled list

(with eligible-to-return date)

C Robinson Chirinos, concussion, 60-day, June 5

* OF Brandon Guyer, left shoulder surgery, 60-day

3B Evan Longoria, left hamstring tear, 60-day, June 30

RHP Jeff Niemann, right leg fracture, 60-day, July 14

* out for season



Scott's surprise

DH Luke Scott, top, was happy to fulfill a promise by giving C Jose Lobaton ice cream after his first big-league homer Wednesday. Scott said he found chocolate Haagen-Dazs "hidden" in the clubhouse and draped a towel over his left arm before serving it in the dugout. He might do it again, saying, "I believe in the reward system."

Quote of the day

"I think the ball is in our court now. If we do what we can do, and play to our capabilities … I think we should be fine, and find ourselves back at home right back in the hunt."

RHP Alex Cobb, on facing the wild-card contender Angels and A's

Number of the day

21 2/3 Scoreless inning streak by the Rays bullpen, which was ended Thursday by Orioles LF Chris Davis' solo homer off RHP Burke Badenhop in seventh inning.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 26, 2012

. Up next

at Angels

(Tonight-Sunday)

What's new: The Angels (54-45) entered Thursday tied for the wild-card lead, having rebounded from early season struggles. They've been sparked by rookie OF Mike Trout, who leads the league in batting average (.356), runs (94) and steals (31), and RF/3B Mark Trumbo (27 homers). 1B Albert Pujols looks more like his old self, with 15 homers and 43 RBIs in his last 55 games, though he has been nursing a bruised right elbow. The Angels entered Thursday second in the league with a .277 average and have 30 homers this month.

Key stat: 2B Howie Kendrick's .396 career average against Tampa Bay is the best among active players.

Connections: RHPs Fernando Rodney, Joel Peralta, C Jose Molina and first-base coach George Hendrick are former Angels. Rays manager Joe Maddon spent 31 seasons in the organization, including 12 on the big-league staff. Angels RHP Jason Isringhausen is an ex-Ray, and C Bobby Wilson is a St. Petersburg College product. Pitching coach Mike Butcher held the same position for the Rays in 2006.

Series history: The Rays swept a three-game series at Tropicana Field (April 24-26) and have won seven of the past nine meetings. The Angels lead the all-time series 78-52, including 42-21 in Anaheim, Calif.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 26, 2012

Training camp

Where: One Buc Place, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, just east of Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Admission: Free

Et cetera: All practices are weather permitting and subject to change. For updates, go to Buccaneers.com.

Schedules

Public practices

Today: 8:45 to 11:30 a.m.

Sat.: 8:45 to 11:30 a.m.

Sun.: 8:45 to 11:30 a.m.

Wed.: 8:45 to 11:30 a.m.

Aug. 3: 8:45 to 11:30 a.m.

Aug. 4: 6:30 to 9 p.m. *

Aug. 6: 8:45 to 11:30 a.m.

Aug. 7: 8:45 to 11:30 a.m.

* Intrasquad scrimmage at Raymond James Stadium; free parking, autograph sessions, $1 hot dogs and soft drinks, and fireworks

Preseason

Aug. 10: at Dolphins, 7:30, Ch. 10

Aug. 17: Titans, 7:30, Ch. 10 *

Aug. 24: Patriots, 7:30, Ch. 10 *

Aug. 29: at Redskins, 7:30, Ch. 10

* Subject to blackout

Paralyzed tackle 'retires' before camp opens

Eric LeGrand's pro career won't include highlights or memorable wins. And he'll never enjoy the thrill of running out of a tunnel in a stadium packed with fans.

But having been a part of an NFL roster is more than enough.

LeGrand, coach Greg Schiano's paralyzed former defensive tackle at Rutgers, announced his retirement Thursday. The Bucs signed LeGrand in May to allow him to fulfill a dream that seemed impossible after he broke two vertebrae and sustained a spinal cord injury Oct. 16, 2010, during a kickoff return against Army.

"Making it to the NFL was my dream," LeGrand said in a statement released by the Bucs. "But now I want to see my team as strong as possible at the start of training camp. I'm a Buc for life."

It's expected LeGrand will have a relationship with the team as long as Schiano is the coach. Look for him to attend a game or two in Tampa this season in his motorized wheelchair. And LeGrand, a New Jersey resident, plans to meet up with the Bucs when they travel to the Meadowlands to play the Giants on Sept. 16.

Schiano said LeGrand suggested it was time to give up his roster spot for the good of the team. (Officially, he was moved to the reserve/retired list.)

"Typical Eric," Schiano said. "He wanted us to be at full strength. Obviously, you know he's not going to play. At some point, you knew he was going to retire. But he's hook, line and sinker.

"He's all Bucs."

One-liner

Schiano's first practice in Tampa, an April minicamp, became famous for one line he never thought would catch on.

He didn't know the line would stick when he barked at players to get on the yard lines during stretching, yelling, "Toes on the line! Toes on the line!"

When it came up Thursday, Schiano laughed.

"Wow did that line get blown out of proportion," he said. "My own children hit me with it."

Stephen F. Holder, Times staff writer

Times wires
Thursday, July 26, 2012

NHL

Semin signs one-year deal with 'Canes

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Hurricanes signed RW Alexander Semin to a one-year, $7 million deal on Thursday.

Semin spent his first seven seasons with the Capitals and is one of 18 players to average at least 30 goals over the past six seasons. (His 27 goals against Carolina are his most against any team.) Last season, he had 21 goals and 33 assists.

"Alexander's elite skill level … fill an important need on the ice," Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said in a statement released by the team. "We hope that a fresh start in Carolina will serve both Alexander and our team well."

In the statement, Semin called the Hurricanes "a great fit for me."

Flyers: RW Jakub Voracek re-signed for four years and $17 million. He came to Philadelphia before last season in the deal that sent C Jeff Carter to Columbus and had 18 goals and 31 assists.

Labor: The union and league discussed pensions, training camp and ice conditions as talks in Toronto concluded for the week. They are set to resume next week in New York. The current deal ends Sept. 15. The union said it's waiting for financial information from the league before submitting a proposal.

College football

Ex-Miami coach heads to TCU

TCU hired former Miami coach Randy Shannon as linebackers coach. Shannon was one of the nation's top defensive coordinators before becoming Hurricanes coach in 2007. He went 28-22 before getting fired late in the 2010 season. Since then, he has visited several NFL and college teams, including TCU.

Arkansas: Coach John L. Smith said WR Marquel Wade, WR Maudrecus Humphrey and TE Andrew Peterson, arrested in May for burglary, won't play this season. They are accused of stealing textbooks, DVDs, laptops and about $4,800 from a dorm. A trial is set for Aug. 27.

USF: The school will get $12.47 million — $7.17 million in products, $4.22 million in cash and $1.08 million in advertising — under its new deal with Under Armour that runs through 2018. That's nearly triple USF's previous deal with the apparel company.

Et cetera

Soccer: Peter Nowak, fired as coach of MLS' Philadelphia Union last month, sued it. Nowak, who seeks $150,000, alleges his contract called for him to be warned about any deficiencies and be given time to cure them but he was fired without warning (and the team ninth in the 10-team Eastern Conference). In its termination letter, the team said Nowak berated and intimidating other employees, forced injured players to play and subjecting players to hazing. The Union did not return a message left with it.

Horses: Paynter, which finished second in the Belmont, was made the 3-2 favorite in a six-horse field for Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

Bowling: Katie Verbil threw the best three-game series in women's history, 879 — 300, 300 and 279 — in a Battle of the Sexes competition late Wednesday in Wichita, Kan. She opened with 33 strikes then left a 10-pin, which she picked up. She broke the record of 878 set by Karen Rosenburg on Dec. 12, 2001.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer; Times wires

Times wires
Thursday, July 26, 2012

After a rough road trip seemingly knocked the Brewers out of contention, GM Doug Melvin acknowledged that the team is fielding inquiries for ace RHP Zack Greinke, and he likely will be traded before Tuesday's deadline.

"There are so many good things about him, it's going to be difficult when we trade him," Melvin told USA Today on Thursday.

Melvin did not detail how many teams have expressed interest in the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner, saying only that the trade market always heats up with the nonwaiver trade deadline approaching. Melvin had been told by Greinke's agent that the pitcher wanted to test free agency after the season.

Greinke, 9-3 with a 3.44 ERA this year, is scheduled to pitch Sunday against Washington, but Nationals manager Davey Johnson said he'd be surprised if that happens. "If a ballclub's intent on making a move, they're not going to pitch him two days before the deadline," Johnson said.

Despite losing Prince Fielder to free agency in the offseason, the Brewers expected to be contenders in the NL Central. Instead, they trail the division-leading Reds by 14 games.

More Brewers: Reliever Tyler Thornburg left the game against the Nationals for undisclosed reasons in the eighth inning. He had a 3-and-2 count on a batter when manager Ron Roenicke and a trainer went out and later removed Thornburg.

Suzuki to debut in Bronx: New OF Ichiro Suzuki will make his home debut as a Yankee tonight against the Red Sox, an atmosphere he did not experience with the Mariners and one he is looking forward to.

"When I watch it, sometimes I thought of it kind of like a fight," Suzuki said through his Japanese interpreter. "A physical, fighting atmosphere type of game …"

"Now that I'm on the home side, I'm not sure what to expect, what the reaction would be. But I'm definitely excited."

Sidelined 3B Alex Rodriguez said he knows what's ahead: "I think he's going to love New York and I think New Yorkers are going to love him."

Ripken kidnapping: Police in Aberdeen, Md., are still investigating the curious circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and release of Cal Ripken Jr.'s 74-year-old mother, Violet. She was found bound but unharmed in her car Wednesday morning, a day after being abducted at gunpoint at her house, blindfolded and driven around by her kidnapper, police said. He left her in her silver Lincoln Continental near her house in Aberdeen.

Police spokesman Lt. Fred Budnick could not explain how the man could have driven back into the neighborhood to drop off Ripken in her car at the same time officers were already in the area investigating. Investigators said the kidnapping was peculiar, especially since there was no ransom demand. It was also unclear whether the abductor, who has not been found, has any ties to the Ripken family.

Blue Jays: Manager John Farrell said LHP Ricky Romero, who has lost six consecutive starts, will make his scheduled start Monday at Seattle.

Cubs: The team offered to send RHP Ryan Dempster to the Dodgers for RHP prospect Allen Webster, but the Dodgers rejected the proposal and instead seem to want former Ray Matt Garza, CBSSports.com reported.

Pirates: RHP Kevin Correia was sent to the bullpen to make room in the rotation for newly acquired LHP Wandy Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who was traded from the Astros on Tuesday, will pitch against his former team Saturday. Erik Bedard, who was scheduled to start Saturday, will be pushed back to Monday. Correia, who is on a six-game winning streak, is unhappy with the move, but says he will "have to live with it."

Times wires
Thursday, July 26, 2012

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — Stacy Lewis made seven consecutive birdies and tied the Evian Masters record with 9-under 63 in the opening round Thursday.

Her birdie flurry from holes 5-11, plus two more on 17 and 18, helped Lewis to a two-shot lead over Hee Young Park.

"I didn't really have anything going the first few holes. I don't know what changed or clicked," Lewis said. "It was just one of those days where you get into this rhythm. I was more happy to finish with the two birdies than even the seven, just to get some momentum going into tomorrow."

Lewis, a two-time winner this year, matched three-time champion Helen Alfredsson's 63, set in 2008.

"I know I've made six (birdies) in a row before, but I don't know if I've made seven … I almost made eight," Lewis said. "I definitely think this is one of the lowest rounds I've ever shot."

IIlhee Lee finished three shots behind Lewis. Mariajo Uribe and Mika Miyazato are four behind after 67s. Paula Creamer shot 68.

Michelle Wie finished at 73 as did Seminole's Brittany Lincicome. Top-ranked Yani Tseng and Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse had 76.

PGA: Scott Piercy kept his cool in the rainy first round of the Canadian Open.

The quick-tempered American roughed up defenseless Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ontario, shooting 8-under 62 to take a one-shot lead.

"I get really mad generally," Piercy said. "That's something that I have to very much control. And it's a lot easier to control when you're playing well. … It's something that I constantly have to work on. I'm kind of a perfectionist in an imperfect game."

Piercy eagled the par-5 fourth and 17th holes and had five birdies and bogey in the rainy conditions to match the competitive course record set by Warren Sye in the third round of the 1991 Ontario Amateur.

Ernie Els, the British Open winner Sunday at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, opened with 72.

Champions: Bernhard Langer shot 6-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead over Mark McNulty after the first round of the Senior British Open in Turnberry, Scotland. Langer, who won the 2010 tournament at Carnoustie, had six birdies. Tom Lehman, Michael Allen, David Frost, Jay Don Blake, Dick Mast and Chien Soon Lu shot 66. Tom Watson opened with 69.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 26, 2012

BALTIMORE — When Rays OF Sam Fuld came off the disabled list to make his season debut Tuesday, manager Joe Maddon wondered how sharp he could be right away.

But Fuld, who missed nearly four months due to right wrist surgery, has appeared in midseason form, going 5-for-9 with two RBIs, a double, a steal and a walk while playing in all three games in the Orioles series.

"I'm happy with the way things have gone; I can't ask for a whole lot more," Fuld said. "The bonus is that my wrist feels good, and I feel like playing three consecutive days hasn't hindered me."

Fuld has as many hits in the series (two starts) as he had in 10 minor-league rehab games for Class A Charlotte and Triple-A Durham, where he batted .161 but believed he had his timing down. Maddon said Fuld is "frisky" and has shown an organized strike zone, pointing to his opposite-field double in the seventh as a good sign.

"I felt good coming into it," Fuld said. "I obviously didn't expect to necessarily get that many hits that soon, but I was confident going in."

LEANING LEFT: The Rays acquired INF Jeff Keppinger in the offseason for his ability to consistently hit left-handed pitching.

Keppinger has done that and more, hitting .450 against lefties and is the only active Ray hitting over .300 overall (.320). Maddon said Keppinger's at-bats against righties have been "fantastic."

"He's morphed into our most consistent hitter on a nightly basis, regardless of who is pitching," Maddon said.

Keppinger, who has spent some of his career as a utility/reserve player, said it's a product of getting more opportunities. He has seized the extra playing time that came available when 3B Evan Longoria (partially torn left hamstring) got hurt.

"It's tough playing every six, every seven days and expecting to be successful," Keppinger said. "So getting to play every day makes you feel more comfortable and get into a groove."

GOING DEEP: RHP Alex Cobb said there have been no lingering effects from the lower right leg bruise he suffered in his last start, when a ground ball struck him and ended his outing after two innings.

"Nothing should be different than any other start," he said.

But what Cobb would like to change is how deep into the game he goes. He lasted just 3 1/3 innings in the start before he was struck by the grounder. He last went six innings July 6 against Cleveland.

"It feels like forever since I went out there and had five or six quality innings," Cobb said. "So I'm looking forward to it."

Cobb, who is 2-7 with a 5.72 ERA in his last nine outings, said he has spent extra time going over video of his starts to see what he can do better, and he has sharpened his mechanics. "I feel great," he said.

TOUGH TASK: The Rays travel to face the wild-card co-leading Angels, who look much different than the struggling group Tampa Bay swept in a late-April series at Tropicana Field. Rookie OF Mike Trout, called up soon after that, has sparked a turnaround, and 1B Albert Pujols ended his homerless streak in a big way (18 homers, 61 RBIs).

"They've gotten really good," Maddon said. "Trout has made a huge difference out there. Pujols has picked it up like you knew he would. (RF/3B Mark) Trumbo isn't bad, either. They've got more youthful and a little more powerful; quite a formidable opponent."

Said Cobb: "There's not an easy out in the lineup."

Longoria watch: Longoria went 0-for-3 (fly to center, pop to first, pop to second) with a walk for Triple-A Durham on Thursday in his first game of a rehab assignment.

MISCELLANY: OF Matt Joyce extended his hitting streak to a season-high seven games. … New 3B Ryan Roberts made his second straight start and has reached base in five of his first eight plate appearances (including three walks and a two-run homer). Said Maddon: "His at-bats have been stellar."

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

Times wires
Thursday, July 26, 2012

CLEVELAND — Asdrubal Cabrera singled home the go-ahead run in a four-run seventh inning as the Indians rallied to beat Tigers ace Justin Verlander 5-3 on Thursday.

Carlos Santana and Travis Hafner tied it at 3 by homering on the first two pitches of the inning by Verlander.

Joe Smith threw two pitches to get the win. He got Miguel Cabrera to ground into an inning-ending double play in the top half.

Vinnie Pestano pitched the eighth and Chris Perez the ninth for his 29th save in 31 chances. Perez struck out Quintin Berry with runners on first and third.

Jason Kipnis followed Cabrera with another RBI single as Cleveland dropped Detroit a half-game behind the idle White Sox in the AL Central.

Verlander came in with a 6-1 record in seven outings since June 14. He had a three-hitter until the Indians got six hits in the seventh.

Santana stunned the right-hander by slamming his first pitch deep to right-center for his eighth homer. Hafner hit a towering shot to the same area for his 10th of the year.

Times wires


Thursday, July 26, 2012

Jeff Demps, who finished his Florida Gators football and track careers last season, has been added to the U.S. track team in the 400-meter relay pool.

Demps replaces Mike Rodgers, who sustained a stress fracture in his left foot. The four-time NCAA sprint champion finished seventh in the 100 at the U.S. trials in 10.27 seconds.

Demps said he got the call at 7 a.m. Tuesday. "I was halfway asleep," the Winter Garden native told the Orlando Sentinel. "It didn't hit me right away. I am really excited to be added to the team. It is an honor and a privilege."

bolt: i'm fine: Defending 100 and 200 champion Usain Bolt said he is "ready to go" after an aggravated hamstring sparked by back stiffness kept him out of a meet last weekend in Monaco. "Now I'm great," both events' world record-holder said. "I've been training great for the past 21/2 weeks. Everything's coming together." Bolt will be Jamaica's flag bearer at today's opening ceremony.

men's soccer begins: Japan upset Spain 1-0 on the first day of the tournament Thursday. Brazil held on for a 3-2 victory over Egypt, and host Britain, playing in its first Olympic competition since 1960, had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Senegal. Uruguay and Belarus also won.

u.s gym injury: World vault champion McKayla Maroney likely will compete in only that event when the U.S. women begin the team competition Sunday. Maroney said she reinjured a toe she had broken before a competition in Chicago two months ago at her first Olympic training session in England last week.

ousted Twitter poster bitter: The Greek triple jumper who was kicked out of the Games for a racist post on Twitter said she was sleepless and bitter, and thought her punishment was excessive. "I am trying to stay calm. Otherwise I would lose control," Paraskevi Papachristou told Reuters. Papachristou, who apologized for the post after being booted from the team by Greek officials Wednesday, said her main emotion was bitterness. Papachristou had fewer than 900 Twitter followers at the time of her post; by Thursday night she had more than 8,400.

no hijab in judo: Saudi Arabia's female judo competitor will not be allowed to wear a head­scarf, called a hijab, during her matches. Asian federations allow them, but in London the veil has been deemed dangerous by the international federation. Judo includes strangleholds and chokeholds, and organizers think that could prove even more painful if there's something to tug. The international federation also doesn't want politics or religion involved in the competition.

diving ticket troubles: With the start of the diving competition four days away, London organizers are in the process of informing some ticket holders they may have obstructed views. The 600 seats in question have problems only for the platform events, which start Monday. Small portions of the dives may not be visible. The Aquatics Centre features a dipping roof that limits viewing from the highest seats. Organizers say they will give refunds to any ticket holders unhappy with the obstructed views. The obstructed view tickets cost between $46 and $77.

flag fallout: North Korea's International Olympic Committee member, Chang Ung, wants organizers to guard against future mistakes such as the one Wednesday when a South Korean flag was shown on a video scoreboard as a North Korean soccer player was introduced before a game. Chang proposed Olympic officials meet with team leaders before each medal ceremony to confirm that the correct flags and anthems are being used.