By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — What went wrong for the Rays on Wednesday was painfully obvious.

The extraordinarily errant throw past the plate that allowed two runs to score. The pop-up that should have been caught but wasn't, leading to three runs. The misplaced bunt that took them out of a potential big inning.

And those were just Elliot Johnson's contributions as the Rays, most significantly, gave away two games in the standings with a 6-4 loss to the Yankees.

"We played and pitched well enough to win, absolutely we did. But we didn't," manager Joe Maddon said. "They're good. They took advantage of our mistakes, they win."

But Maddon, as is his wont, preferred to look at what they did right, winning two of the three games overall, getting to within 2½ games of the again American League East-leading Yankees and, at 75-62, staying 1½ behind the wild-card co-leading A's and Orioles, who both lost.

"Two out of three is not bad; I'll take it," Maddon said. "Prior to this series, roll back the tape, would have signed up for it in that moment. I'll take two out of three right now and move it from there. We picked up a game as they leave town. I think we picked up a lot of confidence also. I know our guys believe that we can beat these guys."

They'll have one more chance — at least in regular-season play — Sept. 14-16 in New York. First, the Rays, after today's off day, host Texas then play at Baltimore. And they will still have 16 games left after they leave Yankee Stadium.

Matt Moore pitched well, part of an overall 15-strikeout effort, done in as much by the defense as anything he did wrong, over 61/3 innings. ESPN studio analyst John Kruk claimed Moore was tipping his pitches, but Maddon said it couldn't have been much of a problem as Moore struck out nine: "If they knew what was coming, then he had really great stuff."

Moore said the issue has come up before, as he tends to pump his left hand when throwing a fastball, but that it's much more apparent on TV, from the centerfield cameras, then to the batters. "There could be a case to be made there," he said. "We'll have to look at some film."

Johnson's most costly mistake came in the seventh, score tied at 4. The Yankees had men on second and third with one out and Derek Jeter up, the Rays had the infield in and Kyle Farnsworth got the ground ball they wanted, pretty much right to Johnson. But with Ichiro Suzuki running he rushed and sailed it several feet wide of the plate.

"I did my best to try to get rid of it as quickly as I could and get it there as fast as I could," Johnson said.

Said Maddon: "That play if it's made right there … I think we could have won the game under those circumstances."

In the second, the Rays, leading 1-0 before another half-empty Trop crowd of 16,711, had men on second and third with one out when Maddon called for a bunt, but Johnson pushed it right back to the mound. In the fourth, Johnson went back for a Jeter blooper, with Sam Fuld charging in, and got his glove on it but didn't hold it (though it was scored a hit), leading to three Yankees runs.

"It's a tough one to take," Fuld said. "It's disappointing. But all in all, if we keep winning two out of three then we'll be in pretty good shape."

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

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — This was never the plan. Not in a game like this. Not with so much on the line.

Out of all the discussions the Rays might have had, out of all the contingencies they might have considered, he was never supposed to be the player committing a gaffe that might haunt a baseball team for some time to come.

He is Elliot Johnson, after all. Role player. Spare part. Afterthought. He was never supposed to be the player to break your heart.

Yet, there he was, hands on his hips, anguish on his face after his throwing error in the seventh inning allowed two runners to score in a 6-4 loss to the Yankees on Wednesday night.

There for a second it looked like the Rays were going to get out of trouble. The infield was in, and the pitch was good, and the ground ball was routine. Johnson, the second baseman, double-clutched, then threw wildly to the third-base side of home plate. One run scored, then another, and an opportunity to move within a half-game of first in the AL East had been thrown away.

"That's the play that cost us the game," Johnson said later, the camera lights bouncing off the still-fresh scars on his face that came from running into a catcher in Friday night's game against Toronto. "You never want to be in that situation. You never want to be that guy. But I'm a grown man. I can handle this sort of stuff."

Yes, he kept saying, he should have made the play. No, he said, that he hadn't played much lately shouldn't have made a difference. Give him that, at least. For a long time, the 28-year-old stared into the questions and absorbed the blame.

"It's actually not as difficult a play as I made it seem," Johnson said. "The only thing that made it difficult was time. I know Ichiro (Suzuki, who scored the first run from third). I didn't think I could take my time and make a throw (to get him at home). I had to get it to (catcher Jose Lobaton) as quickly as possible, and it was offline. I've seen the replays enough. It was a bad throw."

It was a bad moment, too, for a player who has been more than anyone had a right to expect. For much of the season, Johnson has been a tough out, and until early June, he was a solid defender. As the season has gone along, however, Johnson's glove has become a little shakier. Going into Wednesday night's game, Johnson had committed 10 errors in the team's previous 67 games.

So, yeah, you can blame Johnson for a lousy throw. Certainly, a major-league infielder should be able to make an accurate throw home from the infield grass.

On the other hand, why was Johnson out there to begin with? After all, Johnson had started only seven games of the previous 28. It was his first appearance at second base since May 11. Why dust him off and start him in a game as big as this one? Why put him in the middle of this kind of moment?

"I was trying to get as many left-handed bats in the lineup as I could," manager Joe Maddon said. "And I wanted to give Ryan Roberts a break. Elliot had been our starting shortstop for, what, a quarter of the season? He works hard. He plays hard. He cares. He just made a mistake."

By Johnson's count, he made two. Johnson had a chance to make a catch on Derek Jeter's shallow popup to center to start the fourth, but the ball bounced out of his glove as centerfielder Sam Fuld approached. The Yankees went on to score three times in the inning.

"I should have made that play, too," Johnson said. "I feel bad that Matt Moore gave up those runs."

Yes, it happens. Still, this was a shame for the Rays. You can't help but wonder what sort of mental state a sweep would have left the Yankees in. As it was, New York was reduced to having before Wednesday's game the same sort of team meeting the common people have. What's next? A seance in which a medium conjures up images of the late George Steinbrenner, who would promptly yell at everyone?

Instead, the rich kids from the big city salvaged one game of the series. Just a thought here, but by the end of the season, that game might be a big one. The ones that get away often are.

Listen to Gary Shelton from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays on 98.7-FM The Fan. Follow him on Twitter at @Gary_Shelton.

Times wires
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Rangers 7, Royals 6

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Adrian Beltre hit a three-run homer, Michael Young also went deep and the Rangers held on. Ryan Dempster won his fourth straight, giving up just RBI doubles to Billy Butler and Salvador Perez. Beltre homered off Everett Teaford in the first, and Young hit a solo shot off Vin Mazzaro during a three-run seventh.

Times wires
Thursday, September 6, 2012

Mariners 2, Red Sox 1

SEATTLE — Kevin Millwood pitched six stingy innings to win for the first time in 5½ weeks and Seattle sent Boston to its eighth defeat in nine games. Dustin Ackley hit a two-run single in the fourth to back Millwood, whose last victory had been on July 28. The right-hander had gone 1-8 since May 21. Tom Wilhelmsen worked the ninth for his 24th save in 27 opportunities.

Times wires
Thursday, September 6, 2012

D'backs 6, Giants 2

SAN FRANCISCO — Trevor Cahill took a no-hitter into the seventh, and Arizona won after the benches cleared after a tag play at third base. Pablo Sandoval took exception with John McDonald, who came into third base without sliding in the eighth on a force play. Diamondbacks coach and ex-Giant Matt Williams quickly stepped in.

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Thursday, September 6, 2012

The Brooksville Parks and Recreation Department is beginning another session of its First Tee of Brooksville golf program.

Open to children ages 5 to 17, the program will begin Monday and run on Mondays for six weeks. The cost is $60 per child, and preregistration is required.

First Tee focuses on golf and life skills and strives to instill nine core values into its participants: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

Donations are welcome for golf clubs, bags and balls. Volunteers are needed to assist with the classes.

For information, contact Tiffany Taylor at (352) 540-3835 or ttaylor@cityofbrooksville.us, or visit cityofbrooksville.us.

LAW ENFORCEMENT GOLF BENEFIT: The National Association of Retired Law Enforcement Officers will have its annual golf tournament Oct. 13 at the Dunes Golf Club, north of Weeki Wachee.

Sign-in will begin at 7:30 a.m., with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. There will be a prize for a hole-in-one on any par 3 hole. Food and prizes will be available in the clubhouse after the tournament.

The deadline for registration is Oct. 10. The entry fee is $55 per golfer or $220 per foursome.

For information, call Chuck Groner at (352) 666-7658.

ALZHEIMER'S GOLF BENEFIT: The Alzheimer's Family Organization will have its 12th annual Charity Golf Tournament on Nov. 10 at Seven Springs Country Club in New Port Richey.

Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m., with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. The event will consist of 18 holes of golf in a four-person scramble format. Also included with the $80 fee is breakfast provided by IHOP, lunch provided by Argento's Italian Bistro, goody bags, raffles and door prizes.

Prizes will be awarded for the top three teams, the longest drive, closest-to-the-pin and a hole-in-one. A new car and other prizes will be provided by Ed Morse Auto Plaza. Players will also have a chance to win $5,000 or a Woody driver, sponsored by the National Cremation and Burial Society. Full Circle Financial will sponsor a putting contest for a chance to win $10,000.

The Alzheimer's Family Organization serves Citrus, Hernando, northern Hillsborough, Lake, Pasco, northern Pinellas and Sumter counties.

For information, contact community service coordinator Kathy Montero at (727) 848-8888, toll-free 1-888-496-8004 or kathy@alzheimersfamily.org.

CANCER GOLF BENEFIT: The Ridge Golf Club, 34450 Whispering Oaks Blvd., Ridge Manor, will play host to the inaugural Cancer Golf Tournament on Saturday to raise money for two Centennial Middle School students in Dade City who recently were diagnosed with cancer.

Hailey Limoges, 12, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was transferred to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg to start radiation treatments. Shane Salyer, 12, was diagnosed with lymphoma in September 2009. He went into remission after a year of intense radiation treatment, but the cancer has returned. Proceeds will be split between the two families.

The event format is a four-person scramble. Entrants may bring their own team, or the club can match groups. Registration will begin at 7 a.m.; the shotgun start will be at 8 a.m.

The cost is $45 per golfer, which includes greens fees, cart and lunch. There will be prizes for closest to the pin, longest drive (men and women) and a hole-in-one, sponsored by Jarrett Ford in Dade City. There will also be prizes for the first-, second- and third-place teams, plus door prizes. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m.

For information, call Betty O'Brien at (352) 608-4800 or (248) 420-7620, or Eugenia Parlow at (352) 583-7896.

HERNANDO COUNTY RAYS DAY: The Sept. 23 Tampa Bay Rays game against the Toronto Blue Jays will benefit the Hernando County Education Foundation when tickets are purchased through the local organization.

First pitch for the Sunday contest will be at 1:40 p.m., with gates opening at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg at 11:40 a.m. The first 10,000 kids will receive a Matt Joyce bobblehead, and kids will be allowed to run the bases after the game.

Tickets in the lower box seats are available for $20 each, with a deadline of Sept. 11 for purchase.

For information, contact Frank Zito at (407) 697-0868 or fzito80@yahoo.com.

KIWANIS GOLF TOURNAMENT: Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville will play host to the seventh annual Kiwanis of Spring Hill Children Charity Golf Invitational on Sept. 20.

Proceeds will be distributed by Kiwanis Club to various local charities and organizations that benefit children.

Registration is scheduled for 8 a.m., when breakfast will be served. The shotgun start is set for 10 a.m., with a buffet lunch, awards ceremony and silent auction at the conclusion of play.

Participants may register by visiting springhillkiwanis.org. The registration fee is $110 per player or $400 per foursome. The deadline is Monday.

For information, contact Richard Sanvenero at (352) 263-7829, ext. 25, or nero280@aol.com.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS FEST: Special Olympics of Hernando County will have its Olympic Fest 2012 on Sept. 15 at Springstead High School on Mariner Boulevard in Spring Hill.

Open to all ages, from 3 years old to 40-plus, the event will raise money for Special Olympics. Seven different age groups will compete in short sprints. The entry fee is $5 for kids ages 3 to 13, $8 for ages 14 to 18 and $10 for adults over 18.

There will be vendors, live music, raffles and other games. Activities will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.

For information, email Andrea Lee Purvis at AndreaCanCreate@yahoo.com.

CRIME GOLF BENEFIT: The local chapter of the Florida Council on Delinquency and Crime is organizing a golf tournament at Brooksville County Club at Majestic Oaks on Sept. 30.

The four-person scramble will benefit facilities that assist victims, including the Dawn Center for domestic violence victims in Hernando County and the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. The registration fee is $240 per foursome or $60 per golfer for those who do not have a group.

The fee includes golf, cart and lunch. The shotgun start will be at 8:30 a.m., with prizes awarded for first, second and third place; longest drive, and closest-to-the-pin.

The registration deadline is Monday, limited to the first 100 golfers.

For information, call Tonya Griffin at (352) 797-3410.

BADDEST MUDDER: The Baddest Mudder 5K is coming to Brooksville on Nov. 3 and 4.

Baddest Mudder is a group that runs obstacle races around the Suncoast. It will be holding its first event at the Hernando County Fairgrounds on U.S. 41 in Brooksville.

The race is open to all ages, teams and skill levels. Sign-up prizes will be offered to all participants. The event includes a well-marked and defined course, food, drinks, music and field games.

The two-day event starts at 7 a.m. and runs until 4:30 p.m. each day.

Participants may sign up at baddestmudder.com. There are discounts for groups, and early-bird registration is currently open for $49.95 per runner.

Kids are welcome; organizers are offering a kids-only "Mini Mudder" pit for free.

Contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 6, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — When it comes to the Rays bullpen, closer Fernando Rodney has deservedly garnered much of the hype and an All-Star selection.

Veteran Joel Peralta is the workhorse setup man with a calming presence, right-hander Kyle Farnsworth has the pedigree, and J.P. Howell is in the midst of a spectacular bounce-back season.

Meanwhile, manager Joe Maddon said nobody is talking about lefty Jake McGee, who is emerging as a force in his first full big-league season and is a reason why this year's Rays bullpen may be their deepest group yet.

McGee, 26, is more comfortable and confident on the mound, consistently locating his mid-to-high 90s fastball enough to make him a weapon against both righties and lefties. His 2.01 ERA is second to Rodney among Rays relievers.

"It's fun to watch him, to see his demeanor on the mound," said former Rays closer Roberto Hernandez, who occasionally advises the bullpen. "With McGee, a couple years ago, he was hoping to belong. Now, when you see him pitch, he brings an aura like, 'I do belong here, so deal with it.' He's not hoping anymore."

McGee has not been charged with a run in 16 consecutive appearances, striking out 19 and allowing four hits over that 13 1/3-inning span. He was at it again Wednesday night, striking out two of the three Yankees he faced.

What has made McGee more valuable this year is how he has been "devastating" on right-handed hitters, Maddon said. Righties hit .400 off McGee last season, when he made the opening day roster but was sent down in late April due to struggles. But McGee bounced back, racking up four September wins, including in Game 162 against the Yankees, and he has been actually better against righties (.102) than lefties (.270) this year.

"I'm just throwing more strikes and attacking," McGee said. "This year, against righties, I've been able to locate my fastball away to them, and last year I wasn't able to do that and it leaked over the plate. When I'm throwing fastball away to righties now, it's running away from them, as opposed to last year it cut toward the middle of the plate."

It helps that McGee has been able to mix in his slider, which has been developing. His fastball velocity has been consistently up in the mid 90s, while, as Maddon says, his heartbeat is "very slow."

"He's very much in command of the moment, that's part of his success, too," Maddon said. "When you're out on the mound and a guy comes in, when you give him the ball, what does he look like? What do his eyes look like? Is he breathing well? What's he all about? (McGee) is outstanding, because he comes in, you bring him in during the course of an inning, and he's always good."

McGee has inherited 42 baserunners this season, tied for fifth most in the American League. And thanks to his strong strikeout-to-walk ratio (56:10), McGee can get out of jams.

"You get on a good roll on the team and pitching in big games and getting opportunities to get holds and pitching with runners on," McGee said. "The more I do that, the more comfortable I get."

Pitching coach Jim Hickey said as good as the team's 2010 bullpen was, with Rafael Soriano and Joaquin Benoit having dominant seasons, this group might be the deepest. He points to McGee, as well as Wade Davis, who has been impressive in unselfishly moving from the rotation to the bullpen (2.29 ERA). Hickey said Davis and sinkerballer Burke Badenhop could be "premier" relievers in other team's bullpens, but because of the Rays strong starting pitching and bullpen depth, they don't get as many appearances.

But, like McGee, they can get spotted in the right situations, and shine.

Said Hickey of McGee: "It's absolutely the most rewarding part of it is seeing guys come from just pups that you hope can help to guys that you count on to be productive and be winners night in and night out."

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 6, 2012

TAMPA — The Bucs confirmed Thursday what had been expected for days: Ticket sales for Sunday's season opener against the Panthers fell short and the game will not be shown on local television.

Per NFL rules, when sales do not reach a minimum threshold — in the Bucs' case that's 85 percent of nonpremium seating — at least 72 hours prior to kickoff, games are not permitted to be aired in television markets within 75 miles.

Last Friday, the Bucs said 9,000 such seats were unsold, making it unlikely they could move that many in six days. It's unclear how many seats remain unsold, but a search of Ticket­master.com on Thursday showed a number of seats at $45 and up.

There was optimism that the game could surpass the blackout threshold given the number of incentives. The game is billed as a celebration of Ronde Barber's 200th consecutive start, marked by discounted concessions, free parking and a fan giveaway.

It's also the first game of the Greg Schiano era, and the new coach has been selling his team as a group that fans can be proud of.

"We need to make the Bucs the buzz again," Schiano said Tuesday at a local chamber of commerce event. "I promise you these (players) and my coaching staff, we are going to do our part on the field. If you will do your part in your communities, we will make that stadium, Raymond James Stadium, the biggest homefield advantage in the National Football League."

Co-chairman Bryan Glazer appealed to business leaders, saying the Bucs wanted to "re-establish an atmosphere that will fuel our team and frustrate our opponents.''

Two regular-season Bucs games aired on local television in the past two seasons. In 2010, all eight regular-season games were blacked out.

This season, to address the trend, the NFL allowed teams to reduce the number of ticket sales necessary to lift blackouts. Formerly, clubs had to sell 100 percent of nonpremium seats to lift blackouts. The Bucs settled on 85 percent, the minimum allowed.

For at least this week, even that was not enough.

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

Bucs 19th in average ticket price

The Bucs rank 19th out of the 32 NFL teams in average ticket price, according to Team Marketing Report's annual Fan Cost Index. Tampa Bay averages $69.72 for a general-seating ticket, a 2.4 percent decrease from last season, the fourth-largest decrease in the league. The league average ticket price is $78.38, up 2.5 percent from 2011, the report said. The Jets topped the Patriots, who have sold out every game since 1994, for the highest price by 10 cents ($117.84). Besides the Jets and Patriots, three other teams have nonsuite tickets selling for more than $100: Giants ($111.69), Bears ($110.91) and Cowboys ($110.20). The cheapest average tickets: Browns ($54.20), Bills ($58.36) and Jaguars ($59.54). The average cost for a family of four to buy general-seating tickets, two small beers, four small soft drinks, four hot dogs, parking, two programs and two adult-size hats is $443.93, up 3.9 percent from last year, the report said. The Bucs average is $391.28, up 0.8 percent.

Times staff, wires

heady

The Bucs rank 19th out of the 32 NFL teams in average ticket price, according to Team Marketing Report's annual Fan Cost Index. Tampa Bay averages $69.72 for a general seating ticket, a 2.4 percent decrease from last season, the fourth-largest decrease in the league. The league average ticket price is $78.38, up 2.5 percent from 2011, the report said. The Jets topped the Patriots, who have sold out every game since 1994, for the highest price by 10 cents ($117.84). Besides the Jets and Patriots, three other teams have nonsuite tickets selling for more than $100: Giants ($111.69), Bears ($110.91) and Cowboys ($110.20). The teams with the cheapest average tickets: Browns ($54.20), Bills ($58.36) and Jaguars ($59.54). The average cost for a family of four to buy general seating tickets, two small beers, four small soft drinks, four hot dogs, parking, two programs and two adult-size hats is $443.93, up 3.9 percent from last year, the report said. The Bucs average is $391.28, up 0.8 percent.

Times staff, wires

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 6, 2012

TAMPA — George Baker ultimately made his own decision in signing with USF in 2008, but ask Bulls coaches, and the key to getting the coveted cornerback from Miami to back out of a commitment to Auburn was first convincing his mother that USF was the best place for her oldest child.

Stephanie Grant was a big part of Baker's college decision, which is no surprise. She has been a big part of everything in his life.

"My mom, she's a very strong, independent woman. Growing up, it was just me and her and my little brother and sister," Baker said this week as the Bulls prepared for their road challenge Saturday at Nevada. "She always did the best she could to provide for us. … We have a very close relationship. I thank her every day, tell her I love her every day."

Grant has worked the past 15 years as a security guard for the Miami-Dade County School Board. When Baker was younger, she worked two or three jobs — Winn-Dixie, Wendy's, Miami Children's Hospital — to pay the bills as a single mother. Juggling that and getting Baker to football practice wasn't easy, but she saw how much he loved the game.

"I knew there was potential when he started playing Pop Warner football. He was very small about 7," she said. "No matter where he went, he had that football in his hands."

After playing sparingly as a backup in his first three seasons, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Baker is starting as a fifth-year senior, finally finding the focus and awareness to match his speed and athleticism.

"Most importantly, I've stayed focused, kept a clear head, worked hard coming in and watching film," said Baker, who regularly watches DVDs of opponents on his laptop with USF's other starting cornerback, Kayvon Webster, also a senior from Miami.

He has built trust with his position coach, Rick Smith, who had been critical of Baker's lack of focus that led to missed assignments on key plays in last year's loss to Louisville. Smith knew he was ready Saturday — he had four tackles, one off his career high, in a season-opening win against Chattanooga — because he didn't go into a shell in the nervous final hours before the game, as he often had in the past.

"He was amongst everybody, smiling, loosey-goosey, just really relaxed," Smith said. "He's having fun. He's trying to do everything right. All my older kids, every time he did something good in the spring, they were high-fiving him. Everybody on defense wants him to succeed. Them having confidence in him has given him confidence in himself."

Grant was proud of him before the season, before he became the starter, knowing he graduated in May — in four years on campus — with a degree in interdisciplinary social sciences, with plans to work in law enforcement or corrections. Football had always provided a motivation for him academically, first needing good grades to qualify for a college scholarship, then knowing what his first priority was once he got to campus.

"I instilled in him that you need a degree," said Grant, who has been to every USF home game with her children and mother. "What happens if you get hurt? What happens when you can't play football anymore? You need that degree to get a job."

Listening to his mother got Baker to USF in the first place. USF assistants Rich Rachel and Larry Scott worked hard to convince Baker to take an official visit to Tampa with his mother, even as he remained committed to Auburn.

He had committed to the Tigers in September 2007, less than a week before the Bulls went to Auburn and pulled off an upset. Baker agreed to the visit, but insisted on bringing Grant along; the way the Bulls welcomed Baker as part of their family struck home with Grant.

"Going out the door, he was getting ready to head out. I looked right at his mom and said, 'You know he doesn't need to go to Auburn,' " Rachel said. "She said, 'We're going to talk about this all the way home. Coach, we'll be in touch.' That night, he said he wanted to come to South Florida."

Baker said he is building a relationship with his father, who wasn't around when Baker was growing up. Coaches and teammates talk about a maturity that he has found in the past four years, which showed in the classroom and is now providing benefits on the football field.

"I'm very proud of him. Very proud. I would always tell him, 'It'll all pay off in the end,' " Grant said. "He's grown up to a young man. It took him a long time to get there, but he has grown tremendously."

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 6, 2012

TAMPA — So, what will the Bucs defense look like? And what kind of offense will they run?

Few outside of the revamped coaching staff, headed by Greg Schiano, know those answers in detail. The Panthers, the opponent in Sunday's season opener, would love to know.

"You take what they do in the preseason and you try to study that," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "Then you take in what (the coaches) have done where they come from. Knowing what Coach Schiano has always been about at Rutgers, I would like to think we have an idea. But it's going to be hard. Honestly, I'd much rather open up with somebody we're familiar with. But that's the way it is, so the big thing is we just have to react. We have to be sure we're ready to make changes."

Part of the reason Schiano is reluctant to share intricate details of his schemes is to protect this advantage, one the Bucs could enjoy, to some extent, all season.

Rivera and his staff have looked for clues in watching film of Schiano's games at Rutgers, from which they gleaned some information. They've also taken into account what the Giants do on offense since new Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan — formerly of the Giants — has brought some elements with him.

Overall, Rivera expects the Bucs to mirror Schiano's personality.

"I expect them to try and play as physical as they have been," he said. "I think that's part of who Greg is. Greg's a tough-nosed, hard-nosed man. He's from the Northeast and there's a mentality they have."

Rivera predicted — accurately based on what we already know about the team — that the Bucs would feature a "power running game" on offense. Panthers QB Cam Newton thinks he has an idea of what to expect from the Bucs defense — an aggressive approach by the secondary and a lot of pressure from the front seven.

"The key to this game is execution," he said. "They play a lot of man to man, and they put their hands on the receivers — basically challenging the receivers to see whose guy is better. They expect the pressure to get to the quarterback before the receiver gets open."

Said Panthers C Ryan Kalil: "I thought they did a really good job in the preseason, especially in that third game where (the starters) really played a lot against the Patriots. We have our work cut out for us. … You saw how fast they were moving, and they'll turn it up a notch when we get into this game."

YOU AGAIN? LB Lavonte David has seen Newton before in a big game.

The two opposed each other in 2009 when their teams met for the junior college national championship. Newton's Blinn Junior College (Brenham, Texas) topped David's Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College, and David made an impression on Newton.

David earned the game's defensive MVP award after a sack of Newton and 12 tackles. Newton threw for 111 yards but rushed 14 times for 110 yards and a touchdown.

"It was a challenge," David said. "He's a great football player. He did it at Auburn, too, Division I and all."

SHORTHANDED: Cornerback is likely to be an issue for the Bucs on Sunday. On Thursday, E.J. Biggers and Anthony Gaitor were limited again, both seeming unlikely to play. That leaves starters Aqib Talib and Eric Wright, followed by Myron Lewis, undrafted rookie Leonard Johnson and Brandon McDonald, who has been with the team just longer than two weeks.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 6, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — RHP Chris Archer joins the Rays today, recalled to give the team a potential spot starter to spell RHP Alex Cobb this month.

Archer, 23, was impressive in a short stint with Tampa Bay in June, going 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA. He was 7-9 with a 3.66 ERA in 25 starts for Triple-A Durham.

Manager Joe Maddon said Cobb probably will have three starts left as the team monitors his workload because he has reached a career high in innings. So Archer provides an option to fill in for him.

Cobb threw 120 innings last season between Durham and Tampa Bay, and he is at 155 combined innings now. Though Cobb said before Tuesday's start against the Yankees that his arm feels as good as it has all year, the Rays intend to play it safe with their young pitcher.

Maddon made it clear it's not a hard-and-fast rule or a strict innings limit, saying part of the plan depends on how much Cobb has to labor in his innings, and the team hasn't thought about his possible use in the playoffs.

GOING DEEP: Considering RHP Jeremy Hellickson has had his struggles with home runs (23) this season, allowing more than he had all of last year (21), he knows he's in for a challenge tonight against the Rangers.

Texas — which going into Thursday led the majors in runs, hits, total bases, average and slugging percentage — has six players with at least 15 homers.

"I've given up my share of home runs this year, and this team — they've got me a few times," Hellickson said. "That'll be the biggest thing (tonight), keeping the ball in the ballpark."

Hellickson last faced the Rangers in Game 4 of the AL Division Series, when he gave up three homers, two to 3B Adrian Beltre, in a season-ending loss.

"One through nine, they're going to hurt you," Hellickson said. "They've got guys who will get on base for the guys in the middle of the order, and they're not guys you can take lightly, either. It's a tough team, and you've got to be on your game."

Hellickson has allowed two homers in each of his past two starts, and his 1.42 homers-per-nine-innings ratio is the eighth highest in the league. Though his numbers (8-10, 3.41 ERA) are a bit off from his 2011 rookie of the year campaign, it's not that he has pitched poorly. In his past six losses, the Rays scored a total of six runs. They have scored two or fewer in nine of his 10 losses.

Maddon said Hellickson's "stuff" is as good or better than last year despite the results. Maddon believes it's similar to the situation that involved LHP David Price, whose numbers dropped in 2011 from his 2010 runnerup finish for the AL Cy Young but was pitching better.

Hellickson was sidelined this year with shoulder fatigue and also got hit in the leg by a line drive, injuries that could have thrown him off, Maddon said.

"His season has been interrupted, that's been part of the problem," Maddon said. "There's been interruptions, and I think that more than anything has been probably frustrating. But purely as physical ability is concerned, I see better right now than what he had been last year."

By Tyson Wallerstein, Times Correspondent


Thursday, September 6, 2012

What's hot: Although it's still hot out on the water, you can already see the transition into fall. In the days after Isaac, the wind direction shifted out of the east, cleaning the waters and eventually allowing bait schools to stack up along the beach. Packs of hungry bonito and big schools of juvenile Spanish mackerel were working the surface aggressively.

Tactics: By targeting hard-bottom areas a couple of miles offshore we've been able to find larger Spanish mackerel in the 3- to 4-pound range. Live chumming with pilchards has made it easy to get the fish into a frenzy, using long-shank hooks and a 40-pound leader helps to prevent cutoffs from the mackerel while still allowing you to fool the more wary bonito.

Other signs of fall: Anglers fishing the pier in Redington Shores have had success catching redfish of all sizes and with flounder. Both of these species schoolup in the fall and can be targeted along nearshore rock piles and jetties.

What else? With the wind expected to blow a bit this weekend, staying inshore isn't a bad option. Strong outgoing tides in the morning should provide excellent action along deeper grass areas just inside the passes. Live chum and free-line live pilchards to catch a variety of fish from mackerel and trout to ladyfish and jacks.

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 Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor
Thursday, September 6, 2012

Making news

Famed artist To open resort in St. pete Beach

World-renowned marine artist Guy Harvey will be on St. Pete Beach next week for the grand opening of the first Guy Harvey Outpost in the United States. The hotel formerly known as TradeWinds Sandpiper Suites underwent more than $3 million in renovations and now has a sportfishing motif.

Harvey, a 56-year-old native of Jamaica, is a marine biologist whose realistic depictions of billfish garnered him an international following, and his T-shirts featuring top predators are everywhere.

From 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, fans can meet the artist and get autographs at the new outfitter shop, located on the lobby level of the resort (6000 Gulf Blvd.). For more information, call (727) 360-5551.

Film festival has a marine twist

The TradeWinds Island Grand, the Guy Harvey Outpost's sister property (5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach), will host a film festival at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 in conjunction with the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Symposium. The festival will feature two of Harvey's documentaries: This is Your Ocean: Sharks and Mystery of the Grouper Moon, The Sharks film, which won the MacGillivray Freeman Conservation Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival in California, stars a 12-foot tiger shark named Emma that bonds with scuba diver Jim Abernethy. Meanwhile, Grouper Moon focuses on a reef off Little Cayman Island where thousands of Nassau grouper congregate each February during the full moon. Cayman Islands conservationists persuaded the government authorities to close the reef to commercial fishing during the grouper spawning season. Admission is free. Call (727) 367-6461.

Gulf disaster part of symposium

Two years after the one of the worst environmental disasters in the Gulf of Mexico, many of the region's top marine biologists and scientists will gather at the TradeWinds Island Grand on Sept. 14-15 for the first Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Symposium. Speakers will offer updates on the Deepwater Horizon oil well spill. The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation will also present the results of its Save the Gulf campaign, which raised $500,000 for related research. Headliners include Harvey and Bill Hogarth, director for the Florida Institute of Oceanography and interim regional chancellor of USF-St. Petersburg. For a complete list of topics and speakers, go to gulffisheries symposium.com. Admission is free.

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

Solunar chart

AM PM

Minor Major Minor Major

9/7 11:20 5:10 11:50 5:35

9/8 0 6:05 12:15 6:30

9/9 12:45 6:50 1:00 7:15

9/10 1:30 7:35 1:45 8:00

9/11 2:15 8:15 2:25 8:45

9/12 3:00 9:05 3:15 9:30

9/13 3:45 9:50 4:00 10:15

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor


Thursday, September 6, 2012

In his 30 years patrolling the Everglades, former wildlife officer Tom Shirley saw his share of panthers and poachers. But it's his tales of tangling with alligators that really gets your skin crawling.

"I always tried to take the soft approach," said Shirley, who worked for the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission from 1955 to 1985. "I always tried to be as gentle as possible, because a big gator can pretty much do anything it wants to do."

Shirley, whose new book, Everglades Patrol, is available Monday, liked to climb into the water near a gator hole.

"Then I would stick my hands in there until I felt it and sort of coax it out," said Shirley, 81. "Then, when it bumped me in the belly, I'd grab it."

Shirley's system worked more often than not. "Every now and then, all hell would break loose," he said. "But that is how it goes with gators."

By the late 1950s, alligators were hunted to near extinction in Florida. In 1967, the state's most famous reptile was listed as an endangered species. The following year, Lt. Shirley took several of his officers into the Everglades to capture and tag the larger specimens they could find.

"I came across a big 12-footer, and we had a photographer from the Miami Herald tagging along," Shirley recalled. "Well, after I got it all tied up, I sat down the only place I could, which was on top of the gator, and had myself a Coke. That picture ended up everywhere."

Shirley's calm, cool, collected attitude made him a legend among gladesmen.

"I was getting paid to do what I love," Shirley said in a recent telephone interview from his home in South Florida. "When I was a boy that is what I would do for kicks: go catch gators. It seemed like we always had a least one pet gator living in our bathtub."

Shirley's book, published by University Press of Florida, chronicles a period in the state's history when the Everglades went from a pristine wilderness to a flooded wasteland thanks to what he considers the misguided efforts of the Army Corps of Engineers.

"They made a mess of it," he said. "The dikes cut off the natural water flow and the controlled floods ended up killing all the wildlife."

Some of the most incredible photos in Everglades Patrol are of Shirley jumping off a moving airboat to "catch" stranded deer with his bare hands. "You had to be quick," he said. "Sometimes you got kicked and a little beat up."

Shirley often worked alone, spending many nights on the scattered islands, listening to the sound of poachers' airboats off in the distance.

"It was like Florida's version of the wild west," said University of Florida professor Jack E. Davis, author of An Everglades Providence. "And Tom Shirley was Marshall Matt Dillon."

Davis said the Everglades had a unique brand of outlawry tied to the natural bounty of the region.

"There were people stealing plants, palm trees, killing alligators, panthers and bears, left and right," Davis said. "The men and women who worked there were pretty special: part law enforcement officer and part conservationist. They did it all."

Shirley carried a gun, a German Luger, which he preferred for its accuracy. A couple of questionable characters once questioned his skill with the weapon.

"So they had me shoot a quarter, then a nickel, then a penny," he said. "Finally I shot the head off a cigarette hanging out of a fellow's mouth. He said, 'That'll do.' "

After his retirement from the agency that later became a part of the present-day Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Shirley became a staunch advocate for the wild lands he spent much of his life trying to protect.

"For so many years, he had no power to stop the destruction," said Patsy West, an ethnohistorian who lives near Shirley in Fort Lauderdale. "So when he finally could make a difference, he didn't hold anything back."

When it comes to the Everglades, few people share Shirley's knowledge and perspective.

"He is really one of a kind," she said. "That is why this book is important to all Floridians."

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 6, 2012

. Up next

vs. Rangers

Tonight-Sunday

What's new: The Rangers will wrap up a 10-game road trip against the Rays, whom they took two of three from in Texas last week. They are still leading the AL West, trying to hold off the surging A's. Texas boasts the highest scoring offense in the majors, led by OF Josh Hamilton, the league leader in homers and RBIs, who entered Thursday with 10 homers in his past 14 games. The Rangers are missing injured C Mike Napoli (strained left quad), but they recently called up infield prospect Jurickson Profar.

Key stat: The Rangers are 73-1 when leading after eight innings this season, including 35-0 on the road, going into Thursday's play.

Connections: Hamilton is a former Rays top prospect, 3B coach Dave Anderson is a Gibbs High product. Rays 1B Carlos Peña was Texas' first-round pick in 1998.

Series history: The teams have split the first six games this season. The Rangers lead 76-69 overall, but the Rays are 34-30 at Tropicana Field.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Times wires
Thursday, September 6, 2012

Up next | Races on major circuits

Sprint Cup

What: Federated Auto Parts 400

When/where: Today, practice (ESPN2, noon), qualifying (ESPN2, 5:30); Saturday, race (Ch. 28, 7:30 p.m.); Richmond, Va.

Fast facts: This is the final race of the regular season. The top 10 in the point standings and top two victory leaders from Nos. 11-20 make the Chase for the Championship. The current top 10 drivers have clinched a Chase spot. No. 11 Kasey Kahne, with two wins, is in position for one of the wild-card spots. … NASCAR says eight drivers are vying for the wild-card berths, but it's really down to two for one berth. The last spot is likely a race between Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon. Busch can clinch a berth by winning or by losing 12 or fewer spots to Gordon. Gordon makes it in by finishing 13 points ahead of Busch. … Tony Stewart is a three-time Richmond winner. Busch won the Richmond spring race for the fourth straight year. … Ryan Newman signed a contract extension with Stewart-Haas Racing for next season. He is in the final year of the deal he signed in 2009.

Standings: 1. Greg Biffle, 879; 2. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 871; 3. Matt Kenseth, 858; 4. Jimmie Johnson, 848; 5. Martin Truex, 838; 6. Brad Keselowski, 831; 7. Denny Hamlin, 822; 8. Clint Bowyer, 811; 9. Kevin Harvick, 807; 10. Stewart, 769; 11. Kahne, 751; 12. Busch, 746; 13. Gordon, 734; 14. Carl Edwards, 720; 15. Paul Menard, 710

Nationwide

What: Virginia 529 College Savings 250

When/where: Today, practice, qualifying (ESPN2, 4 p.m.), race (ESPN, 7:30); Richmond, Va.

Fast facts: Sprint Cup drivers Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch are racing. … Danica Patrick makes her 50th series start.

Standings: 1. Elliott Sadler, 904; 2. Ricky Stenhouse, 892; 3. Sam Hornish, 872; 4. Austin Dillon, 867; 5. Justin Allgaier, 810

Formula One

What: Italian Grand Prix

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

Fast facts: Romain Grosjean will miss the race after receiving a one-event ban for dangerous driving Sunday in Belgium. Grosjean went for a small gap and clipped Lewis Hamilton's McLaren. That sent both cars spinning and led to Grosjean's Lotus flying over Fernando Alonso's Ferrari, which then took out Sergio Perez's Sauber. All four drivers escaped injury. Jerome D'Ambrosio is driving in place of Grosjean.

Standings: 1. Alonso, 164; 2. Sebastian Vettel, 140; 3. Mark Webber, 132; 4. Kimi Raikkonen, 131; 5. Hamilton, 117

NHRA

What: U.S. Nationals

When/where: Saturday, qualifying; Sunday, final eliminations (ESPN2, 3 p.m.); Clermont, Ind.

Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Antron Brown, 1,335; 2. Spencer Massey, 1,277. Funny Car — 1. Ron Capps, 1,228; 2. Robert Hight, 1,175. Pro Stock — 1. Allen Johnson, 1,432; 2. Jason Line, 1,298. Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Eddie Krawiec, 962; 2. Andrew Hines, 856

Trucks

Next: American Ethanol 200, Sept. 15, Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa

Standings: 1. Timothy Peters, 528; 2. James Buescher, 522; 3. Ty Dillon, 519; 4. Parker Kligerman, 507; 5. Justin Lofton, 497

IndyCar

Next: MAVTV 500, Sept. 15, Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, Calif.

Standings: 1. Will Power, 453; 2. Ryan Hunter-Reay, 436; 3. Helio Castroneves, 401; 4. Scott Dixon, 400; 5. Simon Pagenaud, 372

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 6, 2012

TAMPA — Last season, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton did more to exploit the debacle that was the Bucs defense than any other player in the league. He had four touchdown passes and four rushing touchdowns while the Panthers racked up 86 points in two routs, and the offensive rookie of the year tossed in an end zone celebration for good measure. He pretended to tear open his shirt as if he had ducked in a phone booth and emerged a superhero.

"He did it without even trying last year," Bucs safety Ronde Barber said.

But it was Tampa Bay's lack of effort and execution on defense, yielding a club-record 494 points, that led to the sideline sweeping of coaches and several players in the offseason.

Newton's return to Raymond James Stadium for Sunday's season opener should raise the fear factor of Tampa Bay's defense, but he's not the one who players fear.

"I don't think any team, any player could frighten us more than messing up for (Greg) Schiano," defensive tackle Roy Miller said of the Bucs coach. 'I think we all want to do exactly what he tells us to do. People are more scared of him than anything. That's a good thing."

Schiano has entrusted his defense with coordinator Bill Sheridan, who has some new pieces of the puzzle to improve the league's worst against the run. The signing of Lions free agent cornerback Eric Wright enabled Barber to move to safety and team with first-round pick Mark Barron, the safety from Alabama. Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David will start as a rookie at the spot popularized by Derrick Brooks.

Little is known about the 2012 defense, but Schiano has dropped hints that it is designed to create confusion and pressure on the quarterback with multiple looks and blitzes from anywhere.

"Every first game, there's an element (of surprise)," Schiano said. "Coaches don't sit around all spring and summer. They go out and investigate new ideas and come up with new things. So we're going to see new things, both offensively and defensively.

"There's a little more unknown about us, which is fine. It won't be for long, but we'll take it where we can get it."

The starting defense played well in brief preseason appearances against the Titans and 49ers. Though wafer thin on the line due to the torn Achilles injury suffered by end Da'Quan Bowers and the release of tackle Brian Price, the defensive players flew around, were disruptive and created turnovers.

"It's a good feeling because everybody is so hungry," end Michael Bennett said. "I've seen people work so hard this offseason, I'm just ready to see it pay off.

"I've seen guys change their bodies and their attitudes and things, and I'm ready to see how it's going to transfer to the field."

Times wires
Thursday, September 6, 2012

CARMEL, Ind. — Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy seem to be spending a lot of time together lately. That includes the top of a busy leaderboard at the BMW Championship.

The biggest star in golf and his heir apparent, playing together, put on a dazzling show Thursday in the first round at Crooked Stick. McIlroy, flawless with his irons, birdied his last two holes for 8-under 64 and was part of a four-way tie for the lead with Bo Van Pelt, U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson and Graham DeLaet.

Three days after McIlroy won the Deutsche Bank Championship, he looked just as impressive in the opening round of the latest PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoff event.

"He hits it great, putts it great, and on top of that, he's just a really nice kid," Woods said in some of his strongest praise ever for another player.

Woods, who finished two shots behind McIlroy on Monday, was sharp only when it came to scoring Thursday, making enough birdies to stay in the game, including a 30-foot chip-in on his last hole for 65. He was tied for second with Vijay Singh.

Fans lined three-deep down the entire 10th hole to see McIlroy and Woods in the same group for the second time in three weeks.

"I've always enjoyed playing with Tiger, and every time that we're paired up, we seem to have a good time," McIlroy said.

"It definitely gives you a little more of a lift, especially coming off a win and maybe being a little flat. You're focused from the get-go, and you want to go out and shoot a good number, and I was able to do that (Thursday)."

Rounding out their threesome was Nick Watney, who rallied for 70.

"Those guys … they're really good," he said of his playing partners. "Rory swings so aggressively, but he never looks uncomfortable. I wish I could have kept up."

Singh had a chance to join the leaders until he drove into the water on the 18th hole, though he escaped with par. Phil Mickelson was at 69, worth noting because it looked as though he might quadruple bogey on his last hole. He made birdie.

The top 30 in FedEx Cup points after this event move on to the playoff's final event, the Tour Championship on Sept. 20-23 at East Lake in Atlanta.

LPGA: Jiyai Shin weathered a two-hour weather delay and shot 9-under 62 to take the first-round lead at the Kingsmill Championship in Williamsburg, Va. With 33 players on the course when play was halted because of darkness, Shin was two shots ahead of the field. Among those who finished were Tampa resident Kristy McPherson (1-under 70), Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse (71) and Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (73). Clearwater's Jennifer Gleason was 4 over at No. 14 when play was halted.

Times wires
Thursday, September 6, 2012

Braves 1, Rockies 0

ATLANTA — Jhoulys Chacin dropped a routine return throw from catcher Wilin Rosario and Juan Francisco scored from third in the second inning as the Braves won back-to-back 1-0 games on unearned runs. It was the first time since the Dodgers beat the Reds in 1984 that a team won that way in back-to-back games. "I thought I got it and I put my head down, and I just missed it," Chacin said.

Times wires
Thursday, September 6, 2012

Marlins 6, Brewers 2

MIAMI — Josh Johnson pitched seven solid innings for the Marlins, ended his career-worst four-game skid and lowered his ERA to 3.86 after it had reached 4.83 after his first 11 starts. "I settled in, used my curveball and located my fastball," he said. "I made pitches when I needed to."