The Herald
Saturday, February 19, 2011

BRADENTON — Defending Class 3A champion Tampa Catholic is making a return trip to the state final four, beating Southeast 61-55 Saturday night in the region finals.

Tampa Catholic, which led by 17 in the second quarter, saw the Seminoles rally with a 29-point third quarter that ended with the teams deadlocked at 41. Mariah Dowdell gave Southeast its final lead of the night at 55-53 with 3:15 left in the game.

Then Kai Jones and Meghan Keough — coupled with missed shots and turnovers from Southeast — iced the game for Tampa Catholic (26-4). The Crusaders scored the final eight points.

Keough led the Crusaders with 18 points, and Jones contributed 17 points with six rebounds.

"Give credit to coach (John) Harder. They came back," Tampa Catholic coach Nancy Kroll said. "In the fourth quarter, I just told my girls, you got to keep rebounding and keep running."

Tampa Catholic had eight rebounds in the fourth quarter, which was the only quarter the Crusaders out-rebounded the Seminoles, who had a 30-20 edge on the glass.

Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 19, 2011

RIVERVIEW — Heading into the final quarter of Riverview's Class 5A region final against Winter Haven on Saturday, the Sharks seemed well on their way to their first state tournament.

The Sharks led the perennial state power by nine — until it occurred to this young Riverview team that it had never been this far and their postseason inexperience began to show.

Riverview's state bid collapsed in a disastrous eight-minute stretch as Winter Haven clinched its 10th state berth in 12 years with a 45-43 win.

"It's all kind of a blur, those last few seconds," said Riverview coach Lelani Gordon, a 30-year veteran who led Hillsborough to the region final in 1986 and '94.

The Sharks (27-3) led Winter Haven 39-30 heading into the fourth. But Riverview managed just two field goals in the final quarter and was 0-for-7 from the free-throw line in the period.

"I hate to use experience as a reason, but we had every opportunity there at the end," Gordon said. "We had every opportunity to get a bucket in the last 20 seconds, last 10 seconds, last two seconds."

Winter Haven's Erica Lanier (team-high 16 points) completed the Blue Devils' 15-4 fourth-quarter run with a basket with 1:18 remaining to give Winter Haven (24-5) its first lead since the first quarter at 45-43.

The Sharks got the ball with 43.9 seconds left but rushed two shots, missed the front end of a 1-and-1, then missed three more shots in the final five seconds.

"I still don't know how we got out of it," Winter Haven coach Johnnie Lawson said. "They didn't make many mistakes. They made them at the wrong time. That's a team you don't want to see too many times"

Faith Woodard, who played the entire fourth quarter with four fouls, led the Sharks with 11 points. Justina James added 10, while Monet Williams and Madison Greaney scored eight each. All four will return next year.

"Our future is bright," Gordon said. "We're not at all unhappy with our season, but we felt we had this opportunity and I know as a veteran coach that they just don't come along every year."

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 20, 2011

Capitals at Penguins: 7:30 p.m. on Versus. One of the better rivalries in hockey has lost some starch since the Penguins are missing stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

MLB's 20 Greatest Games: 8 p.m. on MLB Network. The countdown of the best 20 games of the past 50 years continues with No. 13.

Sports Connection: 11 p.m. on BHSN (Ch. 47). A chat with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who was in town last week for the Lightning-Red Wings game.

By Doug Hemmer, Times Correspondent
Sunday, February 20, 2011

What's hot: During the higher tides, trout hang in the mullet schools closest to the swash islands. Work the drop-off on the edge of the flats until the water is deep enough to get on the flats. Next, look for mullet jumping close to the island. With the sun at your back, slowly move within casting range of the mullet. Cast into the school and keep your rod tip high so the jig won't get snagged in the grass. The larger trout like to hang in the mullet schools for protection from dolphins. Stay with the mullet to have a shot at the larger trout.

Tackle: Light lines will give you greater casting distance. This is important because the mullet in shallow water won't let you get too close to the school. We use small jigs in the root beer or motor oil color. MirrOlure, Love's Lure and Tsunami jigs are working best. Work the jigs as slow as possible but fast enough to keep them out of the grass.

Pro tip: Some trout are well over 20 inches. Release the larger trout, which are the females that supply our area with future fish. Trout tend to stay near an area, so release the breeders, and our area will continue to have a strong trout population.

Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 347-1389.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 20, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE — RHP Juan Cruz joined the Rays on Sunday looking very much like RHP Joaquin Benoit did last year, a big-league veteran with past bullpen success coming off surgery and on a minor-league deal.

"Not a bad comparison," manager Joe Maddon said.

The Rays could only dream Cruz, 32, works out as well as Benoit, who led all AL relievers with a 1.34 ERA (then left for a three-year, $16.5 million deal with Detroit).

First Cruz has to make the team, and with a dozen pitchers competing for the three open spots in the bullpen, he has two distinct advantages:

• A power arm said to be fully recovered from May shoulder surgery that ended his 2010 season that started in Kansas City.

• A resume that includes several impressive season in the majors, most recently 2008 in Arizona when he went 4-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 57 games with 71 strikeouts in 512/3 innings.

"Physically and the fact he's done it before makes him very intriguing," Maddon said. "He's right in the mix of everything. He's got the experienc, and he's got the stuff, and all those things matter to us."

Maddon said Cruz has "a good chance" and later said "a very good chance," and also that "getting to know him is going to be interesting."

Cruz said he signed with the Rays as much for the job openings as the atmosphere around the team, noting the young core and recent run of success.

"I'm trying to take advantage of the opportunity," he said. "They gave it to me, and I'm trying to do my best. I feel very comfortable I can pitch good and make the team."

HELLICKSON UPDATE: RHP Jeremy Hellickson was kept off the field for a third straight day due to his mild right hamstring strain but said he is feeling better and isn't concerned about it becoming an issue.

Hellickson did some activities in the trainer's room and could be allowed to play catch today, though the Rays haven't decided when he'll return to full action.

"I definitely want to get back out there," he said. "There's not really much concern, we're just being cautious with it. It's feeling a lot better the last two days."

GROUP HUG: Though just about all the position players have been working out here, Maddon said he was still looking forward to having the whole group assembled this morning for the start of full-squad workouts.

"It is good to get them together," Maddon said, "and that is who we have to be. We have to be together. We, to be successful, really have to embrace the organizational philosophy. We have to all buy in, we have to be on the same page, the same sheet of music, whatever you want to call it. … So being together to us is really important."

Maddon, along with other team officials, will address the full group and said he will have a different angle than he gave the pitchers and catchers, which focused on opportunity.

With Cruz and nonroster INF Ray Olmedo reporting Sunday, only two of the 62 players didn't come in early — nonroster INFs Joe Inglett (who just signed Friday) and Daniel Mayora. Both are expected today.

MISCELLANY: Manny Ramirez was signed to DH but will participate in outfield drills and, Maddon said, could make some exhibition game appearances. … At Saturday's FanFest, Maddon met with the wife and father of slain St. Petersburg police Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 20, 2011

TAMPA — When coach Guy Boucher ran into fans before Saturday's game, newly acquired defenseman Eric Brewer was "all they could talk about."

But the buzz over Brewer, 31, wasn't just in the stands. Players and coaches alike are excited about bringing him into the fold. The Lightning on Friday traded a third-round pick and defense prospect Brock Beukeboom for the former Blues captain, giving Boucher the No. 1 item on his "wish list," a frontline defenseman who can match up with opposing teams' top line and help on the penalty kill.

"If Santa Claus had sent a defenseman, that would be the right guy," Boucher said. "I couldn't be more happy."

Brewer's impact comes in several ways. First, with Mike Lundin out indefinitely with an abdominal injury, Brewer fills the void on the top defensive pairing with veteran Mattias Ohlund. Brewer logged 17 minutes, 55 seconds of ice time and was plus-1 in his debut Saturday.

"I was very excited to get here and get started," Brewer said. "There was a nice buzz in the building."

His presence has a domino effect on the rest of the blue line with Randy Jones moving back with regular partner Pavel Kubina and Brett Clark and Victor Hedman staying together. In addition, Marc-Andre Bergeron, with his great shot, can focus on one of his primary roles, sparking the power play.

"It's like the forwards. When everyone is in their chair, it relieves some pressure off some guys to do what they do best," Boucher said. "It gives us an opportunity to get some chemistry back on defense."

And it gives the rest of the team a morale boost.

"It's not only a new face, but new enthusiasm, which brings other guys up around you," said veteran goaltender Dwayne Roloson, another in-season acquisition. "But at the same time, he's thinking the same thing. He's being rejuvenated."

Boucher said that while Brewer is a big guy, 6 feet 3, 220 pounds, he's "a lot more mobile than people think."

"Marty St. Louis (and Steven Stamkos were) telling me that he was surprising them with how quick he was for a big guy; always being in the way of them trying to rush through," Boucher said. "And he's a big guy that can move the puck, play a consistent game. And I think that's exactly what we needed back there."

The Lightning leads the Southeast Division and is second in the Eastern Conference behind the Flyers. Boucher said he has been impressed with how general manager Steve Yzerman has improved the team, bringing in Bergeron, Roloson and now Brewer.

"If you want to build a house and you are given the right tools, it certainly helps," Boucher said. "It's still hard to build a house, but you have the right tools to do it. Everybody really on our team, and I think the staff knew exactly what we needed.

"So by hearing that word (Friday) night, it was fun to hear, and I think it's uplifting for everybody. And hopefully, he feels he's right at home with the guys here.''

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com

Times wires
Sunday, February 20, 2011

BATON ROUGE, La. — Florida has put itself in position to challenge for an SEC championship.

The No. 14 Gators, playing without injured starting forward Chandler Parsons, survived a tricky test Sunday, beating LSU 68-61 for their fifth straight win to move into a tie with Alabama for the overall SEC lead.

However, the final two weeks of the regular season will not be easy for Florida (21-5, 10-2). Its remaining opponents are Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama and Vanderbilt, all potential NCAA Tournament teams. UF may have to face all four minus Parsons, who sat out with a deep thigh bruise.

Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton had 17 points each for Florida, which went scoreless for nearly six minutes after taking a 58-46 lead with 9:01 left. The Gators made six straight free throws, four by Walker, in the last two minutes to hang on.

"We had a great first half," Boynton said. "We played great going inside-out. We lost that in the second half and LSU hit shots in the second half."

Center Vernon Macklin set the tone for the Gators in the first half, when they built a 15-point lead. He was 6-of-9 from the field and had 12 points in the half.

"It was important to go inside and try to establish Vernon," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "We got him some touches and they elected not to double him. They played him head-up in the post. Vernon established a low base early where he was not getting pushed off the post."

Ralston Turner had 16 of his 18 points in the second half for the Tigers (10-17, 2-10).

"It's starting to be a habit," coach Trent Johnson said. "Florida's pretty good. In the first half, it was as much as what they were doing as to what we didn't do. We showed very, very good competitiveness and courage in the second half. That's probably as good as we can play at this time."

With Parsons out, 6-foot-6 freshman Casey Prather started, giving the Gators an athletic lineup that pressed early.

Two scoring spurts enabled Florida to take a 15-point halftime lead. Ahead 9-8, the Gators ran off 10 consecutive points, all but two coming from reserves Patric Young and Erik Murphy. Later, UF went on an 11-3 run.

"We just wanted to crash the boards pretty hard," Macklin said (UF outrebounded LSU 41-29). "We tried to get to the rim stronger than LSU."

Times staff, wires
Sunday, February 20, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Four pitchers combined on a four-hitter as Florida beat USF 5-0 Sunday, completing a three-game season-opening sweep in front of 3,852 at McKethan Stadium.

Making his collegiate debut, Karsten Whitson, the ninth overall pick in last year's draft who rejected a $2.1 million offer from the Padres, struck out nine, walked one and allowed just a first-inning single in five innings.

"It felt good, I was really excited and just wanted to get out there and throw strikes," Whitson said.

The Gators tied a school record with their 18th straight win at home.

fsu 15, vmi 0: Former Alonso High standout Sherman Johnson went 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games as the host Seminoles swept the season-opening three-game series.

TAMPA 8, STILLMAN 2: Eric Grabe allowed two hits in six innings as the host Spartans (8-2) swept a four-game series.

Big East wins: The Big East came out on top in the third annual Big East-Big Ten Challenge. The Big East won five of the eight games Sunday to finish the three-day event with a 14-10 advantage. Games involving eight teams from each conference were played at Al Lang Field and the Walter Fuller Complex in St. Petersburg, and Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater.

Swimming: Florida junior Teresa Crippen took home the school's final title of the SEC swimming and diving championships, winning the women's 200 fly with an NCAA automatic qualifying mark of 1:53.95, third fastest in the country this year. Crippen, whose older brother Fran died in the fall while competing for the U.S. national team, helped the host Gator women finish second to Georgia 720-678. The men also finished second, 799-782 to Auburn.

Track: USF sophomore Derrick Hopkins became the first in school history to win both the 60 meters and 200 meters at the Big East Championships in Akron, Ohio. Hopkins, named the meet's top performer, had a career-best time of 6.77 to win the 60. He won the 200 in 21.30.

Times wires
Sunday, February 20, 2011

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State had too much balance and too deep a bench for Maryland.

Five players scored in double figures and reserves Chelsea Davis and Chasity Clayton combined for 26 points Sunday to spark the 15th-ranked Seminoles to a 72-66 win over the No. 16 Terrapins.

Davis and Clayton outscored Maryland's bench players 26-7.

"I don't think that anybody cares who gets the credit," Seminoles coach Sue Semrau said. "They just go to work and they work together."

FSU (22-5, 10-2) will win at least a share of its third straight ACC title with victories at Miami on Thursday and at home against Clemson on Sunday. FSU is tied for first in the conference with Miami and Duke.

Alyssa Thomas led Maryland (21-6, 7-5 ACC) with a career-high 26 points.

UF 78, MISS. ST. 63: Lanita Bartley had a career-high 23 points and eight rebounds and Jennifer George tied her career best with 21 points as the host Gators (15-13, 5-9 SEC) snapped a four-game losing streak by beating the Bulldogs (10-16, 2-12).

Top 25

NO. 3 STANFORD 67, NO. 9 UCLA 53: Chiney Ogwumike had 18 points to help the visiting Cardinal (24-2, 15-0 Pac-10) to its 18th straight victory. The Bruins (22-3, 12-2) drew 6,725 people to Pauley Pavilion.

NO. 6 XAVIER 77, DUQUESNE 51: Ta'Shia Phillips had 26 points and 11 rebounds for the host Musketeers (23-2, 12-0), who moved back into a tie with Temple for first in the Atlantic 10.

NO. 7 DUKE 90, VA. TECH 40: Jasmine Thomas had a season-high 27 points for the host Blue Devils (24-3, 10-2 ACC).

NO. 10 DEPAUL 82, NO. 18 G'TOWN 57: Sam Quigley had 14 points to lead six players in double figures as the host Blue Demons (25-3, 12-1) routed the Hoyas (20-7, 8-5) to set a school record for Big East wins.

NO. 11 MICH. ST. 69, ILLINOIS 56: Kalisha Keane had 27 points for the visiting Spartans (24-3, 12-2), who clinched a share of the Big Ten title.

NO. 19 KENTUCKY 80, VANDY 71: Keyla Snowden had 22 points to help the Wildcats (20-7, 9-5 SEC) win in Vanderbilt for the first time in 25 years.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 20, 2011

Carl Crawford overload of the day

Players were impressed by the size and excitement of the crowd at Saturday's FanFest, but LHP J.P. Howell did have one complaint: too many fans wearing jerseys and shirts for former Ray Carl Crawford, now with Boston. "I'm getting a little sick of that," Howell said. "We need to do something about that, have a sale on some others or something. Get over it — he's out of here."

Quote of the day

"Big day today."

OF Johnny Damon, on afternoon plans to hit Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond and other stores to get settled into his spring training rental

In Maddon's mad world …

• After driving his 1972 "candy apple blue" Chevelle convertible down from Tampa on Sunday morning, manager Joe Maddon noticed there was a car show (Keels & Wheels) at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds across from the training complex. He had one of the staff drive his car over and enter it in the competition. "I'm hoping it wins best of show," he joked.

• Maddon has plenty of spring reading planned. He's finishing up My Reading Life by favorite author Pat Conroy, with Peachtree Corvette Club by raysbaseball.com writer Bill Chastain, and The Bullpen Gospels by new reliever Dirk Hayhurst lined up. But he joked that if Hayhurst showed he could be the Rays closer, "He can go ahead of Pat."

• After the workout, Maddon met and held Maddon Barkley, a 7-week-old named in his honor who was among triplets born to Charlotte Ford Barkley, who worked for the team the previous two springs, and husband Nick, assistant GM of the Class A Stone Crabs.

List of the day

Promotion schedule highlights

4-2, Balt.: Evan Longoria Gold Glove replica trophy

4-3, Balt.: AL East championship banner

4-17, Min.: David Price arm sleeve

5-1, LAA: Joe Maddon bank

5-29, Cle.: Manny Ramirez bobblehead

6-19, Fla.: B.J. Upton bobblehead

7-3, St.L.: DJ Kitty puppet

7-17, Bos.: Johnny Damon bobblehead

8-21, Sea.: Price superhero action figure

9-4, Bal.: Longoria cereal bowl/spoon set

9-11, Bos.: Rays fire helmet

Who is this Ray?

He played at Stanford alongside new teammate Sam Fuld. He has played for the Red Sox and Mets and made his big-league debut vs. the Rays in 2008. He is nicknamed "The Animal" for his relentless work ethic.

The dish

Today's first full-squad workout starts at 9:30 at Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and lasts 2½-3 hours. Admission and parking are free. Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Toledo Blade Road, go west 6½ miles to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, complex is on left. More information: (941) 235-5025.

Heads-up

The first day of live batting practice is always interesting. Among those throwing today, starting at 11:30, are David Price, James Shields and Kyle Farnsworth.

Who is this Ray answer: OF Chris Carter

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Times wires
Sunday, February 20, 2011

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Michael Young had a message for his teammates before the AL champion Rangers held their first full-squad workout Sunday and he took grounders at second base for the first time in several years.

"He said he wasn't going to be a distraction. That was it," manager Ron Washington said, relaying what Young said during a scheduled team meeting before the workout.

"I think that was what was talked about more than getting ready for the season, and I thought it was unnecessary," Young said. "The guys know me well, so I wanted to say a couple of things about it and move on."

Young requested a trade last month, but with no deal done he reported to camp Saturday and said he was focused on getting ready for the season. He said the offseason drama wouldn't affect his preparations for the season and a new role.

"First and foremost I'm a baseball player. There's nothing to block out," he said. "For it to become public is regretful but I've got no regrets. Baseball is my life sport. It's my entire life."

In other Rangers news, former Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb is being limited to flat-ground work because of concerns about his problematic right (pitching) shoulder. Webb, 31, hasn't pitched in a big-league game since the first week of the 2009 season.

ABSENCE EXPLAINED: Mets manager Terry Collins now understands why Luis Castillo didn't show up early. He just wishes the second baseman had told him sooner.

Castillo said after arriving at camp that he was spending time with his older brother before a serious surgery today. Collins had previously expressed disappointment that Castillo wasn't at spring training early.

"He told me why he didn't get here early," Collins said. "I asked him, 'Why didn't you tell me?' It certainly would have changed the way I looked at things. I hope his brother's going to be okay."

OBITUARY: Andrew N. "Drew" Baur, a member of the Cardinals' ownership group, died suddenly in St. Louis. He was 66. No cause of death was given.

CARDINALS: Third baseman David Freese is being limited during early workouts after injuries shortened his 2010 season. Freese didn't field as many grounders as other position players in defensive drills.

ROCKIES: Right-hander Aaron Cook is battling mild soreness in his pitching shoulder and will be held out of workouts for the next couple of days.

ROYALS: Third baseman Mike Aviles and shortstop Alcides Escobar agreed to one-year deals.

TWINS: Ace right-hander Francisco Liriano checked out fine after skipping Friday's bullpen session because of tightness in his throwing shoulder.

Times staff
Sunday, February 20, 2011

Trevor Bayne bio

Born: Feb. 19, 1991Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.

Season in Sprint Cup: First (though only part time, for now)

Website: Trevorbayne.com, but all it had Sunday night was a photo with a note saying "Official site coming soon." The other option is woodbrothersracing.com, which as of Sunday night hadn't been updated with the 500 victory.

Previous Sprint Cup victories: To quote Bayne immediately after the checkered flag, "Are you kidding me?" Until Sunday he had one Sprint Cup start, last fall at Texas, finishing 17th. His only other major NASCAR win was in a trucks race in 2008.

Notable: Bayne, who turned 20 Saturday, tied Jamie McMurray's Sprint Cup record for the fewest races before their first victory; both did it in their second start. Bayne did so for a Wood Brothers team that was part time the past two years and hadn't won on NASCAR's highest level since Elliott Sadler at Bristol in 2001. The team wasn't even in the top 35 in points last year. According to Bayne's hometown paper, the Knoxville News Sentinel, Bayne was guaranteed a spot in the first five races after a deal to get the points that Sadler earned last year in the disbanded No. 19 car for Richard Petty Motorsports.

Times staff

Times wires
Sunday, February 20, 2011

CLEARWATER — New Phillies ace Cliff Lee has been held back this spring because of soreness in his side, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The left-hander, signed as a free agent this offseason, developed the soreness while throwing at home in Arkansas, the newspaper reported. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Lee was examined by team physician Michael Ciccotti before camp opened.

"He was diagnosed with a mild strain," Amaro told the Inquirer. "We shut him down for a week and now he's right back on time. We're probably being a little cautious with him, but he feels great now and he should be fine."

Lee, 32, has opened the season on the disabled list twice with abdominal strains, including last season with Seattle.

Jays: Snider ailing

DUNEDIN — Blue Jays OF Travis Snider is being slowed by an injury to his upper ribcage area, MLB.com reported.

Snider has soreness in the intercostal muscles on his left side. He was hurt last week while playing golf at Innisbrook.

"I tweaked something about four or five days ago and we've just been taking a very cautious approach with the idea in mind that the ultimate goal is to be ready for opening day," Snider told the website.

Manager John Farrell said he didn't think the injury was serious.

Yanks: 3,000 pursuit

TAMPA — Yankees captain Derek Jeter plans to enjoy his upcoming trip to 3,000 career hits. The shortstop is 74 hits from the milestone.

"It's going to be a party the whole year," Jeter joked. "I've always been one that tries to shy away from anything that's personal and not talk about it much. Couldn't wait for it to be over with because I really didn't like the focus to be on me. Now, I think, it's going to be more of enjoying every day."

Jeter, 36, is the Yankees' all-time hits leader.

"It's something that's very hard to do," Jeter said of getting 3,000 hits. "Not too many people have done it."

NO THANKS: RHP Kevin Millwood, 36, rejected a minor-league contract offer, the New York Post reported.

Times staff
Sunday, February 20, 2011

. fast facts

By the numbers

5 Daytona 500 wins by the Wood Brothers team (the others: Tiny Lund, 1963; Cale Yar­borough, 1968; A.J. Foyt, 1972; David Pearson, 1976).

7 Drivers who made the 500 their first win in NASCAR's top series (the others: Lund, 1963; Mario Andretti, 1967; Pete Hamilton, 1970; Derrike Cope, 1990; Sterling Marlin, 1994; Michael Waltrip, 2001).

16 Caution flags, a race record; also the times Bill Elliott has completed every lap in the race, extending his record.

22 Different leaders, a race record.

74 Lead changes, a race record.

130.326 Average speed, slowest in the 500 since the second running in 1960.

A harbinger?

Trevor Bayne joined elite company Sunday. The four youngest 500 winners:

Year, name, age (yrs-days)

2011, Trevor Bayne, 20-1

1997, Jeff Gordon, 25-196

1964, Richard Petty, 26-236

1967, Mario Andretti, 26-353

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 20, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE — Sitting in the Rays clubhouse — oh, by the way, just across from Manny Ramirez and a dozen lockers down from David Price — Dane De La Rosa isn't quite ready yet to ponder the actual possibility of pitching in a major-league game.

"That'd be awesome, but I really try not to think about it," De La Rosa said. "That's a little too high over my head right now."

De La Rosa's caution is understandable given the way he has gotten here. And if the whirlwind rise from unknown minor-leaguer who began last season at Class A to legit candidate for a big-league bullpen job this spring isn't enough cause, consider what it took for the 28-year-old just to make it to Port Charlotte last spring.

"It's been a crazy little ride the past six years," De La Rosa said.

He already had been released from the lowest levels of the Yankees and Brewers organizations, and having previously been a Yuma Scorpion, Orange County Flyer, Victoria Seal and a presumably proud member of the Long Beach Armada, he decided in July 2009 to become an ex-El Paso Diablo. The game was no longer fun, and the prospect of the fourth 25-hour A/C-less bus ride of the season was the tipping point.

He already had quit baseball once, spending 2006 in the real world selling real estate (well, technically trying to sell real estate, since he didn't make a single sale), before getting back in, and now he was headed home to Southern California contemplating his future again at age 26.

"I had no idea what I was going to do," he said.

But, as baseball sometimes works, what looked like a bad move actually turned out good, albeit somewhat convoluted.

A friend he was riding home with, Nick Martin, brought him along when he went to see a pitching coach he knew, Dom Johnson, who literally in five minutes significantly improved De La Rosa's mechanics then called to tip off a scout he knew, the Rays' Jake Wilson.

Re-energized, De La Rosa went back out to pitch, signing with the Atlantic League's Southern Maryland Blue Crabs — his sixth team in his third different independent league — and the improvement was obvious. Wilson took it from there, lobbying his bosses, and the Rays, after checking De La Rosa out, agreed to bring him to minor-league camp last spring for a look.

They saw enough in the 6-foot-6 right-hander, including in one big-league exhibition, to keep him, sending him first to the Class A Stone Crabs then to Double-A Montgomery. And that's where he really showed them, using dazzling stuff (96-97 mph heavy fastball, curve, splitter) to post daunting numbers (9-3, 1.97 ERA, 75 strikeouts and 26 walks in 73 innings).

"Really good stuff," Biscuits catcher Craig Albernaz said.

The difference wasn't only physical. De La Rosa realizes now he didn't take things seriously enough after being drafted and signed by the Yankees (24th round, 2002), then given a second chance with the Brewers (2007), and that he did just enough work to get by in the indy leagues.

"Just an immature little kid," he says now. "I didn't know the opportunity I had, and just kind of squandered it. … Now I know where I'm at."

He got a lot help — financial, emotional, strategical — from a lot of people, and he got that one last shot with the Rays. And now he has a chance to pitch in the major leagues.

"A year ago, no one knew who Dane De La Rosa was, and now he's on our 40-man roster," Rays farm director Mitch Lukevics said.

"What a great story, huh?"

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

Times staff, wires
Sunday, February 20, 2011

Fake headline of the day

Kids In 'Scared-Straight' Program Visit Horrifying Cleveland Cavaliers Practice

The Onion

Anniversary of the day

Sports fans know Dick Button more for being figure skating's most famous announcer. But because of his outstanding and long broadcasting career, we forget just how good of an actual figure skater he was. It was on this day 59 years ago — Feb. 21, 1952 — that Button became the first person to land a triple jump in a competition. Button, 81, won Olympic gold medals in men's singles in 1948 and 1952.

He wrote it

It's too soon to definitively label Carl Crawford, the new franchise left fielder, but (Saturday) he was this: refreshingly human. … Maybe Boston will eventually squeeze the pleasantness out of Crawford, but as far as first impressions go, he seemed refreshingly comfortable in his own skin.

John Tomase, Boston Herald

Times wires
Sunday, February 20, 2011

LOS ANGELES — Finally a winner again, Aaron Baddeley raised his arms when his last putt went in Sunday at the Northern Trust Open as his wife and two young daughters came over to share the moment.

They might have been among the few cheering him on at Riviera.

Baddeley could hear chants of "Freddie!" at every turn, and it got louder when Fred Couples birdied the opening three holes to take the lead. But Baddeley cared only about a victory that was just as meaningful to him.

"I thought Freddie was going to be tough (Sunday) because winning is a skill, and Freddie has been winning quite often recently," Baddeley said. "When he got off to a good start, I was like, 'Freddie looks like he's going to have one of those days where he's going to play great.' I was still just trying to focus on my game and try to do what I needed to do."

The 29-year-old Australian closed with 2-under 69 to hold off Vijay Singh and Couples for his first win in four years.

Baddeley, who finished at 12-under 272, wound up with a two-shot victory over Singh (69), who turns 48 on Tuesday. Couples, 51, bogeyed two of the last three holes to shoot 73 and tie for seventh.

"I'm a golfer, so I'm disappointed," said Couples, who battled a tender back.

It was the third PGA Tour win for Baddeley, who had plunged to No. 224 in the world. This victory won't get him back into the top 50, but he earned a trip to the Masters with his first win since the 2007 Phoenix Open.

"It's definitely been a couple of long years, but it was worth every bit," Baddeley said. "I really feel that the last couple years is actually what made it easier (Sunday) … the character that was just built in me."

LPGA: On a roll, Tseng wins season opener

PATTAYA, Thailand — Top-ranked Yani Tseng earned her third win in three weeks, shooting 6-under 66 for a five-shot victory at the LPGA Thailand.

Tseng led by one over Michelle Wie and I.K. Kim entering the final round of the season-opening LPGA event and had the lowest score of the day with seven birdies and one bogey to finish at 15-under 273.

Wie (70) finished second, and Kim (71) was another stroke back with Karrie Webb (69).

Tseng took over the No. 1 ranking after winning back-to-back Ladies European Tour events, the Australian Open and the Australian Ladies Masters.

Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (70) tied for 18th at 289, and Tampa's Kristy McPherson (73) tied for 29th at 292.

Champions: Bernhard Langer shot 6-under 66 to set a tournament record at 20-under 196 and win the ACE Group Classic by four strokes over Fred Funk (66) in Naples. "It's always exciting winning," said Langer, 53, who earned his 14th tour win. "It never gets old no matter where or how big the tournament, whether it's a major or not."

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 20, 2011

St. Petersburg Times staff writer Tom Jones looks back at the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.

Best and worst coverage

Is the Daytona 500 over yet?

By far, the most common phrase used over the weekend on television was "We're under caution at Daytona." The Great American Race had a record 16 cautions, turning what should have been an exciting and entertaining broadcast into an assignment in endurance. The broadcast, including pre- and postrace shows, pushed six hours, adding fuel to the recent comments by Fox Sports chair David Hill, who said NASCAR races are too long.

Watching Fox's coverage was both interesting and infuriating. The prerace show was predictable and boring with the usual analysis and music from Brad Paisley, who seemed to be on for two hours playing the same song.

As far as the race, Fox's broadcast managed to be among television's best and worst sports coverage all at the same time.

The production and direction, as always, were among the best you are going to find on sports television. The camera work, the nuts-and-bolts talk and the reports from the pit reporters leave the viewer wanting for nothing. All the crashes were fully dissected with revealing replays from every conceivable angle, breathtaking audio and interviews with the drivers. The pit reporters are the most useful sideline reporters in all of televised sports, always chock-full of useful information. The in-car communication between the drivers is remarkably compelling.

And the announcers are incredibly knowledgeable about the sport and are outstanding at answering the questions that invariably are springing up in the minds of viewers.

But, and this is a big "but," race announcer Mike Joy and analysts Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds are so loathe to criticize anything that it often feels like an infomercial for NASCAR. Everyone is great. Everything is great.

There were 16 cautions and numerous crashes Sunday and, by listening to Fox's announcers, no one was blame. Even driver Jeff Gordon, during an in-race interview, criticized his fellow drivers for not showing enough patience and causing crashes. Funny, but that's the only time Waltrip had an opinion, and it was to offer up an excuse for all the drivers.

Waltrip and McReynolds seem like good guys. They obviously love NASCAR and know their stuff. They are down-to-earth, funny and can be entertaining and informative. Perhaps they are instructed by Fox to be positive. (Although, McReynolds last week even went as far as to encourage reporters to be more positive about NASCAR.) And, just maybe, NASCAR fans want their coverage to have a smiley face on it. But their lack of criticism makes you wonder if they aren't too close to the sport, the owners and the drivers to effectively do their jobs. Don't viewers want analysts to point out the bad and ugly along with the good?

If Joy, Waltrip and McReynolds could just be stronger with opinions, Fox's NASCAR coverage might be the best sports broadcast on television. Until then, it remains a glaring weakness in the coverage.

Best line

With the new pavement at Daytona, NASCAR drivers were scrambling to find partners to help draft Sunday. During one caution, apparently drivers were searching for new partners, leading Fox's Mike Joy to say, "It's looking more like a middle school dance all the time."

Strangest decision

With NBC trying to beef up Versus' hockey coverage, why did it have its top broadcasting team of Mike Emrick, Ed Olczyk and Pierre McGuire call the Penguins-Blackhawks game instead of Versus' coverage of the outdoor game between the Canadiens and Flames?

Worst reporting

Maybe it's time for Jim Gray to sit out a few plays. Working for the Golf Channel, Gray, right, broke a cardinal rule by speaking to a golfer during play. During Thursday's opening round of the Northern Trust Open, Gray asked Dustin Johnson about being penalized two strokes for being late for his tee time. Why Gray thought he could do that when every other golf reporter would never break such etiquette shows Gray's arrogance. Obviously, the Golf Channel thought it was serious because they yanked Gray off for the rest of the tournament.

A longtime sideline reporter, Gray is now known for four things, and none of them are good. He ambushed Pete Rose with gambling questions during an MLB All-Star Game. He got into a shouting match with Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin. And he was an accomplice in LeBron James' Decision show. Now this. There's a difference between being a hard-nosed reporter and an egomaniac who makes news as often as he covers it.

Three things that popped into my head

1. Maybe I'm wrong, but do fans really care about the ins and outs of the NFL labor situation? Fans, I'm guessing, want to know one thing: Just tell us when the next game is going to be played.

2. The fear early in the Lightning season was coach Guy Boucher's up-tempo style could lead to the team wearing down as the season progressed. Anyone getting a tad nervous that the team is running out of gas?

3. Just asking: Would anyone be upset if sports leagues decided to cancel All-Star games?

'Hockey Day in America'

Taking a cue from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.'s "Hockey Day in Canada," NBC unveiled the inaugural "Hockey Day in America" on Sunday with a doubleheader and grassroots hockey features. (It was followed by Versus' coverage of the outdoor game between the Flames and Canadiens in Calgary.)

NBC did a solid job with the features, although it was a predictable paint-by-number series of stories to ensure diversity. There was a story on female players, African-American kids and military hockey players. The CBC has had a good head start, having produced 11 "Hockey Day in Canada" broadcasts, and its coverage includes more time for features. Still, the CBC features have been generally more poignant and tear-inducing than what NBC offered up Sunday.

But if you're a hockey fan, you can only be encouraged by NBC's commitment to hockey, and Sunday's event certainly was a filling meal for diehards.

Most surprising coverage

Give TNT high marks for an entertaining broadcast of what had become a rather stale made-for-television event: the NBA's Saturday night All-Star show with the slam dunk, 3-point and skills contests. The show was watched by 8.1 million viewers, making it the most watched in its 26-year history. TNT reported that the previous record was 6.5 million in 2009. TNT and the NBA seemed to move the events along quicker, trimming a lot of the dead time that plagued this event in the past. The highlight was Clippers rookie sensation Blake Griffin jumping over a car to win the dunk contest. Although, am I crazy to point out that most of the dunkers Saturday night would have cleared a car on their dunks? Griffin was clever enough to bring out a car, but the dunk of the night was the Wizards' JaVale McGee dunking three basketballs at the same time. But, come on, no way a Wizard was going to beat Griffin in L.A. in a dunk contest.

Times wires
Sunday, February 20, 2011

DAYTONA BEACH — Though the 10-year anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's death was Friday, plenty of people remembered The Intimidator on Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.

Two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart wore a black, No. 3 baseball cap. So did most everyone at Richard Childress Racing.

A huge No. 3 was painted in the infield grass. On the third lap, Fox broadcasters observed a moment of silence as fans saluted by silently holding up three fingers. That tribute copied the ones done throughout the 2001 season after Earnhardt's death.

"I feel honored and once again undeserving to be here 10 years after that for the anniversary," said race winner Trevor Bayne, who was a day from his 10th birthday when Earnhardt died.

HENDRICK BUMMER: When Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the lead early, there was a raucous roar all around the speedway.

When he hit the wall late, there was an agonizing groan.

It wasn't what Earnhardt — or his legion of faithful fans — wanted in the Great American Race. It was, however, fitting considering how the season opener went for Hendrick Motorsports.

"Had as much fun as we could under the circumstances," Earnhardt said.

His teammates couldn't even say that.

Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon had long trips to the garage after a getting caught up in a multi-car wreck in the early going. Mark Martin ran to the end but faded and finished 10th. Earnhardt was credited with 24th, Johnson 27th and Gordon 28th.

"It is such a bummer," Gordon said. "We had such a fast race car, such a great race team. You have to take what you can from this."

MOVING BACK: NASCAR and track officials announced that the Daytona 500 will be a week later in 2012, letting the sport shorten its season — by eliminating a week off in March — and avoid any potential conflicts with the NFL's Super Bowl.

The new date, Feb. 26, gets NASCAR ahead of potential changes to the NFL, including an 18-game schedule or labor strife that might force the Super Bowl in Indianapolis to be delayed.

"Either way, we think it's the right thing to do for our season to kick off," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's vice president of racing operations.

STILL HERE: Jack Hege, 84, of Lexington, N.C., kept alive his streak of attending every 500. According to Fox, Daytona's records indicate he's the only fan to do so. He came to No. 53 courtesy of Richard Childress Racing, which flew him down.

PIT STOPS: David Ragan led late until a critical mistake. Ragan slid in front of Bayne too soon on a restart, drawing a black flag and a penalty. Ragan ended up 14th. … Still relishing the Packers' Super Bowl victory, safety Nick Collins brought his family as guests of driver Travis Kvapil, a Wisconsin native. Collins, who played in college nearby at Bethune-Cookman, worked on the track's cleanup crew one year while in school. … Country music stars Brad Paisley, Martina McBride and Dierks Bentley performed in prerace festivities. McBride sang the national anthem perfectly, two weeks after Christina Aguilera messed up the lyrics at the Super Bowl. "You always want to do your best, and I'm sure that Christina definitely wanted to do her best," McBride said of Aguilera.

Times wires
Sunday, February 20, 2011

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — E'Twaun Moore seemingly toyed with Ohio State.

Whether he was sinking one of his seven 3-pointers, making an acrobatic layup or hitting a jumper in the closing seconds of the first half, the senior guard seemed at ease. He had a career-high 38 points to help No. 11 Purdue beat No. 2 Ohio State 76-63 on Sunday.

His teammates saw it coming.

"I know once he gets that rhythm going and steps back and hits a 3 and once he smiles, you know he has it going," guard Lewis Jackson said. "E'Twaun, he may put his fingers up and tell you he hit a 3-pointer, but he rarely smiles. Once he smiles, he's in a zone, and you probably won't stop him that night."

Purdue (22-5, 11-3 Big Ten) has had much to smile about in the past week. The Boilermakers defeated No. 10 Wisconsin on Wednesday, and their two wins over Top 10 teams brought them within a game of the Buckeyes (25-2, 12-2) for the conference lead with four games to play.

Purdue's win capped a week that saw the top four teams in the AP poll fall. The Buckeyes likely blew a chance to return to the top after losses by No. 1 Kansas, No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Pitt.

Ohio State coach Thad Matta knew his team was playing in a rough stretch.

"We've got to continue to keep our focus," he said. "Our guys know we have to play better basketball and we have to get them ready to do that."

NO. 5 DUKE 79, GA. TECH 57: Nolan Smith had 28 points, and the host Blue Devils (25-2, 12-1 ACC) made their case to return to the top of the AP poll.

NO. 10 WIS. 76, PENN ST. 66: Keaton Nankivil had 22 points as the host Badgers (20-6, 10-4 Big Ten) reached 20 wins for the eighth time in nine seasons.

NO. 23 TEMPLE 66, ST. JOE'S 52: Lavoy Allen had 12 rebounds to give him a school-record 1,045 for his career, leading the host Owls (21-5, 11-2 Atlantic 10).

State

CLEMSON 63, MIAMI 59: The visiting Tigers beat the Hurricanes (16-11, 4-8 ACC) for the fifth straight time.