By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 18, 2011
Hairstyle of the day
There's DH Manny Ramirez's dreadlocks, 3B Evan Longoria's bushy mullet and now OF Johnny Damon's faux hawk. Damon, right, 37, has had it since April and plans to keep it. "People keep saying I'm getting old and all that stuff," he said. "Well, I want to show them that I'm not, so I'm keeping my hair like I had it when I was 15." Damon said the cut doesn't have a special name: "I just know it makes me look good."
New jersey of the day
Growing up in the St. Petersburg area and starring at Seminole High, 1B Casey Kotchman, above, went to as many Rays games as he could. He picked up a few Fred McGriff wristbands along the way but never had a Rays jersey until now, having signed a minor-league contract. "I always loved watching them," said Kotchman, who turns 28 Tuesday. "It was my hometown team, and I got to watch a lot of games in the stands. And it was always fun."
Prank of the day
OF Johnny Damon hadn't been in the clubhouse 10 minutes when he made his presence known. Seeing DH Manny Ramirez and 3B Evan Longoria, above, walk in together from the batting cage, Damon yelled, "Did you find his cap?" Ramirez, who joked at their news conference about Longoria's often-seen New Era caps commercial, replied: "We were looking outside."
List of the day: Men at work
Most games played among active players:
Player Team No.
Omar Vizquel CWS2,850
Ivan Rodriguez Was.2,499
Jim Thome Min.2,392
Alex Rodriguez NYY2,303
Manny RamirezTB2,297
Derek Jeter NYY2,295
Johnny Damon TB2,276
Who is this Ray?
He is a native of Vancouver. He pitched in the 2008 Olympics. He has appeared in nine big-league games over a seven-year pro career and allowed a home run to the first batter he faced.
The dish
Today's workout for pitchers and catchers starts at 9 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and lasts two 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 (S.R. 776), go right 2 miles, stadium complex is on left. For more information: (941) 235-5025.
Heads up
Pitchers scheduled for their second bullpen sessions today include Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann, Andy Sonnanstine and Jake McGee.
Who is this Ray answer: LHP R.J. Swindle
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer