By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Manny T-shirt of the day
In addition to the dreadlocked Manny Ray T-shirt, several players are sporting one that says PROVE IT on the front, with a small man-ram logo on the back. "Manny (Ramirez) made it up; he just started saying it for everything," said Evan Longoria, who arranged the project with Johnny Damon through emve clothingco.com, with a portion of the $22 price going to Damon's foundation.
Stat comparison of the day
2008 spring record: 18-8-2
2010 spring record: 20-8-2
2011 spring record: 1-6-1
Injury of the day
Bullpen coach Bobby Ramos will be limited, and in pain, for as long as six weeks after straining his rib cage — while sneezing. "That's what he tells us," manager Joe Maddon said. "It's definitely going to put a crimp in most of his favorite activities right now. … When you have that big of a rib cage, the strain can be excruciating."
Recovery of the day
Bobby Ramos did make it to the dugout during Saturday's game, "an inspiration," Joe Maddon joked, and a tribute to the crack training staff: "With such a severe injury, and to be able to post 1-2 days later."
Nicknames of the day
What started with David Price deciding Evan Longoria "looks like an Arthur" has spread to a series of nicknames that showed up on the placards above some players' lockers:
Longoria: Arthur Cambell
B.J. Upton: Bartholemu Bigsby
Price: Duncan Duvall
Reid Brignac: Ricky Ro
Desmond Jennings: Douglas Edward
Matt Joyce: Sweet Swingin'
Kelly Shoppach: R2 (in homage to last week's St. Petersburg Times headline Ripped and Ready)
Rays at Phillies (ss)
When/where: 1:05 today; Bright House Field, 601 N Old Coachman Road, Clearwater
Radio: 620-AM
Tickets: $13-$34, at (215) 463-1000, phillies.com
Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
Pitchers: Rays — Wade Davis, Cesar Ramos, Jake McGee, Jonah Bayliss; Phillies — Cliff Lee, Eddie Bonine, J.C. Romero, Scott Mathieson, Justin De Fratus
Who is this Ray?
He is one of five players the past 40 years to win a league batting title, home run title and RBI title. He has finished in the top six of the MVP voting seven times but never won it. He has won nine Silver Slugger awards. He signed as a free agent.
On deck
Monday: at Pirates, 1:05. Rays — David Price; Pirates — Ross Ohlendorf
Schedule
8: vs. Blue Jays
9: vs. Blue Jays, vs. Netherlands at St. Petersburg
10: Red Sox
11: Pirates
12: at Phillies (ss)
13: at Blue Jays
14: Off
15: Marlins
16: at Marlins
17: at Yankees, 7:05
18: Red Sox (ss), 7:05
19: at Twins
20: Orioles
21: Yankees, 7:05
22: at Red Sox, 7:05
23: Phillies
24: at Astros
25: Pirates
26: Orioles
27: at Pirates
28: at Yankees, 7:05
29: at Red Sox
30: vs. Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, 4:10
Who is this Ray answer: Manny Ramirez
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer