By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Reunion of the day
RHP Dirk Hayhurst said all the typical cliche things about how there won't be anything special today facing his former Blue Jays teammates or bosses, who let him go. "Those are emotions that won't impede my play," he said. "Unless I give up like a million runs and then I'll use every excuse I can think of."
Guest of the day
Manager Joe Maddon's youth league football coach, Jack Seiwell, and his wife, Patsy, were down from Hazleton, Pa., and Maddon even got the devout Phillies fans to wear Rays blue for the day. Seiwell said he, like others in Hazleton, was upset when Maddon gave up football for baseball after his freshman year at Lafayette College. "But," Seiwell said, "I guess it worked out."
Quote of the day
"I wasn't used to running farther than first."
OF Matt Joyce, whose double and triple Saturday were his first extra-base hits of the spring
Sign of the day
In explaining how this year's slogan, Another Way, intersects with the usual Rays Way of doing things anyway, manager Joe Maddon had another bight idea: a street sign renaming the intersection at the Trop exactly that. Could they do so, you know, without going through city bureaucracy? "I think we can," he said. "They would be our own little signs — you're not going to get them on your GPS."
Rays at Blue Jays
When/where: 1:05 today; Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin
Tickets: $15-$27, available by calling (727) 733-0429, via bluejays.com and at the stadium.
Radio: 620-AM
Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
Pitchers: Rays — Chris Bootcheck, Cory Wade, Mike Ekstrom, Dane De La Rosa, Rob Delaney, Brandon Gomes, Chris Archer; Jays — Brandon Morrow, Marc Rzepczysnki, Octavio Dotel, Carlos Villenueva
Heads-up
Prospect Tim Beckham gets the start at shortstop as Reid Brignac gets the day off.
Who is this Ray?
Three of his four brothers were drafted, but he was the only one to reach the majors. He was offered football and basketball scholarships. He is in his 10th year in the Rays organization and has played in seven big-league games.
On deck
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Marlins, 1:05. Rays — Andy Sonnanstine; Marlins — Anibal Sanchez
Wednesday: at Marlins (Jupiter), 1:05. Rays — Wade Davis; Marlins — Chris Volstad
Thursday: at Yankees (Tampa), 7:05. Rays — TBA; Yankees — TBA
Upcoming schedule
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: INF Elliot Johnson
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer