By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 18, 2011
Guest singer note of the day
Joe Maddon has been invited to make a guest singing appearance during Sunday's postgame concert by the B-Street Band. The Bruce Springsteen tribute band is led by childhood buddy Willy Forte, who made the offer during Thursday's show at the Tampa Hard Rock. Maddon, though, doesn't want to and plans no surrender: "I might have to get Johnny Damon to go up there for me."
Real singers note of the day
Country sensation Miranda Lambert (Sept. 24) has been added to the Rays concert series, along with classic rockers REO Speedwagon (April 30) and the pop trio Goo Goo Dolls (Aug. 6). Darius Rucker, the former singer of Hootie and the Blowfish fame, had been announced for May 14.
Charity cut of the day
RHP Wade Davis will join Lightning star Vinny Lecavalier and others in shaving his head to raise money for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Davis, who has never gone bald, plans to be shorn atop the dugout after his April 3 home start, hoping to raise $10,000. "It probably won't look good, but that doesn't matter," Davis said. "It'll be good, and hopefully we can raise some money." See tinyurl.com/64o4bsv.
Quote of the day
"We're trying to hide something, and I'm not hiding that we're trying to hide something."
Manager Joe Maddon, on keeping starters David Price and James Shields from pitching against AL East foes Boston and New York
New colors of the day
OF Justin Ruggiano strolled around Friday in an LSU jersey and cap, the result of losing a bet — that he initiated — with SS Reid Brignac over the Cotton Bowl, where LSU beat Ruggiano's Texas A&M squad. "It looks good on him," Brignac said.
Rays at Twins
When/where: 1:05 today; Hammond Stadium, 14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers
Radio: 620-AM
Tickets: $13-$39, available by calling 1-800-33TWINS, via twinsbaseball.com and at the stadium.
Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
Pitchers: Rays — Wade Davis, Cory Wade, R.J. Swindle, Cesar Cabral; Twins — Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, Jim Hoey
Heads-up
Most of the big names are getting today off, with the lineup featuring SS Reid Brignac, C John Jaso, DH Dan Johnson and 3B Sean Rodriguez.
Who is this Ray?
He was a second-round pick in 2004. He lettered in football and baseball in high school. He has played for 11 teams in the Rays organization, and nine have reached the postseason. He is a frequent user of Twitter. He once dated a Playboy Playmate.
On deck
Sunday: Orioles, 1:05. Rays — Jeff Niemann; Orioles — Brad Bergesen
Monday: Yankees, 7:05. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson; Yankees — Bartolo Colon
Tuesday: at Red Sox (Fort Myers), 7:05. Rays — David Price; Red Sox — TBA
Wednesday: Phillies, 1:05. Rays — TBA; Phillies — TBA
Schedule
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: SS Reid Brignac
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer