Ahead of his official introduction as a member of the Rays, Fernando Rodney just called to apologize for the 2009 incident when he threw a ball into the press box after getting the final out of the game.

"I want to say sorry,'' he said.

Rodney's actions at the time led to a three-game suspension, much to the anger of Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski.

Rodney, with a rep from his agent on the line, called me to clear the air because I was, and still am, chairman of the Tampa Bay chapter of the BBWAA and, as part of my duties, had sent an e-mail to MLB detailing what Rodney did and what he said about it afterward.

With agent's rep Juan Nunez providing some translation, Rodney said he was acting that day out of frustration and wasn't intending for the ball to hit anyone. Nunez said that when the deal to sign with the Rays was in place, Rodney said he wanted to make sure the air was clear on that issue.

"He just wanted to make sure that he got that point across,'' Nunez said.