James Shields always finds it amusing when he's called the "graybeard" of the Rays rotation because he's the oldest member even though he's only 28. So after reading a quote from 22-year-old Jeremy Hellickson about learing from the "older" pitchers, Shields decided to have a little fun with it.  When he took the mound Sunday to throw batting practice, he wore a fake gray beard. "I saw what Helly said about the older pitchers, so I figured I would be one for the day,'' Shields said.

Said Elliot Johnson, one of the hitters he faced: "He didn't lose a thing. He's still very crisp no matter how old he is - or isn't.''