New OF Matt Joyce totally enjoyed going back to the North Brandon Little League on Friday night to throw out the first pitch (to his dad) and have his No. 20 retired. "That was one of the coolest things I've done," he said.
Numbers game
Jason Isringhausen's arrival required some shuffling. He took No. 44, and LHP Brian Shouse switched to No. 52. Also, RHP James Shields gave up his corner suite locker and moved across the room between Scott Kazmir and Andy Sonnanstine.
They're not in St. Pete anymore …
RHP Matt Garza will sign autographs from 2 to 3 p.m. today at the Wal-Mart on U.S. 41 in Port Charlotte.
The dish …
Today's full-squad workout starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, in Port Charlotte, with live batting practice about 10:50. Driving time from the Tampa Bay area is 1½-2 hours. The suggested route: Take I-75 south to exit 179 (North Port/Port Charlotte), turn right (west) on Toledo Blade Road, go about 6½ miles (crossing U.S. 41) to El Jobean Road (SR 776), turn right, go about 2 miles; stadium complex is on the left. Workouts usually last 2½-3 hours. Admission and parking are free.
List of the day
With Jason Isringhausen aboard, the Rays could have two of the top five active saves leaders (assuming Roberto Hernandez, Jose Mesa and Todd Jones don't make comebacks):
Pitcher Saves
Trevor Hoffman 554
Mariano Rivera 482
Billy Wagner 385
Troy Percival 352
Jason Isringhausen 293
Source: Baseball-reference.com
Rays exhibition schedule
Home games at Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte
TICKETS: All reserved seats sold out; berm seating available for $9 except for Red Sox, Yankees and Phillies games (sold out). Available through raysbaseball.com, at Tropicana Field and Charlotte Sports Park box offices, Tampa team store, and through Ticketmaster.
For information: 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
Games at 1:05 unless noted
February
Wed.: Reds
Thu.: at Yankees, 1:15
Fri.: Boston
Sat.: at Phillies
March
1: Blue Jays
2: at Cardinals
3: Astros
4: Puerto Rico, 7:05
5: off
6: at Pirates
7: Red Sox
8: at Red Sox
9: Twins
10: Blue Jays
11: off
12 :Phillies
13: at Blue Jays
14: at Reds
15: Pirates
16: at Pirates, 7:05
17: off
18: Reds
19: Cardinals
20: at Jays
21: at Orioles
22: Yankees
23: at Pirates
24: off
25: Pirates, 7:05
26: at Tigers
27: at Twins
28: Reds
29: at Reds
30: at Twins
31: at Red Sox
April
1: Twins
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
Quote of the day on Troy Percival
"Izzy is Percy with having done maybe a thousand more sit-ups."
Manager Joe Maddon, on the otherwise "clone"-like similarities between Jason Isringhausen and Percival, right
Quote of the day from Troy Percival
"I'll go get the first two outs for him. Of course, he might have to come in with the bases juiced."
On "helping" Isringhausen get the seven saves he needs for 300
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