Exhibition schedule
Tickets: $10-27, available at raysbaseball.com, Charlotte Sports Park and Trop box offices, Tampa team store, through Ticketmaster.
Info: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
All games 1:05 unless noted
February
23: vs. Pirates, at Red Sox, 1:35
24: at Twins
25: vs. Red Sox (ss)
26: vs. Astros
27: at Pirates
28: vs. Tigers
March
1: at Jays
2: vs. Orioles
3: vs. Twins
4: at Red Sox, 1:35
5: at Twins
6: Off
7: at Pirates
8: vs. Phillies
9: at Phillies
10: vs. Red Sox
11: vs. Twins, 7:05
12: vs. Yankees
13: Off
14: at Orioles
15: vs. Phillies
16: vs. Red Sox
17: at Red Sox, 1:35
18: Off
19: at Tigers
20: at Twins, 7:05
21: vs. Jays
22: vs. Orioles, at Pirates
23: vs. Twins
24: at Yankees
25: vs. Pirates, 7:05
26: at Phillies
27: vs. Jays
28: at Orioles, 7:05
29: at Tigers
30: vs. Tigers at Trop, 1:10
Who is this Ray: LHP Cesar Ramos
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
On the Web
Follow our coverage all spring on The Heater blog (tampabay.com/blogs/rays) and on Twitter @TBTimes_Rays.
Window to his heart
Rays manager Joe Maddon went big this Valentine's Day in gifts for his wife, Jaye. In addition to sending flowers and ordering a bracelet (which hopefully wasn't a secret), Maddon had a large picture window at their house in Long Beach, Calif., painted with Valentine's greetings. He got the idea when he saw a storefront window being painted and asked the artist if she could do something heart-themed for the house.
Hearts on their sleeves
3B Evan Longoria went funny, picking up a teddy bear and a heart-shaped box of candies — featuring baseball stitches on the cover — for girlfriend Jaime Edmondson. … LHP David Price — thankful someone reminded him a few days ago of the occasion — planned to cook a Hibachi grill dinner for his girlfriend. … INF Sean Rodriguez had flowers and candy delivered to his wife, who is home with their three kids. … C Craig Albernaz, named the team's "closet romantic" by C Stephen Vogt, sent his girlfriend flowers and cupcakes. "My game's on point," Albernaz said.
Royal housing
Three of the players acquired in the offseason deal with the Royals — RHP Jake Odorizzi, LHP Mike Montgomery and OF Wil Myers — are living together. Odorizzi and Myers roomed together in the minors and know each other well. "He's the messier one," Odorizzi said, "but it's organized messiness." Montgomery is just getting to know Myers: "He said he likes McDonald's and doesn't really like vegetables."
Signs of the time
During Saturday's FanFest, fans who buy a $50 wristband (proceeds go to charity) can get autographs from Rays players and staff. Here is when some of the big names are signing. Full schedule at tampabay.com/blogs/rays:
• Wil Myers: 11:30-12:30
• Evan Longoria, Matt Moore, Don Zimmer: 1:15-1:45
• David Price, Fernando Rodney, Ben Zobrist: 2:30-3
Who is this Ray?
He grew up in a Spanish-speaking household and learned English at a bilingual preschool. Was college roommates with Longoria. Is an avid golfer with an 8 handicap. Was acquired from San Diego.
The dish
Today's workout for pitchers and catchers starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte) and lasts about two hours. Admission and parking are free. Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 South to Toledo Blade Road, go west 6½ miles to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, stadium complex is on the left. For more information, call (941) 235-5025.
Heads-up
It's the second round of bullpen sessions and scheduled pitchers include Price, Rodney, Jeff Niemann and Roberto Hernandez.
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