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Rays: Tributes to late Don Zimmer begin

 
WILL VRAGOVIC    |    Times
WILL VRAGOVIC | Times
Published Feb. 28, 2015

Signs of a Zimmer tribute

The absence of senior adviser Don Zimmer, who died in June, is felt regularly at Rays camp. Saturday, the team gathered before the first full-squad workout to unveil a way to remember him, naming the path he used to drive his golf cart onto the fields Don Zimmer Way. Baseball operations president Matt Silverman said Charlotte County officials suggested the idea, and the team felt "it was a great way to honor him." 3B Evan Longoria felt the same, calling it "a beautiful tribute" and joking that the cantankerous Zimmer would not have agreed. "I know he'd probably have some criticism of it if he was around," Longoria said.

And more on Zim

The Rays and Clearwater for Youth on Saturday named the first recipient of the Don Zimmer Memorial Scholarship, which will be given annually to a high school senior athlete. Clearwater High cross-country/track runner Daniel Sawayda is the first winner. The Rays are expected to retire Zimmer's No. 66.

Quote of the day

"Anyone that's been driving next to me the last 30 days, they're probably saying, 'What is wrong with that guy? He's sitting there talking to himself.' "

New manager Kevin Cash, on how much he practiced his opening address to the players

Droning on

A drone from the RaysVision crew flew briefly over the workout shooting video. Baseball operations president Matt Silverman joked that "the baseball ops (drone) is a stealth drone."

The dish

Today's full-squad workout starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and will last 3-plus hours. Admission and parking free. Driving time from the bay area is 11/2-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 South to Toledo Blade Road, go west 61/2 miles to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, stadium complex is on left. For more information: (941) 235-5025.

Heads up

Bunting is the fundamental of today, but the highlight will be live batting practice. Among the pitchers throwing, starting at 11 a.m., will be Chris Archer, Ernesto Frieri and Jake Odorizzi.

Exhibition schedule

Rays tickets: Range from $10-$29, available at raysbaseball.com, via phone (toll-free 1-800-745-3000), Charlotte Sports Park and Tropicana Field box offices, Tampa tea, store (400 N Tampa St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com.

All games 1:05 p.m. unless noted.

March

5 vs. Orioles

6 vs Twins

7 at Pirates

8 vs. Phillies

9 at Yankees

10 at Red Sox (SS)

vs. Pirates (SS)

11 at Twins

12 vs Blue Jays

13 at Phillies

14 at Orioles

15 vs. Mets

17 at Phillies

18 at Blue Jays, 1:07

19 vs. Twins

20 vs. Blue Jays

21 vs. Twins

22 at Blue Jays, 12:37

23 vs. Pirates

25 at Twins

26 vs. Yankees

27 at Orioles

28 vs. Red Sox

29 at Red Sox

30 vs. Orioles

31 at Orioles (SS)

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vs. Red Sox (SS)

April

1 at Yankees

2 at Phillies

3 at Tigers

4 vs. Tigers at Tropicana Field, 12:35

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer