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Tampa Bay Rays: Luke Scott displays pig-hunting spears; coach Tom Foley pays tribute to prospect Hak-Ju Lee

 
Published Feb. 27, 2012

Interesting moves of the day

To get prospect SS Hak-Ju Lee more involved in his first big-league camp, RHP James Shields called him out before Monday's workout to do his usual pregame dugout dance in front of the whole squad. "He kind of got blindsided," Shields said. "He's pretty good. He pulled some Michael Jackson moves on us. I've never anybody do the moonwalk in spikes."

Quote of the day

"You don't have to worry about me unless you're a criminal or a communist."

Luke Scott, on, well, being Luke Scott

An old face in a new place

Tampa native Fred McGriff didn't make it out to the field too often during several years in the Rays front office, but he was at Disney on Monday to start a week as a special instructor in Braves camp.

Who is this Ray?

He is a native of Cuba who first signed with the Yankees. He made his big-league debut in 2008, and hit his first homer in 2009 vs. the Rays. He was Arizona's opening-day first baseman last season.

The dish

Today's full-squad workout starts around 9:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and lasts 3 hours. Admission and parking 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 left. For more information: (941) 235-5025.

Heads up

Live batting practice starts around 11, with Jeff Niemann, Jeremy Hellickson and Alex Cobb among those scheduled to throw.

Exhibition schedule

Rays tickets: $9/12-27, available at box office, via raysbaseball.com and Ticketmaster.

Info: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)

All games 1:05 unless noted

March

3: at Twins

4: Twins

5: Orioles

6: Twins

7: at Yankees

8: Tigers (ss)

at Twins (ss)

9: Orioles

10: at Red Sox (7:05)

11: Pirates

12: Twins

13: at Orioles

14: Marlins

15: Phillies

16: at Jays

17: at Pirates

18: Red Sox

19: Off

20: at Marlins

21: Yankees

22: at Pirates

23: Jays (7:05)

24: at Twins (3:05)

25: Marlins

26: at Twins

27: at Red Sox (1:35)

28: Pirates (7:05)

29: at Phillies

30: at Pirates

31: Red Sox

APRIL

1: at Orioles

2: Twins

3: at Twins

4: vs. Future Rays, 1:40, at Trop.

* Value game, $2 off

Who is this answer: 1B Juan Miranda

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Interesting items of the day

New DH Luke Scott brought the two 7½-foot spears that he has used to kill wild pigs to the clubhouse, showing them off to inquiring teammates (and reporters). "Guys were asking me about them," he said. "Take a look, see what you think, come out (hunting) if you want."

Tributes of the day

3B coach Tom Foley wore a modified jersey, with his name FO-LEE. Foley, who is part Japanese, Filipino and Hawaiian, showed it to Hak-Ju Lee, who said, "I like it." … 3B Evan Longoria's Game 162-ending home run is featured on the cover of the team media guide.