Fashion statements
The sideshow to Thursday's pig roast was the hazing of players in their first major-league camp. They had to dress as hula girls and serve drinks. A rundown from emcee Fernando Perez:
RHP Neal Frontz: "Most ladylike. He probably throws 95, but he has the body of a middle school girl."
INF Chris Nowak: "Undoubtedly the scariest woman, with his beard and rainbow 'fro; an Amazon."
SS Tim Beckham: "We urged people not to tip him because he's already overpaid."
From RHP Jason Hammel: "I was kind of partial to (LHP) Jason Cromer. I can be a sucker for blonds, I guess."
From manager Joe Maddon: "The fact that Beckham wore a helmet actually took him a little bit over the top. (C Craig Albernaz) was probably the most risque. And we have to watch him because I think he actually liked it."
The dish …
Today's full squad workout starts at 9:30 a.m. at Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte, with live batting practice at 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 your left. Workouts usually last 2½-3 hours. Admission and parking are free.
List of the day
Dioner Navarro ranked among the majors' top- hitting catchers last season (minimum 400 at-bats):
Player Team Avg.
Joe Mauer Twins .335
Ryan Doumit Pirates .323
Yadier Molina Cards .304
Brian McCann Braves .301
Bengie Molina Giants .296
Dioner Navarro Rays .294
Geovanny Soto Cubs .287
Russell Martin Dodgers .284
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
27: Boston
28: 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
"Let's just say it was a little different scale."
DH Pat Burrell, right, on Thursday's Welcome to Charlotte County parade, comparing it with his experience in the '08 World Series champions parade in Philadelphia
Photo op of the day
Friday was photo day, with the players getting their pictures taken by news and photo agencies and for baseball cards. RHP Andy Sonnanstine, who is awfully proud of his 4-for-10 batting line, did a few of his poses swinging a bat. "C'mon," he cracked. "I'm a .400 career hitter."
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