Opening day schedule
10 a.m.: Stadium parking lots open
12:10 p.m.: Stadium gates open; Rays player greets fans at rotunda entrance
12:25-1:25: Rays batting practice
1:25-2:05: Yankees batting practice
2:05-2:15: Rays infield practice
2:15-2:25: Yankees infield practice
2:44: Ceremonial first pitch, by Jim Dundee, son of the late legendary boxing trainer and Rays fan Angelo Dundee
2:45: Introductions, starting lineups
2:56: National anthem, by Tampa Bay area saxophonist B.K. Jackson; colors presented by St. Petersburg Police Department Honor Guard
3:03: Raising of 2011 AL wild-card banner, including members of Rays athletic training staff, in acknowledgement of their contributions
3:08: Rays take the field
3:10: First pitch by James Shields
Free shuttle service
Pickup on Second Street between Central and First Avenue South, from 90 minutes before game until 1 hour after. Visit loopertrolley.com for info.
By the numbers
53 Major-league opening days for senior adviser Don Zimmer, 64th season in pro ball.
40-15 Rays record past four years with crowds of more than 30,000.
11 Opening days for 3B coach Tom Foley, most in Rays history.
7-7 Rays record on opening day, 4-3 at home.
4 Opening day starts for James Shields (1-1 record, 4.91 ERA).
.571 Batting average for Jose Molina on opening day (4-for-7, HR).
Most opening day starts for Rays, by position (1998-2011):
Catcher
Toby Hall, 5
First base
Fred McGriff, 4
Second base
Miguel Cairo, 3
Shortstop
Kevin Stocker, Julio Lugo, Jason Bartlett, 3
Third base
Evan Longoria, 3
Leftfield
Carl Crawford, 8
Centerfield
B.J. Upton, 3
Rightfield
Dave Martinez, Ben Grieve, 3
Designated Hitter
Jose Canseco, Pat Burrell, 2
Pitcher
James Shields, 3
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