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Rays: Players enjoy charity fashion show

Published Feb. 24, 2014

Souvenir of the day

LHP David Price provided plenty of memories for folks at Saturday's Fan Fest, signing autographs and posing for pictures. But he also got a cool souvenir from a fan: A ticket stub from the Sept. 30, 2012, game in Chicago that was his 20th win. "That was pretty sweet," Price said.

Artifact of the day

Manager Joe Maddon had on his desk a plastic box containing something called a cassette tape of the Beatles' 20 greatest hits. Though usually high tech, with two iPads and a preference for Pandora, Spotify and SiriusXM, Maddon was excited to get the tape because his truck has a player.

Cool scene of the day

Since ace LHP David Price wasn't throwing, he could have been long gone Sunday from the fields, but he stuck around not only to watch the other starters throw but to pick up balls and offer advice from behind the mound.

Who is this Ray?

Native of Cuba played at University of Miami. Hit a home run in his first big-league plate appearance, vs. Reds. Joined Rays as minor-league free agent.

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 2½ 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

LHPs Erik Bedard and David Price and RHPs Grant Balfour and Alex Cobb are among 16 pitchers throwing live BP, starting around 10:30 today. The daily fundamental is cutoffs and relays.

Exhibition schedule

Rays tickets: Single-game range from $10-$29, available at raysbaseball.com, via phone (toll-free 1-800-745-3000), CSP or Tropicana Field box offices, team Tampa Store (400 N Tampa St.), all Ticketmaster outlets.

All games 1:05 unless noted.

Feb.

28 Orioles

March

1 at Pirates

2 Twins

3 Phillies

4 at Red Sox

5 Yankees

6 at Orioles

7 at Blue Jays

8 Pirates

9 at Yankees

10 at Red Sox

11 Twins

12 at Blue Jays

13 Pirates

14 at Braves

15 (ss) Blue Jays; at Pirates

16 Red Sox

18 at Twins, 7:05

19 at Orioles

20 Twins, 7:05

21 Blue Jays

22 Orioles

23 at Red Sox

24 at Twins

25 Red Sox

26 Orioles 7:05

27 at Orioles, 7:05

28 at Tigers

29 at AA Montgomery (Ala.), 3:05

Who is this Ray: C Eddy Rodriguez

Follow coverage all spring on The Heater blog (tampabay.com/blogs/rays) and on Twitter @TBTimes_Rays.

Fashion plates

Four Rays players — LHP Jake McGee, OF Matt Joyce and RHPs Alex Cobb and Brandon Gomes (right, with 19-year-old Sierra Bickel of St. Petersburg) — joined other area pro athletes at Saturday's Fashion Funds the Cure event at the Tampa International Jet Center, strutting the runway for charity. "It was awesome," McGee said. "Really fun."

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Erik the Happy

Rays manager Joe Maddon said having veteran LHP Erik Bedard has already been eye-opening. "I never knew — he's kind of a gregarious guy, he's affable, he talks, he's funny," Maddon said. "You never got that watching from a distance. I kind of like his personality."