by Steve Carney

The second half of Rays pitchers got their bullpen session in Wednesday at Charlotte Sports Park.  Among those making their spring debut in the bullpen were starters James Shields, David Price, and Matt Moore, as well as relievers J.P. Howell and Fernando Rodney

"I thought J.P. looked really good today.  He's made a couple of adjustments, and I know he's feeling a lot better coming off his surgery [in 2010]," Maddon said after practice.  "It's good to see J.P. feeling healthy with a lot of good focus."

Both Shields and Price were able to work with new catcher Jose Molina Wednesday.  "It was nice and easy," Shields said afterwards.  "He's a veteran catcher; he's going to get it quickly."

The team also released its scheduled of promotional giveaways for the 20-12 regular season.  Among the highlighted items: an Evan Longoria Walk-off Figurine for the first 10,000 fans on the April 21 game against Minnesota, and a "Zim" bear (a teddy bear with the Rays' senior advisor's face) for the first 10,000 fans to attend the June 29 game against Detroit.  There will also be bobbleheads for James Shields, Matt Moore, Desmond Jennings, and DJ Kitty.

The figurine of Evan Longoria's walkoff homer to win Game 162 and give the Rays the 2011 Wild Card, which will be given to the first 10,000 fans through the gates April 21 vs. Minnesota.  Photo by Tampa Bay Rays.

The "Zim" Bear, which will be given to the first 10,000 fans June 29 vs. Detroit.  Photo by Tampa Bay Rays.

by Steve Carney

The Tampa Bay Rays will take the field Wednesday for their second scheduled workout at 9:30.  The practice is open to the public, with gates opening at begiining of practice.

Reliever Jake McGee said he wasn't intentionally trying to throw at Jeremy Hellickson during practice Tuesday.  "They [Hellickson and the player in the drill] were both standing around first base, and I just threw in between them.  I never would have heard the end of it if I had hit him."

Only seven position players have not checked in to the facility in Port Charlotte.  The two big names are first baseman Carlos Pena and utilityman Ben Zobrist, who are each expected to make it before the weekend.

The 2012 Rays Promotional Schedule

DATE                  OPPONENT          ITEM                                              RECEIVED BY
Fri, 4/6                Yankees               Schedule Magnet                          All fans in attendance
Sun, 4/8              Yankees               Raymond Cowbell               First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Fri, 4/20              Twins                   Collectible T-Shirt #1                         First 10,000 fans
Sat, 4/21             Twins                   Evan Longoria Walk-off Figurine          First 10,000 fans
Sun, 4/22            Twins                   Rays Recycled Youth Hat    First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Fri, 5/4                A’s                      Collectible T-Shirt #2*                    First 10,000 women
Sun, 5/6              A’s                      Joe Maddon Sunglasses       First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Fri, 5/18              Braves                 Collectible T-Shirt #3                          First 10,000 fans
Sun, 5/20            Braves             Kyle Farnsworth Bobblehead   First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Fri, 6/1               Orioles             Jeremy Hellickson R.O.Y. Figurine             First 10,000 fans
Sun, 6/3             Orioles              Desmond Jennings Bobblehead First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Thur, 6/14           Mets                    Cheer Sticks                       First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Fri, 6/15             Marlins                  Joe Maddon Bobblehead                       First 10,000 fans
Sat, 6/16            Marlins                  Drawstring Backpack                           First 10,000 fans
Sun, 6/17           Marlins                  David Price Jersey Wallet     First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Fri, 6/29             Tigers                    Zim Bear                                            First 10,000 fans
Sun, 7/1             Tigers                 James Shields Bobblehead     First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Fri, 7/13             Red Sox                 Burst Koozie                                       First 10,000 fans
Sun, 7/15           Red Sox         Rays Ice Cream Bowl & Spoon     First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Thur, 7/19          Indians                  Cheer Sticks                       First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Fri, 7/20             Mariners                Collectible T-Shirt #4                            First 10,000 fans
Sun, 7/22           Mariners                Matt Moore Bobblehead        First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Fri, 8/3               Orioles                   Collectible T-Shirt #5                           First 10,000 fans
Sun, 8/5             Orioles                   DJ Kitty Bobblehead            First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Thur, 8/9            Blue Jays               Cheer Sticks                       First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Fri, 8/24             A’s                        Collectible T-Shirt #6                            First 10,000 fans
Fri, 9/7              Rangers                 Collectible T-Shirt #7                            First 10,000 fans
Sun, 9/9            Rangers          Evan Longoria Mini Drum Set       First 10,000 kids 14 & under
Fri, 9/21            Blue Jays               Collectible T-Shirt #8                            First 10,000 fans
Sun, 9/23          Blue Jays                  TBD Bobblehead                First 10,000 kids 14 & under

*May 4 giveaway will be distributed to the first 10,000 women.

Promotional schedule, quantities, ticket prices and dates/times subject to change.

Ron and Ian sat down with Joe Maddon for an hour long, commercial free conversation!



Go here or click the image above to start watching the video and see the photos!

by Steve Carney

The Tampa Bay Rays practiced for just over two hours Tuesday, with pitchers working bullpen sessions, taking comebackers, and drilling on covering first base.

• A scary moment occurred when during a comeback drill, reliever Jake McGee accidentally threw the ball full strength toward starter Jeremy Hellickson, who was not in the drill.  Hellickson was able to dodge the throw and was not hurt.  "I heard [Alex] Cobb yell and just reacted," Hellickson joked afterward.  "Lucky I got out of the way."

Rays pitchers Jeff Niemann and Kyle Farnsworth throwing in the bullpen for the first scheduled practice of 2012.  Photo by Steve Carney.

• Jeff Niemann threw a 40-pitch bullpen session with new catcher Jose Molina, and afterwards was very pleased with the results.  "He's going to be a huge factor.  We're all excited to have him behind the plate...that was a good first bullpen."

• Niemann also discussed the eight players battling for spots on the five man rotation:  "With the amount of talent, it's going to be a competition and a fun spring."  However he also adds that if he doesn't win a spot, he also would like to stay with the club saying he wants to remain a Ray "for as long as I can."

• Both manager Joe Maddon and the players mentioned the phrase "old school" repeatedly, which Maddon says has been misconstrued over the years.  "Old school to me means that I can trust you, that you probably have honor, that you probably have good work ethic," Maddon explained.  "I think sometimes we [in baseball] refrain from using new things because we only know what we've heard."

• Reliever Burke Badenhop is fine with the old school.  "I played with a real old-school guy last year [in former Marlins manager] Jack McKeon," the righty said.  "But Joe [Maddon] doesn't mean stuck in your ways.  He's going to stick with his old-school mantra of being tough, being respectful, trusting your teammates, playing hard for them.  That's the sort of old-school stuff he likes."