♫♫♫ Welcome Back ♫♫♫

(I just did my best impression of Ma$e right there, but you didn't hear it because, well, you're not here. Your loss!)

And if you're not here, you're clearly missing out because today marks the first official day of pitchers and catchers workouts for the Rays. It's hot here, in the mid-70s, and I'm already sunburned (not that that should be a surprise to any of you) even though a nice man from Warren (yay Michigan folks!) gave me sunscreen after he heard me whining.

Hmmmm... what else? The sun is shining, the grass is green and I think my new basketball shoes came in the mail today; I couldn't ask for more.

Lots of new faces in the clubhouse this season; some that I've covered while working on other teams, and some just new altogether. I guess the biggest pleasant surprise was seeing Chirinos in a Rays jersey. He played for the Lugnuts when I was in college and although I wasn't covering the team at that time, I was still the designated translate-for-me/drive-me-to-the-ghetto-to-get-phone-cards-so-I-can-call-my-wife-in-Venezuela white girl, so we along famously.

Didn't get a chance to talk to him; there was too much other ish going on. I think he and Pie are the only ones from that Cubs team to still be hanging around, so it was nice to see two of my old-school friends doing well.

Yes, Manny showed up to camp today - 5 days before he's required to report. He didn't work out (Maddon guessed it would be tomorrow), but the fact he showed early gives me hope that he wants to abandon the negative image many folks have of him and start over. It would be very nice; the Rays have SUCH a nice clubhouse compared to other teams, it'd be sad to see that go.

That being said, he does have three lockers in the clubhouse. Neither Pat nor I could remember the last guy that had that luxury. Maybe Tampa Bay feels he's earned it. Maybe it was a contract stipulation. Orrrrrrr maybe his feet just smell, only time will tell.

Some randomness:
+ David Price tried to charge one of the reporters "friendship dues." I wonder if he knows most of us make little enough to probably qualify for food stamps.

+ Met two neat older guys from Michigan, and we got to talk Spartans for almost the entirety of the outdoor workouts. They're both huge MSU fans and have been following the team on TV even though they're on vacation (as they've done every year for a long time now). That turned into Tigers talk, which evolved into Lions talk, which then turned to Brandon Inge, and just how awesome he is. In short: It's never a bad thing to randomly come across people from back home.

+ There are (I believe) eight Stone Crabs in major league camp this spring, which always makes me smile. Probably the most so? Stephen Vogt, who's been through just about everything and back, only to surprise the hell out of everyone and win the batting title with a .336 average. He, probably more than anyone, has earned this reward.

+ J.P. Howell has gained 30 pounds this offseason and he still doesn't weigh 200. If you didn't know him before, you'd never have guessed how much weight he gained because he looks like a normal guy now. Last spring, he looked, in his words, "Pretty freakin' frail, dude." Since he'll be leaned on heavily to show the new 'pen the "Ray Way" and also to keep things light out there, it's good to see him healthy.

+ The clubhouse was strange without Pena and CC around. Not that they'd be in camp yet anyway since position players aren't due to report til next week, but it's eerie not having to camp out outside one of their lockers. CC always had great quotes that would never be able to be printed, and Carlos just had the shiny-happy vibe that was hard not to like. I covered Pena when he was with the Tigers so he's been around a while, and Carl's first year with the big kids was mine, too, so it's different not seeing either of them. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how the team can step up without them.

+ Stu Sternberg (the owner) was on hand, as he usually is on day one, for a mini press conference out on the field. Usually he excuses himself immediately afterward but this time he hung around outside with us for the majority of workouts, schmoozed with a 90(!)-year-old fan and then even made an appearance in the clubhouse to watch ESPN and shoot the bull with us while we waited for the guys to get dressed. While he's always been friendly he's also extremely busy, so never since I've been there has he been to casually available. This spring is quickly turning into BizarroRays2011.

And now, because I"m sure you've missed these as much as I have....(drumroll)

*****Today's quote of the day is actually a tie, between pitchers David Price and J.P. Howell.*****

"Great to see you guys again... now GO AWAY." (Price, joking with the media)

"At a Miami game, when it's 95 degrees, you can sneak a nap in - but watch the cameras." (Howell, on what he'll teach the bullpen newcomers)

Later, kiddos.

-Sportsgal