Sapp Honored At Hard Rock Retirement Party

Posted Jun 28, 2008 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Jun 29, 2008 at 12:18 AM

TAMPA — Friends and former teammates from the Bucs gathered at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino on Saturday night to honor Warren Sapp.

The 35-year-old defensive tackle retired in January after nine years in Tampa and four seasons with the Raiders.

Sapp arrived fashionably late, strolling into his retirement party two hours into the festivities. While a DJ kept the music going, guests dined on sushi and an assortment of appetizers.

“Warren’s the straw that stirred our drink,” said Bucs coach Jon Gruden, who attended the party with his wife, Cindy.

Fans also were on hand to celebrate Sapp’s storied career. A video montage displayed career highlights for the 1999 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

“He was the most fierce competitor I ever played with,” former Bucs linebacker Shelton Quarles said.

Part of the proceeds went to the Children’s Cancer Center in Tampa.

Other notables in the crowd included Bucs running back Warrick Dunn, Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and Raiders coach Lane Kiffin.

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Calm between the storms

Posted Jun 28, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Jun 28, 2008 at 09:39 PM

As nasty as it was here earlier, the backdrop once the rain subsided was about as beautiful as you can ask for at a ballpark. There was a rainbow arcing over downtown which unfortunately I couldn’t capture in its entirety, but this is a corner of it.

And naturally it has begun raining again, though much lighter this time.

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Ryan Malone coming to Tampa Bay with a Hall of Famer?

Posted Jun 28, 2008 by Erik Erlendsson

Updated Jun 28, 2008 at 07:58 PM

Sorry this is delayed on the blog folks, hope you caught the news on our homepage as part of our continous news section.

Tampa Bay is trying to get a jump on the free agent market acquiring the negotiating rights to power forward Ryan Malone along with potential Hall of Famer Gary Roberts from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a fourth-round pick (acquired from Dallas) that becomes a third-round pick if the Lightning sign Malone to a deal.

It’s an interesting dynamic because you would have to think that if Tampa Bay was willing to part with such a high draft pick, they must feel confident Malone can be signed to a deal before he hits the unrestricted free agent market. And given the fact that Malone recently said no team should try to acquire his rights because he fully intended to test free agency, where he is reportedly seeking a $5 million a year contract. Of course, he might have just been trying to scare off Columbus, which was very hot and heavy on his trail hoping to land the negotiating rights for Malone.

Malone was ranked by TSN as the third most attractive commodity on the free agent market, but had this to say about the 6-foot-3 winger: “Ryan Malone received the 3rd most votes.  His size and rugged style along with an ability to score will draw much intention, including from the Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets.  However, as one NHL general manager stated, “…at 3.5 million Malone is on my top 6 list…at 5 million, he is not.”

Tried to speak to Oren Koules earlier while I was at Busch Gardens trying to enjoy a free day (I should have known not to plan anything!!!!!) but he said they were trying to work on a deal so I will talk to him in a little bit.

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That, my friends, is a rain delay

Posted Jun 28, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Jun 28, 2008 at 07:00 PM

Those pictures were taken exactly five minutes apart.

We won’t be starting on time tonight, obviously. They’re expecting a delay of at least an hour, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if it was more than that or we don’t play at all.

Stay tuned…

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Morse Advances To Long Jump Finals; Johnson In Shot Finals

Posted Jun 28, 2008 by Bill Ward

Updated Jun 28, 2008 at 06:44 PM

In his first appearance at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, Freedom High’s Mike Morse, now a sophomore at USF, has advanced to the finals of the men’s long jump. Morse qualified with his preliminary round mark of 25 feet, 6.75 inches late Friday night in Eugene, Ore. The finals will be held Sunday at 6:15 p.m. Eastern Time. The top 12 jumpers advanced and Morse, USF’s school record holder at 25-11, grabbed the last qualifying spot.

In the men’s shot put, Tampa Baptist’s Garrett Johnson, a Florida State and Oxford University graduate, reached tonight’s finals of the shot put with his prelimary-round throw of 64-1.75. That was the No. 10 throw out of 12 finalists. Finals are at 7:40 ET.

Earlier this afternoon, Jeff Demps, who just graduated from South Lake High in Groveland, ran the second fastest 100-meter time ever by a prep sprinter with his 10.12. That moved him on to the quarterfinals along with such names as Walter Dix of Florida State, who led all qualifiers at 9.96, and former Brooksville Hernando High and University of Florida standout John Capel, who went 10.16 for the 11th-fastest time of the first round. Quarterfinals are tonight at 8:01 p.m. ET.

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Rays welcome inspirational guest

Posted Jun 28, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Jun 28, 2008 at 06:01 PM

PITTSBURGH—Joe Maddon was in his room at the team hotel in Fort Lauderdale a few days ago when he saw something on ESPN about John Challis, the Pittsburgh-area teen who wowed the Pirates and Yankees during a visit to PNC Park on Wednesday.

John, 18, is battling lung and liver cancer. He made national news earlier this year when he got a hit in an April 11 game for Freedom High School in his first and only at-bat in five years.

Maddon called the Rays’ PR staff and asked them to track down a phone number for John so he could invite him to a game while the Rays are in town this weekend. ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi, who reported an Outside the Lines piece on John, called Freedom’s baseball coach, Steve Wetzel, and asked if John’s family would mind if he gave their number to the manager of the Rays. Not at all, Wetzel said, and the Challis family is here today.

John made his way through the Rays’ clubhouse this afternoon, a new No. 11 Rays jersey on his back, meeting Troy Percival, Edwin Jackson, Scott Kazmir and Cliff Floyd. He also sat in on Maddon’s pregame meeting with the media and was planning to watch batting practice before the rains came and ended that endeavor.

John has created the Courage For Life Foundation to help high school kids dealing with terminal illnesses. Maddon had a banner bearing the Courage For Life Foundation’s motto, “Courage + Believe = Life”, made up and all of the Rays’ players and coaches signed it. John then had to return the favor when he said something about the “Devil Rays.” Maddon immediately demanded John pay the requisite $1 fine for the slip—and autograph the bill himself. Someone produced a dollar and gave it to John, who signed it and handed it to Maddon.

I think it’s fair to say John impressed everyone he came in contact with today. What a great young man.

“I watch these guys on ESPN,” said John, “and when they tell me they see me on ESPN, that really puts it in perspective for me. That’s pretty special.”

Perspective? Special? I’d say John has all that covered.

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Time is Ripe To Ready For Baseball Park

Posted Jun 28, 2008 by Tom McEwen

Updated Jun 28, 2008 at 05:54 PM

General columnist to the world, the Tribune’s Dan Ruth, who’s also a keen sports observer, wrote a piece for the Saturday paper I wish to echo.

In his words, Tropicana Field may be a dump, but it is our dump. He said it is what we have now and it is enough as home to the wonderfully surprising Tampa Bay Rays. Gosh, is Ruth ever right, or what?

He even suggested Progress Energy President Jeff Lyash (pictured, with the Rays’ Matt Silverman behind him) be unrestricted in his possible future ball park search, but keep his hands off old Al Lang Field on the St. Pete waterfront as a possible tear-down.

Thanks for the counsel, Dan.

And, Jeff Lyash in and on. For these are great times for the look-aheads in Tampa Bay. Time to prepare is now, during our temporary downtime with money a bigtime problem.

All three top-shelf sports clubs are doing just dandy.

Oh, I know, the Lightning of hockey just made massive changes, but they seem for the better under new leadership - without cutting ties with the those who got us here, like Vinny Lecavalier. And, I know the Buccaneers have been quiet but they appear to be laying in ambush. Coach Jon Gruden is not wailing.

They’re fixing up, as are the Lightning and those hot, hot, hot Rays. My gosh, none of us, none of us, could have foreseen how well Stuart Sternberg and Matt Silverman could have done with these Rays with old war horse Rick Nafe the veteran executive out front. He can take the heat.

So, by gosh, here are we are with a major league baseball team, the Rays, doing about everything right on the field, in the dugout, and off the field, who have assembled one of the best records in baseball. I mean, the Rays are in the hunt. They are good. They are potent. They are in the American League East title race.

They can hit it long and they can hit it in the gaps, in the corners, just beyond reaches and they can hit into the rafters of The Trop. They can bunt, squeeze, steal, hit and run, slide under the throw, gamble, fake, take and hit away. They can field slickly, turn a double play, run you down, pick you off, or nail you at   the plate.

This is a fine team, far better than any of us could have expected, and I have mentioned the pitching, which is deep, and sound, with relievers about and varied. The ownership has been involved in the team, the Trop, and the future. Good. Now, this place of ours, so proud of our purpose and involvement in sports, needs to assist the search committee Lyash of Florida Progress heads on behalf of us all.

He apparently will start at the start, without preconceptions, though he is a big shot with the energy corporation in Pinellas. Over here, it is Tampa Electric. That was included purposefully. Assurance has been the look for a stadium location will be unrestricted, not partial to St. Pete or Pinellas.

And, important is that there is no rush. Nobody wants to rush to put a park on the St. Pete waterfront, not anymore. Flags are already up.

Years ago, remember, when others moves were imminent, thoughts were of a ball park nearer to the Tampa side of things, like near the St. Pete track, back when Frank Morsani was a potential of a big league team here. Those sights remain and they remain there for the Jeff Lash committee.

Big deal now is, I think, we now have three professional organizations among us at a wonderful time. They are successful now and on the move. Time to help those who may want it get the best available facility that can be put into place without those exorbitant costs that have seemed always to be there.

And, how neat is it for the Trop to be around still? I still think it is a neat alternative.

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Posey Wins Bench Award

Posted Jun 28, 2008 by Aaron Knox

Updated Jun 28, 2008 at 04:18 PM

If FSU catcher Buster Posey has half the major-league career of the man for whom Posey’s latest award is named, Posey will make San Francisco Giants fans very happy.

Posed was named winner of the 2008 Johnny Bench Award on Friday night, given annually to the nation’s top catcher.

The other two finalists were Stanford University’s Jason Castro and Coastal Carolina’s Dock Doyle.

“I am so excited for Buster,’’ said FSU coach Mike Martin, who was in attendance at the banquet in Wichita, Kan. “Buster had an outstanding season and is very deserving of this award. His outstanding play both on the offensive and defensive side played a major role in helping our ball club get back to the College World Series.’’

Posey was chosen fifth overall by the Giants in the MLB first-year player draft earlier this month. The negotiations are ongoing

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Delmonico Misses Out On FAU Job

Posted Jun 28, 2008 by Aaron Knox

Updated Jun 28, 2008 at 04:11 PM

FSU volunteer assistant baseball coach Rod Delmonico, who spent 18 years as head coach at Tennessee, was passed over in his bid to become Florida Atlantic’s head coach.

Delmonico interviewed last week at FAU, but the Owls named 17-year assistant John McCormack as successor to Kevin Cooney, who retired after leading the program for 21 years.

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Your new leadoff man: Upton

Posted Jun 28, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Jun 28, 2008 at 04:05 PM

PITTSBURGH—We already knew Willy Aybar would play second in Aki Iwamura’s three-game absence. Today we found out who will move to the top of the lineup: B.J. Upton.

Joe Maddon approached Upton last night about moving up to the top of the order and “it was a pretty quick answer for me,” said the center fielder.

“I’ve always kind of liked the leadoff spot,” Upton said.

Upton shouldn’t have to change much. He has some nifty leadoff-type numbers this season: .401 on-base percentage, 56 walks (2nd in AL) and 22 steals (3rd in AL).

Here’s the whole group, with the red-hot Evan Longoria also moving up:

Upton CF
Crawford LF
Longoria 3B
Hinske RF
Pena 1B
Navarro C
Aybar 2B
Bartlett SS
Jackson P

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