One of the more amusing side stories to spring training has been the Devil Rays...eh, sorry, the "Rays" v the Yankees mud-slinging about how to play in spring training.
It all began when the Rays' Elliot Johnson bowled over Yankee catcher Francisco Cervelli last Saturday on a play at the plate where Cervelli broke his wrist. New Yankee manager Joe Girardi, himself a former major league catcher, thought that Johnson's play had been a bit over the top for spring training, but former Yankee coach and now Ray "consultant" Don Zimmer refuted Girardi's views and said the game is supposed to be played hard but fair.
Forward to the return game, played on Tuesday night, and what happens? First a buzzing of Rays 3B prospect Evan Longoria (no more Visteria Lane jokes, please!), followed by Yankees hurler Heath Phillips immediate ejection. Next inning, just a "normal" hard play into second. Shelley Duncan, who was out by about a cup of coffee and a bathroom break, even tried to pretend it was normal. One Gomes charge from CF later, and both teams have lost 2 more players and a coach each. Spring comedy at its best.
Still, the Rays and the Yanks can pummel each other as much as they want. I'll bring the popcorn, the lounge chair and the soda. Have at it boys!
(Now I think there are some Yankees who are beginning to understand Pedro's olé move - Zimmer is an old fart:)
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.
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