C.C.: "I can't wait to get to spring training."
Rays LF Carl Crawford has kept a low profile during the off-season but told ESPN.com's Amy K. Nelson he can't wait to get to spring training and likes the direction the team is headed, especially the deal to get RHP Matt Garza and SS Jason Bartlett from Minnesota for Delmon Young.
"That move, for Garza, spoke volumes," Crawford said. "For the first time I felt like this organization was serious about winning. That's the reason why I think everybody is excited because everybody sees that."
Crawford also details how he has changed his diet and intensified his workouts, having built a private gym in his Arizona home.
Follow the Rays through spring training and the season with Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and the Times sports staff. We invite your participation in the comments area.
good for carl! i'm glad he likes the new direction the team is headed in. he's simply too talented for us not to get the most out of him.
i can't wait for baseball to start!!!!!!
Posted by: raysfan | February 12, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Yeah, sounds great. Until he has to sit out 5 games bc of sore quads. "the turf is too rough on my delicate sensibilities." Waste of 2nd round pick last year.
then again he sounds ready this year so i'll buy in. 2nd round, the Prowling Purple Pandas select Carl Crawford!
Posted by: Michael Strahan | February 13, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Good one Michael.....I would image your quite the stud athlete!! Pretty tough behind you big bad computer.
Posted by: Ben | February 13, 2008 at 11:47 AM
I have to admit it seems like a we are all waiting for the year to start but I would like to see more people on the stands and less crying from funs whom don't know squat about baseball.
Posted by: OBED | February 13, 2008 at 12:11 PM
How can you say a bad thing about Crawford? All he's done is stay out of trouble, play through injuries, and improved his game every single year. Strahan, you might be the dummy of the day with your comment. You obviously are not an educated baseball fan, and should hold your comments to yourself.
Posted by: Andrew Leppla | February 13, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Strahan obviously is from Neuw Yoark...
The best of New York stays there.
Pack up and move back. There are enough idots in Tampa Bay, without immigrants.
BTW - Get some class loser.
Posted by: Rex | February 13, 2008 at 02:14 PM
thank god. we are finnally making crawford happy. hopefully this means he might consider staying with the team longer than 2010.
Posted by: Ryan Callahan | February 13, 2008 at 02:37 PM
What!?!?!? How can anyone dis carl crawford? Hes already won the SB title at least 3 times, maybe 4. He has increased his average each year over the last 5 years and has hit over .300 the last 3. He is a great athelete and will have 1000 hits before his 27th birthday. he already has 990, just 10 more to go. Such an idiot u r.
Posted by: Ryan Callahan | February 13, 2008 at 02:41 PM