Longoria like a kid again with Frank Robinson in attendance

     “Where’d he go?” asked Evan Longoria, emerging from the clubhouse tunnel to the spot on the dugout steps where Frank Robinson had stood moments before. The 22-year-old Rays third baseman, in a disarming moment where big-leaguer had transformed back into star-struck fan, was starry-eyed during batting practice when he saw the 72-year-old Hall of Fame outfielder chatting nearby. In the dugout testing the grip on a new bat, Longoria had stealthily leaned in toward the small group conversing with the former Reds, Orioles and Indians outfielder until Robinson, sensing his presence, looked over his shoulder and smiled.

“I’m just listening,” Longoria grinned sheepishly.

When BP concluded a few minutes later, Longoria politely asked for an autograph and hustled into the clubhouse to find a clean ball, only to return unable to find Robinson. So Longoria hovered like a Little Leaguer outside the video room where Robinson supposedly retreated.

“He’s one of the greats of the game,” said Longoria, who’d still not gotten his autograph by game time. “I’ve seen him on ESPN classic and all that. It’s good to meet somebody like him. They don’t come around too often.”

- BRANT JAMES

Comments

[Nathan]

Oh and, Mike, let me add this. The thrust of your post is that the long list of 'character' players on the Bucs' roster (of which there are many) neutralizes the Stevens situation. It's like saying "I made 99 good decisions and one bad one, but don't call me out on the bad one - even if it was GLARINGLY bad because I've earned a pass on the others. Nonsense. Because MOST players are either already decent people or smart enough to keep their names off the police blotter, any team is going to have more good guys than bad. That said, what's important here is how an organization deals with the bad ones. The Bucs not only knew of Stevens' issues before they brought him in the first time, but the gave him a second chance when he's done nothing to deserve it. It is indicative of the organization's mindset. Sorry if you Bucs homers are too sensitive to admit that our coach is a slimeball (as between Gruden's and Simms' version of events, I'm going with Simms') or that player character seems far down on their list of priorities.

Again, if you want to come after me for implying Gruden and his 'yes-men' employ very questionable judgment, try putting Gruden's actions into context.

The soon 'Chucky' is shown the door, the better this organization - and this town - will be.

[Nathan]

Mike Creyton - the only ignorance on display is yours. Your "defense" of Gruden is pretty-easily answered, but would take too long for here. But one example is Dunn - brought in by McKay and Dungy. He's here only because the Bucs' RB situation is so bad they're willing to take a chance on a former player who's averaging a whopping 3.2 YPC. As for Stevens, he was let go and brought back AFTER his character was known. Dukes, on the other hand, was summarily given the boot and I can assure you he will not be asked back.
So, the next time you want to call someone ignorant or defend Jon Gruden, try doing some homework first. How long do you think it'll be before Cedric Benson is invited for a workout? Moron.

[Papelbon]

Mike Creyton, that was a very incoherent couple of sentences. I have know idea what you're trying to say. So, I'm throwing at you too when I'm in town. I'll probably throw at Nathan twice for being such a little girl.

[Mike Creyton]

Yeah Nathan. You are right. Those guys like Warrick Dunn, Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Joey Galloway, Davin Joseph, Jeremy Trueblood, Barret Ruud, Cato June, Aaron Sears, Jeff Fayne, Sabby Piscatelli, etc. are all bad character guys. The Bucs have more high character guys on their team that any team in the NFL. I hate the ignorance when it comes to Gruden in this town. A backup tightend does not make an entire team bad guys. The Rays had Elijah Dukes last year. Does that mean that Joe Maddon only likes low character players?

[Nathan]

What's truly a shame is that Papelsmear will probably never have to face an opposing pitcher at the plate.

[Papelbon]

I've got a problem with Frank Robinson too. Friend of the Rays ain't no friend of mine, no sir.

[Nathan]

Perhaps Jon Gruden could learn a thing or two about getting players of true character. Thanks, Longo, you're a class act and an HOF in the making.