Brignac to make big-league debut

It's been a whirlwind 24 hours for rookie SS Reid Brignac.

The 22-year-old walked into the clubhouse this afternoon after a 7 am flight from Durham, having been called up to the big leagues with Ben Zobrist when SS Jason Bartlett went on the DL Thursday.

Brignac looked at the lineup card and saw his name in the starting lineup at shortstop. "It was exciting," he said with a grin. "First time to see that."

Brignac said his family flew in this morning from Louisiana, gladly skipping their Cajun-style barbeque for Fourth of July in favor of ballpark hot dogs.

"I think they'll enjoy these hot dogs here a little better than the barbeque," Brignac said.

Brignac said he hadn't met with Rays officials to talk about his role, whether he'll split starts with Zobrist until Bartlett returns after the All-Star break. He said he's been more consistent - both at the plate and defensively - which is why he thinks he was given a shot.

Zobrist was equally happy to be back, saying his shoulder is fine and ready to go.

RAYS
Iwamura, 2b

Crawford, lf

Upton, cf

Pena, 1b

Longoria, 3b

Floyd, dh

Navarro, c

Hinske, Rf

Brignac, ss

Jackson, P

ROYALS

DeJesus, cf

Grudzielanek, 2b

Gordon, 3b

Guillen, lf

Butler, dh

Teahen, rf

Gload, 1b

BUck, c

Aviles, ss

Bannister, p

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[Jh Skyscrapercity]

Nathan... Have you read the lease the Rays have with the city? I have. The Rays aren't going anywhere for quite a bit past 2016, unless they come up with a truckload of cash.

[Jim]

St Pete shoulda gave them the stadium,..a**clowns...sheesh.

[Nathan]

Well, Jh, if it's 2016 before the Rays get their new digs, it won't be in St. Petersburg and most likely won't be in Florida. But, you'll still have the waterfront (that nobody uses) and an empty eyesore. Best start courting those RV and home shows again. That'll be the bread and butter of the Trop once the Rays leave.

Just perchance, did you see what the NBA did to Seattle? Don't delude yourself into thinking the lease is some roadblock to a relo by the team - lucky if it's a speedbump.

By all means, enjoy the Rays whilst you can. They'll be someone else's team soon enough.

[Jh Skyscrapercity]

^Oh, unless they win the Series in any of the next 3 seasons (which is certainly a possibility). Then all bets are off imo.

[Jh Skyscrapercity]

^Putting the stadium on the waterfront wouldn't have done anything but make it take longer to get there, make parking a nightmare, make the prices higher, and make the patrons sweat their arses off.

Oh, and it would also transfer about $400 million dollars from the taxpayers' wallets to the Rays ownership group's wallets.

Yeah, the problem for the fanboy types is reality. Polling showed St Pete residents against replacing the Trop on the taxpayers' dime, 68%-19%.

The proposal didn't just get killed, it got slaughtered. Mark my words, the Rays won't get a new stadium on the downtown waterfront, and they won't get it before 2016.

[Nathan]

Looks like we're about to chase the starter. 3 runs on 4 hits so far in the 1st. Nice start.

Oh, the Trop is empty. And still ugly. I'm a big fan of consistency. At least that waterfront is safe. Phew!

[Steve]

Brignac has outstanding potential.He's improved defensively and although he may never hit for a high average,he gets allot of extra base hits.

[rz]

maybe Reid can light up like Longo did after a slow start in Durham

[Razzlegator]

This should be interesting. Reid deserves the chance, and it can only help us for him to get some experience at this level.

[jeff]

ROCKN' WITH REID