* He may not be the second coming of Wade Boggs, but another Plant High alum has made it to the Major Leagues. He’s outfielder Preston Tucker, also of University of Florida fame, who joined the Houston Astros late last week.
* If there were a “Manager of the Year” award for the first fifth of the MLB season, it would have to go to the Rays’ Kevin Cash. The team has been more than competitive despite being a limited-payroll franchise built on pitching that has been absolutely devastated by injuries. As in Alex Cobb, Drew Smyly, Matt Moore and Jake Magee. Then add in the likes of Desmond Jennings and Nick Franklin on the DL and several regulars not hitting their weight, it’s amazing this team isn’t mistaken for the Durham Bulls.
* Floyd Mayweather said on Showtime that he’s not interested in a rematch with Manny Pacquiao. The reason: “Because he’s a sore loser and he’s a coward.”
Just guessing, but that’s the sort of thing you say when you do want to induce interest in a rematch.
* So, St. Petersburg City Council finally approved a new Pier design. So, yes, it can actually agree on something important and symbolic to the area–and not just relegate it to a workshop. And you can bet Stu Sternberg is wondering if any other high-profile priority makes its consensus agenda.
* Call it the new normal at One Buccaneer Place. It’s been more than a week now and for the most part there’s been nothing to report on Jameis Winston other than that he appeared to be learning the playbook and getting comfortable at those rookie workouts. The lone exception: that defamatory countersuit he filed against the woman who had filed a civil suit accusing him of sexual battery.
The diversion of football season can’t come soon enough for the Bucs.