* Everybody has moved on and it’s old news, but wouldn’t it have been cool to see Joe Maddon with the Rays in Havana? From finding a way to cruise the Malecón in a ’57 Chevy to press conference comments that showed some geopolitical chops.
* It’s still relatively pricey for Americans to visit Cuba. Not the case, of course, for members of the Tampa Bay Rays, who were honored to go and participate in history. And they were paid $10,000 each.
* Among the baseball entourage visiting Cuba: Tampa resident Derek Jeter. He’s a baseball icon; he’s known to Cuban fans; he’s an excellent MLB ambassador; and he’s still mentioned in future Rays-ownership scenarios.
* Lest we forget, Tampa’s reputation as a sports magnet is reinforced next month when Amalie Arena will host the NCAA Frozen Four. Among the schools favored to make it here (April 7, 9) is Quinnipiac University, the nation’s top-ranked team. Yes, they’re known for something other than political polling.