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Late Signee Hinske Is Having 'A Blast'

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By IRA KAUFMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 20, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - If Tampa Bay's glorious season of redemption had a face, it would resemble Eric Hinske.

The 2002 AL Rookie of the Year with the Blue Jays entered Saturday night's game against Toronto with a .513 slugging percentage - topping sluggers like Boston's David Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero of the Angels.

Not too shabby, considering Hinske was signed in February as a minor-league free agent after helping the Red Sox to a World Series title last fall.

"It's been a blast," said Hinske, who turns 31 in two weeks. "I was just trying to make this team in the spring, and the Rays were honest with me. Nothing was guaranteed, but then Rocco Baldelli got hurt and opened a spot."

With 14 home runs and 45 RBIs in his first 80 games, Hinske has provided Manager Joe Maddon with a dangerous left-handed bat.

"I immediately liked the guy," Maddon said, "and it was clear Eric felt like he had something to prove. The guy does not waste a moment in a big-league uniform. Every at-bat is a professional at-bat."

That exceptional focus was on display in Friday's 2-1 victory when Hinske coaxed a two-out walk in the seventh inning and Ben Zobrist followed with a game-winning homer against A.J. Burnett.

"I'm a smarter hitter for sure than I was five years ago," said Hinske, who was dealt to Boston for cash Aug. 17, 2006. "It's been a lot of fun here. This is turning into a good baseball town, and we feel we'll be in the race all the way. Everyone in this room goes out with a chip on his shoulder every day."

A CITO SALUTE: Tampa Bay's remarkable start isn't a shocker to Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston.

"They are here to stay," Gaston said Saturday. "When I watched them on Opening Day against Baltimore, I looked around and said this is a pretty good ball club. They are legit."

Considering the Rays have finished last in nine of their first 10 seasons, the 2008 turnaround has provided one of baseball's most compelling story lines.

"Teams are going to have to deal with them this season, next season and the season after that," Gaston said.

INJURY UPDATE: Maddon said closer Troy Percival (hamstring) fielded grounders without a limp and is close to returning from the disabled list.

SS Jason Bartlett (knee sprain) worked out before the game and is expected to run the bases Monday or Tuesday.

"For the most part, the pain is gone," Maddon said. "Jason's not far off."

NOTEWORTHY: Slumping B.J. Upton was dropped to the No. 7 spot in the batting order, and Maddon said it was a temporary demotion designed to help the 23-year-old center fielder "relax and have fun." ... Rapper MC Hammer, who performed after the game, hit two balls off the left-field fence during batting practice.

Ira Kaufman, Steven Hinton

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