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As Game 1 Nears, Rays Preach 'Power Of The Same'

The Associated Press

Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir, tonight's starter, walks through the outfield at Tropicana Field.

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By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Joe Maddon was pleased to discover one thing when he went through the Rays clubhouse prior to tonight's opening game of the World Series. Nothing has changed, and that's just how he wants it.

"It's great," he said. "Everybody's in there and it looks like business as usual. They're ready."

Maddon's a big believer in that, dating to his experience with the Angels in the 2002 World Series. He was the bench coach then for manager Mike Scioscia and put a big premium on keeping things routine.

"It's just about keeping things as simple and same as possible as you do during the regular season," he said. "That's the best way I can describe that. To think that you have to think different, to think you have to do anything differently, that's when you run into trouble.

"I'm just trying to get us all to understand the power of being the same."

Well, is at least a little different. About 2,000 media have been credentialed for the Series and many of them head to the field before the game in search of a new tip or two. That can create an atmosphere that's definitely different. But Maddon's approach appears to be working.

James Shields, the starting pitcher tonight for Game 2, noticed it right away.

"I think we're anxious, anxious and ready to go," he said. "I walked in the clubhouse today thinking everything was going to be different – World Series, big stage – but it's the same. Everybody is relaxed and having fun."

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