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Unlikely Heroes Continue To Emerge

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 12, 2008

When Rays newcomer Dan Johnson smashed a ninth-inning, game-tying homer Tuesday night in Boston - after being called up from Triple-A, then frantically arriving at Fenway Park just minutes before game time - it was stunning.

And typical.

All season, the Rays have thrived with contributions from players who don't qualify as stars - or even regulars.

Spare parts, they are sometimes called. But to Manager Joe Maddon, they are vital. When the Rays head to Yankee Stadium tonight to begin a three-game series against New York, the hero could be anyone.

"Everybody who has appeared on our lineup card has had ownership of this situation," said Maddon, whose team has a 21/2-game lead over the Red Sox in the American League East. "When they walk in the door, they don't think about themselves. They have their minds on a bigger picture. These players are a pleasure to watch."

Players such as shortstop/outfielder Ben Zobrist, who broke his thumb in spring training. Once he healed, Zobrist was sent down to Triple-A Durham - three different times, actually - only to emerge back with Tampa Bay in pivotal situations.

"When we sent him out earlier, I remember in our conversation he talked about how much he wanted to be part of this," Maddon said. "It was very sincere. He has been part of it - a big part. In fact, he might exemplify what's going on here. He may be the guy."

He held the defense together, playing shortstop during Jason Bartlett's injury. He played every position in the outfield. And he has delivered surprising power with seven home runs in 159 at-bats (after hitting only three in two previous seasons).

Zobrist had one of the biggest hits this season - a two-run, seventh-inning homer off A.J. Burnett to beat Toronto 2-1 - just after the All-Star Break that halted Tampa Bay's seven-game losing streak.

"Nobody is really having a career year here," Zobrist said. "It's just kind of eerie the way we've been able to do it. Nobody wants to analyze it. You just want to enjoy it. When things aren't going your way, you have to be resilient."

It has been Willy Aybar, playing every infield position and mostly covering third base after the injury to Evan Longoria, chipping in with big hits, including a two-run, two-out eighth-inning single to beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 on Aug. 19.

It has been outfielder Gabe Gross, in just his 16th starting assignment after being acquired from Milwaukee, with a walk-off 10th-inning homer to beat the White Sox 4-3 on June 1.

It has been Eric Hinske and Cliff Floyd. And it has been Dan Johnson, of course.

It has been everyone.

"It's amazing what we have overcome," Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir said. "It's almost too much to remember. So many walk-offs. You can't pin our success on one guy, that's for sure."

"Just one of those seasons, man," Floyd said. "If you try to pinpoint something, some turning point, you're just searching. Everybody has held themselves accountable. Do what you can do. Most of the time, it has been enough. It's a phenomenon."

The Angels witnessed it first-hand in August. Trailing 2-1, the Rays cobbled together a three-run eighth inning, capped by Aybar's game-winning single.

"Those guys find ways to score runs when they need to," Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher said. "They stay in the game with pitching and defense, then find ways to win. It's fantastic what they have done."

For Hatcher, it looked strangely familiar.

In 1988, after largely serving in a reserve role, Hatcher batted .368 in the World Series and helped the injury-racked Dodgers to a five-game shocker against the powerful Oakland Athletics.

Hatcher led the Dodger "Stuntmen," which included Rick Dempsey, Dave Anderson, Mike Davis, Danny Heep, Franklin Stubbs and Tracy Woodson, a behind-the-scenes group that seemingly had so-so statistics, but figured large in the pennant race and postseason.

"You know what we were like?" said Hatcher, grinning slightly. "We were like the Rays."

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353 or jjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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