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Howell OK with Maddon's decision

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By MARC LANCASTER

mlancaster@tampatrib.com

Published: July 6, 2009

Updated: 07/06/2009 12:22 am

ARLINGTON, Texas - In another year, one in which fewer Rays were posting eye-popping numbers, J.P. Howell might have been an All-Star.

But with four teammates already on the roster and a fifth, Carlos Pena, a possibility to make it, the reliever lost out despite numbers that ranked among the best in the American League.

Manager Joe Maddon said Howell, Rangers starter Kevin Millwood and Mariners reliever David Aardsma were (in no particular order) the three pitchers he wanted to get on the roster but couldn't. Maddon shared those thoughts with Howell on Saturday night, leaving open the possibility that he might still make the cut in the final week before the game.

"I think he is an All-Star," Maddon said. "There's a couple other guys I think are All-Stars, too, and it's just about numbers. But who knows? If this thing shakes out in the next 10 days or whatever it is and injuries do occur, there is a possibility that he may pop up at some point. I think J.P. has pitched well enough to be on this All-Star team."

Howell, who ranked in the top five among AL relievers in appearances (39), strikeouts (46) and ERA (1.63) entering Sunday, said he understood Maddon's position and "wouldn't want to be in his shoes" making the final selections.

"There's always a chance, if someone goes down or something, I could sneak my way in there," Howell said. "Either way, it's OK, it's not the end of the world. It's definitely something you always want to do as a kid, but it's just one of those things, you've got to let it go and move on."

Derby days

Evan Longoria was a last-minute entrant in the Home Run Derby at last year's All-Star Game and it was announced Sunday that he had overtaken Josh Hamilton as the winner in a fan poll to participate in this year's contest.

But it sounds like the young slugger, who has been dealing with nagging hamstring troubles for the last month, would just as soon stay off his feet as much as possible during the break.

"I kind of don't want to hit in it this year, but if they need somebody I'll do it again," Longoria said Sunday. "I'd rather just relax. It's kind of a nerve-wracking deal. ... The less stressful I can make it on myself this year and enjoy the whole atmosphere, I'm going to try and do that."

Not surprisingly, Maddon said that reasoning sounded good to him.

"If he's not really into it, I'm good with that," Maddon said. "I'm very fine with that. Actually, it would be good if he did not."

The Rays did have a volunteer to step into any possible void left by Longoria, though.

"I would love to do it," Ben Zobrist said. "I'd give it a shot. It'd be fun and it's something that I've tried to do in BP before. Maybe it'll work out."

Gone but not forgotten

You would have thought Edwin Jackson was still a member of the Rays, considering how pleased his former teammates and coaches were that he made the AL roster after being voted in by the players.

"I'm so happy for him," James Shields said. "He was sad to leave the team and he wishes he could be back here, but he's doing his thing over in Detroit and he's proving around the league that he's here to stay."

Jackson is 6-4 with a 2.59 ERA in 17 starts for the Tigers and has held opponents to a .215 average.

"I could not be happier for Edwin Jackson," Maddon said. "He's a wonderful young man and he did great service for us here with the Rays. I'm really pleased and I'm going to be happy to see him in St. Louis."

The feeling is mutual, apparently.

"It's going to be a lot of fun," Jackson told reporters in Minnesota. "Joe's a charismatic manager. He's a good guy to play for. ...It's going to be a lot of fun to go back and play for him in a game."

Odds and ends

Voting for the final roster spot is open on MLB.com through Thursday, and Pena said he would definitely vote for himself: "I'm my number one vote-giver so I can be the number one vote-getter." ... If he makes it, the Rays would be the fourth team in the past 40 years to have their entire infield in the All-Star Game, joining the 1969 Cubs, 1976 Reds and 2002 Yankees.

Marc Lancaster

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