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Hey Evan, Don't Get Too Too Comfy Yet!

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By MARC LANCASTER

mlancaster@tampatrib.com

Published: March 8, 2009

Updated: 03/08/2009 11:11 pm

FORT MYERS - Evan Longoria made the bus trip down here Sunday, the third consecutive spring training road game in which he has appeared. He even made the dreaded haul across the state to Jupiter last week.

That isn't the kind of schedule most established big-leaguers keep this time of year, and Longoria's presence on all those buses hasn't been accidental.

"He's not just going to get seniority kind of treatment yet," Rays manager Joe Maddon said Sunday with a wry smile. "He knows that. It's just the way of the world in the baseball world - you've got to make sure guys are aware of where they stand. He's very cognizant of that."

There's no question Longoria's standing in camp is different now than it was a year ago, as he tried unsuccessfully to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster. The reigning American League Rookie of the Year doesn't have to worry about winning a job anymore, and as a result he admittedly is more comfortable as he reports for work every day. Just as long as he doesn't get too comfortable.

"Last year, it was kind of that old saying - you fake it until you make it," Longoria said. "I was definitely trying to play it cool and just do the things that were expected of me and not too much. But this year, even from my first at-bat of the spring, just stepping into the box, I was a hundred times more relaxed than I was last year."

Confident as any player may be - and Longoria is - there's no substitute for firsthand knowledge. Despite missing the first couple of weeks before being promoted from Durham and later missing 30 games in August and September with a broken wrist, the Rays' playoff run gave Longoria more experience (and exposure) than he ever could have predicted for his rookie season.

As he looks to improve upon his work from last year, which included a .272 average, 27 homers and 85 RBIs, Longoria knows he won't have to worry about where he'll fit in.

"There's definitely a feeling of a lot more comfort, being in the clubhouse with the faces I was with for seven months last year," he said. "It's a good feeling when you know that the guys in the clubhouse respect you and you know that they know when you come to the ballpark every day you're going to give your 100 percent. ... That's the biggest thing for me, is trying to earn the respect of my peers and the guys in this clubhouse."

At this point, he probably has it. But it may take a couple more springs before he can get off the bus.

MORE BASEBALL, Page 2

Reporter Marc Lancaster can be reached at (813) 259-7227.

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