TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Back From WBC, Iwamura Ready To Go

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARC LANCASTER

mlancaster@tampatrib.com

Published: March 27, 2009

Updated: 03/27/2009 12:56 am

PORT CHARLOTTE - Akinori Iwamura had a blast helping Japan defend its World Baseball Classic title the past few weeks, but there was a bit of apprehension as he reported to Rays camp for the first time this spring.

"The biggest concern that I had was that I was forgotten by my teammates," Iwamura said Thursday morning.

He needn't have worried. In anticipation of his arrival, two heart-shaped helium balloons were tethered to his locker. One read "Only You" and the other "Cutie Pie."

And as soon as his teammates saw the suitcases full of cutting-edge Nike gear brought from home and the WBC - including an infielder's glove that appeared to be coated in gold lame - he immediately became the most popular guy in the clubhouse.

Manager Joe Maddon noted that Iwamura's English seems to have improved over the winter, and the second baseman used it to confirm his teammates' observations that Japanese pitching phenom Yu Darvish is indeed pretty nasty on the mound.

After the meeting and greeting was complete, Iwamura headed off to take his pre-spring physical as he looked ahead to putting on a Rays uniform today for the first time this year. Iwamura will lead off against the Twins in Fort Myers today, and he is slated to start Saturday at home against the Reds, when Maddon intends to assemble his starting infield for the first time this spring.

Not that Iwamura will need the time to get into game shape. He's already there after playing nine high-intensity games, plus a series of pre-WBC exhibitions. Iwamura hit .286 and posted a .417 on-base percentage during the tournament as he batted ninth for Team Japan.

He could end up hitting in that spot for the Rays this season after leading off most of last season, as Maddon seems inclined to give B.J. Upton the first spot in the order once he is healthy. Iwamura said he hadn't discussed that topic with Maddon, but he appreciates the challenge after doing the job for a while.

"It was pretty tough to be in the No. 9 hole," Iwamura said through interpreter Bori Uchibori. "Now I know how hard it was for Jason Bartlett last year."

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT