--Manager Joe Maddon, who has been rooting for the St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals since 1962, altered his pre-spring training plans to take in the Super Bowl in Tampa. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers helped Maddon purchase tickets.
--RHP Matt Garza is on Mexico's provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic but will likely not play because of offseason foot surgery. Garza was 11-9 last season with a 3.70 ERA. --SS Jason Bartlett avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $1.98 million contract. Bartlett's glove steadied the defense and earned him the team's most valuable player award.
--RHP Dewon Day, who was placed on waivers to make room on the 40-man roster for RHP Lance Cormier, cleared waivers and agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
--3B Evan Longoria, the American League Rookie of the Year, played in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic from Jan. 19-25. Longoria, who received a bottle of champagne from actress Eva Longoria when he was selected to the All-Star Game, received a note of congratulations for winning Rookie of the Year.
BY THE NUMBERS: 32 -- Promotional dates this season at Tropicana Field. Fans will receive, among other goodies, replica AL championship rings, replica AL championship trophies and a Carlos Pena robot.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's like being a Cubs fan. You have to brace yourself every year." -- Rays manager Joe Maddon on what it has been like being a fan of the St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals since he was 8.
