March 2, 2008
Rocco
Baldelli - Up Close and Personal
Rocco
Baldelli’s health is one of the biggest
question marks the Rays have this spring.
He appeared in only 127 of 486 games the
past three seasons because of an assortment
of injuries. Baldelli has been a major
disappointment since signing a long-term
deal in November 2005 and there was much
hoopla as to why the team would make such a
commitment to someone who had just missed
the entire 2005 from a torn ACL and a torn
rotator cuff. Heading into spring training,
the Rays have asked Baldelli to pace himself
during spring training, something that
Baldelli has never had to do. I spoke with
Baldelli last week; I asked him a multitude
of questions concerning his health, his
approach to the game and more.
Althea: How does it feel to
be back in spring training?
Rocco: It’s been awhile since
I’ve been on the field and been with these
guys. It’s been since last May that I’ve
been with these guys. It feels great.
AP: How’s your health
RB: It just feels good to be
out there running around and not be hurt.
It’s not easy to deal with, going through
all this. It’s not easy to resist the
temptation to run full speed.
AP: Is there anything in
particular that you are doing differently
that you can recollect as far as previous
years?
RB: Well, normally I pretty
much take part in everything and do it as
hard as I can – in pretty much everything I
do in spring training. It’s pretty much
gone away.
AP: Is it a whole mass
difference approach to the game right now
that you are taking?
RB: I’ve switched up my
spring schedule a lot. I’m not taking part
in a bunch of stuff to just keep my legs
healthy. I just take part in what I feel or
we feel I need to take part in – that’s it.
It’s not something most ballplayers have to
go through. It’s kind of an odd situation
I’m in. But I think I’m holding up about as
well as I could hope for.
You can describe it any way
you’d like. I’m going to do what I have to
do to be ready to go on opening day.
AP: Has anything affected
your swing or are you comfortable at the
plate during BP?
RB: I’m seeing the ball
pretty good. The pitchers are telling us
what’s coming but it’s not going to be like
that too much longer but I’ll definitely
take my swing right now the way it is.
AP: It looks like you’ll be
on the 25-man opening day roster and not the
on the DL.
RB: That’s the only place I
want to be.
AP: That’s the goal?
RB: Yeah
RB: Thank You
AP: You’re welcome.
