http://www.news-press.com/article/20110323/SPRINGTRAINING/103230394/Longoria-among-game-s-best?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cs
Longoria among game's best
Yet Rays 3B keeps strong work ethic
12:28 AM, Mar. 23, 2011 |
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria encourages his teammates before the start of their game against the Boston Red Sox at City of Palms Park on Monday. A lightly recruited player out of high school, Longoria's bat has put him among baseball's elite. / KINFAY MOROTI/news-press.com
Written by
GLENN MILLER
gmiller@news-press.com
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is only three years into his career but his name is already in the same statistical company as some of the game's giants.
Not just all-stars. Not just Hall of Famers. But the pantheon of the greatest. Ted Williams. Joe DiMaggio. Albert Pujols.
Shortly after the Rays arrived at City of Palms Park on Tuesday afternoon for a game against the Boston Red Sox, this statistical neighborhood he's inhabiting was mentioned in the visitors clubhouse. Is it something he thinks about?
"Not at all," said Longoria, who was 0-for-3 in Tuesday night's game. "I just try to be the kind of player I've been up to this point and stay consistent and try to get this team to where we need this."
Yet, there his name is in elite company. He's had 20-homer and 30-double seasons each of his first three years.
Consecutive 20-homer, 30-double seasons to start career
Albert Pujols - 10
Ted Williams - 10
Joe DiMaggio - 4
Evan Longoria - 3
Orlando Cepeda - 3
Most doubles first three seasons
1. Albert Pujols 138
2. Johnny Frederick 130
3. Paul Waner 127
3. Al Simmons 127
5. Dale Alexander 123
6. Evan Longoria 121
6. Hideki Matsui 121
Most extra base hits first three seasons
1. Joe DiMaggio 261
2. Albert Pujols 259
3. Ted Williams 239
Note: Longoria is 10th with 210
Only Pujols, DiMaggio and Williams started their careers with more than three such years.
Few could have predicted such excellence when he was a very good but lightly recruited player at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, Calif. He then blossomed into a first-round draft choice at Rio Hondo Junior College and Long Beach State.
Even now, after three very good seasons, the 25-year-old Longoria goes about his business as if he has something to prove.
"I try to bring that into the season every year," Longoria said. "That's what really keeps me driven to be the best I can be. Whatever it takes."
Rays senior baseball advisor Don Zimmer, 80, is a believer. He sees Longoria's offense and defense. He knows Longoria earned a Gold Glove last year.
Longoria among game's best
Yet Rays 3B keeps strong work ethic
12:28 AM, Mar. 23, 2011 |
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria encourages his teammates before the start of their game against the Boston Red Sox at City of Palms Park on Monday. A lightly recruited player out of high school, Longoria's bat has put him among baseball's elite. / KINFAY MOROTI/news-press.com
Written by
GLENN MILLER
gmiller@news-press.com
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is only three years into his career but his name is already in the same statistical company as some of the game's giants.
Not just all-stars. Not just Hall of Famers. But the pantheon of the greatest. Ted Williams. Joe DiMaggio. Albert Pujols.
Shortly after the Rays arrived at City of Palms Park on Tuesday afternoon for a game against the Boston Red Sox, this statistical neighborhood he's inhabiting was mentioned in the visitors clubhouse. Is it something he thinks about?
"Not at all," said Longoria, who was 0-for-3 in Tuesday night's game. "I just try to be the kind of player I've been up to this point and stay consistent and try to get this team to where we need this."
Yet, there his name is in elite company. He's had 20-homer and 30-double seasons each of his first three years.
Consecutive 20-homer, 30-double seasons to start career
Albert Pujols - 10
Ted Williams - 10
Joe DiMaggio - 4
Evan Longoria - 3
Orlando Cepeda - 3
Most doubles first three seasons
1. Albert Pujols 138
2. Johnny Frederick 130
3. Paul Waner 127
3. Al Simmons 127
5. Dale Alexander 123
6. Evan Longoria 121
6. Hideki Matsui 121
Most extra base hits first three seasons
1. Joe DiMaggio 261
2. Albert Pujols 259
3. Ted Williams 239
Note: Longoria is 10th with 210
Only Pujols, DiMaggio and Williams started their careers with more than three such years.
Few could have predicted such excellence when he was a very good but lightly recruited player at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, Calif. He then blossomed into a first-round draft choice at Rio Hondo Junior College and Long Beach State.
Even now, after three very good seasons, the 25-year-old Longoria goes about his business as if he has something to prove.
"I try to bring that into the season every year," Longoria said. "That's what really keeps me driven to be the best I can be. Whatever it takes."
Rays senior baseball advisor Don Zimmer, 80, is a believer. He sees Longoria's offense and defense. He knows Longoria earned a Gold Glove last year.
