http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/120525129.html
Sunday Insider: See the legend un-Fuld
Article by: LA VELLE E. NEAL III , Star Tribune Updated: April 24, 2011 - 12:42 AM
Rays outfielder Sam Fuld already has endeared himself to teammates and fans with his hustle and gritty play.
When Manny Ramirez retired in disgrace after he was informed of another failed drug test, the Rays were in a pickle. They had scheduled a Manny Ramirez promotion and had 10,000 bobbleheads boxed up and ready to hand out.
There's no need to fear. Super Sam is here.
The Rays sent the bobbleheads back to the manufacturer. Instead, they will hold a Sam Fuld superhero cape day May 29.
It's the latest development in what's being called The Legend of Sam Fuld.
Fuld is 29 years old, generously listed at 5-10 and 180 pounds and was one of five players the Rays received from the Cubs for Matt Garza and two other players. Fuld can play all there outfield spots, swing at strikes and hits line drives.
"He's a guy with a very interesting profile," Rays Executive Vice President Andrew Friedman said during spring training.
Not just that. He's a very interesting man.
He's a Type 1 diabetic.
His grandmother taught him how to play the game when he was 3.
He studied economics at Stanford and has pursued a master's degree in statistics.
He was an intern for STATS, Inc.
His mother is New Hampshire state Sen. Amanda Merrill.
Fuld was supposed to be a backup outfielder, but when Ramirez left the Rays on April 8, it allowed Johnny Damon to be the designated hitter and Fuld to play more in the field. Fuld began making spectacular catches and throwing out baserunners and returning to the dugout with his uniform a mess and scrapes on his arms. Fans have gravitated to him. He came out of nowhere and is batting .365 after going 1-for-3 Saturday at Toronto, a game in which he stole his 10th base of the season.
And Fuld just had to do it. He had to play well in Fenway Park.
On April 11, he went 4-for-6 with a homer and was a single short of the cycle -- running out a double when he could have pulled up at first for the milestone. He also robbed Dustin Pedroia of a hit with another diving catch. He was the first New Hampshire-born player to homer at Fenway since Phil Plantier in 1992.
Fuld was once a bat boy at Fenway for a University of New Hampshire-Boston University game. Figures.
"Right now, I feel like he's the most exciting player in baseball," Rays pitcher David Price said.
It was after a game at Fenway in which Price handed out a packet of Legend of Sam Fuld quips, including: "Once Sam Fuld endorsed sugar-free candy, Willy Wonka had no choice but to shut down his factory."
There are more, like, "Superman wears Sam Fuld pajamas to bed."
Fuld joined in. When another game during the series at Fenway was rained out, Fuld said, "This is me washing the planet."
Fuld is trying to take it all in stride and is just thankful for the opportunity to play every day. Twins fans can size up Super Sam this week at Target Field when the Rays visit.
The man has been a regular for less than a month. He has a giveaway. Process that.
"I think I was maybe close to getting a Iowa Cub T-shirt giveaway," he said, "but I didn't make the cut there."
Sunday Insider: See the legend un-Fuld
Article by: LA VELLE E. NEAL III , Star Tribune Updated: April 24, 2011 - 12:42 AM
Rays outfielder Sam Fuld already has endeared himself to teammates and fans with his hustle and gritty play.
When Manny Ramirez retired in disgrace after he was informed of another failed drug test, the Rays were in a pickle. They had scheduled a Manny Ramirez promotion and had 10,000 bobbleheads boxed up and ready to hand out.
There's no need to fear. Super Sam is here.
The Rays sent the bobbleheads back to the manufacturer. Instead, they will hold a Sam Fuld superhero cape day May 29.
It's the latest development in what's being called The Legend of Sam Fuld.
Fuld is 29 years old, generously listed at 5-10 and 180 pounds and was one of five players the Rays received from the Cubs for Matt Garza and two other players. Fuld can play all there outfield spots, swing at strikes and hits line drives.
"He's a guy with a very interesting profile," Rays Executive Vice President Andrew Friedman said during spring training.
Not just that. He's a very interesting man.
He's a Type 1 diabetic.
His grandmother taught him how to play the game when he was 3.
He studied economics at Stanford and has pursued a master's degree in statistics.
He was an intern for STATS, Inc.
His mother is New Hampshire state Sen. Amanda Merrill.
Fuld was supposed to be a backup outfielder, but when Ramirez left the Rays on April 8, it allowed Johnny Damon to be the designated hitter and Fuld to play more in the field. Fuld began making spectacular catches and throwing out baserunners and returning to the dugout with his uniform a mess and scrapes on his arms. Fans have gravitated to him. He came out of nowhere and is batting .365 after going 1-for-3 Saturday at Toronto, a game in which he stole his 10th base of the season.
And Fuld just had to do it. He had to play well in Fenway Park.
On April 11, he went 4-for-6 with a homer and was a single short of the cycle -- running out a double when he could have pulled up at first for the milestone. He also robbed Dustin Pedroia of a hit with another diving catch. He was the first New Hampshire-born player to homer at Fenway since Phil Plantier in 1992.
Fuld was once a bat boy at Fenway for a University of New Hampshire-Boston University game. Figures.
"Right now, I feel like he's the most exciting player in baseball," Rays pitcher David Price said.
It was after a game at Fenway in which Price handed out a packet of Legend of Sam Fuld quips, including: "Once Sam Fuld endorsed sugar-free candy, Willy Wonka had no choice but to shut down his factory."
There are more, like, "Superman wears Sam Fuld pajamas to bed."
Fuld joined in. When another game during the series at Fenway was rained out, Fuld said, "This is me washing the planet."
Fuld is trying to take it all in stride and is just thankful for the opportunity to play every day. Twins fans can size up Super Sam this week at Target Field when the Rays visit.
The man has been a regular for less than a month. He has a giveaway. Process that.
"I think I was maybe close to getting a Iowa Cub T-shirt giveaway," he said, "but I didn't make the cut there."
