Luke Scott is always up for a laugh. That's why he brought in a stuffed boar's head he hunted to show off to his teammates earlier this week.
So when the long-time designated hitter talks about playing in the field this year, it's hard to tell how serious he's being. "Look, I've got all these nice pretty gloves," Scott said while showing off his gloves at his locker. "It's a shame they had to sit on the sideline last year," he adds while patting his hand into a large black Rawlings mitt. "That's a really nice glove."
But it's Scott's bat that has kept the 34-year-old in the majors.
"I saw Luke two years prior with the Orioles do a lot of damage to us," said Rays third baseman Evan Longoria. In 2010, Scott finished a three-year stretch with the Orioles where he averaged 25 home runs a season. Injuries slowed him down ever since.
Scott had shoulder surgery before the last season, his first and only one with the Rays. His production was down: 14 home runs and 55 RBI on only 96 games played. "I don't think he was ever settled in last year. He was always fighting against a nicked-up hamstring and the surgery to his shoulder," Longoria added.
Scott feels he can be the hitter he was in 2010. "I feel good physically. I put in hard work this offseason and had some time to heal," he said.
The Rays are willing to bet Scott is right. The team re-signed him to a one-year $2.75M contract with hopes a healthy Scott can protect Evan Longoria in the batting order. "He's healthy," said manager Joe Maddon. "I really anticipate more and a better season just based on good health."
There is one thing from last season Scott isn't about to change: his facial hair. His distinctive mutton chops helped earn him the nickname, "Wolverine" after the X-Men character who bears a similar look.
"I'm going to stick with them," Scott said of the chops. "I'm going to trim them down. I may shave and then grow them back. I'm going to mix it up a little bit, but I'll keep them."
Monday, May 20 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:59:30 GMT
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office report that deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery.
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office report that deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:17:06 GMT
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:19:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:04:00 GMT
The Manatee County school superintendent says the district is in a financial crisis. One of the proposals to save the district includes cutting the number of teachers and many parents are not happy.
The Manatee County school superintendent says the district is in a financial crisis. One of the proposals to save the district includes cutting the number of teachers and many parents are not happy.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Monday, May 20 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:19:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Monday, May 20 2013 4:22 PM EDT2013-05-20 20:22:51 GMT
A 2 dollar toll turns into hundreds of dollars in fines and a suspended license…. Sound familiar? It happened before… Why does this keep happening? 8 On Your Side Investigates…Tuesday night @ 6 on
A 2 dollar toll turns into hundreds of dollars in fines and a suspended license…. Sound familiar? It happened before… Why does this keep happening? 8 On Your Side Investigates…Tuesday night @ 6 on
Monday, May 20 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 20:56:18 GMT
The city of Zephyrhills is still getting lots of national attention. But the many media crews and live trucks don't seem to bother the local residents.
The city of Zephyrhills is still getting lots of national attention. But the many media crews and live trucks don't seem to bother the local residents.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:36:44 GMT
Hearing on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, Lindsay Carter took advantage of the advanced warning, gathered her belongings and fled.
Hearing on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, Lindsay Carter took advantage of the advanced warning, gathered her belongings and fled.
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:22 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:22:04 GMT
Dr. Reed, Dr. Pilon-Thomas and Dr. Sarnaik of Moffitt Cancer Center receive a check for $150,000 from Rob Shapiro and Jim Sirignano with Swim Across America - Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Wednesday, May 1 2013 6:01 AM EDT2013-05-01 10:01:55 GMT
More and more people are using social media to vent their gripes about bad customer service. Twitter and Facebook are becoming popular forums for consumers who want their voices heard.
More and more people are using social media to vent their gripes about bad customer service. Twitter and Facebook are becoming popular forums for consumers who want their voices heard.
