He has given conditioning coach Jose Vazquez the backing to push the pitchers in the off-season and during spring training. Vazquez is prepared to give each pitcher the right plan. (...)

"We feel like the first step in trying to get our starters into the mind-set that they can throw more pitches and pitch more innings is that they have to get the foundation of conditioning with them," Ryan said. "I don't think you come in and ask them to extend themselves of what they're accustomed to doing without starting there."

Kinsler, an All-Star second baseman and potential Most Valuable Player candidate, did not rule out returning this season but acknowledged he was "mentally" preparing for season-ending surgery.

"There is a lot of stuff I still wanted to accomplish," Kinsler said. "You prepare to play the whole season, and when it's cut short, well, it's not what you expect to have happen at all. I'm having a great season. I wanted to steal the MVP from [Josh] Hamilton. I guess I'll just have to do it again next year."

Kinsler, an All-Star second baseman and potential Most Valuable Player candidate, did not rule out returning this season, but acknowledged he was "mentally" preparing for season-ending surgery.

"There is a lot of stuff I still wanted to accomplish," Kinsler said. "You prepare to play the whole season, and when it's cut short, well, it's not what you expect to have happen at all. I'm having a great season. I wanted to steal the MVP from [Josh] Hamilton. I guess I'll just have to do it again next year."

Derek Kilduff told the Track he was one of five people waiting for the visiting ballplayers at the hotel, but when his girlfriend and 12-year-old nephew asked the jock for an autograph, he refused.

"I didn't want to see Hamilton there,'' Maddon said. "I mean, listen, it's his year, and why not have him hit a grand slam right there and really screw up ours.''

Said Byrd: "It was the right move in the right spot. When the guy's AL manager of the year like he's going to be, things go your way.''

In the end, it worked. Marlon Byrd made an out to end the eighth and the Rays went on to win 7-4 and increase their AL East lead to 4.5 games over the Red Sox. Still, can you imagine the backlash of Byrd hits a grand slam there? I suppose that sort of "if" isn't applicable here since it didn't happen, the Rays are in first place, and Maddon is a virtual lock for AL Manager of the Year.

"Now, being in the ninth inning, there's pressure," Guardado said. "In the eighth, you know there's someone behind you who can pick you up if you do fall. Now, in the ninth, there's nobody behind you, so you have to shut the door."

Guardado, 37, is a closer for the first time since 2006, when he was traded to Cincinnati. He had 36 saves for Seattle in 2005 and compiled 86 for Minnesota in 2002 and 2003.

Forgive me if this is baseball heresy, but I'm not sure I see the problem with this: After giving up a grand slam to Richie Sexson two nights ago, Rangers closer C.J. Wilson does what you'll see above -- he tosses the ball into manager Ron Washington's hands in a quick little petulant fit of anger. Oh well, right?

Ah, but Ronny has none of that. He makes Wilson step back on the mound and hand him the ball like a big boy, simultaneously burnishing his image as Someone Who Respects the Game and embarrassing Wilson. All in day's work.

But like I said above, I'm not sure I find that much wrong with Wilson tossing the ball at Washington. OK, he probably shouldn't act like a jerk on the mound. Fine. But he did just give up a grand slam, which means he was mad at himself for letting his teammates down -- I'm not sure that's the sort of thing you're looking to punish in plain sight. Oh no! He's being emotive! Quick, squash it with stuffy baseball tradition!

(HT: Big League Stew)