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B.J. Upton News & Rumors

Price, Upton agree to one-year deals with Rays
January 17
Tampa Tribune
 
"What is David Price going to do with his new riches? He's not sure, but the Rays left-hand pitcher who agreed today to a one-year deal worth $4.35 million, offered this idea: "I might ask (Derek) Jeter if I can buy a wing in his house for a little while," Price said this afternoon during a conference call. Price, a Super 2 player who opted out of the final year of the six-year contract he signed after being drafted in 2007, received the most money for a first-time arbitration-eligible player since former Marlin Dontrelle Willis signed for the same amount in 2006. When asked how it feels to tie Willis, Price joked, "It's awesome. You're always trying to set records, so it's pretty cool that"
Decisions loom for Rays on Price, Upton deals
January 17
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price is inching closer to the biggest payday of his professional career. The same goes for center fielder B.J. Upton. The two are the priciest of the four remaining arbitration-eligible Rays, a list that includes starter Jeff Niemann and recently acquired right-handed reliever Burke Badenhop. Major league teams have until noon today to exchange contract figures with the representatives of their arbitration-eligible players. If agreements are not reached, the sides head to arbitration hearings, which begin Feb. 1."
For Nationals and Rays, little has changed in B.J. Upton trade talks
December 7
Washington Post
 
"The trade deadline this year passed without the Nationals landing the center fielder they desired, and they of course have still not landed that center fielder. As that has remained static, so, too has Mike Rizzo's interest in Rays outfielder B.J. Upton, the 27-year-old who played youth baseball with Ryan Zimmerman and is due a significant raise in arbitration. The Rays and Nationals talked back in July about a possible swap involving Upton, with shortstop Ian Desmond believed to be among the names the Rays wanted. Rizzo didn't get specific today, but he indicated the status of the Upton talks with the Rays and GM Andrew Friedman has stayed the same."
Upton delivers clutch performance
September 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"It is hard to ignore the stats, which is why Baltimore pitcher Alfredo Simón was being careful to Matt Joyce with B.J. Upton waiting to bat. Upton was slumping while Joyce was hot. Twice Simón walked Joyce with Upton on deck, and twice Upton responded with bases-clearing doubles as the Rays rolled a 6-3 win Saturday night in front of 14,223 at Tropicana Field. Upton drove in five runs as the Rays evened their season record at 7-7 against the Orioles, who have the worst record in the American League. The Orioles are 11-29 against the rest of the American League East."
Upton remains with Rays after waiver claim
August 29
MLB.com
 
"B.J. Upton remains with the Rays after being placed on waivers and claimed by an unknown team, Marc Topkin of tampabay.com reported Monday. The window for that team to strike a deal with the Rays has expired. There was speculation that the Nationals or Indians put in the claim. Roger Mooney of Tampa Bay Online reported on Saturday that Upton feels it is possible he won't be back with the Rays next season, regardless of what happened with the waiver claim. Upton is arbitration-eligible this offseason."
Upton's 3-run homer lifts Rays over Jays
August 28
Tampa Tribune
 
"Kelly Shoppach almost bunted into a triple play. There were four guys thrown out on the bases, including three at third base. Closer Kyle Farnsworth wasn't available. Anything else? Oh yeah, Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon asked his bullpen to pick up more outs than he had in any of the 11 previous games. Naturally, the Rays won. "We know we don't have to win one way, and we showed that," said B.J. Upton, whose three-run homer in the seventh inning proved to be the difference in the Rays' 6-5 victory against the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. "Just find a way to win, that's all that matters, just find a way," said Sean Rodriguez, who was thrown out twice at third base."
Upton claimed on waivers, but deal unlikely
August 27
St. Petersburg Times
 
"There was word late Friday that Rays CF B.J. Upton was claimed on waivers this week by an unknown team. The Rays have until Monday afternoon to work a trade or pull him back, though it appears as of now that a deal is unlikely."
Tampa Bay Rays' B.J. Upton not seriously injured, returns against Detroit Tigers
August 24
St. Petersburg Times
 
"CF B.J. Upton made a pinch-hitting appearance Tuesday and could be back in the lineup tonight as the right shoulder strain that forced him from Monday's game turned out to not be serious. Upton said an MRI exam Tuesday didn't show any damage. "I didn't think anything was going to show up anyway," he said. Upton struck out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh, fouling two balls off and swinging and missing twice, and he said he felt fine afterward. Manager Joe Maddon said he thinks Upton will be available tonight. Upton said the issue is the stiffness that makes it uncomfortable to throw. Friedman's future: Executive VP Andrew Friedman is a hot topic of conversation in Chicago as a potential"
Rays centerfielder B.J. Upton confident shoulder injury is minor
August 23
St. Petersburg Times
 
"CF B.J. Upton is painfully familiar with shoulder injuries, including surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left after the 2008 season. So though he was uncomfortable and frustrated to be forced from Monday's game and likely sidelined at least tonight due to a right shoulder strain, he seemed confident the injury was not significant. "This is a little bit different,'' he said. "I'm just glad it's not in the back of my shoulder. I don't think it will be anything too serious. It's more muscle.'' Upton was injured reaching for Delmon Young's eighth-inning drive, not when he collided with the wall a few steps later, then going down quickly and in obvious pain. "I think I just kind of"
Upton injures shoulder in Rays' loss
August 23
Tampa Tribune
 
"The double by Delmon Young in the eighth inning, the one that teased B.J. Upton into thinking he could catch it if he just reached a little farther, was the hit that changed Monday's game as the Tigers came away from Tropicana Field with a 5-2 victory. It might also be the hit that impacts the remainder of the Rays season, since Upton injured his right shoulder trying to make the catch and should miss tonight's game with the Tigers and maybe more with what was termed a right shoulder strain. Not that Upton has been setting the pace for the Rays offense. Without him Desmond Jennings will play center field and Sam Fuld will see more time in left field. But the Rays will lose a power bat and"
Rays decide against trading Upton, Shields
August 1
Tampa Tribune
 
"CF B.J. Upton stopped what he was doing Sunday afternoon, which was playing catch on the field with 3B Evan Longoria before the game, and watched the Safeco Field clock reach 1 p.m., which on the West Coast was the deadline for non-waiver trades. Upton, still in uniform, still in the lineup, raised his hands over his head and yelled, "Word. I'm still here." They all were, RHP James Shields, RHP Jeff Niemann, RHP Wade Davis, DH Johnny Damon and anyone else mentioned in the slew of trade rumors the past two weeks. "I'm just glad it's over with," Upton said. "That's probably the most nerve-wracking two weeks I ever had. I've always said I want to be here. I grew up playing with these guys, a"
Outfielder B.J. Upton steadfast in his belief that he's staying with Tampa Bay Rays
July 30
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Not that he's watching the clock or anything, but OF B.J. Upton 's first response when asked Friday afternoon about the trade situation was, "Less than 48 hours." Upton's considered the Ray most likely to get traded by Sunday's 4 p.m. nonwaiver deadline. The latest speculation is the Braves, after losing out on OF Hu nter Pence to the Phillies, might become more aggressive. Upton continues to believe he won't get dealt: "I don't think it's going to happen. I'm not going anywhere." Manager Joe Maddon supported that theory, saying he spoke Friday with executive VP A ndrew Friedman , and "nothing's going on." Maddon compared this year's deadline to past years when the Rays, with a"
Neither Joe Maddon nor B.J. Upton expects a Tampa Bay Rays trade
July 29
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays, as usual, have held exhaustive talks on an extensive number of trade possibilities. But with the deadline for non-waiver deals Sunday at 4 p.m., manager Joe Maddon said Thursday he does not anticipate them making any deals, including CF B.J. Upton. "I really would anticipate that we're probably going to have the same guys over the next week,'' Maddon said. "And two weeks, three weeks ... " Upton also said he does not expect be moved, with trades already sending Carlos Beltran to the Giants, Colby Rasmus to the Jays and Kosuke Fukudome to the Indians."
Trade market for Rays' B.J. Upton may be growing clear
July 28
St. Petersburg Times
 
"B.J. Upton said Wednesday that his gut feeling is that he won't be traded by the Rays before Sunday's 4 p.m. deadline for nonwaiver deals. "I think I'll be here," he said. "I don't think I'm going anywhere." If so, it might be an upset, given a series of events over recent days that suggest a deal is in the works, topped by Upton being unexpectedly held out of the lineup on Wednesday night. Or the result of an injury, as Upton told teammates he had been feeling tightness in his left quad. He spent several hours in the trainers room Wednesday afternoon, didn't come on the field for batting practice, and was in the trainers room again when the clubhouse opened after the game. Manager Joe"
Rumors keep swirling, but Upton's still a Ray
July 28
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Rays center fielder B.J. Upton wasn't in the lineup for Wednesday's 13-4 loss at Oakland. Just a day off, Upton said. "I wanted to get Sammy involved," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. Sam Fuld started in left field and Desmond Jennings, recently brought up from Triple-A, started in center. Upton said the day off had nothing to do with his health, though he told teammates he has a tight left quad. "I'm fine," Upton said. Meanwhile, shortstop Ian Desmond and catcher Wilson Ramos of the Nationals, two players mentioned as possible players to be traded to Tampa Bay for Upton, where not in the lineup Wednesday. So, let's review: With Sunday's 4 p.m. Eastern time deadline for non-waiver"
Report: Reds may pursue B.J. Upton
July 27
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"One guy who's not one of the usual suspects (Ubaldo Jimenez, James Shields, Carlos Beltran, et al.) with regard to the Reds and possible deals in advance of the trade deadline whose name has surfaced is Tampa Bay's B.J. Upton. From NYpost.com's Joel Sherman: Tampa Bay is very serious about dealing B.J. Upton and, because Upton is not a free agent until after next season, there are non-contenders calling also with 2012 in mind. For example, the Nationals have long had interest in Upton. And, surprisingly, the Royals also have checked in and have the kind of deep system that makes them viable on just about any player. The Braves, Pirates, Reds and Cardinals also are very serious"
B.J. Upton ignoring rumors
July 27
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Rays made a move Tuesday, but it wasn't the one everyone is expecting. LHP Cesar Ramos was optioned to Durham, and RHP Jay Buente was recalled to help a struggling bullpen. That meant the trade watch for CF B.J. Upton dragged into another day. Washington, San Francisco, Cleveland, Atlanta and Pittsburgh have been mentioned as possible destinations for Upton. "There are so many rumors, it's to the point now where they don't matter, because everything is speculation," Upton said. Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is not under pressure to dump Upton's salary, so there is a possibility Upton flies home from Seattle with the Rays after Sunday's trade"
Sources: At least 5 teams "in play" for Upton
July 27
Foxsports.com
 
"At least five teams are "in play" for Rays outfielder B.J. Upton, major-league sources told FOXSports.com. The Indians, Giants, Braves and Pirates are among the suitors, sources say. The Royals aren't seriously pursuing Upton, a source said, because they have prospect Lorenzo Cain in the minor leagues as their likely center fielder of the future."
Rays look like sellers as trade deadline approaches
July 25
Tampa Tribune
 columnist Joe Henderson
"We just discovered another admirable trait about veteran Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Johnny Damon. In addition to his leadership, hustle, classiness and clutch play, the man knows how to speak the truth. In Monday's Tampa Tribune, Damon was quoted by Anwar S. Richardson as saying, "I'm OK saying this. We have to start thinking about the wild card because Boston is the best team out there." OK, so Damon didn't really say anything we didn't already know about the plight of the Rays. Even after Sunday's 5-0 win at Kansas City, the Rays are 9½ games behind the Red Sox in the American League East and another 6½ behind the New York Yankees for the wild card. I'm sure Rays manager Joe"
Upton: The Beltran alternative for Giants, others?
July 25
Foxsports.com
 
"B.J. Upton might not be Carlos Beltran, but he's rapidly emerging as a potential alternative for teams in the Beltran sweepstakes. The Giants, while continuing to pursue Beltran, also are showing interest in Upton, according to major-league sources. Upton, 27, would be a logical fit for the Giants, upgrading their offense and providing strong defense in center field behind the National League's top pitching staff. Beltran, 34, is a superior offensive force to Upton, but his full no-trade clause and pending free agency make him more problematic as a trade target. Upton can be obtained without restriction and is under club control through next season. The Giants and other clubs likely would"
Upton watch continues
July 25
Tampa Tribune
 
"The list of coincidences associated with Rays CF B.J. Upton continued to grow Sunday. Upton was pulled from Friday's series opener against the Royals to give him some rest. After the game, the Rays recalled OF Desmond Jennings, who is expected to eventually replace Upton in center. Then on Sunday, Rays manager Joe Maddon rested Upton and had Jennings start in center field. The latest move only fuels speculation that Upton could be moved by the July 31 trade deadline, something he is getting used to. "It's becoming comedy to me. Whatever," Upton said. "I hear something new every day. I'm going to San Fran, Cleveland, Washington, Philly. I don't know. I'm at the point where I don't even"
As trade deadline nears, anxiety rises
July 24
Tampa Tribune
 
"For the next week, baseball's pennant races will be overshadowed by speculation season. The non-waiver trade deadline is next Sunday, so expect plenty of talk about who's going where. In this era of fantasy sports, when some kids actually dream of becoming a general manager, who doesn't like a good trade rumor? The local conversation: Are B.J. Upton's days numbered with the Rays? Trades can help both teams. Trades can become one-sided. They can be shocking or predictable. They can tear apart chemistry or bond together a championship run. "If you're a professional athlete, you can never get too comfortable in one spot,'' said Rays relief pitcher J.P. Howell, who was traded from Kansas City"
Goodbyes are part of the game in Tampa
July 24
Yahoo! Sports
 columnist Jeff Passan
"There are certain things, baseball players are taught, that are part of the game. Injuries, for example. Whenever a rash of them hits a team, someone in the clubhouse moans: "Just part of the game." And slumps. Hitters, pitchers, doesn't really matter. Everyone, at one point or another, goes through a slump. The best rationale? "All part of the game." July's chic part of the game is trade rumors, though for those wearing a Tampa Bay Rays uniform, it's much more than that. It's part of the Rays' life cycle. Arrive young. Succeed. Get expensive. Find your named bandied about radio airwaves, flung every which way on the boob tube and pingponged around the Web. Leave. As of now, no one is sure"
Upton, Tampa Bay Rays try not to let trade rumors affect them
July 24
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays continue to say there is nothing but the usual this-time-of-year trade rumors with CF B.J. Upton. Several national media types are saying that Upton definitely will be dealt by Sunday's deadline for nonwaiver deals. And Upton doesn't know what to say anymore, expect to keep up the daily joking with RHP James Shields that they've both made it through another day as Rays. "It's been (like this) the last two years so I guess there's nothing I can do about it," Upton said. "If that's what they want to do, that's up to them. It's totally out of my hands." The Indians emerged Saturday as another team possibly interested, given the injury absence of CF Grady Sizemore. The Giants, Brewers"
Nationals showing interest in B.J. Upton
July 24
Washington Post
 
"With the trade deadline approaching, the Nationals continue to have interest in acquiring Rays outfielder B.J. Upton, whom they sent a scout to watch during the Rays' series against the Yankees earlier this week. Upton has two connections to the Nationals. First, General Manager Mike Rizzo drafted with the first overall pick and signed his brother, Justin, when he was the scouting director of the Arizona Diamondbacks. In the process, Rizzo came to know the Upton family well. Second, Upton grew up playing with against Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. They are the same age, and they've have known one another since childhood. Today, Zimmerman said that while he's fine with the current"
Upton shrugs off trade rumors
July 22
Tampa Tribune
 
"CF B.J. Upton said he's not bothered by trade rumors involving him. He's used to it by now. "It's been that way the last two or three years, man, so I expect it every year," he said. "I'm not too worried about it. It's out of my hands. Whatever they're going to do they're going to do. I can't control it." Upton makes $4.825 million this season and will get bumped up to the $7 million neighborhood next season after he goes through arbitration for the third time. That might be too rich for the cash-strapped Rays, especially if they keep RHP James Shields ($7 million club option for 2012). Also, there is OF Desmond Jennings biding his time at Triple-A Durham. Unless the Rays can make up some"
Upton's Rays days are likely numbered
June 26
Tampa Tribune
 columnist Joe Henderson
"Halfway through the season, the Tampa Bay Rays have remained contenders in the American League East even though they played a month without Evan Longoria and three months with a lineup that has more holes than Augusta National. Well done. But all that means is decision time is approaching. Starting Monday night at Tropicana Field, the Rays begin a stretch of 20 games against Cincinnati, St. Louis, Minnesota, the New York Yankees, and Boston. Throw in a 10-game road trip after that to close out July, mostly out west. This is from the Marquis de Selig school of scheduling. However, that gauntlet also could set the Rays' direction for the next several years. The end of the long trip on July"
B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria miss game with flu
June 7
St. Petersburg Times
 
"A stomach flu making the rounds of the clubhouse left the Rays shorthanded Monday night, with centerfielder B.J. Upton and third baseman Evan Longoria the latest victims to be sidelined. Fortunately for the Rays, David Price was feeling just fine. Price delivered the dominating start they needed and Justin Ruggiano — filling in for Upton — led the offense as the Rays beat the Angels 5-1. "That's what I try to do every time,'' Price said. "Whenever we have some of our big players out like that you know you have to pitch a little bit better. You do.'' As poorly as the Rays had been going, losing three of four in Seattle and 11 of their previous 16, and as badly as some had been feeling, they"
Nats continue to have interest in Upton
June 5
MLB.com
 
"The Nationals continue to look for a center fielder, and B.J. Upton of the Rays is one of their targets, according to a baseball source. Upton, a Virginia native and Ryan Zimmerman's childhood friend, is considered an excellent defensive center fielder, but is having a down year at the plate, hitting .230 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs. However, according to the source, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo believes a change of scenery would help Upton's career."
Upton leaves game after second inning with tightness in glut muscle, says he could return Saturday
May 21
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Upton said after the game it was "not bad at all" and it was "definitely a possibility" he could play Saturday. Maddon said he isn't likely to start Upton, but he could be used later in the game. He felt it on his first at-bat when he stumbled a bit getting out of the box, and when it didn't go away the trainers, concerned initially it could be a hamstring issue, decided he should come out for precautionary reasons. UPDATE, 8:29: Upton left the game with tightness in his left gluteal, which are the muscles in the buttocks. DEVELOPING: CF B.J. Upton left Friday's game after the second inning. Upton was replaced in centerfield in the third by Justin Ruggiano, who was just called up earlier"
Upton to begin serving suspension today
May 12
Tampa Tribune
 
"The worst-kept secret around the Tampa Bay Rays was made official after Wednesday's 8-2 win against the Indians: B.J. Upton will begin his two-game suspension today. "Obviously it's not something that you really want to happen or go through, but I got to take responsibility for my actions, man," Upton said. "It happened. It's over with. We'll deal with it the next two days." Upton received the two games plus a $1,500 fine after throwing his bat, batting helmet and batting gloves after being called out on strikes by home plate umpire Chad Fairchild during the ninth inning May 4 of a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. It was the fourth time Upton struck out on the night, and the second time"
B.J. Upton drives in four as Rays complete three-game sweep
May 9
St. Petersburg Times
 
"It wasn't long ago, when the Tampa Bay Rays dug such a deep hole to start the season, that everybody seemed ready to shovel red clay on them. But by the time the Rays were done beating the Orioles 5-3 Sunday, setting a franchise record with their eighth consecutive road win by completing a three-game sweep, the team walking out of Camden Yards was in a virtual tie with the Yankees atop the American League East. "It says we're pretty good," Rays DH Johnny Damon said. "We know our starting pitching has been solid. We have the best defense around. And it seems like we've been getting big hits. "When someone doesn't come through, the next one is ready and willing to pick the guy up." Despite"
B.J. Upton suspended two games, fined $1,500
May 8
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Rays CF B.J. Upton was suspended two games by Major League Baseball and fined $1,500 for his outburst in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays. Upton said he plans to appeal the suspension, which was announced by the league Saturday, but likely will begin serving it when the Rays play at Cleveland on Tuesday. After being called out on strikes in the ninth inning of the Rays' 3-2 loss to Toronto on Wednesday, Upton was ejected and had a tirade aimed at home plate umpire Chad Fairchild, tossing his helmet and batting gloves and having to be restrained by third-base coach Tom Foley and bench coach Dave Martinez. If upheld, the suspension will be the first of Upton's career. "They look at it"
Rays' B.J. Upton gets two-game suspension for tirade
May 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"B.J. Upton was given a two-game suspension for his ninth inning tirade Wednesday and plans to appeal. Upton threw a tantrum after he was called out on strikes by home plate umpire Chad Fairchild for the first out in the ninth inning. It was the fourth time he struck out that game, the third time looking. Upton threw his batting helmet, bat and batting gloves and had to be restrained by third base coach Tom Foley and bench coach Dave Martinez. The Rays recalled outfielder Brandon Guyer on Friday, but manager Joe Maddon said the move wasn't protection for when Upton serves his suspension."
Upton loses cool, like Maddon
May 5
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon watched the final innings of the Rays' 3-2 loss Wednesday to the Blue Jays on TV, having been tossed in the seventh for arguing the reversal of a call at first base. That provided him a better angle on the ball home plate umpire Chad Fairchild called for the third strike on B.J. Upton for the first out in the ninth. Upton took umbrage with the call, as well he should have, Maddon later said. "Those were pretty egregious calls, so I can understand why he was upset," Maddon said. Actually, Upton was beyond upset. He was quickly tossed by Fairchild. Then ... "I lost it a little bit, you can say," Upton said. Upton threw his bat and threw his batting helmet."
B.J. Upton homers in ninth to give Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 win over Toronto Blue Jays
May 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"There wasn't any question that Evan Longoria returned to the Rays on Tuesday healthy. The way he bounded down the dugout stairs seconds after the 3-2 win over the Blue Jays, filled a towel with chocolate whipped cream and raced back up to smear it in B.J. Upton's face while Upton was still doing the postgame interview with Todd Kalas pretty much took care of that. "I saw him on the monitor, but it was too late for me to do anything," Upton said. "So I just stood there and wore it. What are you going to do at that point? He was pretty quick." Upton enjoyed the unexpected taste treat — "Better to have in your mouth than shaving cream" — and he deserved it, hitting a two-run walkoff homer in"
Upton's blast gives Rays walk-off win over Jays
May 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"A couple of big decisions were made inside the Tampa Bay Rays' clubhouse Tuesday afternoon. In his office, Joe Maddon pondered who should bat third, B.J. Upton or Evan Longoria, before eventually settling on Longoria. At the same time, clubhouse manager Chris Westmoreland decided to go with whipped cream in place of shaving cream for the postgame pie in the face celebrations. "Shaving cream stings their eyes. We had to mix it up," said Westmoreland, who brought in bottles of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla whipped cream. Both moves turned out huge. Upton hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Rays a 3-2 victory against the Blue Jays, and his eyes survived the"
Upton leads Rays past Toronto in Trop exhibition
March 31
Tampa Tribune
 
"B.J. Upton's two-run single in the bottom of the seventh drove in the winning runs, and the Rays beat the Blue Jays 5-3 on Wednesday night to finish the spring with a winning record for the fourth time in their history. Playing a tune-up game on their new AstroTurf GameDay grass at Tropicana Field, the Rays got a solo home runs from Evan Longoria and Eliot Johnson had a spring-high six stolen bases - including a double-steal by Reid Brignac and Johnson before Upton's winning hit. In the third inning, Upton walked, stole second base, went to third on a groundout and stole home on a double steal. He was picked off and thrown out trying to steal second in the fifth inning. Upton finished the"
Upton appreciates support
March 22
Tampa Tribune
 
"CF B.J. Upton said he was glad to see manager Joe Maddon and his teammates come to his defense Sunday when a fan yelled a racial slur from the stands during the game against the Orioles. "It's good to see guys have your back like that. Joe wasn't the only one. There were a number of guys up there," Upton said. "I was too busy worried about the slider I swung and missed out of the zone. I heard what he said, but I wasn't really worried about it, but for me to turn around and see all those guys on the top step defending me, man that's pretty cool." Upton had just struck out in the sixth inning when the fan yelled something that Upton didn't want to repeat. At the request of Maddon, the fan"
Rays manager Maddon has fan ejected for racial remarks toward Upton
March 21
Tampa Tribune
 
"Some sports fans think buying a ticket to a game gives them the right to yell whatever they want from the stands, but Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon disagrees. Maddon summoned security during the Rays' 9-8 spring training loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday and had a fan wearing an Orioles jersey removed for making racial comments directed at Tampa Bay center fielder B.J. Upton. "He said something racial, and I didn't like it," Maddon said. "He can say whatever he wants, but don't go there. I didn't want B.J. to go up in the stands and do anything at that point, so I just made sure he was taken out of there." Maddon declined to say specifically what the he heard the fan yell into"
B.J. Upton shows off some aggressive play on basepaths
March 14
St. Petersburg Times
 
"At times, just getting CF B.J. Upton to run hard has been an accomplishment. In Sunday's 9-3 loss, he showed a glimpse of what's possible when he puts his blazing speed to work, hustling to stretch a single into a double, then breaking from third and scoring when Blue Jays C J.P. Arencibia threw to first after a dropped third strike. "Loved it," Rays manager Joe Maddon. "All those little things on the bases matter. … Those reads, those aggressive reads, make a huge difference in winning one-run games. We talk about it every day. So I'm pleased that he's doing it." Upton said it's part an overall effort to be more aggressive on the bases. "Definitely, you've got to take advantage of every"
For Upton, bases there for taking
March 14
Tampa Tribune
 
"B.J. Upton has been sending a message this spring that he's taking every extra base he can get this season. And he doesn't care which base it is. In Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Blue Jays, the fleet center fielder turned what would have been a single for many players into a double and stole home with a heads-up play. Upton had reached third in the fourth inning when C J.P. Arencibia dropped a third-strike pitch to Sean Rodriguez. When Rodriguez started for first, Upton broke for home. He beat the throw from 1B David Cooper. "You're always (trying to be) aggressive on the base paths, and there was a left-hander for them at first base, and it would be a tough play for him to turn his shoulders"
B.J. Upton's swings making right sound for Tampa Bay Rays this spring training
March 10
St. Petersburg Times
 
"CF B.J. Upton has looked good much of the spring, but sometimes the sound of his at-bats can be more telling. And after a 3-for-3 day that included two hits to the right side, a double walloped into the right-center gap and a single through the second-base hole, both he and manager Joe Maddon were excited by what they heard. "That's me," Upton said. "That's something I've done my whole life, and to be able to do that felt good. … I haven't had that feeling in a while. That's a good sign." Maddon said Upton, who hit .239 over 2009-10, still has some adjustments to refine, but he likes what the 26-year-old has done so far (while hitting .350 for the spring) after extensive winter work. "He's"
Rod Carew offers hitting tips to Rays' B.J. Upton
March 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"The subject was hitting, and what B.J. Upton was hearing was nothing new, really. He had heard it before from Little League and high school coaches; from minor league instructors and from Tampa Bay Rays hitting coaches Steve Henderson and Derek Shelton. It was about the theory of hitting and the approach at the plate and the application of both. This time, the speaker was Rod Carew and, well, Rod Carew! "He's got a great track record," Upton said. "He had some good things to say. He said he'd been watching me for a while and, so to speak, threw his two cents in." Upton traveled to California in the offseason and spent two days talking hitting with the Hall of Famer who won seven batting"
Upton is okay after being hit in ribs by pitch from Adam Russell
February 24
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Acquired in the Jason Bartlett trade with San Diego, RHP Adam Russell came into spring training hoping to get noticed. Just not like this. Russell caused the first major concern of camp when he drilled B.J. Upton with a fastball in the ribs during batting practice, sending him to the ground hard and fast. Upton was down for several minutes, but said aside from being sore — "It just hurt, bad" — he would be fine. "Not a good way to make a first impression on a team," said Russell, the 6-foot-8 hard thrower. "I feel terrible about it. … You don't want that ever to happen again. You don't want to hit your own teammates, that's for damn sure." Upton returned to complete the workout and said he"
Upton hit by pitch but OK
February 24
Tampa Tribune
 
"B.J. Upton said he did not have the wind knocked out of him, but you can imagine Joe Maddon and Andrew Friedman held their breath when Upton was drilled on the left side of his rib cage Wednesday by a 90-plus fastball delivered by 6-foot-8 Adam Russell during the Tampa Bay Rays' live batting practice. Upton dropped like a rock in the batter's box, while Friedman broke off a conversation he was having near the backstop and Maddon hurried to Upton's side. "He hit me in the right spot to make it hurt," Upton said. "It will be a couple of days before it's back to normal, but it definitely could have been a lot worse. It's nothing." Upton walked off the field and eventually participated in the"
B.J. Upton says he plans to focus on having fun this season
February 23
St. Petersburg Times
 
"B.J. Upton is trying something else this year. His batting stance is going to look a little different, the product of some slight adjustments after offseason work that included a two-day private tutorial with Hall-of-Famer Rod Carew. So, too, is his approach, stripped down to the simplest of goals: Having fun. "The past couple years have been up and down for me," Upton said. "Have parts of it been fun? Yeah. As fun as I want it to be? No. "You've got to get over it, put it behind you. I think the main thing for me this year is to have fun. I think everything else is set into place. I know what I need to do. I just need to have fun doing it." No longer, Upton said, will he allow his"
Upton in 'a very good place'
February 22
Tampa Tribune
 
"Prior to 2010, only four center fielders in American League history had at least 60 extra-base hits and 40 stolen bases in one season. Last year, B.J. Upton became the fifth. Surprised? You probably have to answer "yes" to that because he hit just .237 with a .322 on-base percentage. It's hard to imagine an historically good season coming out of that, but it did. "Just think about those numbers. That stuff plays," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said Monday as Upton joined his teammates during the team's first full-squad workout. It does lead to the central question surrounding Upton, though. You see both sets of numbers from last season and start to think — what kind of"
Upton deal could be a steal for Rays if he finally delivers on '08 promise
January 19
Tampa Tribune
 
"Given the house cleaning, budget cutting and what not, and seeing as Evan Longoria's big bucks haven't kicked in yet, and David Price hasn't been offered one of those deals, B.J. Upton is now the highest paid player on the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays have no real choice. Who else do they have? I'm not saying there's anything to worry about, seeing as Andy Sonnanstine will be back, but … The Rays and Upton avoided arbitration and settled on $4.825 million for 2011. It's a great deal for the Rays if Upton blossoms. Actually, it's a great deal even if he doesn't. Consider that Pat Burrell was due $9 million his last season with the Rays, a season that ended with him a world champion out in San"