Devil Rays

Rays enjoy some revenge against Royals [AP Photo] Kansas City commits four errors to help Ryan Rupe win his third straight decision.

Rocky charter flight frightens Rays
Wind shear conditions that set off the plane's alarm result in an aborted landing at Kansas City on Thursday.

Rays remain unsure about Trachsel deal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Three more teams filled their needs and three more starting pitchers were taken off the market when the Diamondbacks got Curt Schilling, the Dodgers reacquired Ismael Valdes and the Red Sox traded for Rolando Arrojo.

Darrell Fry
Atlanta's Turner Field tops Trop for fan fun
I'm at a Braves game last weekend in Atlanta at the Ted, the ballpark so comfy and cozy, you call it by its first name.

College football
All bets on Alabama
With 18 returning starters, the Crimson Tide is favored to repeat as SEC champion.

Gators squeak in as East favorites
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Florida has not identified its go-to players for this season, but media covering the Southeastern Conference think they know where the Gators are going.

Bucs
Murphy returns for another chance
He of last season's noteworthy fumbled punt vs. Bucs sees special teams as his best shot to be a Buc in 2000.

		Back up to speed [Times photo: Toni L. Sandys] Healthier, and with an offense more tailored to his talents, Warrick Dunn is eager for the season.

Bucs establish waiting list for tickets
TAMPA -- After running several "last chance" ads in recent weeks, the Bucs announced Thursday that season tickets are sold out for the first time in team history.

Camp survivor
In the spirit of CBS' Survivor series, the Times is asking Bucs players and coaches whom they would throw off the island, er, out of camp, and why.

Ernest Hooper
Chat on Bucs is livelier this year
Listen up, Bucs fans, because this season there will be a lot to hear.

NFL
NFL celebrates Hall of Famers
This weekend is not the Super Bowl, or even the NFL draft, but NFL.com is working to make festivities at the Pro Football Hall of Fame memorable. In addition to Saturday's induction ceremonies, the weekend is being billed as "Pro Football's Greatest Reunion," with 111 of the 136 living Hall of Famers expected to attend. Touted as the largest gathering of any Hall of Fame for any sport, it also is an opportunity for an unprecedented lineup of chats at NFL.com.

McDougal happy with game on his shoulders
The Milwaukee QB is back in control of an offense, which is just the way he likes it.

Golf
LPGA could lose 1 major
AYLMER, QUEBEC -- The LPGA Tour could have only three majors next year if a new sponsor isn't found for next month's du Maurier Classic, commissioner Ty Votaw said.

NBA
Magic gets 10 games on NBC
Perhaps anticipating that the Magic will be greatly improved by the expected signings of at least two marquee free agents, NBC will show Orlando games 10 times this season.

Baseball
Twins trounce Cone, Yanks
MINNEAPOLIS -- David Cone lost his career-worst eighth decision in a row, pitching five poor innings Thursday night as the Minnesota Twins beat the New York Yankees 9-3.

Marlins rough up Maddux to rally past Braves 12-4
ATLANTA -- Cliff Floyd homered off Greg Maddux in a three-run sixth inning to start Florida's comeback, and Mike Lowell hit a grand slam Thursday as the Marlins beat the Braves 12-4.

Strawberry under investigation
TAMPA -- Five months into his year-long suspension from baseball, Darryl Strawberry has left a drug clinic and is trying to get back into the game. But a New York newspaper reports the outfielder has a more-pressing concern: staying out of jail.

Motorsports
Andretti sees more duels with Montoya
CICERO, Ill. -- The spectacular race-ending duel between Juan Montoya and Michael Andretti on Sunday in the Michigan 500 may have been a preview of the final nine races of the CART season.

FSL
Dunedin must keep winning with new players
There hadn't been much change with Dunedin this season.

Preps
Hillsborough won't bid for finals
The state championship games for 2001-2004 likely will be awarded to a joint bid between Gainesville and Tallahassee.

Young girls learn fast-pitch game
CITRUS PARK -- Once in a while, the players will bobble the ball or trip over the bases. That happens occasionally when 7-year-old girls are learning to play fast-pitch softball.