Bromide or not, history does suggest a player in the concluding season of his contract is prone to play harder and more effectively. Maybe the world would be a better place, and sports more palatable, if rules forbade anything but one-year deals. Their money is secure into seasons of the next millennium. Naimoli expressed unbridled happiness with manager Larry Rothschild, general manager Chuck LaMar and Rays coaches. There will, however, be changes in the front office.
More intense marketing is planned.
Look for promotions to have new spice. As he talked, I was hearing a calmer Vince Naimoli. Less prone to erupt on controversial issues. His first season in baseball has clearly been a learning experience. I remember you, Hubert, telling me I needed to have thicker skin.