Branyan looking for right fit

02/28/2006
ST. PETERSBURG -- You could tell by his attitude during the intrasquad game Tuesday morning that Russell Branyan was happy to be there. The time left for the recent Minor League signee to prove himself is slowly running out, and he's determined to make the most of every day.
Branyan charged toward first on a routine groundout and didn't hit the brakes until he'd run well past the bag, earning enthusiastic praise and a "good hustle" from manager Joe Maddon. After he struck out in his second at-bat, the eight-year Major League veteran turned and jogged to the dugout without hesitation.
"I'm always playing to open some eyes and hopefully get a shot," said the 30-year-old Branyan. "I'm not really ready to move on to the next chapter of my life. I want to keep playing this game, and I still think I've got some fuel left in my tank. I feel like I can play at the big-league level without a doubt; it's just a matter of finding the right fit."
Branyan has made a career of finding fits, spending time in the Major Leagues with Milwaukee, Cleveland and Cincinnati, at third base, first base and in left field, but his performance at the plate is probably his biggest sales pitch.
Branyan's ability to crush the ball is well documented. In his first start for the Brewers in 2004, he hit the longest home run in Miller Park history, a 480-footer off Cubs starter Greg Maddux. He has a career total of 93 homers through eight seasons, including a combined 24 in 2002 with the Indians and the Reds. Along with the power comes strikeouts -- 597 in 1,464 Major League at-bats, contributing to a career .232 batting average. It's an issue everyone seems to have advice for, but Branyan says he's not sweating it.
"I'm just myself," he said. "People have their different solutions, but it comes down to me putting the ball in play. [Maddon] has some good ideas ... and he's given me some good little pointers, and I'm just going to keep working on it."
As a free agent in the offseason, Branyan chose the Devil Rays over several other teams because he says he felt it was his best road back to playing in the Majors, both on offense and defense.
He was also swayed by the enthusiasm for the upcoming season Maddon and his staff have shown.
"It seems like everybody has a lot more energy," Branyan said. "Joe's real positive, but he also wants things done properly. He has a way about doing that and a manner where he doesn't step on anyone's toes -- he doesn't offend anyone, he makes everyone feel comfortable with the job that they're doing."
Branyan jokes about the age difference between him and his new youthful teammates but thinks his experience might help him find a niche at last. Maddon agrees.
"If [players are] around 30 and take good care of themselves, they might be productive for five or six years," Maddon said. "What's wrong with that?"
Intrasquad game: Shinji Mori looked sharp pitching his first game with umpires in the United States. Mori wasted no time after entering in the top of the third, striking out left fielder Jonny Gomes looking on three straight pitches. The next batter, third baseman Sean Burroughs, fell in four pitches and Mori then coaxed first baseman Wes Bankston into an infield pop fly to end his outing.
Shinji was pleased and said he hopes to continue his success.
"In the Major Leagues, I'm just a rookie, even if I played in Japan," he said through a translator. "I just want to show all my teammates and all the coaches and managers how I do my best, like I did today, and put all my effort into each one."
Maddon was focused on execution on offense and aggressive baserunning and said he was pleased with both. Damon Hollins' defense earned special mention, as did Hollins' hustle to score from third on a grounder.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/