Keep Tiger and LeBron; Give me C.C.

While gathering information for the daily “In-Step with a Ray,” I’ve asked the players to name their favorite athlete to watch, and I am amazed that none have said Carl Crawford.

Watching the Rays left fielder run the bases is every bit as exciting as watching LeBron James drive to the basket or Tiger Woods putt to close out a match, the two leaders in the clubhouse among the Rays players I’ve been able to poll this far.

To me, I’ll take C.C., who just lined a double down the right field line. He hit it too hard to be a triple, so we didn’t get to see C.C. stumble around second as he usually does on his way to third.

Still, it’s a pleasure to see Crawford sprint out of the box and glide around the bases.

It’s like watching the 100-meter finals at the Olympics.

Alas, he stayed at second.

B.J. Upton struck out and Cliff Floyd popped up to short.

Aki led off with a drive to right field that was knocked down by the wind. Anywhere else it’s a home run. Today at Al Lang Field, it’s an easy fly ball to right field.