March 23--MESA, Ariz. -- Watching manager Joe Maddon and the Chicago Cubs' coaching staff wearing polyester shorts reminded pitcher Jason Hammel of the "quirkiness" of Maddon during their days in Tampa Bay.
And watching former Rays teammate James Shields pitch five no-hit innings against the Cubs brought back memories for Hammel of Shields' transformation.
Hammel didn't make a big issue out of batting eighth, but he was a little disappointed that he didn't take the first pitch when he came up in the second with two runners on base and two out.
Hammel lined out to third after Shields threw five consecutive balls.
"I just knew he wasn't going to screw around with me and make me swing," Hammel said.
Hammel thought that Shields would have been a great for the Cubs had he chose them instead of the San Diego Padres early last month.
"He's awesome," Hammel said of Shields. "A great team guy, a great clubhouse guy, a workhorse, too. Everything you'd want at the top of the rotation."
Hammel recalled how Shields turned around his career during one winter with the help of his cousin and former White Sox standout Aaron Rowand.
"He was kind of struggling in the minor leagues, and then had an off-season and came back as a different guy," Hammel recalled.
Hammel also had an interesting view of Maddon and his gray t-shirt and blue shorts attire with a whistle around his neck. Maddon and his coaches sported different clothes to honor old school football coaches.
"I was wondering why they weren't pinstripes," Hammel said. "They were gray and blue. ... That's Joe and his quirkiness."
And Hammel had no complaints about Maddon's relaxed style
"He was the first guy to change the way guys look with the dress code," said Hammel, who played for Maddon from 2006 to 2008. " ... "He lets people be individuals."
