BJ (Brisk Jog) Upton, the Tampa Bay Devil R . . . Tampa Bay Rays outfielder who was dressed down by teammates after casually strolling to field a ball hit by Diamondbacks Rusty Ryal in a game last week, attempted to prove that he can run fast by entering a 10K for Breast Cancer Awareness.
It took him nearly 4 days to finish.
Upton's agent, Decimal Dewey from Dewey, Cheatem and Howe, tried to explain that Upton can run, but only when properly motivated:
"BJ Upton is still the athlete he was when Tampa Bay drafted him 4 rounds too early in 2002. The ball hit by Rusty Ryal would have been an inside-the-park homerun if BJ had taken a nap in the warning track, as he wanted to do. Sounds like he saved the Rays a run."
Fans watching on TV were treated to teammate Evan Longoria approach Upton in the dugout, obviously to mention his displeasure with Upton's effort. Upton immediately became irate at the criticism and argued face-to-face with Longoria, repeatedly pointing a finger in his face, until Longoria walked away.
Said Mr. Dewey, "BJ confided in me that he was going to fight Evan, but once he walked away, BJ couldn't catch up to him in the dugout. Also, he respects Longoria's work in Desperate Housewives, and Tony Parker is a family friend.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation had no comment about Upton's effort, but Agent Dewey was more forthcoming;
"BJ is not upset that he took four days to run a three-hour race. Mr. Upton felt that running for something like this is inappropriate, because he is strongly against breast cancer.
