by TONY FABRIZIO, afabrizio@tampatrib.com , Tampa Tribune

afabrizio@tampatrib.com

ST. PETERSBURG - Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg was holding court in the press box during the second inning of Monday's home opener against the Yankees when he stopped to watch Xavier Nady's blast to center field.

"Uh oh, run ?" Sternberg said, staring at a flat-screen TV monitor. "Oh, we got our center fielder back. He's not going to get that one, though."

Ye of such little faith.

"Willie Mays," an incredulous Sternberg said after Upton raced toward the wall like a streaking wide receiver, caught the ball over his shoulder and bounced off the padding.

"Welcome back, B.J. He even threw it in sidearm like Mays."

Hyperbole was hardly out of place on a night in which the Rays raised two championship banners, fired torches during player introductions and bombed the Bombers 15-5. Then again, Upton's catch in his much-anticipated season debut really was that good.

Before the game, pitcher J.P. Howell noted what it meant to have Upton back in center, patrolling the gaps with his speed and athleticism.

"Not that I was nervous whenever they hit the ball to center when he wasn't there, but when he's there, it eliminates a good hit," Howell said. "The stuff he can do, you can't really replace. He's special, and there aren't many players who come along like that."

Upton said the Rays made the right call holding him out of the opening road trip to Boston and Baltimore so he could work on his stamina after offseason shoulder surgery. He said he's ready to play every day - "whatever [Manager Joe Maddon] needs me to do."

The Rays' leader in on-base percentage last year took up his new spot atop the order Monday and went 1-for-3 with three walks, two first-inning stolen bases and two runs scored. He didn't reprise his power show from last fall, when he hit seven home runs in the postseason to tie an American League record.

Maddon figures the power will come. In fact, he couldn't think of another active leadoff hitter with Upton's skill set.

"You probably have to look back a bit," Maddon said. "I don't want to say Rickey Henderson yet, but I mean, he's that kind of hitter.

"I'm a big Cardinals fan. Lou Brock was a combination of speed and power. It's pretty interesting when you're able to do that."

Photo: B.J. Upton

Leadoff man stole two bases and scored two runs.

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