PORT CHARLOTTE — El Jobean Road is a four-lane thoroughfare that runs west out of Port Charlotte and toward the gulf, passing Charlotte Sports Park along the way. On Monday morning, there might not have been a happier person to drive that road than the Rays’ Kevin Kiermaier, who headed to his first day of work this season while singing along with the country tunes playing on the radio.
“I was thrilled to get here,” Kiermaier said after shagging fly balls, taking a round of batting practice, signing autographs and hugging everyone associated with the team.
It was quite the offseason for the newly minted American League Gold Glove center fielder.