Hank Conger brings smooth moves to Rays
PORT CHARLOTTE (FOX 13) - The Tampa Bay Rays have a backup catcher with front-line talent.
Hank Conger came to the Rays from the Houston Astros this offseason via cash purchase. The 27-year-old is a switch-hitter with power. He will play primarily against right-handed pitching as he excels as a left-handed batter.
His reputation as a solid receiver is what attracted the Rays. Conger has spent the bulk of his spring training learning the nuances of handling the Rays pitching staff.
"It's huge for me," Conger said. "Anytime you come into a new team, especially as a catcher, your main focus is really trying to get on the same page as the pitchers."
Conger's work ethic is catching the eye of his new manager Kevin Cash, especially the catcher's discussions with young pitchers like Chris Archer.
"That goes a long way," Cash observed. "It shows a lot to our pitchers that this guy cares. We're so pitching based that we need for the catchers to make that a priority."
Last year in Houston, Conger delighted his teammates with a home-run celebration dance that became known as the "Zombie Robot." It takes place in the dugout, so it doesn't rile the opponents.
Conger is fully committed to every effort he puts forward in uniform, including the Zombie Robot.
"I take pride in that." Conger said playfully. " You like to keep it loose for the team, so the dance is kind of a form of that. We're just trying to get the team going."
Conger and the Tampa Bay Rays open the regular season schedule at home on Sunday, April 3. The time and place of the next performance of the Zombie Robot is not yet known.