Buddies Maddon, Black to connect this weekend

ST. PETERSBURG -- With the Padres coming to town Friday night, Rays manager Joe Maddon will be able to catch up with Padres manager and old friend Bud Black, a.k.a. "Pepe" to Maddon.

Maddon and Black were coaches on the Angels team that won the 2002 World Series.

"Pepe's great," Maddon said. "We had such a wonderful time in Anaheim, he's outstanding. He does a great job with the Padres. And he's a very good pitching coach."

Since both are now managers there is one dream scenario that floats around in each of their minds.

"The thing he and I talk about is that one moment when we have a Pad-Rays World Series," Maddon said. "That's P-A-D, hyphen R-A-Y-S. And that would be kind of fun. Wonderful guy and he's got a great sense of humor."