Parmelee learns from the best with tips from Carew

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- With seven batting titles and 3,053 career hits during his 19-year career, Rod Carew isn't a bad guy to listen to for hitting advice.

So when Carew offered pointers to Twins outfielder Chris Parmelee for more than 10 minutes on a practice field on Friday, Parmelee made sure to listen.

"We just talked about some stuff mechanics-wise," Parmelee said. "If I can do half as good as him, I'd have an excellent career. But we were just talking over some mechanical stuff and some things from last year. Just a few things to buff up on and straighten out."

Parmelee, 25, knows this is an important Spring Training for him, as he's trying to make the club as an outfielder now that Joe Mauer is the club's full-time first baseman. But Parmelee, who hit .228 with eight homers and 24 RBIs in 101 games last year, said he's doing his best not to put any extra pressure on himself this spring.

"I feel pretty confident," Parmelee said. "You just have to go out there and not press and just do your thing. That's what it's all about. I just to go out there and have fun and win some ballgames and carry it over into the season."