Longoria Leads Growing List Of Young Tampa Bay Sports Stars

Watch Pepsi's Latest Refresh Project Spot

The "next generation of Tampa Bay stars have arrived" and "all of them are under the age of 25," according to Gary Shelton of the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES. In addition to Rays 3B Evan Longoria, who "looks like a go-to guy for advertisers," other young stars in the city include Lightning C Steven Stamkos and D Victor Hedman, Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman and DT Gerald McCoy and Rays P David Price. The "influx of so many talented young players has been a long time coming" in Tampa Bay, and the city is "suddenly jammed with impressive athletes under the age of 25." Shelton: "Good thing, too. If the Rays are going to continue to compete in the AL East, where other teams have extra zeros on their money, they'll need young players (under cheap contracts) to pull it off." And if the Buccaneers and Lightning are "going to matter again, they'll need young players to do it" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 5/6). In St. Petersburg, Marc Topkin noted Longoria is featured in a national TV spot for Pepsi's Refresh Project. The ad, which was shot at Tropicana Field, features Longoria joking with Tigers CF Johnny Damon and -- "unlike his New Era Cap spot -- no stunts." Longoria said, "The commercial was fun. I was in uniform, and I always feel more comfortable in my uniform" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 5/5). The spot will begin airing Saturday during the Fox game of the week, and "continue through the summer" (TAMPABAY.com, 5/4).