TOWER GROVE — This past spring training, Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon leaned against the railing atop the visitors’ dugout at Roger Dean Stadium and explained the challenge he presented his entire team. He wanted a Gold Glove winner at every position.

He told the media — and likely his team — that the area of the game you can control the best is defense. And, with the speed and athleticism the Rays had scattered around the diamond there was no reason why they couldn’t win a Gold Glove at every position in the field. Or, he said, at least play like they deserve one. Maddon then went around the diamond to offer some specifics. B.J. Upton covers a lot of ground in center, and the St. Louis Cardinals certainly saw that when the Rays visited last season. Shortstop Jason Bartlett was the target of a trade specifically for his ability to play defense, especially on turf. And so on. And so on. Until Maddon finally reached his third base at Evan Longoria.

“He’s already a Gold Glove,” Maddon said. “I think Longo is pretty much at the top of that list.”

Longo is at the top of a lot of lists these days.

Not yet a full season into his career, and the Rays third baseman is arguably the breakout star of the first month of the season. He leads the American League in RBIs, and has 10 more RBIs than any player in the game. He’s second in home runs (11) and fifth in average (.358). And that’s just the standard triple-crown stuff. He’s become a ubiquitous face of the Rays’ franchise and is starting to become more prominent as a personality for the game. He was on the front page of Sunday’s Post-Dispatch in an All-Star-related profile, and this spring — despite attempts to distract him by closer Jason Isringhausen — he fielded the questions from the The P-DQ, and his answers start an off day of P-DQs from the hot corner:

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Some advice from a parent that stays with you is …

Through perseverance and hard work all things are possible.

A memorable Christmas or holiday gift you received?

When I was about probably, well I don’t how old, but we got a foosball table. That was pretty fun for a long time.

Word or phrase you use too often?

Probably a cuss word of some sort.

Favorite superhero?

Superman.

Best baseball movie?

Sandlot

Best fictional baseball player?

Benny “The Jet”. Has to be be, of course.

Your greatest achievement?

Being named Rookie of the Year (in 2008).

Your current state of mind?

Relaxed.

Your favorite ballplayer growing up?

Mark McGwire

Your first car?

1982 Toyota Corola, I don’t even know if it had a radio. You had to start it in low to get it going. The drive didn’t work.

Your current car?

Mercedes

The place you’ve got to visit before you die is …

There’s a lot of places. I’m going to Europe this offseason, and I’ll probably say the Greek Islands.

Who would be in your Fave Five?

Two of my best friends, Adam and Gio. Jessica Alba. Justin Timberlake. And, Ted Williams if he was alive.

The most embarrassing song on your iPod?

I’ve got a few Brittany Spears songs on there.

Movie you’ll stop to watch whenever it comes on is …

Anything with Brad Pitt.

You know you’re in the minors when …

When you’re on the bus for 14 hours.

I tune out when people talk about …

Politics.

Your idea of perfect happiness is …

On a beach with a beautiful lady somewhere overseas.

Your more treasured possession?

The place I just bought in Tampa. I just bought my first place.

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Previous P-DQ: Adam Wainwright … CC Sabathia … Skip Schumaker … David Wright … Brian Barton … Ryan Ludwick. … Ryan Franklin. … Brad Lidge … Chris Carpenter. … Brandon Phillips. … Todd Wellemeyer. … Dustin Pedroia. … Jason Isringhausen. … Chris Perez. … Matt Capps. … Brian Barden. … Joe Thurston.

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