Healthy Dickie V loves to talk baseball, too, baby!

Well…since those comfy Les Cason coattails curled up and died years ago.

Vitale spent time Thursday chatting with the Pittsburgh Pirates, many of whom asked him to pose for photographs. He wishes them the best, but professes to be a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays.

“I think this year (the Rays) are going to turn the corner. I mean, you wait 10 years, you’d like to at least see a .500 season. I think we’ve been patient enough as people,” Vitale said.

“They have three legitimate starters with (Scott) Kazmir, (Matt) Garza and (James) Shields, and I think the bullpen will be better with (Troy) Percival for experience. And (former St. Louis Cardinals general manager) Walt Jocketty, who is now with the (Cincinnati) Reds, told me third baseman Evan Longoria is going to be special.”