Last Friday night the Tampa Bay Rays played their 108th game of the 2008 baseball season. That game marked the 2/3-point in the season. I have had 2 months now to appreciate the positive steps the Rays have taken to become a viable team in the American league this year, but I am still totally amazed when I look at how much they have accomplished.
With the victory the Rays remained in first place in the American League East and led the Red Sox by 4 games in the lost column (this is the time of year when I stop looking at the games behind column and only look at the lost column). Only the Angels have a better record in the American League being 4 games better than the Rays in the lost column. With the win against the Tigers Friday and the Cubs loss, the Rays had the second best won/lost record in all of baseball. They’d won 64 games.
The most that they have ever won in a single season is 70 games, which they did in 2004 under the fiery leadership of Lou Pinella. Last year they only won 66 games. When they swept the Tigers this weekend they matched last years total wins with 52 games left to play.
For the long-suffering Tampa Bay Rays fan, this has been an incredible season of milestones. There have been so many “firsts” this year that I can’t even to properly chronicle them. There have been so many of them that most have become a blur. Actually, each new milestone sends the last into historical obscurity.
I am so fortunate to be a fan of the Rays. It seems like every day there is something new to celebrate that had never been done before. I don’t think that there is any team in all sports that has as many events to celebrate as the Rays have had this year. The Rays play the last game of the Indians series Wednesday afternoon and immediately fly to Seattle for a 4 game series against the Mariners. It is possible that they could tie and /or pass the best record they have had in their history this weekend.
What is there left to look forward to? Well, the day they clinch a spot in the post season will be a day to celebrate. The day they clinch the American League East. The day they win the American League Pennant and get to their first World Series. The day that they break the hearts of all Cubs fans when they become champions of the world. The days when Evan Longoria wins the Rookie-of-the-Year award and the American leagues Most Valuable Player award; the first to do so since Freddy Lynn did it with the Red Sox in 1975. OK, that last one may be a reach, but all the other firsts I listed are achievable.
I was informed Monday night that I would have to put up a $500 deposit to guarantee the opportunity to get playoff tickets this year. The deposit is non-refundable. It will however be used as a down payment on next years tickets. Money well spent if you ask me.
I’m still pissed about the fact that Buccaneer preseason football is getting as much press as the first-place Rays. I guess this is how the Patriots felt in the fall of 2004 when they won their first six games and all anybody talked about in Boston was the Sox.
Is it just me or is PGA golf just not the same with Tiger on the shelf. If it weren’t for Michelle Wie’s lousy showing at last weekend’s men’s senior event, nobody would be talking golf at all. That got as much press as Anika’s final Major or Lefty’s blowing another one.
We have a new expression that is driving me crazy. If I hear another baseball announcer use the expression “play(ing) the game the right way” I am going to consider taking a drink.
Dewayne Staats and Joe Magraine do the TV broadcast for the Rays. I have been critical of them over the years but this year there has been a change. Staats may very well be one of the best play-by-play guys doing Major league baseball and Magraine is not nearly the buffoon he was at the beginning of the season. What a difference a winning team makes.
I am informed that sometime after this article is posted that the Tampa Bay Bucs will announce a trade that brings Brett Favre to Raymond James Stadium for the 2008/2009 season. What are the Bucs going to do with the other 9 or 10 QBs on the staff? I know, make them all wide-outs; at least they know the play book. Besides Favre, the Bucs have Jeff Garcia, Bran Griese, Luke McCown Chris Sims and rookie, Josh Johnson on the QB depth chart. Is that the richest QB corps in the NFL?
Sometimes I get upset when people criticize the “plan” instead of criticizing the participant. A fine example of this is Jerry Manuel of the Mets. He has made the Mets respectable since taking over from Willie (once a Yankee, always a Yankee) Randolph. Yet he has exactly the same tools and parts to work with that Randolph had. I think it is the same as what happened at the local Olive Garden restaurant.
A new manager, using the same product and players, has turned one of the worst and dirtiest operations in the country into a pleasant dining experience in a relatively short period of time.
It seems to me that the same applies to the upcoming presidential election. When we supported George Bush in the last 2 elections, weren’t we really supporting his (or the republican party’s) plan? If that plan is what I believe is the best direction for the country, why would I want to change it? Why not just change the manager?
Hi bosox, It sure is great to be a Rays fan this year. The best part being the enjoyment my wife and I get watching our team win for a change. In the past the Rays were so far out of the race football offered some relief. This year the Rays will have my attention in September, not the Bucs.
bosox,
Great scribble, if for no other reason than their payroll baseball's future rests on the Rays taking the WS...seeing a bunch of 40-something guys take the field while soothing to my demographics ego has turned baseball into home run oriented sludge...
I dont want to sound like a stalker, But, 14 of your last 15 posts have been about the Rays. One split with Josh Hamilton, one with other rookies who were not Rays and one split with the Redsox. So aint it time to trade the Bosox61 moniker for something more Tampa Bayish?
Also, in my stalking, i mean research, i stumble back onto a post "Why the Rays wont make the post season" So will you be plunking down the 500 beans?
I love the term "Playing the game the right way"
To me it means solid defence, not relying on the home run, fundamentals, hit and run, small ball, etc.etc. How could you have a problem with that?
Did you just mention the Mets,and Manuel? Did you just mention them in a possative light? How do you think Josh is gonna feel when he finds out i have a new place to get my Baseball info?
" I am so fortunate to be a fan of the Rays " Hmm?
Aero - Did you see that ninth inning? Down 3 runs and they win it with a 6 run 9th! As miserable as Pena's first half was, he still is going to be close to 100 RBIs.
Ed Hardimann - A home run oriented sludge was nice to watch this afternoon. Brewers castoff Gabe Gross hit the scoreboard and Yankee and Red Sox castoff, Carlos Pena wins it with a blast over the centerfield wall.
Stevo - I have always thought that Dewayne Staats was a great announcer. It's just nice that he has a team that is competitive to announce for. Even Joe Magraine is coming into his own in the booth.
I can't change the name...I don't know how to do it. I can't even figure out how to imbed a picture or a video into the comments.
Besides, it would hurt my Moms' feelings if I changed the name she gave me when I was born.
The term is just getting overused. It seems that you can't watch a game without hearing it from people who have never said anything like it before.
I like the Mets and am happy with their recent success. I just wish that Pedro and Mo Vaughn were more a part of it. They are still paying mo Vaughn, aren't they?
One heck of a ballgame this afternoon! Down 3 runs in the bottom of the ninth and walla! A six run explosion and they're dancing at home plate! If that doesn't stir the juices I don't know what will! Here's hoping those darn Mariners that can't seem to beat anyone this year don't turn it on against the Rays...
I'm still waiting to hear your take on the Manny deal...
What's up with writing about the blue and orange bunch anyway? You trying to pump up Mr. Met? lol
Thanks for your thoughts on everything else but Manny!
All things considered, I think the Manny deal was a good one. I think that Theo had his back to the river and Indians on three sides. His concern that Manny would take the rest of the year off was a reasonable one. He did it 2 years ago. The fact that players were starting to file in the offices complaining about Manny had to influence his decision tremendously. Francona was obviously stressed over the situation and I'm sure he had a great influence in the decision.
Now, I have loved Manny Ramirez for most of his 7+ years in Boston. I think he has been instrumental in both of the world championships. I think the scoreboard story and similar ones were nonsense and they got printed because Manny rarely spoke to the press over his career in Boston. But he has a "dark side" and I think there was a good possibility that it was going to rear it's ugly head this year.
I wasn't at the game so I got to watch it on TV. And you are right, that was one of the best finishes I have ever seen. It sure will take the pressure off during that long flight to Washington. I heard a reporter on the radio say that the clubhouse after the game was the most excited that he had ever seen. This may be the most important game of the year.
Now about B&O. Everyone needs a little love sometimes and he doesn't get much. You know, he's like that stray dog that is so cute that you want to pat him but are afraid he might bite if you get too close. Besides, I always kind of liked the Mets. it probably provides a little balance to my hatred of the Yankees.
Hate on you is youth slang for " i hate you "
( dont hate me= dont hate on me) Man! How old are you?
"Making us famous" Is in reference to the fact that this blogger, like myself, has seen the number of Rays posts that you have written and believes this, and this only, is the reason the rest of the nation, knows whats going on in Tampa.
So, in terms you can understand
" you let the cat out of the bag old man "
Thank you B&O. I feel enlightened and have a surge of youth running through my archaic body with this new information. I can't wait to use it with my friends (who haven't croaked yet) on the bench in front of the Target Store. Actually, I am older than Dwindy1, and that's old.
I can't take all the credit for waking up the country to the Rays...Oh, what the hell...you are right, it was me! I can't deny it. It's my cross to bear.
Its all about baseball! Big Leagues, Minors, College, HS or Little League. I seem to be happiest when I'm watching it in one form or another.
As a "long-in-the- tooth" Red Sox fan I have buried many familly members who only got to see my beloved Sox get close. The adjustment in going from a fatalist to a believer concerning the Sox has not been easy for me. I think I may have behaved badly as a fan during this years championship season.It's like learning to write left-handed when you have been right-handed all your life. I follow the Patriots, Boston College Football and college basketball. There is only a little bit of baseball when those sports play.
I only care about the game. If it happens outside the stadium, it is not my business.a>
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