TBO Forums

From 1 Fan to Others…

2008-05-10T10:30:00-05:00

Walking around the Bay Area and even closer to central Florida I’ve noticed A LOT more Rays jerseys and hats. Maybe it’s the new logos, which are certainly more in line with the ‘classic’ baseball team look; maybe it’s the team itself, who finally has a ‘classic’ baseball team look. I want to commend Rays ownership and front office for backing up previous remarks about improving the team. Not only have they made every effort to ensure a more comfortable and afforadable baseball experience, they’ve put together a legitimate team this year. The talent out on the field is evident and the mindset in the clubhouse has changed dramatically. A team that a few years ago was content with just taking a few games from the Red Sox and Yankees, is now on a mission to stay competitive.
We no longer have flash in the pan talent ( Joe Kennedy and Randy Winn) we’ve got serious superstar caliber players (Crawford, Kazmir, Upton, SHIELDS!!!, Pena).

Ownership went out this offseason and brought in key players (Hinske, Wheeler, and Percy), they rid the team of distractions (Young and Dukes) and brought in someone to solidify the middle of the infield (Garza and Bartlett) all while maintaining the future. And what a bright future indeed. As a former prep player, I appreciate Kaz and Shields’ scowls as they take the mound. You can see it in their eyes and you can feel it in your heart - we’re here to win, NOW.

Bring on the Yankees

2008-05-11T19:35:01-05:00

With a victory today, the Rays completed a sweep of a VERY good team. We have won 9 in a row at home, and now look ahead to a 4 game set with the Yankees. I believe this team will be 33-23 at the turn in June. Thats right I may be drinking the kool aid, but the aura of confidence continues to grow with every clutch hit, and each shaky pitching performance, followed up by a strong relief appearence. Today you saw it when Sonanstine gave back the 3 run lead that he was given courtesy of steady knocks off of a 6-0 pitcher. When Carl Crawford smacked that 3 run homer it was another sign. This team could have settled for simply winning the series and packing it up, and geting ready for a 4 game throw down with the rival New York Yankees. Instead of taking the rest of the day off however, they fought back and now sit at 21-16. The magical ride continues, and I am hoping that our cowbells will drown out the “lets go Yankees” chants.

Justin Ruggiano

2008-05-07T13:23:36-05:00

Does anybody have a reasonable excuse why Ruggiano never was awarded the chance to play when he was called up? I know he started 2 games, but that was it for the next 10 days he was here. Now, Natan Haynes and Gabe Gross have been given a ton more chance than Ruggs, yet they haven’t produced squat. Ruggs is a very talented prospect who has done everything the right way. He’s proven he can play on the field, yet Maddon won’t play him. Maddon claims it is bc he likes to play match-ups(lefty vs righty...visa versa...)but Ruggiano hit close to .300 against RHP last season( so that theory has a hole in it). With the stats he has put up in the Minors- had he been a 1st rd pick of this team- he would be the starting RF with a brand new 7 year extension.

I don’t know if Ruggiano will ever become a “great” or even “good” MLB player, but he at the least deserves the chance to prove he belongs.

AAA #’s this year 11G .357AVG 1HR 6SB 10RBI 2 2B .458OBP .999OPS

Career Minor League Numbers

406 G .306AVG 55HR 248RBI 70SB .396OBP .903OPS

Rays ahead of the Yankees in May?

2008-05-01T11:18:31-05:00

Granted it’s not September—or even July—but the fact remains the Rays just completed the best April (14-12) in team history. At 15-12 overall, only the Red Sox finished the first month of the season with a better record in the AL East.

Starting pitching has shown more depth early on than anyone expected, and the offense is scoring more runs than anyone thought possible.

Who has been the biggest suprise? Andy Sonnanstine (4-1)? Rookie Evan Longoria?

Managing Maddon Style

2008-04-08T21:43:51-05:00

First rule in managing per Joe Maddon - wait until your pitcher has given up the lead and then bring in the reliever. AGAIN - this team will NEVER win with this idiot as a “manager.”

Bad Bad Bad Bad Bad Baseball

2008-04-10T11:06:50-05:00

That’s what Lou Pinella called the Devil Rays and it just the same old stuff every year. I wish Seilig would just go through with the contraction of both the Marlins and Devil Rays - it would save taxpayers many millions which the state could use on real needs.

Building a new taxpayer financed stadium for half a billion or more in St. Pete without connsidering economy or other needs is just ludricrous.

LONGORIA WATCH

2008-04-07T09:38:44-05:00

THROUGH 4 GAMES: 0-14… 5 K’S… 1 R… 2 BB.... .000 AVG.

Had 2 walks and a run scored in Sunday’s game, so things could be heading up.

Here We Go Again

2008-04-02T22:07:29-05:00

Here we go again. Is that the name of a song? It’s going to be a song the Rays will always sing with Maddon as their manager. New year. Same crap. Let’s wait until the home team scores 4 and goes up by 3 in the bottom of the 8th until we bring in a reliever. Sing it, Dolly. Sing it, Rays.

Wildcard Contender Rays

2008-03-16T21:30:51-05:00

There’s a swagger inside the Ray’s clubhouse and it’s starting to catch on. This team had to rebuild from the pricey veterans (Boggs, mCGriff, Canseco, etc.) to the homegrown, lightly seasoned freshness of today’s team. They’ve found the perfect coach to maintain a calm, and new leaders are emerging. We’ve seen hints of it the past few years in our rivalries with the Yanks and Sox. Garza completes a solid big three in the roatation. The bullpen has gotten a few new parts and we’ve got a solid offense (and one of the most baseball sound players) not to mention a rookie of the year candidate. Let’s not let the current “business” aspect of the game allow us to forget the direction the team has been going and has finally, possibly, arrived.

starters

2008-03-19T06:49:59-05:00

so, whom do people around here favor? sonnastine? jackson? hammel? niemann?

i say go with jackson, sonnastine and niemann, throw hammel in the pen. then, once kaz comes back, either sonnastine or niemann back to aaa until the next injury....