The Strike Zone

Hall considering these managers,umps and execs

2009-11-11T13:03:00.001-08:00

Here is the release from the Baseball Hall of Fame concerning the candidates eligible to be voted on by the Veterans Committees ...

Twenty former major league managers, umpires and executives will be considered for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame for induction in 2010 by two Veterans Committees, with results of a Dec. 6 vote to be announced Dec. 7 at baseball’s Winter Meetings, it was announced today.

Two ballots, each consisting of 10 candidates, will be considered by two separate voting committees. Eight managers and two umpires encompass the managers/umpires ballot and will be considered by the 16-member Veterans Committee for Managers and Umpires, comprised of Hall of Fame members, current and former executives and veteran media members. Ten executives/pioneers comprise a separate ballot to be considered by the 12-member Veterans Committee for Executives and Pioneers, which consists of Hall of Famers, current and former executives and veteran media members.

Any candidate receiving votes on 75 percent of all ballots cast will earn election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and will be inducted as part of the 2010 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, to be held July 25, 2010 in Cooperstown. Electors will be asked to vote for zero to four candidates on each ballot.

The 10 managers and umpires eligible for election consideration to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010: managers Charlie Grimm, Whitey Herzog, Davey Johnson, Tom Kelly, Billy Martin, Gene Mauch, Danny Murtaugh and Steve O’Neill; umpires Doug Harvey and Hank O’Day.

The 10 executives eligible for election consideration to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010: Gene Autry, Sam Breadon, John Fetzer, Bob Howsam, Ewing Kauffman, John McHale, Marvin Miller, Gabe Paul, Jacob Ruppert and Bill White.

The two Veterans Committees will meet on Sunday, Dec. 6 during baseball’s Winter Meetings in Indianapolis to discuss the candidates and cast their ballots. Results will be announced on Monday, Dec. 7.

The 10 finalists for the managers/umpires ballot:

Charlie Grimm managed the Cubs and Braves for 19 seasons, taking the Cubs to three World Series. Grimm posted a career record of 1,287-1,067 (.547), which ranks as the 24th-best winning percentage of all-time among managers with at least 1,000 games. Two of his NL pennants came as a player/manager, in which capacity he served from 1932-36. In 10 of his 12 full seasons as a manager, Grimm’s teams had winning records. As a player in 20 seasons, Grimm had 2,299 hits and a .290 batting average.

Doug Harvey spent 31 seasons as a National League umpire, working six All-Star Games, five World Series and seven Championship Series. Umpired 4,670 big league games. Pioneered the process of waiting a full second before making a call behind the plate, something he did to allow himself to replay the pitch in his mind.

Whitey Herzog was a manager with the Rangers, Angels, Royals and Cardinals from 1973-90. He was 1,279-1,143 for a .532 winning percentage, winning six division titles, three National League pennants and one World Series in 1982 with the Cardinals. Named 1985 NL Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and named 1980s Manager of the Decade by Sports Illustrated.

Davey Johnson managed the Mets, Reds, Orioles and Dodgers from 1984-90, 1993-97 and 1999-2000. Compiled a 1,148-888 (.564) record. Over 12 full seasons, his teams finished first five times and second six times. Teams qualified for postseason six times, winning one NL pennant and one World Series with 1986 Mets. Won 1997 AL Manager of the Year Award with Orioles, and his .564 winning percentage ranks 13th among managers with at least 1,000 games.

Tom Kelly served as the manager of the Minnesota Twins for 16 seasons from 1986-2001, posting a career record of 1,140-1,244 (.478). Won two World Series in five years (1987, 1991) with the Twins and has the longest tenure of any manager in Twins history. In first six full seasons, averaged almost 86 victories per year. Posted a record of 16-8 (.667) in the postseason and was named the 1991 American League Manager of the Year.

Billy Martin spent 16 seasons 1969, 1971-83, 1985, 1988) managing Twins, Tigers, Rangers, Yankees (five different stints) and A’s, compiling a 1,253-1015 record (.552). Teams finished in first place five times, winning two American League pennants and one World Series with 1977 Yankees.

Gene Mauch managed Phillies, Expos, Twins and Angels for 26 seasons (1960-82, 1985-87). Teams posted record of 1,902-2,037 (.483), good for the 12-best win total of all-time and the most wins of any non-active manager not currently in the Hall of Fame. His teams won two division titles, finished second twice and third twice.

Danny Murtaugh managed the Pittsburgh Pirates in four separate stints (1957-64, 1967, 1970-71, 1973-76) over 15 seasons. His teams won 1,115 games against 950 losses (.540) and finished first five times, including four National League East Division titles, NL two pennants and World Series wins in 1960 and 1971. Named National League Manager of the Year in 1958, 1960 and 1970.

Hank O’Day spent 34 seasons (1888-89, 1893, 1895-1911, 1913, 1915-27) as a National League umpire, called the action in 10 World Series, second-most all time, and umpired in the first World Series in 1903. O’Day gained fame after calling out Fred Merkle of the Giants in their famous game against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 23, 1908, when Merkle failed to touch second base following an apparent walk-off hit.

Steve O’Neill managed the Indians, Tigers, Red Sox and Phillies for 14 seasons (1935-37, 1943-48, 1950-54) and never had a losing record. His teams posted a mark of 1,040-821 (.559), good for the 15th-best winning percentage in history among managers with at least 1,000 games. He led the Tigers to the American League pennant and a World Series championship in 1945.

The 10 finalists for the executives/pioneers ballot:
Gene Autry owned the Angels from their birth in 1961 until his death in 1998. Autry, a television and movie star known for his rendition of Christmas classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” led his teams to American League West titles in 1979, 1982 and 1986.

Sam Breadon owned the Cardinals from 1917 to 1947, leading St. Louis to nine pennants and six World Series titles during his tenure. Breadon helped develop the modern farm system by stocking the Cardinals’ own minor league clubs with prospects.

Bob Howsam served as the general manager of the Cardinals in the mid-1960s, helping build a team into a two-time National League pennant winner – and 1967 World Series champion. Howsam then moved on to become the general manager of the Reds, laying the foundation for the Big Red Machine that won four NL pennants and two World Series from 1970-76.

Ewing Kauffman owned the Kansas City Royals from their birth in 1969 until his death in 1993. Kauffman established the innovative Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy and led the Royals to a first- or second-place finish in the American League West every season from 1975-85, including the AL pennant in 1980 and a World Series title in 1985.

John Fetzer owned the Detroit Tigers from 1956-83, building one of the 1960s most consistent teams – one that won the World Series in 1968. Fetzer, a broadcasting pioneer, helped negotiate baseball’s initial national television contract in 1967.

John McHale served as the general manager for the Tigers, Braves and Expos from the 1950s through the 1980s. McHale joined the Expos at their inception in 1969 and built the club into one of baseball’s most consistent teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Marvin Miller was elected as the head of the Major League Baseball Players Association in 1966 and quickly turned the union into a powerhouse. Within a decade, Miller had secured free agency for the players. By the time he retired in 1982, the average player salary was approximately 10 times what it was when he took over.

Gabe Paul served as the general manager of the Cincinnati Reds, the Houston Colt 45s, the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees from the 1950s to the 1980s. Paul helped rebuild the Yankees in the 1970s, crafting a team that won three straight American League pennants and two World Series from 1976-78.

Jacob Ruppert owned the New York Yankees from 1915 until his death in 1939, turning a second-division club into a dynasty. Ruppert presided over the acquisition of Babe Ruth, the opening of the original Yankee Stadium, 10 American League pennants and seven World Series titles.

Bill White served as the president of the National League from 1989-94 following a successful career as a player and broadcaster. White presided over the addition of the Marlins and the Rockies to the NL and helped consolidate both the American and National leagues under one administrative umbrella.

Gold Glove process doesn't favor Crawford

2009-11-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

If Bill James and his crew of stat crunchers view Carl Crawford as the best left fielder in baseball, how come the Tampa Bay Rays left fielder can't win a Gold Glove?

The answer is in the question. C.C. is a left fielder.

The Gold Glove, which is voted by the managers and coaches, picks one player at every position with the exception of the outfielders. Instead of choosing a left, center and right fielder, they lump them into one category: outfield.

That is a category dominated by center fielders.

Angels center fielder Torii Hunter won his ninth Gold Glove on Tuesday. So did Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki. Yes, Ichiro is a right fielder, but he's obviously one of the best in the game, so no argument there.

The third Gold Glove outfielder was Baltimore's Adam Jones, who is also a center fielder.

In the nine-year run of Hunter and Ichiro, the third outfielder was always a center fielder. That's really no surprise since the center fielder is usually your best fielder.

If they picked the infielders in the same manner the group would be dominated by shortstops.

Crawford will likely continue to be excluded from this group, unless the voting is changed to include one fielder at each outfield spot.

That is too bad for C.C., because his glove is a gold as they come.

Rays add to minor league staff

2009-11-05T09:30:00.000-08:00

Here is the Rays release on some additions to their minor league staff:

The Tampa Bay Rays have added three minor league coordinators for the 2010 season.

Bill Evers will join Jim Hoff as Minor League Field Coordinator, Matt Quatraro will join Steve Livesey as Hitting Coordinator, and Dewey Robinson has been hired to join Dick Bosman as Pitching Coordinator.

In addition, the Rays have named Matt Arnold the Director of Pro Scouting and Tateki “Bori” Uchibori an International Scout.

“We made these additions to our player development staff because we want to support our young players as much as possible,” said Director of Minor League Operations Mitch Lukevics. “With nine affiliates and 270 players in our minor league system, we have more teams and players than ever before. We feel these additions will ensure that every player receives the attention he deserves.”

The entire staff of minor league coordinators from 2009 will return in the same capacities in 2010.

In addition to Hoff, Livesey and Bosman, Skeeter Barnes will return as Outfield and Baserunning Coordinator, Jamie Nelson as Catching Coordinator, Mark Vinson as Medical Training Coordinator, Joel Smith as Rehabilitation and Athletic Training Coordinator and Trung Cao as Strength and Conditioning Coordinator.

Evers has spent 14 seasons in the Rays organization, including the last two (2008-09) as a professional scout. Prior to that, he spent two seasons (2006-07) as the major league bench coach and managed the Durham Bulls for eight years (1998-2005). He joined the Rays on October 16, 1995.

Quatraro has managed the last four years in the Rays organization, including the last two (2008-09) at Class-A Bowling Green and Columbus. An eighth-round selection by the Rays in the 1996 June Draft, he became the first Rays minor league player to join the organization’s coaching staff. He joined the staff in 2003 as a catching instructor.

Robinson joins the Rays after 13 seasons with the Houston Astros organization. He spent the last two years (2008-09) as the major league pitching coach. He previously served as Houston’s Director of Pitching Development and worked as a professional and amateur scout, including the evaluation of draft-eligible pitchers. Robinson joined the Astros from the Chicago White Sox organization, where he spent 10 seasons. The former right-handed pitcher made 30 career relief appearances for the White Sox, going 2-2 with a 4.05 ERA over parts of three seasons (1979-81).

Arnold has been promoted to the newly created position of Director of Pro Scouting after three seasons as a professional scout for the Rays. He joined the Rays in 2007 from the Cincinnati Reds organization, where he served as the Assistant Director of Professional Scouting.

Uchibori will assist in scouting efforts primarily in Japan, as well as Korea and Taiwan. He was the Rays Cultural Assimilation Liaison for the last two seasons while serving as the interpreter for Akinori Iwamura. Prior to joining the Rays, Bori was an interpreter in Japan’s Professional Baseball League for 10 years.

Bill James: Zorilla to struggle in 2010

2009-11-03T19:35:00.000-08:00

Bill James, who makes a pretty good living predicting the future bases on the past, is not high on Ben Zobrist in 2010. According to the Bill James Handbook 2010, '10 won't be > than '09 for Zorilla.

Here is the release ...

In the recently-released Bill James Handbook 2010, baseball guru Bill James projects the 2010 seasons for players on the Tampa Bay Rays—and predicts a slight down-turn offensively from second baseman Ben Zobrist.

“In any season, the vast majority of players play in a manner that seems a natural extension of what they had done before,” James says in his new book. “When that happens, our projection should be reasonably accurate.

With this in mind, here are five key Tampa Bay hitters for 2010, according to the new Bill James Handbook 2010:

Key Rays Hitters (by OPS)
Player At-bats R HR RBI SB Avg. OPS
Evan Longoria 595 106 37 120 9 .287 .918
Ben Zobrist 509 86 23 75 15 .281 .876
Carlos Pena 530 88 36 99 3 .240 .858
Carl Crawford 528 82 12 62 41 .295 .786
B.J. Upton 507 81 13 59 39 .266 .768

Projecting stats for pitchers is very different from projecting offensive stats for hitters.

"We used to believe that pitching performance was much, much less predictable than batter performance," James says. "This is probably still true...due to injuries and other factors. Sometimes a pitcher gets hurt, and when that happens our projections for him are knocked into a cocked hat."

Here are three key Tampa Bay pitchers for 2010, according to the new Bill James Handbook 2010:

Key Rays Pitchers (by ERA)
Player IP W L K SV ERA
James Shields 220 14 11 178 0 3.80
Matt Garza 201 12 10 175 0 3.85
David Price 180 10 10 157 0 4.30

The complete projections for the 2010 Tampa Bay Rays can be found in the Bill James Handbook 2010.

Instant replay: A-Rod makes history again

2009-11-01T10:54:00.000-08:00

Let's play a game. When did Alex Rodriguez say the following?

“There’s probably 800 players in the big leagues. The odds of me doing something controversial is 2-1. Somehow I find myself in these situations all the time. It’s just good to get the right call.”

After Game 3 of the World Series when the umpires reversed a call with the first use of replay in World Series history and changed an A-Rod double into an A-Rod home run?

Or, when umpires confirmed a call with the first use of instant replay in baseball history and upheld an A-Rod home run?

Which one? A or B?

The answer is B, and it occurred Sept. 3, 2008 at Tropicana Field.

Here is what I wrote that night ...

The historic moment occurred Wednesday at Tropicana Field in the ninth of the Yankees 8-4 victory against the Rays.

Rodriguez turned on a fastball from Troy Percival and drove a towering fly ball down the left field line that hit the D-Ring catwalk beyond the left field foul pole. It bounced off the ring in foul territory. The question was whether the ball was in fair territory.

Third base umpire Brian Runge emphatically called the ball fair.

Rays catcher Dioner Navarro threw his mask and helmet on the ground in protest. Rays manager Joe Maddon emerged from the dugout and asked the umpires if they would want to take a look on the new 19-inch flatscreen TV installed last week in a room behind the visitor’s dugout.

“The threat of us getting into the playoffs motivated this to happen sooner, because this is a tough building,” Maddon said.

The foul poles do not extend high enough to reach the past he catwalks and the baseball tends to get lost in the white background.

Umpires Jerry Lane, Charlie Reliford and Runge went to view the replay, while home plate umpire Greg Gibson remained on the field.

They emerged 2 minutes, 15 seconds later, and Reliford twirled his right index finger, giving the signal for home run.

“A fair ball is fair when it leaves the playing field. That’s why the foul poles are up there to help us. We have it going right over the pole, all four of us had it going right over the pole on the field. And our views of the replays confirmed that. It was not inconclusive. It was conclusive that Brian’s call was correct.”

The first official use of instant replay in baseball history involved the often controversial Alex Rodriguez, and the first use of instant replay in World Series history involved A-Rod. Surprised?

Makes what Johnny Damon said that night at Tropicana Field prophetic.

“I’m sure he’s going to be a part of more of these,” Damon said. “He’s got nine more years left on his contract."

Crawford voted best left fielder in baseball

2009-10-31T10:48:00.000-07:00

I think those of us who watch Rays Carl Crawford play on a regular basis will agree that he is one of, if not the best fielding left fielder in baseball.

Well, this confirms it.

Here is the release on Crawford winning his third Fielding Bible Award as the top left fielder in the game ...

Tampa Bay Rays veteran Carl Crawford won the 2009 Fielding Bible Award for left field in an announcement made November 1, 2009, in The Bill James Handbook 2010. This is Crawford's third Fielding Bible Award.

Crawford, who received an almost-perfect score, was chosen by a panel of ten experts, including Peter Gammons, Bill James, Joe Posnanski, and John Dewan, author of the new Fielding Bible—Volume II.

In granting the award to Crawford, Dewan wrote: “This was no contest. No player has ever won with a perfect record (10 first-place votes from 10 panelists), but Carl came as close as possible with nine first place votes and one second. That's 99 points. (The best previously was 98 points by Adam Everett at shortstop in 2006.) If Crawford doesn't win his first Gold Glove this year, I'm going to throw up.”

Officially announced annually on November 1 (before any other fielding awards), the Fielding Bible Awards try to name the single best fielder at each of the nine positions (including pitcher) in the major leagues. This distinction came into play this year as Jack Wilson, who split his time between Pittsburgh and Seattle, won the Fielding Bible Award at shortstop.

"It is almost impossible for a player who is traded between leagues during the season to win a Gold Glove," Dewan pointed out. "I predict that Wilson will not win a Gold Glove this year, even though our 10 judges voted him the best-fielding shortstop in Major League Baseball."

This year, National League players were chosen at three positions, American League players at five, and Wilson at shortstop. 2009 marks the fourth year of the award. First-baseman Albert Pujols of the Cardinals is the only player to have won a Fielding Bible Award four years in a row. Aaron Hill won over Dustin Pedroia and Chase Utley at second base only after a tie-breaker was invoked. The complete voting results and further information are available in The Bill James Handbook 2010, published by ACTA Sports (www.ACTAsports.com).

The 2009 Fielding Bible Award winners are:

First Base—Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals (fourth-time winner)

Second Base—Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays (second-time winner)

Third Base—Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals (first-time winner)

Shortstop—Jack Wilson, Pittsburgh Pirates/Seattle Mariners (first-time winner)

Left Field—Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays (third-time winner)

Center Field—Franklin Gutierrez, Seattle Mariners (second-time winner)

Right Field—Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners (second-time winner)

Catcher—Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals (third-time winner)

Pitcher—Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox (first-time winner)

Where did the month go?

2009-10-30T07:02:00.000-07:00

It was after I flew home from Philadelphia that morning/afternoon and after I reached my house and wrote the last of my World Series stories when I finally sat down on the living room couch to relax.

The 2008 postseason had been a long affair, but I didn't realize how long until I heard my wife, who was in the kitchen, pouring something in a bowl.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Candy," she said.

"Candy?"

"Yes. Halloween Candy?"

"Halloween Candy?"

"Halloween is tomorrow."

Tomorrow? Where did the month go?

That's what happens when the local nine reaches the playoffs and advances all the way to the World Series. The month is no longer made up of weeks, which are made up of smaller units of time we normally refer to as days.

Instead, the month is broken down like this:

Division Series, Game 1, Game 2, travel days, Game 3 ...

Championship Series, Game 1, Game 2, travel day, Game 3 ...

World Series, Game 1, Game 2, travel day, Game 3 ...

There are some off days mixed in between the end of one series and the start of another, and, in the case of Game 5 of last year's World Series, a rain delay that stretched from Monday night to Wednesday night and included a quick trip to soggy Wilmington, Del., on Tuesday.

It can be an exhausting process to follow as a fan. It's an exhausting pace to keep as a writer covering one of the teams, as you move from city to city, taking early morning flights that are so early there is no time to sleep after you've finished writing after Game 2. You file, go home and shower and head to the airport.

I can say this: speaking for both fans and for writers, we do it again in a heartbeat. I know I would.

There is nothing like the postseason in any sport. Remember the Bucs run to the Super Bowl? the Lightning's run to the Stanley Cup?

They are one long roller coaster ride where every win is a great and every loss is uh-oh.

This World Series shifts to Philadelphia for Games 3, 4, and 5, and the writers took a special train from New York to Philly. Lucky them.

And lucky fans, too.

The baseball season is still alive in those two cities and to Yankees and Phillies fans everywhere.

Here? We have the 0-7 Bucs and an offseason wondering if the Rays can retool enough to be a contender in 2010.

We also have the memories of one terrific October in 2008, where every game was either a trick or treat.

Rays 2010 ticket prices

2009-10-29T13:46:00.000-07:00

Here is the Rays release on 2010 ticket prices ...

The Tampa Bay Rays have refined its ticket pricing structure, holding the line on
ticket prices for a wide range of its 2010 home games. Under the new format released today, tickets for nearly 40 percent of Rays games at Tropicana Field will be at or below ticket prices for 2009 when the Rays were named by ESPN the Magazine as “the most affordable team in professional sports.”

“We were proud to be recognized as the best value in all of professional sports and that’s a title we plan to retain,” said Rays President Matt Silverman. “During these challenging times, we want Tropicana Field to continue to be an enjoyable place that families can afford. The objective for our 2010 pricing is to ensure that Rays games remain an affordable family entertainment option.”

“The best way to see a Rays game continues to be as a season ticket holder. It’s our best value by far,” said Mark Fernandez, Rays Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer. “Season ticket holders have access to our best seat locations at up to a 33 percent discount off individual game prices.” Season ticket holders also have the guaranteed opportunity to purchase Rays postseason ticket packages.

For 2010, there will be five categories of individual ticket pricing: Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

This new price structure includes tickets priced as low as $12 for more than 50 games and $10 for more than 30 games. Pricing on Bronze games starts at just $8 for an Upper Reserved or tbt* Party Deck ticket.

Diamond games are weekend games vs. the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Platinum games include all other Saturday games, weekday games versus the Yankees and Red Sox as well as Opening Day, April 6 vs. the Baltimore Orioles. Gold games include the remaining Friday and Sunday games. Silver games include the remaining weekday games except for five select Bronze games.

Diamond Platinum Gold Silver Bronze
Seating Section (9 games) (20 games) (20 games) (27 games) (5 games)
Home Plate Club NA NA NA NA NA
Whitney Bank Club $175 $155 $125 $115 $100
Club 105 $130 $120 $100 $90 $80
Fieldside Box $140 $115 $90 $85 $70
Lower Infield Box $100 $80 $65 $55 $45
Lower Box $65 $60 $48 $42 $33
Press Level $50 $45 $36 $29 $22
Baseline Box $40 $35 $30 $22 $18
Loge Box $40 $35 $30 $22 $18
Outfield $27 $24 $20 $17 $12
Upper Box $23 $20 $15 $13 $8
Upper Reserved /
*tbt Party Deck $20 $18 $12 $10 $8

For the fifth consecutive year, the Rays will continue to provide carpoolers access to free parking in team controlled lots. As in 2009, vehicles with four or more passengers will continue to park free for all Bronze and Sunday games. For all other games, the first 100 cars with four or more will park for free up to an hour before game time, with other main lot Tropicana Field parking rates ranging from $10 to $20 per vehicle.

“Keeping some level of free parking available at all games is important to us, especially for Sunday and Bronze games because we recognize those dates will be popular with families,” said Silverman. “We also continue to be one of the few teams that allow fans to bring food and select beverages to games. It’s part of how we can ensure our games remain an affordable experience.”
Sundays will continue to be “Family Fun Days.”

Those dates feature discounted ticket options for families, special promotional giveaways for kids and the opportunity for youngsters to run the bases after the game.

The Rays will also introduce a new Upper Box Seat seating category that will include the first 11 rows between the bases in the upper deck. Depending on the game, those tickets will range in price from $8 to $23.

Group party area reservations are currently being accepted for the 2010 season. For information on purchasing group tickets or to reserve a group party area or suite, fans can call 888-FAN-RAYS.

Place your reservation for 2010 Rays Season Tickets. Ensure the best seats, biggest savings and all the great benefits.

Call 888-FAN-RAYS or visit raysbaseball.com, raysbeisbol.com, or visit the Rays office at Tropicana Field or the Rays Tampa office at 400 N. Tampa St.

Rays resign Kapler

2009-10-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

The Tampa Bay Rays have resigned right-handed-hitting outfielder Gabe Kapler to
a one-year, $1,050,000 contract.

Here is the rest of the Rays release:

Kapler, 34, appeared in 99 games at all three outfield positions for the Rays in 2009. He hit .239 (49-for-205) with eight home runs, 32 RBI, 15 doubles and five stolen bases. Against left-handed pitching, he hit .276 (40-for-145) with all eight home runs, 14 doubles, a .379 on-base pct., and more walks (26) than strikeouts (23).

Over the last two seasons (2008-09), he hit .304 (69-for-227) against left-handers with a .577 slugging pct., 11th best in the majors over that span.

Kapler has played parts of 11 major league seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1998-99), Texas Rangers (2000-02), Colorado Rockies (2002-03), Boston Red Sox (2004-06), Milwaukee Brewers (2008) and Rays (2009). He initially signed with the Rays as a free agent on January 12, 2009. He retired briefly from playing in 2007 to manage the Class-A Greenville Drive in the Red Sox organization.

Kapler's role will remain the same this season, though he will likely share time in right field with Matt Joyce.

Joyce, acquired from the Tigers in the trade for Edwin Jackson in December 2008, is expected to compete for a job on the major league roster in spring training.

It's Elmer Fudds season

2009-10-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

Those hats you see the Phillies wearing this postseason? The ones with the ear flaps? They call them Elmer Fudds after, well, Elmer Fudd.

I don't remember seeing them until last year when the Rays and Phillies made them popular during the World Series.

They look kind of goofy, but I'm sure they are warm. There are few things more annoying than cold ears while playing baseball up north in late October and early November. Except maybe cold hands, cold necks, cold feet, cold ...

Maybe they shouldn't be playing baseball up north in late October and early November unless the stadium comes with a roof, but that's another blog for another day.

Anyway, the Elmer Fudds are also a better look than wearing the ski masks some of the players wear.

If the Yankees hold of the Angels in the ALCS, expect the lasting image from the 2009 World Series to be Elmer Fudds.

In keeping with the baseball/Fudd theme, here's a memorable quote from one of my favorite Buggs Bunny cartoons ...

Elmer Fudd: [to Bugs as a game warden] Oh, Mr. Game Warden. I hope you can help me. I've been told I could shoot wabbits and goats and pigeons and mongooses and dirty skunks and ducks. Could you tell me what season it weawwy is?
Bugs Bunny: Why, coitenly, me boy. It's baseball season!

Oh, Mr. Maddon! Dennis says 9 = 8

2009-10-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

About this time last year, the familiar one-panel cartoon was tucked into the funny pages of newspapers across the country, including those found in and around Boston.

Actually, it was Oct. 13, 2008 when Dennis the Menace stood at the blackboard, added 5 and 4 and came up with 8.

"No, Dennis," his teacher said, "we can't agree to disagree."

The cartoon, which I read that morning at a hotel in Newton Mass. (and I know this because I read Dennis the Menace every morning), left little impression other than that all-to-familiar feeling of standing at the blackboard and not knowing the answer.

Look closer: 4 + 5 = 9, except in the world of Dennis the Menace, where it equals 8.

Some readers took that to mean in the world of Dennis the Menace, 9 = 8.

Some of those readers were in Boston that day, preparing for the Game 3 of the ALCS between the Rays and the Red Sox.

And, the Rays advanced that far in the postseason (and would advance farther, still) because, Class? Nine equals eight!

Someone in the Rays organization or a Rays fan or a friend of manager Joe Maddon (I can't remember which) sent a copy of the cartoon to Maddon. It now hangs in his office inside the Trop.

It was proof, Maddon said, of just how far Rays mania spread in 2008.

Even Dennis Mitchell believed. Wonder what good ol' Mr. Wilson thought?

And to have it run in mid-October when the Rays were on their way to the World Series is something you can't make up.

Except, that wasn't the case.

Marcus Hamilton, who draws the Monday to Saturday Dennis the Menace one-panel cartoons, wasn't aware of the odd connection between Dennis and the Rays.

In a phone interview back in June, Hamilton explained he draws the cartoons weeks in advance, so to tip his pen to the Rays and have it run during the ALCS would have been a big risk.

Also, Hamilton said he is a football fan, and wasn't aware of the Rays remarkable run to the World Series or the 9 = 8 theme.

Way to kill a great story, Marcus.

When told of the non-connection, Maddon smiled and said, "Great. A total coincidence. This makes the story even cooler."

I suppose it does.

October Madness

2009-10-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

Did you hear how quiet it was at Fenway Park on Sunday after Erick Aybar grabbed Dustin Pedroia's fly ball for the final out? Deafening.

Is it me or are baseball's playoffs taking on a March Madness feel?

You have a historic meltdown/comeback in the Dodgers' Game 2 win against the Cardinals.

You have Alex Rodriguez - Yes, A-Rod - hitting a two-run bomb in the ninth inning Friday to start the Yankees comeback.

You have the Red Sox, one strike from a win to three straight batters, yet going home after Jonathan Papelbon not only allows the first postseason runs of his career, but also blows his first postseason save.

Papelbon was protecting a two-run lead when he allowed a two-out, two-strike single to Aybar. He had two strikes on Chone Figgins before issuing a walk.

Papelbon had two strikes on Bobby Abreu, before Abreu lifted an RBI double off the Green Monster.

No way Vladimir Guerrero was going to let the count go deep on him. He swung at the first pitch and drove in the tying and winning runs with a single to center.

Red Sox Nation, screaming in all its glory when Aybar seemed ready to make the final out, stood stone-like as the Angels celebrated their three-game sweep.

The first week of the playoffs have been must-see cable TV.

Man, I love this game.

Cardinal Blue

2009-10-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

When was the last time a team was down to its final out with no one on base and came back to win a postseason game when that final out became a game-changing error? Never, according to the folks at ESPN.

Never, at least, until Matt Holliday lost a two-out, bases-empty line drive Thursday in either the Dodger Stadium lights (likely) or the white towels waved by Dodger fans (unlikely) that opened the door to the Dodgers improbable 3-2 come-from-behind win.

Holliday makes the catch - and he made one error in 63 games with the Cardinals this season - and the series shifts to St. Louis tied at 1-1 with the Cardinals having the home field advantage.

But Holliday doesn't, and now the Dodgers are one win from advancing to the NLCS.

''I didn't see the ball,'' Holliday told reporters in L.A. after the game. ''Obviously, I can catch a ball that's hit right at me. It's very difficult to swallow. We had a chance to win the game. It was unfortunate that it happened when it did.''

St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright, who was in line for the win, had this to say: ''That ball got lost in 50,000 white towels shaking in front of Matt's face. It doesn't really seem fair that an opposing team should be able to allow their fans to shake white towels when there's a white baseball flying through the air. How about Dodger Blue towels?"

I thought about that as I watched the Tigers-Twin playoff game Tuesday and the NLDS games in Philly. Fans there wave white towels. The ball is white. Is it possible for a player to lose a ball in the towels?

I would think so. I wonder why it hasn't already happened.

I don't think it happened Thursday, because Dodger crowds are a tad laid back, and I doubt they would be waving towels when James Loney sent that catchable line drive toward Holliday in left field. Maybe before the pitch, but once the ball was hit? I don't think so. It wasn't like it was whistled down the left field line, drilled into the gap or sent sailing over the outfield wall. Loney didn't give the Dodger fans a chance to cheer. Holliday did.

Holliday is considered the goat, though Cardinals All-Star closer Ryan Franklin deserves equal blame. He didn't retire a single batter in the ninth.

Still, Holliday makes the catch and the biggest news Thursday was the Angels win against the Red Sox.

But he didn't, and we were treated to something we have never seen before in the long history of postseason baseball.

Boy, I love this game.

Great game on Tuesday. More, please.

2009-10-07T07:02:00.000-07:00

Alexi Casilla is the first hero of the postseason, though technically, his heroics took place during an extended regular season, but let's not argue over minor details.

Tuesday's game between the Twins and the Tigers, Game 163 of the regular season for those two teams, was necessary to determine the AL Central champ, so it was every bit a playoff game. It was no different from a Game 5 of the ALDS or a Game 7 of the ALCS.

Winner moves on. Loser goes home.

The Twins were winners thanks to Casilla's 12th inning single that drove home the winning run in a 6-5 victory. This after Casilla's inability to properly tag at third base in the 10th cost the Twins what would have been the winning run.

The game was the perfect warm-up to the postseason.

The Tigers jumped to a 3-0 lead. They blew a 3-0 lead.

They trailed 4-3 and led 5-4.

Tigers closer, Fernando Rodney (He of the wayward toss into the Tropicana Field press box after a game Sept. 4)turned in the performance of his life, pitching three innings but took the loss.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire used seven relievers, and five turned in scoreless outings.

Tigers left fielder Ryan Raburn lost a ball in the lights and played a single into a triple that allowed the Twins tie the score at 5-5 in the 10th. Goat? Maybe. But it was Radburn who threw Casilla out at the plate to end the inning and extend the Tigers season for two more innings.

It was a game you didn't want to see end, unless you were a fan of the Twins or Tigers.

The game was necessary because the Tigers couldn't hold a seven game lead in the final month of the season. We know this about the Twins, they don't quit.

Minnesota came on strong at the end of the 2008 season and forced a one-game playoff with the Chicago White Sox.

Orlando Cabrera was the White Sox shortstop last year. He is the Twins shortstop this year.

Maybe Cabrera is the key to winning these one-game playoffs in the AL Central. He is to that division what Eric Hinske is to the AL East. Can't win the title without him.

This is the third straight year a one-game playoff was necessary to determine the final playoff team. The Rockies beat the Padres in a thriller in 2007. The White Sox beat the Twins 1-0 in 2008. Tuesday gave us the epic 12 inning Twins victory.

All three games were decided by one run. Two were decided in extra innings with walk-off victories. The other ended with diving catch in center field.

I don't know about you, but I kind like these one-game play-ins.

The postseason starts today. The Twins had 21 hours to celebrate their victory, fly to New York, get some sleep and prepare to battle the Yankees, winners of 103 games this season, in Game 1 of the ALDS that begins tonight at 6 p.m.

I wouldn't mind a repeat of Tuesday's dual at the dome as we go forward with this postseason.

Would it be too much to ask a few Game 5s and maybe a Game 7 in one ALCS be decided by such a contest?

And, if that's not too much, can the World Series go seven games? And can Game 7 go 12 innings?

Give me those, and I won't ask for anything else until next season.

Happy Anniversary, Game 1

2009-10-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

I remember driving over the Sunshine Skyway and catching my first glimpse of Tropicana Field. The white, round building with the funny roof never looked better.

It was drenched in sun light. No kidding, it sparkled.

I was as excited as I had ever been to make the drive over the bridge and through the side streets of St. Pete to that ballpark.

It was Game 1 of the American League Division Series. The playoffs. And the Tampa Bay Rays were playing.

I remember thinking as I drove across Tampa Bay and watched the stadium dance under the sunlight that I never dreamed I would ever be making that ride for that reason.

The Rays had been the worst franchise in professional sports for their first 10 years. They finished last in their division and with the worst record in baseball in both 2006 and 2007.

But there they were, Oct. 2, 2008, the American League East champs, playing host to the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of the ALDS.

We didn't really know it at the time, but the entire baseball world would head to the Trop last October, because the Rays would take care of the White Sox, out-last the Red Sox in the American League Championship Series and play the Phillies in the World Series.

I remember having a good feeling about the Rays a year ago today as I made the ride from my house to the Trop. Carl Crawford would be back in the lineup, and I felt they could beat the White Sox that afternoon, which would give them the advantage in the best-of-five series.

They did, winning 6-4 behind the pitching of James Shields and two home runs from soon-to-be rookie of the year Evan Longoria.

Much like Longoria, the Rays were babes in baseball's postseason, but the intense light never got in their eyes. Maybe the rain in Philly, but not the glare from the postseason spotlight.

Tonight, the Rays play the Yankees at the Trop in a game that means very little except to Yankee starter CC Sabathia, who needs one more victory for a 20-win season.

The talk around the Rays as they finish out the season with one final three-game series is, What went wrong?

Let's leave that for another day. Today, let's celebrate the anniversary of Game 1 of the 2008 ALDS, a day we never thought we'd see, a day we wish to see again.

Pirates, Rays come up big

2009-10-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

The Pirates and Rays put some money together and renovated the baseball fields at Norma Lloyd Park in Bradenton for the RBI Program, run by the 13th Ave. Community Rec Center.

Great move.

You won't find many major league teams that will work with another on a community project, mainly because it's hard to find two teams that share a fan base, Rays president Matt Silverman said.

The Rays and Pirates do.

The Pirates train in Bradenton. The Rays play across the bay from Bradenton. Actually, across the bay from Palmetto, but you can see Tropicana Field from several points in Bradenton.

Rays pitcher James Shields and Pirates pitcher Matt Capps, who lives in Bradenton, also kicked in, showing they do more than talk about caring for the fan base, they actually contribute to making something better for said fans.

The ball fields are beautiful. The kids in the RBI program don't know how fortunate they are to have a pair of diamonds of that quality.

It won't make them better ball players, though it could help the infielders with their fielding.

They key to their development is the input from the parents. Will they help maintain the fields? Will they help nurture the love for the game?

Football is the sport of choice in Bradenton, with every receiver hoping to be the next Peter Warrick and every quarterback hoping to be the next Tommie Frazier and every defender wanting to be the next Michael Jenkins or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

But there is nothing to say they can't be the next Lastings Milledge or Lance Carter or Joe Mays, a trio of major league players who learned their skills on those very ball fields.

Patrick Carnegie, the executive director of the 13th Ave. Coomunity Rec Center, who played ball on those fields more than a few years ago, had this to say Thursday morning as he glanced around the complex, "It really is a field of dreams, so you never know."

Hey kids, Play Ball!

Hinske = AL East title

2009-09-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

What went wrong with the Rays this season? Simple. We can sum that up in two words: Eric Hinske.

Hinske, who hit 20 home runs and drove in 60 RBIs in a very non-Burrell season in 2008, is headed to the playoffs with his third team in three years. This time it's the Yankees, who won the AL East title last Sunday.

That makes it three seasons, three AL East titles for Hinske.

He was with the Red Sox in 2007. The Rays signed him to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training before the 2008 season.

Hinske, who was not resigned with the Rays after last year and signed with the Pirates instead, ended up in the Bronx after a June trade.

He mentioned that fact to Rays manager Joe Maddon the last time the Yankees were in town.

With the Yankees the favorites to win the World Series this October/November, Hinske has a chance to do what Don Baylor did in the late-1980s - reach the World Series in three consecutive years with three different teams.

Baylor played for the Red Sox in 1986, the Twins in 1987 and the A's in 1988.

The Red Sox blew the series in the famous Game 6 collapse and a Game 7 collapse that no one seems to remember, and the A's were upset by the Dodgers. In between Baylor won a World Series ring with the Twins.

Hinske celebrated the World Series title with the Red Sox in 2007 and made the last out against the Phillies in 2008.

His absence this year could be one reason the Rays stumbled to a third place finish. The '08 Rays were energized by the presence of such veterans as Hinske, Cliff Floyd and Trever Miller.

The Rays need a lot of things if they want to return to the postseason in 2010 - a closer, a catcher, a designated hitter.

Maybe they should resign Hinske for his karma.

My favorite Mark Hendrickson story

2009-09-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

Former Ray Mark Hendrickson is on the hill tonight for the Orioles, and that calls to mind my favorite Mark Hendrickson story.

My second-favorite was waiting out an eight-hour rain delay at Tampa International Airport inside the same air side terminal as the big, 6-foot-9 lefty. It was during February a couple of years back, and the bay area was pounded by the most rain it received in 100 years.

I began talking to Hendrickson, who asked me not to mention anything about him pitching for the Rays lest he be bombarded by autograph request by the rest of the stranded passengers. No problem. It's not like me to cause waves.

I spent the next four hours or so walking around the airport when I again bumped into Henderickson. He told me no one had asked him for an autograph, which had him wondering: Was he going unnoticed? Or, did no one care?

Anyway, that's my No. 2 Mark Hendrickson story.

Here's No. 1.

Hendrickson joined the Rays in 2004, and I spoke to him early in camp. Naturally, we talked about his days in the NBA. Naturally, the subject of Michael Jordan came up.

Hendrickson said he played against Jordan but never guarded him, which I thought was odd. Didn't Jordan drive the lane on Hendrickson at least once?

Nope, Hendrickson said.

OK. Whatever.

Sometime later I was at the Red Barn Flea Market, where I bought a rather large bookcase for my house. It was so large I couldn't fit it into my car, so I called Tom O'Neill, the Herald's photo editor at the time, and asked if Tom could duck out of the office for a few minutes and helped me get this bookcase home. Tom had a pick-up truck, you see.

Tom said to give him 15, 20 minutes.

I killed time in the Red Barn's book store, where I picked up a book of Sports Illustrated photos. The photographers at the paper had a small library of such books, and I figured it was the least I could do for Tom.

As I waited in the parking lot, I glanced at the book's cover, which showed MJ dunking over some hapless defender. I couldn't quiet make out the defender's face, but I could see the last letters of the his last name. They spelled "rickson."

I looked closer at the face.

Was it ... ?

Why yes, it was.

Michael Jordan throwing one down over Mark Hendrickson.

I never asked Hendrickson why he wouldn't admit to that. What the heck. It's not like Hendrickson was the only NBA player to be dunked on by MJ.

Now, the only major leaguer pitcher? Sure.

Still, no shame in that.

No fun with no postseason

2009-09-23T17:21:00.000-07:00

The Rays were mathematically eliminated from the postseason Tuesday night, though they were officially eliminated sometime early in their 11-game losing streak.

You know what that means?

No champagne showers.

No Rayhawks.

No playoff tickets.

No playoff crowds.

No Grant Balfour kicking dirt at Orlando Cabrera.

No home runs from Evan Longoria.

No games ending past midnight.

No auxiliary press box in the tbt Party Deck.

No missing deadlines because the games ended past midnight. No writing for the Web site only.

No 11th inning dashes to the plate by Fernando Perez.

No bombs over the Green Monstah by B.J. Upton.

No Matt Garza out-pitching Jon Lester.

No saves for David Price.

No beating the Red Sox for the pennant.

No moving the center of the baseball universe to Tropicana Field.

No Joe Buck. No Tim McCarver.

No cold nights in Philly.

No rain in Philly.

No side trips to Wilmington, Del.

No memories.

No fun.

Sigh.

Pena still smiling, still leading in home runs

2009-09-19T16:42:00.000-07:00

It was team photo day Saturday for the Rays, which meant first baseman Carlos Pena was at the Trop sporting two pins sticking out of his bandaged left hand and, as always, a smile.

Pena still leads the American League in home runs with 39, even though he hasn't played since breaking the middle and index fingers of his left hand on Sept. 7 when he was struck by a CC Sabathia 95 mph fastball during the first game of a doubleheader.

Yankee first baseman Mark Teixeira was second with 33 homers at the time of Pena's season-ending injury. Teixeira hit two homers in the night cap of the Yankees sweep, but is homerless since.

At this pace, Pena might just hold on to the lead and win his first home run crown. If so, he will become the first to lead the league in home runs despite missing the final 25 games of the season.

Dick Allen in 1974 and Jimmie Foxx in 1939 won home run titles after missing the final 20 games. Allen hit 32 in '74 and Foxx hit 35 in '39.

Pena, true to form, said he is not rooting against Teixeira or Jason Bay (third with 34), because he does not wish ill on anyone.

But, Pena added, his friends and family are keeping him update on the race.

Should Pena somehow hold on to the lead, it would cap a three-year run that began with the American League Comeback Player of the Year Award after his 46-home run, 121-RBI year in 2007, and the AL Gold Glove after he committed just two errors in 1,099 total chances for the AL champs in 2008.

CC frustrated with losing or just Burrell?

2009-09-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

Word out of Baltimore is Carl Crawford and Pat Burrell argued in the clubhouse before Wednesday's batting practice.

CC wouldn't elaborate, and Burrell, true to form, didn't talk to reporters.

Which leaves us to speculate about what the two were arguing about.

Where to eat after the game?

Maybe Burrell was giving CC tips on how to play left field, and the discussion escalated into a heated argument?

Fantasy football?

Maybe the losing finally got to CC.

Maybe the thought of losing Wednesday and dropping to .500 hurt CC in a way it won't the other Rays, since he is the longest tenured Ray and knows what a losing record feels like.

Or, maybe CC is tired of seeing Burrell mail it in this season.

A better effort from Burrell won't have the Rays in first place, but they'd be in a better place than they are now, which is fighting amongst themselves in Baltimore.

Rays manager Joe Maddon told reporters it was nothing.

Except CC isn't prone to public outburst.

So, if CC is yelling at another player in the middle of the clubhouse where reporters can watch, it's something.

Niemann deserves better support

2009-09-10T13:27:00.000-07:00

Jeff Niemann, the best pitcher on the Rays staff, will have nothing to show for this season except maybe a bump to the fourth or third spot in the rotation next season.

He leads the staff in wins (12), complete games (2) and shutouts (2), and should be among the league leader in wins if not for a bullpen that continues to let him down.

In his last five games in which he received a no-decision, Niemann turned a lead over to the bullpen four times. The other game was a 1-1 tie.

You can argue manager Joe Maddon should let Niemann pitch deeper. You can also argue the bullpen has been particularly horrible when following Niemann to the mound. Take away three of the blown saves and Niemann is 15 wins.

That would make Niemann the leader in the AL Rookie of the Year race.

Grant Balfour is usually the culprit, getting the loss or letting the trying run score in four of Niemann's last five no decisions.

Nothing cause Rays fans to wince more than seeing Maddon walk to the mound to pull Niemann when the big righty has the lead.

Niemann has a 3.24 ERA in his last five no-decisions. Take away the inherited runners the bullpen allowed to score that were charged to Big Jeff, and his ERA is 1.01.

Can a pitcher sue his bullpen for lack of support?

DiMaggio, Williams, Pujols, Longoria

2009-09-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

Evan Longoria homered off former Ray Edwin Jackson in the second inning Sunday for his 28th home run of the season and his 100th RBI.

For a guy that has struggled this season, Longoria is putting up some pretty good numbers. He will finish the year with at least 30 home runs and around 110 RBIs. Not bad for someone who hit 27 homers and drove in 85 runs as a rookie in 2008.

Longoria has a nine game hitting streak, which means his bat has perked up during this crucial stretch of the season. It looks as if the Rays won't be heading to the playoffs, but don't blame Longoria.

With his home run Sunday, Longoria became the 14th player in major league history, and ninth in the American League to have 40 doubles, 25 home runs and 100 RBI in a season before his 24th birthday.

He joins Hank Greenberg, Hal Trosky, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Cal Ripken, Alex Rodriguez, Scott Rolen, Albert Pujols, Eric Chavez, Aramis Ramirez, Jorge Cantu, Miguel Cabrera and David Wright.

That's a pretty impressive list.

What will be the snapshot of 2009?

2009-09-06T10:55:00.001-07:00

The above photo was the snapshot of 2008: celebrations.

Celebrations at home plate after walk-off wins. Celebrations on the mound after clinching something - a playoff berth, the ALDS, the American League pennant.

What will be the snapshot of 2008?

How about Joe Maddon changing pitchers?

Or B.J. Upton looking at another called strike three?

Or Pat Burrell swinging and missing?

Or another soft pop up from Dioner Navarro?

Or ... you get the picture.

The Rays are cooked.

They are hitting now. Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria are back, and Jason Bartlett and Carl Crawford haven't cooled off.

The starting pitching is still far from a sure thing.

But what has ultimately decided the Rays fate is the bullpen.

There is not one arm out there that you can trust now that J.P Howell can't get anyone out.

Too many innings over the last two seasons has caught up to Howell and Grant Balfour, too.

Not having a closer has caught up to the Rays, as well.

Most of this doesn't really matter, thought. The Red Sox are not going to give up the lead in the Wild Card.

Buzzed in the box

2009-09-04T21:04:00.000-07:00

I've heard of pitchers being wild, but Fernando Rodney's last offering Friday was a tad high.

The Tigers reliever almost chocked away a three-run ninth inning lead, but managed to hold on to what became a 4-3 win over the Rays when he got Willy Aybar to bounce out to first base with the tying run at third and the winning run at second.

Detroit first baseman Miguel Cabrera handed the ball to Rodney, and the hard-throwing right-hander threw it into the Tropicana Field press box, where it came close to hitting an unsuspecting writer who was busy trying to make deadline.

That writer was me. So I'm told.

I was pounding away on the keyboard of my laptop, paying the least bit of attention to what was going on down on the field.

Why should I?

What happens after a game that can hurt someone sitting four floors above the field?

Now, it is a different story during the game. Foul balls sail back here all the time, so you find yourself writing with one eye on your screen and one eye on the game.

In fact, I caught a foul ball off Ben Grieve's bat on Opening Day 2003. Gave it to a kid, too.

Anyway ... back to Friday.

I heard several people yell, "Watch out!" And I heard what sounded like a ball smacking something in the booth, a sound I've heard many times.

By the time I realized what had happened, the ball bounced off the desktop about 10 feet to my right and was pin-balling around the back of the press box.

Soon after, Rodney was confronted by a reporter - not me, I was still on deadline.

Rodney said this: "I know we're not supposed to throw the ball, but I did. I was celebrating the moment."

Good for you, Rodney. Getting save No. 32 is a big occasion for anyone.

Next time hand it to a Detroit fan. You know, the ones who sit behind the third base dugout at the Trop.

You should be able to reach them with ease, unless your control was as wild in the ninth inning Friday.

How about dressing as playoff contenders?

2009-09-03T14:20:00.000-07:00

Another road trip looms for the Rays, and you know what that means? Another theme.

I would suggest dressing like a playoff contender, but, so far, no one has asked me.

Rays manager Joe Maddon held a meeting before Thursday's game with the Red Sox to discuss a few ideas. His big one: Herb Tarlek (above) from WKRP in Cincinnati, the old 1970s sitcom about a radio station in Cincinnati.

Tarlek was known for his checkered suits.

"That got a few scowls," Maddon said. "So I left it up to the guys."

Some suggestions:

Camouflage, which probably came from the boys in the bullpen. The Russ Springer, Chad Bradford crowd.

Some players suggested "business." The old suit and tie, dress for success-look, which would actually work since the Rays have to be all business if they hope to catch the Red Sox.

Still, I like my idea.

One step up and two steps back

2009-09-03T11:59:00.000-07:00

You watch the way the Rays beat the Red Sox on Wednesday night and you think there is hope.

But you remember how they played Tuesday and you look down at the bullpen, and you think, no, no October to remember this year.

They lost Tuesday when the Red Sox took an early lead against Andy Sonnanstine, and Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon turned in the first six-out save of his career.

They won Wednesday because the offense, led by Carlos Pena, came alive after the bullpen blew the lead.

The Rays lose one day and you think they're done. They win the next night, and you think, "OK. Here they go."

The players talk of running off a string of victories. Their longest winning streak this season is five, which they've done twice.

They had two five game winning streaks last year. They also had two six game winning streaks and one that went seven games.

They Rays need to run off a string of wins now. They have to catch the Red Sox for the Wild Card lead as soon as possible, because the Sox close the season with 17 games against teams who are a combined 80 games under .500. It will be tough to catch the Red Sox when they hit that soft spot in their schedule.

This win one, lose one is going to get it done.

It's like Bruce Springsteen sang,

"We're the same sad story that's a fact,
One step up and two steps back."

Effort is great, wins are better

2009-09-02T06:51:00.000-07:00

There was Joe Maddon late Tuesday night praising the effort after another loss, as if they keep count of effort in the standings.

No, the "E" in Tuesday's 8-4 loss to the Red Sox were the three errors the Rays made, which lead directly to two earned runs and aided another.

Starter Andy Sonnanstine, who pitched fairly well in some big games last season, said he could take some "positives" out of his outing, never mind his outing lasted two batters into the fifth inning.

Shame on you Andy. You know better than to say that when you pitched your team a step farther from a playoff spot.

Tuesday was the start of a crucial three-game, do-or-die series with the Wild Card-leading Red Sox, who also brought some effort of their own to the less-than-half-filled Trop. The Red Sox entered the game with a five-game lead over the Rays and left with a six-game lead.

Now, folks, that's effort.

At this point of the season, the Rays do not need "positives," they need wins. And if the effort doesn't end in victory, what's the point?

The old "E for effort" thing grew stale during Maddon's first two years at the helm, but actually was accurate, especially when you consider what the effort meant least season - a title in the toughest division in baseball and a trip to the World Series.

Sorry, Joe, you and the lads set the bar awfully high last season. No one is buying the "effort" line anymore.

How about showing a little frustration that the season is slipping away.

Ode to Kaz

2009-08-29T14:24:00.001-07:00

You can argue that Scott Kazmir never lived up to his potential in Tampa Bay.

At one point, Kazmir was among the top young pitchers in baseball. He left the Rays Friday in the trade with the Angels as the third- or fourth-best pitcher in the rotation.

At one point, the Rays didn't have a chance unless Kazmir was on the mound. His recent stretch of good starts notwithstanding, you couldn't think that this season. Or last.

But this is what Kaz brought to the Rays in his nearly six seasons at the Trop: credibility.

Especially during the first few years of his career. As long as they had Kaz throwing every fifth day, the Rays had a chance to win at least once a week, and during those days, that was actually acceptable.

Injuries slowed his development. Some within the organization question his work ethic and desire, especially after he signed his big contract early in 2008.

But what I will remember most about Kazmir, besides the fact he never ducked the media no matter how poorly he pitched, was Game 5 at Boston during last year's ALCS.

Rays manager Joe Maddon switched his rotation to have Kazmir pitch at Fenway Park instead of James Shields, who is no "Big Game James" on the road.

It seemed like a dumb move. Maddon was ripped in the Boston media.

Kaz allowed two hits and struck out seven in six innings, turning a 7-0 lead over to the bullpen.

Kazmir had pitched the Rays to within nine outs of the World Series. He bowed up and found a bit of the old Kaz. He was the ace everyone believed he would be.

When you consider the lousy teams he pitch on when he first came to Tampa Bay, Kazmir deserved the chance to be the winning pitcher in the game that clinched the American League pennant and sent them to the World Series.

Alas, the Rays bullpen wasn't up to the task, and the Rays would need a full seven games to win the pennant.

Of course, that made Kaz the Game 1 starter in the World Series, another fitting honor for the two-time All-Star.

But I will always remember that October night in Boston, when, for six innings Kaz silenced a nation.

'That was for you, Monty'

2009-08-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

Greg Montalbano never had a chance since that first battle with testicular cancer as a college freshman in 1996. Operations were followed by more tumors that were followed by more operations that were followed by more tumors.

Montalbano once referred to himself as a “tumor machine.”

Montalbano never had a chance.

But he had friends, and two of those friends honored his passing Saturday morning with big days on the baseball field.

In Boston, Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis tied a career-high with six RBIs in the Red Sox’s 14-1 against the Yankees.

Closer to home, Rays first baseman Carlos Peña homered twice, scored three times and drove in four runs, including the game-winner in the bottom of the 10th to push the Rays past the visiting Rangers 5-4.

“He was my right-hand man in college,” Peña said of his former teammate at Northeastern. "The one thing that comforts me is I know he’s in a better place, but we’re going to miss him greatly.”

At some point while Youkilis was taking his grief out on the Yankees, Peña wrote a message on a piece of paper: “That was for you, Monty.”

“I just figured that I’d make a little note,” Peña said, “and if something happened I’d flash it to the camera.”

That “something” happened in the second inning when Peña drove a fastball from Rangers pitcher Tommy Hunter into the right-field seats.

Peña flashed the sign toward the TV camera next to the Rays dugout after he circled the bases.
“I hope the family saw it,” Peña said.

Peña hit a two-run homer off Hunter in the fourth inning for his American League-leading 34th home run.

In the eighth, Peña scored what appeared to be the winning run when he hustled home from first on Pat Burrell’s two-out double off the top of the left-field wall.

Rays closer J.P. Howell blew his first ninth-inning save of the season in the ninth, but all that did was set Peña up for another big hit.

Rangers relief pitcher Jason Grilli came on to pitch the 10th. He drilled Rays leadoff hitter Evan Longoria and walked Ben Zobrist.

Peña stepped up and singled to center to score Longoria.

“His good buddy passed away, and he got a little emotional lift to get through this game with the game-winning knock,” Howell said. “It’s pretty impressive, and that makes you wonder if there’s other things out there helping you out.”

It was Peña’s third two-home run game of the season and the 16th of his career. It was also the third time since August 2008 that Peña ended a game with a hit, though it was the first this season.

“You realize how blessed we are,” Peña said. “I dedicated this game to him (Montalbano) and for his memory.”

Here is a link to a great story on Montalbano that ran in the Boston Globe last October while the Rays were in Boston playing the Red Sox in the ALCS

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/10/16/a_pitch_for_life/

Niemann my leader for AL rookie of the year

2009-08-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

Here is something I never thought I would write: Jeff Niemann should be the American League Rookie of the Year.

Not that I didn't think a Rays pitcher would win the award this year, I just thought that rookie would be David Price. I don't think I was alone in that assumption, either.

Back in March, the story was how the Rays would baby Price at Triple A to keep him fresh for the late summer playoff push.

Well, the Rays are making a playoff push, and one reason is because Niemann has emerged as the best pitcher in the rotation.

Price, who returned to the big leagues sooner than the Rays planned because of the injury to Scott Kazmir, has pitched like a rookie.

Niemann, who almost didn't make the team out of spring training, is the reason why the Rays still have playoff hopes.

He is 11-5, leading the staff in wins, ERA (3.71), complete games (2) and shutouts (2).

He leads all American League rookie pitchers in wins, complete games and shutouts. Detroit's Rick Porcello and Toronto's Ricky Romero are tied for second with 10 wins each.

I have voted for the AL ROY in past years, though I won't this year, and I tend to lean toward a rookie who is involved in a playoff race. I figure it is tough enough being a rookie. Throw in the pressure of playing meaningful games and the pressure only gets dialed up.

Trying to learn the game at the big league level while trying to help your team reach the playoffs is a lot to ask from a rookie.

That said, Porcello and Niemann are two pitchers I feel are legit ROY candidates.

As far as position players go, Nolan Reimold of Baltimore appears all over the hitting categories, but he plays for a last-place team.

Gordon Beckham of the White Sox is also having a nice year, but his numbers aren't Evan Longoria numbers.

I think the ROY is going to be a pitcher, and at this time, I think it should be Niemann.

The No.5 starter is pitching like the staff ace. Take him out of the rotation and you can take the Rays out of the Wild Card hunt.

Rays won't sign first two draft picks

2009-08-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

Apparently, LeVon likes his money. At least his agent, Scott Boras, does.

LeVon Washington, the high school infielder/outfielder selected by the Rays in the first round of the draft back in June, is not expected to sign by tonight’s midnight deadline, according to Rays vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman.

"We are disappointed that LeVon has chosen not to sign with the Rays," Friedman said in a statement released by the team. "We offered him a bonus consistent with late-first-round picks. Immediately following the draft, he seemed eager to sign but it has not materialized. We wish LeVon great success with his baseball career."

Friedman also said the team will not reach an agreement with infielder Kenny Diekroeger, who they took in the second round. Diekroeger had signed with Stanford University and said from the outset that he was prepared to play college baseball.

Washington, a Gainesville-Buchholtz High product who signed with Florida, said on the night of the draft that he had told the Gator coaches he was going to sign with the Rays.

"When we drafted Kenny, we went in with our eyes wide open, knowing he had a strong desire to attend Stanford University," Friedman said. "We knew that we would either be signing a top talent or receiving a comparable pick in the 2010 draft. We wish Kenny all the best at Stanford."

This is the first time in team history the Rays were not able to sign their first-round pick.

They will receive equivalent draft picks in the 2010 draft as compensation.

Can Garza match Kaz?

2009-08-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

See what I mean about good pitching?

Scott Kazmir shakes off a two-run homer in the third inning Saturday and pitches into the seventh. Loads the bases with no-out in his last inning, but gets a ground ball to force a runner at second. He gives up a run to get an out. The rest of the inning is left to Russ Springer, and the rigthty does his job.

The Rays led 5-2 at the start of the seventh Saturday and would win 5-3.

Kaz gives them a quality start. The offense does enough against Toronto's Brian Tallet and the Rays say "goodbye" to the five-game losing streak.

As I blogged Saturday and later wrote in my Sunday column in the Bradenton Herald, the Rays have to get better outings from their starters and they have to get them on a nightly basis, or it's goodbye postseason.

Matt Garza throws this afternoon against the Jays.

I just saw him bouncing around the clubhouse while rock music rocked the room. He looks loose as ever. Garza always does before a start.

He needs to give the Rays more today than what he gave them in his last outing at Anaheim - six runs (four earned) in 3 1/3 innings. He needs to do what Kaz did Saturday: give them a quality start and turn a lead over to the bullpen.

Garza does that and the Rays win two straight with both victories going to the starting pitcher.

When was the last time that happened? Aug. 1 and Aug. 2 when David Price (seven innings, one run) and Jeff Niemann (eight innings, one run) beat the Royals on back-to-back nights at the Trop.

The rookies can do it. How about the vets?

Location, location, location

2009-08-15T12:18:00.000-07:00

It doesn't matter if Pat Burrell gets another home run or not, or if B.J. Upton and Dioner Navarro continue to slump or the Rays offense fails to get hits with runners in scoring position.

There will be no October baseball beyond the regular season finale in St. Pete if the Rays continue to get poor starting pitching.

It's that simple.

James Shields retired a career-best 16 straight during one point Friday night. Problem was, he put the Rays in a 5-0 hole before settling down. With Roy Halladay pitching for the Blue Jays, that means one thing: Ball game.

Scott Kazmir is pitching Saturday night, and Matt Garza pitches Sunday. That should favor the Rays, but both were rocked in their previous starts and both have been so inconsistent that you never know what to expect.

The current rotation is one-game above .500 - 35-34, and that's with Jeff Niemann's 10-5 record.

I've written this plenty of times this season: Things can't be good if Niemann is the best pitcherion the rotation. Nothing against Big Jeff and everything against the Big Three.

Shields is 7-9 with one win since June 20.

Kaz is 6-7.

Garza is 7-8.

David Price is 5-5, looking great one start and like a rookie the next.

The Rays need consistent starts out of their starters if they plan to make a run at another postseason. At this point of the season, it is kind of much to ask that from a rotation that has been consistent in its inconsistency.

Upton not happy about batting ninth

2009-08-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

No one expected B.J. Upton to be happy about his free-fall through the batting order from first to last, but his reaction has been a little, well, this is what he told the St. Petersburg Times on Sunday:

"It's almost like a kick in the face," he said.

And ...

"To go from being a leadoff guy and last year hitting (No.) 2, 3, maybe 4 … it's just like I'm back where I started (as a 19-year-old rookie). I was in the 9-hole, the 8-hole and kind of worked my way up. I know I'm not a 9-hitter. I know I'm not a bottom-of-the-order type of guy," he said.

OK, here's the deal:

As the leadofff hitter, Upton killed the Rays, batting only .140 during his first at-bat of the 86 games he spent at the top of the order. If it wasn't for manager Joe Maddon's undying loyalty, Upton would have been dropped to seventh long ago.

That loyalty from his skipper might be one of the factors that will keep the Rays from the postseason.

This was no knee-jerk reaction by Maddon. Those 86 games were enough for Upton to prove that he is a top-of-the-order guy.

Maddon dropped Upton to seventh to take a little pressure off Upton and maybe help the center fielder regain his stroke. Then Maddon dropped Upton to eighth and now ninth.

Upton has only three hits in his 20 at-bats since being moved down the order in favor of Jason Bartlett. Nine of those 17 outs were strikeouts.

So, he's embarrassed. So what?

We all saw last October what Upton can do when he's swinging the bat well.

And, we saw during the first four months of the season what happens when Upton struggles.

Maybe the "kick in the face" is what Upton needs to pick up his offense, because patience and confidence from the manager didn't work.

Rangers seem for real

2009-08-09T16:33:00.000-07:00

Uh, what's up with the Texas Rangers?

Aren't they supposed to wilt in the Texas heat?

Aren't they supposed to go away?

Don't the Rangers know that the American League Wild Card is predestined to come out of the AL East?

Guess not.

The Rangers just took two out of three in Anaheim and are poised to overtake the Red Sox for the lead in the Wild Card.

This means the Rays have to pass two teams in the Wild Card race, the slumping Red Sox and the surging Rangers.

It's not enough the Rays have to deal with the Yankees and Red Sox. Now they have this team out West, too.

The good news for the Rays is they have six games remaining with the Rangers, starting with a three-game series at the back end of the Rays next homestand. They don't return to Texas until the last weekend in September.

The bad news is the Rays follow the Rangers into Anaheim, where the Rays start a three-game series Monday night. The Rays haven't won a series in Anaheim since the 1999 season. They have won once in their last 11 games in Anaheim.

Stupid rule? Not when you had been warned

2009-08-05T18:07:00.000-07:00

If I hear one more person say the rule is stupid I'm going to scream.

I am referring to Rule 7.05 (g) of the Baseball Rule Book that says a ball lodged in equipment in the bullpen is ruled a dead ball and runners are awarded two bases from where they were when the pitch was thrown.

So, the wild throw from Boston pitcher Danial Bard that sailed past Red Sox first baseman Victor Martinez in the eighth inning Tuesday night and made its way into an equipment bag in the Rays bullpen was ruled the same as a ground rule double and cost the Rays a run in a game they would eventually win 4-2 in 13 innings.

To say it all started with the sacrifice bunt by Willy Aybar would be misleading.

It actually started a while ago when the Rays were told by umpires to keep the bullpen area clear of bags and jackets and whatever else relief pitchers carry down there.

They didn't.

So there we were Tuesday in the bottom of the eighth, the score tied at 2-2 and Ben Zobrist on first.

Aybar dropped a bunt in front of the plate. Bard picked up the ball and threw it past Martinez and down the right field line where it bounced into the Rays bullpen.

The bullpen at the Trop is in play. The ball can rattle around out there like a pinball, bouncing off the bench, chair legs and the wall. As the long as the ball isn't lodged in the padding of the four-foot wall, it's in play.

Unless it rolls into an equipment bag, which, this ball did.

Rays manager Joe Maddon couldn't argue, because he knew the rule and he knew he had been warned in the past.

Yeah, Zobrist had scored before the ball became lodged, but, what are you going to do? A stupid rule?

Maybe.

But had the Rays relievers kept the area free of bags and whatnot, we would never have learned of the rule's existence.

And maybe we would have been home at a decent hour.

But then we would have missed Evan Longoria's 13th inning home run, and that was worth the wait.

Now leading off ... not Upton

2009-08-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

Some managers move players up and down the lineup. Some managers like a set lineup.

Some managers are quick to drop a slumping hitter down a few spots. Some managers stick with a set lineup.

Rays manager Joe Maddon likes a set lineup. Aside from tweaking the bottom of the order based on platoons and keeping to the right-lefty-righty look, Maddon wants to send the same guys out there in the same spots.

He does this for two reasons: He's spent a great deal of time in the offseason figuring out the batting order and he doesn't want to show a lack of faith in his players.

Maddon said the best thing a manager can do for a slumping hitter is to maintain his confidence in that hitter, and that's why he stayed with B.J. Upton in the leadoff spot for so long. Maddon was hoping Upton would find the stroke that led to a productive June.

But Upton strikes out too much and walks too little. In between, he doesn't get nearly enough hits.

So Maddon decided on a change. It was a long time coming, because Maddon spent a long time mulling the move. Changing leadoff hitters to Maddon is the same as changing quarterbacks in football. It can't be a knee-jerk reaction, and the guy you stick in there better be able to do the job. If not, the only option often is to go back to the former No. 1, and we know how that worked out.

So Maddon moved Jason Bartlett, the team's leading hitter to the top of the order Monday and kept him there Tuesday. Maddon said he does not have a time frame on how long Bartlett will be the Rays leadoff hitter. Bartlett will likely tell Maddon he can or can't handle the job.

It's the right move for the Rays right now, because the offense is struggling. Upton gives them no spark at the top of the order.

Bartlett has a higher batting average and on-base percentage. He walks more and strikes out less. He's also a much better base runner than Upton.

Not sure if Bartlett can provide the spark that will carry the Rays to the postseason. But giving Bartlett one more at-bat than Upton on a nightly basis can't hurt.

Thoughts on a near no-no

2009-08-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

A few of us writers spent more than a few minutes Saturday afternoon talking to Rays pitcher James Shields about Mark Buehrle's perfect game and how Shields had never thrown one and what it would be like to even throw a no-hitter.

Next day Shields takes a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Royals at Tropicana Field.

You look for signs during no-hitters and perfect games.

The fact Shields talked about throwing the day before was one, and would have made a heck of a lead had Shields finished the deal.

Rays manager Joe Maddon noticed one in the middle of the game when the answer to the daily trivia question was Dick Bosman, the Rays minor league pitching coordinator, who would have thrown a perfect game once if not for his own fielding error.

Here is another: Jim McKean was the umpire supervisor watching the game from the Trop's press box. McKean worked 10 no-hitters during his major league career, which stretched from 1973 to 2001.

Yet he never worked home plate in any of them.

Maybe that's why Shields didn't get the no-no. McKean was seated behind home plate.

Remembering Thurman

2009-08-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

It was 30 years ago when I heard the news over the radio while sitting in my bedroom writing a letter to some baseball player to ask for his autograph.

Shortly after there was a knock at the side door of our house. It was Pat, my friend from next door. He was crying. He, too, heard the news.

Thurman Munson, the Yankee catcher, was dead, killed in a plane crash.

Munson was just one of many of my childhood sports heroes. There was also Joe Namath and Dr. J and Roger Staubach, whose hand I once shook before a Cowboys-Jets game at Shea Stadium.

I wore my chest protector inside-out during CYO baseball games so the orange would show, because that's how Munson wore his. My coach would tell me to fix the chest protector so the blue side showed.

I would tell him this is how Thurman Munson wears his. He would tell me, "You're no Thurman Munson." I would mutter something like, "Yeah, well you're no Bill Virdon."

Virdon managed the Yankees at the time.

Years later I would argue with Red Sox fans that Munson was better and tougher than Carlton Fisk.

I once talked to Lou Piniella about Munson when Lou was managing the Rays. Lou had tears in his eyes when he talked of the ovation Munson received the day after his death, when the Yankees tried to hold a moment of silence at Yankee Stadium, and of how Bobby Murcer drove in all five runs in a come-from-behind walk-off win against the Orioles the following Monday.

The Yankees flew to Ohio for Munson's funeral, than flew back to New York and beat the Orioles.

Sunday was the anniversary of Munson's death, and 30 years later I can still hear Pat knocking on the door.

Here is a link to a Daily News story on Munson ...

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/08/02/2009-08-02_thurman_munsons_final_hours.html

Sitting tight at deadline might prove best move

2009-08-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

In 2008, the Rays didn't get Jason Bay at the trade deadline, and many of us thought the Rays were sunk by the non-move, especially when Bay was traded to the Red Sox, who were at the time chasing the first-place Rays.

Turned out to be a wise move. The Rays held on to the prospects the Pirates wanted in exchange for Bay, won the division and the pennant and reached the World Series.

The Rays didn't make any moves this season, and that might turn out to be a wise move, as well.

The Rays had a definite need for another right-handed power-bat in 2008.

They have that this season, though Pat Burrell hasn't provided the pop the Rays had hoped for when they signed the DH in January.

Basically, every thing the Rays need they already have.

Starting pitching? Check.

Defense? Check.

Offense? Check.

What the Rays have, though, are inconsistent starting pitching, slumping hitters and a defense that is not as tight as it was last year.

The Rays feel they can receive the same pop of adding a player if some of those who are struggling return to their productive states.

A productive Scott Kazmir bolsters the rotation.

A productive Burrell, Carlos Pena and Dioner Navarro bolsters the lineup.

The Rays protect their prospects like a mother bear protects her cubs, so they aren't going to give one or two away for another arm in the bullpen.

If V.P. of baseball Andrew Friedman is going to part with a prospect, he's going to want an impact major leaguer in return.

While the Rays are very much alive in the postseason chase, they are far enough out of both the division race and the Wild Card race to mortgage the future on what might be a failed attempt at October baseball no matter how well a trade pans out.

Friedman thought he assembled a playoff team last offseason. He still does.

And if the bats come alive and Kazmir continues to pitch well, he might just be right.

Big Papi or Big Liar?

2009-07-30T19:01:00.000-07:00

Now it is David Ortiz's turn to face the steroid music. Yawn.

This is getting older than a Pat Burrell swing-and-a-miss on strike three.

The Red Sox slugger's name is apparently on that list of 104 who tested positive for performance enhancing drugs back in 2003, linking Big Papi with A-Rod.

Here's what Ortiz said in spring training about those baseball players who are believed to have tested positive for performance enhancing drugs"

"Ban 'em for the whole year."

Here is his statement to the media before he spoke to reporters after Thursday's game against the visiting A's, a game the Red Sox won with the help of an Ortiz home run.

"Based on the way I have lived my life, I am surprised to learn I tested positive. I will find out what I tested positive for. You know me, I will not hide and I will not make excuses."

Ortiz said he will talk again after he got to the bottom of the situation. Translation: "I will talk again after my agent and the player's association tells me what to say."

This is getting old.

Sluggers fail tests mike Manny Ramirez or are found to be among the 104 who failed the 2003 testing. They try to come clean with fake apologies and excuses.

It would be much easier on baseball fans if all 104 names on the list were revealed, though that will never happen since that list was confidential and supposed to be destroyed.

So, we'll have to deal with the occasional leaked name like that bathroom faucet that drips all night.

Very annoying.

Garza comes to Longo's defense

2009-07-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

Evan Longoria is precious cargo and when that cargo is threatened, well, you retaliate.

That's one of those unwritten rules of baseball.

Yankee pitcher Joba Chamberlain, who leads the major leagues in hit batters, threw an 86 mph pitcher over Longoria's head in the fourth inning of the Rays 6-2 loss Wednesday night.

The next inning, Rays starter Matt Garza hit Yankee first baseman Mark Teixeira on the left shoulder. It wasn't so much a hit as it was a grazing, but Garza felt he made a point.

"I kind of got tired of them pushing (Longoria) back. I decided to make a statement," Garza said.

Longo bats third in the order. Teixeira bats third in the Yankees order.

Garza nipped Teixeira after walking Johnny Damon with two out. That looked kind of foolish since it put runners on first and second and brought Alex Rodriguez to the plate in a game the Yankees led 2-0. One swing and it's 5-0 Yankees and ball game.

But Garza got Rodriguez swinging to end the threat.

The Yankees lead the majors in hitting batters, thanks to the addition of A.J. Burnett and CC Sabathia. Perhaps that's retaliation for all the times pitchers throw at Derek Jeter and Rodriguez.

Hitting batters is one way the players police the game.

Garza, whether he got the attention of the Yankees or not, decided enough was enough.

"I hate to be that guy, but someone had to take a stand and go after them," he said.

Garza felt the Yankees were throwing at the Rays best player. So, he went after the Yankees top home run and RBI producer.

We'll see how this plays out down the road.

We'll also see if Garza is fined for admitting he threw at a batter.

Think Longo might pick up the check?

A small favor leads to a good day

2009-07-28T17:03:00.000-07:00

The Yankees are in town, which means Suzyn Waldman is in the house with the rest of the Yankees radio broadcast team.

Waldman was the first voice ever heard on New York's famed WFAN and has acted on Broadway. Bet you never knew that?

Now, Waldman has taken her share of knocks over the years, but let me tell you a good story about Suzyn Waldman that happened during another trip to the Trop by the Yankees.

A few years ago I asked her for a favor. My sister-in-law's father wasn't doing well. His heart was failing.

Roger, or "The Chief" as we called him because he was a retired chief of the Fire Department of New York, was a big Yankees fan. Watched as many games as he could. Listened to the rest.

This was a Sunday afternoon, and I knew Roger and some of his family, including my brother, Jack, and his wife, Jill, (Yes, Jack and Jill) would be in The Chief's backyard enjoying a lazy summer afternoon on Long Island. I also knew the Yankees-Rays game would be on the radio.

I found Suzyn outside the visiting clubhouse at the Trop that morning and asked if you she could give Roger a shout out. You know, tell him the Yankee family was thinking of him and wished him well.

Suzyn said yes. Told me to tell my Jack to make sure the radio was turned up at the start of the third inning. I did.

Sometime around the sixth inning Jack, also a chief in the FDNY, called to tell me The Chief was listening when Suzyn wished him well.

Jack told me he saw a spark in Roger's eyes that they hadn't seen in a long time.

Jack said the phone at The Chief's house soon started ringing. It was friends of Roger calling. They were listening to the Yankee game, too. They called to see how their buddy was doing.

Unfortunately, Roger didn't have too many good days left.

But that was certainly one of them.

For starters, Rays starters are shaky

2009-07-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

Well, that's not exactly the way to make a run at the division leaders.

Yankees starter A.J. Burnett was on, and Rays starter James Shields was not Monday as the first-place Yankees thumped the Rays 11-4 at Tropicana Field.

I guess we can blame some of Shields' lack of success to the embarrassing lack of run support by his offense - 3.63 runs per game, the third-lowest support in the the AL.

Still Shields has a 5.21 ERA in July, and that's not going to win you many games.

The Rays are now 7.5 games out of first place (five behind the Red Sox in thew Wild Card), and while this is no time to press the panic button, it should be cause for alarm.

The starting pitching is just not getting it done.

Five of their six wins since the All-Star Break have come with late-inning rallies. The other came in extra innings.

Shields has not won in seven starts.

Scott Kazmir, who starts Tuesday against the Yankees, has not won in seven starts.

That's not exactly what you want from the top-two pitches in the rotation.

Right now, the only starter that instills any confidence in the Rays fan base is fifth starter Jeff Niemann, who has a team-high nine wins.

Does anyone still believe the Rays can make a run at another postseason berth?

Good pitching beats good pitching

2009-07-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

The Rays have three wins this season against Roy Halladay, and this is how they did it: With good pitching.

Friday's starter Matt Garza went nine innings. He allowed five hits and two runs. He struck out nine and didn't walk a batter in the Rays 4-2, 10-inning victory. That's the key. No freebies.

That's how you beat good pitching. You pitch just as well, because Halladay may give up two runs, maybe even three, but he's not going to get smacked around.

And J.P. Howell, the Rays closer, closed out the 10th for his 11th save.

That's how you bounce back from being on the wrong side of a perfect game. You focus on the game at hand and beat Halladay, one of the best, if not thee best pitcher in the game.

At worst, the Rays go 5-5 on this 10-game road trip.

Some thoughts on perfection

2009-07-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

Well, being no-hit doesn't derail championship hopes.

The 1952 and 1958 Yankees were no-hit during the regular season and won the World Series.

The 1973 and 1974 Oakland A's were also no-hit during the regular season and also won the World Series.

Now, having been on the wrong side of a perfect game? No team has ever experienced that and won the World Series.

So, things don't look good for the Rays, though their own starting pitching might sink their season more than Mark Buehrle's history-making gem Thursday afternoon in Chicago.

At least it was quick.

The game lasted 2 hours, 3 minutes. Buehrle spent only 32 minutes on the mound. Rays starter Scott Kazmir can do that in two innings.

I know Rays fans won't agree, but at some point you had to root for history.

The Rays were down 5-0, and you know they weren't coming back. So, why not watch something that happened only 17 times in baseball history prior to Thursday?

It's been a funny road trip for the Rays. They are 4-3. They could easily be 5-1, and they can just as easily be 0-6.

They won three games in Kansas City by rallying in the eighth inning during all three games. They had done that only twice during the first half of the season.

On Monday, the Rays almost pull off their first ninth inning-comeback of the season against Chicago closer Bobby Jenks. On Tuesday, they do pull off their first ninth inning comeback of the season against Jenks.

On Wednesday, they blow a 3-1 lead when B.J. Upton plays a line drive that should have been the final out of the inning into a two-run triple that ties the score at 3-3. The next batter drives in the winning run.

On Thursday, Buehrle becomes the 18th pitcher in major league baseball history to throw a perfect game.

What's next?

Roy Halladay of the Blue Jays, that's what's next.

The Rays open a three-game series Friday night in Toronto against Halladay.

Funny thing, if I was in a pool where I had to pick a pitcher likely to no-hit the Rays, I would gladly take Halladay.

Let's make a deal ... or not

2009-07-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

Now comes that special part of the baseball season where rumors of trades fly higher than a another pop-up from Dioner Navarro. We'll call it: Let's make a deal ... or not.

With the July 31 trade deadline approaching, all sorts of possible deals are reported by ESPN, FOX, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo.com and anyone else with a blog.

Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay is going to _________. (Fill in the blank.)

The Yankees. The Phillies. The Tigers. The Rays.

The Rays? Interesting. ESPN's Buster Olney reported that, but added "it's very, very unlikely," because of the Rays financial issues. I say it's very, very, very unlikely.

Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said he will not add payroll at the trade deadline. He will listen to vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman, who has a reputation of being creative.

The Blue Jays want a boat-load of prospects, of which the Rays have, but Friedman has been unwilling to part with any prospect.

Also, Halladay will not come cheap. He is due $15.75 million next year during the final year of a contract that carries a no-trade clause. Friedman could get flexible here and trade someone off the big league roster. Speculation is that could be Scott Kazmir, but Kazmir is dealing with arm issues again.

I just can't see any scenario that has Halladay going to the Rays.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported the Rays are interested in Cleveland pitcher Cliff Lee, last year's Cy Young Award winner. Lee has a $9 million option for next year, so it is going to cost the Rays next year.

Again, trading someone off the major league roster to free up salary for Lee is a possibility.

Again, Kazmir's name comes up. But if I'm moving a former Cy Young Award winner for Kaz, I want to make darn sure Kaz is healthy and able to pitch deep into games. Any one feel confident Kaz has checks next to each? Neither do I.

The Rays always seem to come up in trade rumors, but, other than the trade that brought Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett from the Twins, they never swing the big deal.

The Rays might make a move at the deadline, but I just can't see it happening. They never have, and they don't have the financial flexibility to do it now.

Unless Friedman gets real creative, or they move a big name player.

Keep in mind: We go through this year every year and the thing about all these trade rumors is few actually come true.

Look who is No. 50!

2009-07-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

Joe Posnanski of Sports Illustrated ranked the top-100 players in baseball.

It's no surprise that Albert Pujols is No. 1. I'm glad to see Posnanski ranked Joe Mauer second.

Evan Longoria is 15th, and Carl Crawford is 35. "Hitting .314, getting on base more than ever before (.374 OBP), has league-leading 46 stolen bases and plays left field like a center fielder. What's not to like?" Posnanski wrote of CC.

What's not to like? Maybe the ranking. If CC is considered the best left fielder in the game, I don't see how he can't be in the top-20. I'll give Posnanski this: At least he ranked Crawford. A poll of the top-50 players in baseball by The Sporting News didn't include Crawford.

The biggest surprise is No. 50 - Zorilla.

"Remarkable first half -- .418 on-base percentage and leads the American League with a .597 slugging percentage. He played six defensive positions. Is it real? I think so. We'll see if he wears down in the second half," Pos wrote about Ben Zobrist.

Posnonski has Jason Bartlett at No. 52, and B.J. Upton at ... nowhere.

"I love B.J. Upton's potential. But the last year and a half ... I just don't think he's quite a Top 100 player," he wrote.

That's interesting. Zobrist makes the list and not B.J.

Who would have guessed that back in March?

But then who would have guessed that Jeff Niemann would lead the Rays in victories with nine and own the three best starts by a Tampa Bay pitcher this season?

Ah, that's a blog for another time.

Check out Posnanski's top-100 here ...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/07/21/top.100/index.html

Crawford steals more of the national spotlight

2009-07-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

If being the MVP of last week's All-Star Game wasn't enough, Carl Crawford will receive more national attention once this week's issue of Sports Illustrated hits the newsstands.

CC is featured in a story on the lost art of stealing bases.

Here is an excerpt of the story written by Albert Chen ...

“Four years ago, in a series of essays for the Baseball Prospectus and The Hardball Times websites, Dan Fox introduced a metric called Equivalent Baserunning Runs (EqBRR), which today is, by far, the most advanced baserunning statistic available. EqBRR combines the contributions of all forms of baserunning: stolen bases; advancement on ground outs, fly balls and hits; as well as advancement on passed balls, wild pitches and balks. Fox examined play-by-play data going back to 1956, the earliest year such information was available, and as expected, those who made the greatest impact on the bases were speedsters such as [Rickey] Henderson and [Tim] Raines, who, according to their EqBRRs, contributed an average of more than 10 runs a season at the peak of their careers with their baserunning alone. Hall of Famer Robin Yount was one of the best at taking the extra base on hits, adding nearly eight runs in his best seasons with his baserunning even though he never stole more than 22 bases in a season. The best base runner of all time, however, was [Willie] Wilson, who in his best season (1980) added more than 19 runs with his legs, according to Fox's formula.”

What are you trying to say, Theo?

2009-07-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

Let's start by saying I like Julio Lugo.

He wasn't exactly a Gold Glove-shortstop during his days with the Rays, but Lugo hustled, which is saying something when you consider he was a member of some of the worst teams baseball has seen in years.

He ran just as hard to first base in the bottom of the ninth inning of a game the Rays were losing 7-1 as he did in the first inning. He was the first infielder to the mound when a pitcher found himself in a jam, which is more than you can say for the Rays catcher at the time. From what I observed, Lugo was a pretty good clubhouse guy.

The Red Sox signed him to a four-year, $36 million contract before the 2007 season, which is what the big-market teams tend to do. It was never really a good fit, and the Red Sox placed Lugo on waivers just after the All-Star Game.

Here is what I find interesting about this story: the comments by Boston GM Theo Epstein.

Theo doesn't hide a thing. It's somewhat refreshing to hear a GM admit a mistake, especially a high-priced mistake like this, though I kind of feel bad that it was at Lugo's expense.

Normally, you get the usual GM blah-blah-blah. "It didn't work out." "We've parted ways." "This is best for both sides." Not this time. Epstein cut right to the heart of the matter.

Here is what Epstein told MLB.com ...

"I think ownership has been consistent that we'll do what we need to do to put the best possible team on the field and the sunk cost is the sunk cost. We're sorry it didn't work out better with Julio, obviously, but keeping him on the team wasn't going to change that. Sometimes the best organizations admit their mistakes and move on, and that's what we're doing here. This was one of the free-agent signings that didn't work out and we ended up paying for past performance, not current performance. That's the definition of a mistake, and as the decision maker, that's on me. We'll just move on and try to make better decisions going forward."

"It started out poorly from before Day One. He called us over the winter after we signed him and he said he had a sickness or a stomach issue, a pretty bad issue, where he lost like 15 pounds. When he showed up, he lacked a lot of strength and some quickness, but particularly the strength, it was gone. (That) got him off on the wrong foot and was never with us the player that he was in Tampa Bay."

"We tried a lot of things to get the best out of him. We did win a World Series with him as our everyday shortstop and he did make a lot of contributions to that world championship. That's not to be lost in the mix, but, obviously, we'd be fudging the truth to say it worked out the way we envisioned it. (He) just never got on track here. (He) never really got locked in and comfortable and never played even close to the way we expected.... When you dabble in free agency, sometimes these things happen. That's kind of the nature of the beast. We're trying to grow the organization to the point where we don't have to ever get a free agent. We're probably closer to that point now then we were two or three offseasons ago. It's a lesson learned for sure."

Of Perry, McGraw and Apollo 11

2009-07-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

I just read a funny story about Gaylord Perry in the latest Sports Illustrated that also includes a favorite topic of mine - Apollo 11.

While watching Perry take batting practice as a rookie in 1962, a reporter told San Francisco Giants manager Alvin Dark that the pitcher would hit a lot of home runs.

As the story goes, Dark replied: "There'll be a man on the moon before Gaylord Perry hits a home run."

People must have said that a lot back then. "They'll be a man on the moon before ... (fill in the rest)." Now its, "If they can put a man on the moon, they can ... ."

Anyway, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. An hour later, Perry hit his first major league home run.

Perry swears it's a true story, and who wouldn't believe a man who carved out a hall of fame career by throwing a spitball.

We are in the midst of celebrating that historic trip to the moon, which began July 16 with liftoff, the touchdown on the moon four days later and Armstrong's amazing first steps.

I can't get enough of Apollo 11. I must have read my Dad's National Geographic issue on the space trip a hundred times.

That leads me to another of my favorite topics: the 1969 Mets, who, given the sorry past of the franchise, may have taken a bigger step for man that same summer.

As the story goes, the Mets were stuck in the Montreal airport waiting for their flight to leave. They passed the time at the airport bar watching Armstrong's historic walk. Reliever Tug McGraw yelled out, "If they can put a man on the moon, we can win the World Series."

I met McGraw and Ron Swoboda in 1999 when the Mets played the Rays at the Trop, and the Rays held a turn back the clock night to honor the Mets. Yeah, I know. Weird.

Anyway, McGraw said the incident definitely happened. Swoboda thought it did, but wasn't sure if it was McGraw who made the prediction.

Swoboda gave it some thought and decided that, yeah, if anyone on the team was crazy enough to yell that across the bar, it was McGraw.

The summer of 1969: Man first walks on the moon, the Mets win the World Series and Gaylord Perry finally went deep.

Comments from CC, Maddon after the big win

2009-07-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

Here is the transcript from the post-All-Star Game interviews with Rays manager Joe Maddon and MVP Carl Crawford ...

Q. Talk about Curtis (Granderson) and his triple. How did it change the game?
JOE MADDON: I congratulate him on the fact that he went for three bases. A lot of times, a ball will be hit like that and a hitter automatically assumes a double. Did he not assume a double, he assumed three right there which puts an entirely different attitude on the other side in regard to what they can do.That was huge for me that he even thought of it. He thought of it and he did it and that was a big play. And the fact that he did not settle for a double. From a baseball perspective, we try to teach that to our guys all the time and I thought that was fabulous.

Q. What does it do? Obviously, these guys are all stars but when you have (Jonathon) Papelbon, (Joe) Nathan, (Mariano) Rivera the last three innings, what does that do for your confidence?
JOE MADDON: When you write it up before it begins, you know that's nice when you look at those three names and know what they are capable of doing. I was just hoping we could grab the lead after six, and it sets it up for these three guys after the last three innings. So any manager would want the opportunity to write those three names in a row like that, and they are all outstanding. Big pitch by Joe to break the ball in the dirt and great block by Victor, also. There are a whole bunch of little things that occur in the tightly-contested game. The pitching was outstanding, and early on we made some mistakes and they had made some mistakes and overall a well-played game and well-pitched game and those last three relievers did a great job.

Q. Talk about C.C. and what he did tonight.
JOE MADDON: Well, you know, I was talking on the way over here, I don't know that I've ever seen Carl go over the wall. I heard it was over the wall. That's what I'm getting. I've never seen him do that. The way he got to the position on the ball was great, and the catch, obviously, was fantastic. I've been talking to everybody all year about this. Carl, he has become a better baseball player since I first met him in 2006. He's a better defender, a better thrower, a better baserunner, a better base stealer, and it's all because of his work. I'm not saying it's our fault he's better; it's because of him. His work ethic is that good. And when I first met him in 2006 he came into my office and said something to me about the fact that he wanted to become a better baseball player, and he knew he had some shortcomings; and to his credit, he's really developed in a lot of different areas.

Q. Obviously, the AL had such a long streak. Is there any relief that you were not the manager when that streak would have come to an end possibly?
JOE MADDON: I didn't even know that in the beginning that it was that long. But I mean, of course, I would prefer being a start of the streak, as opposed to the other way around. You know, it is so important to get home-field advantage in the World Series. We were just there last year, we did not take advantage of it. But first and the seventh game possibly is really important, and for us, the Rays playing in Tropicana Field, it's very important. So there was a lot on the line there today. It is a very condensed two days. You look at the playoff situation and going to the World Series, you have days to spread all of this angst out. But you have all of this stuff working over the course of two days and it's really condensed and concentrated and it's good for the baseball soul. So it's really an interesting experience and something that I'll never forget, and yes, I prefer being on the winning side.

Q. Can you just talk about the experience, because of your affection for this town and managing?JOE MADDON: Yes, I was a Cardinal fan growing up from 1963 at nine years old and I followed it closely and I got to meet Mr. Gibson and Lou Brock, and Red Schoendienst. I've had conversations with him and Ozzie Smith, and of course I got to meet Stan last year and all of the Cardinal greats, Mr. Ricky. I'm a big fan of Mr. Ricky and what he did for the game of baseball. For me to get back here as a manager under these circumstances, I've been here as a manager last year with the Rays, and in an All-Star situation, really it's a bastion of baseball and this town embraces the game in a way that's different from a lot of other areas, because they are just good baseball games. The Cardinal fans appreciate a good game.So to come back in those circumstances in where I come from and how I felt vehemently as a Cardinal fan as a kid, it's special to come back in an All-Star Game and do it and win it.

Q. To go back to the bullpen, you mentioned (Ryan) Howard against Nathan, were you close, was it a consideration to go to a lefty against Howard there? Was matching up not an option? JOE MADDON: During the season I would match up. But these stallions in the bullpen, it's not necessary to match up. It was their inning. My concern there with -- (turning to Carl Crawford, entering the room). Congratulations, Buddy.

CARL CRAWFORD: Thanks.

JOE MADDON: There's no concern about matching up with those three guys in the bullpen. It's just their inning. My only concern would be that they would throw too many pitches in an inning and that's why I had Ryan up in the bullpen. Mr. Nathan has done a nice job of getting out both right ties and lefties in a long time.

Q. Can you describe the catch for us there?
CARL CRAWFORD: (Brad Hawpe) hit it pretty good off the bat. He hit it pretty good off the bat, and I didn't think it was going to carry that far. But it carried and just tried to find the wall and was able to jump up and make a play on it.

Q. You were over the wall?
CARL CRAWFORD: Yeah, I was over the wall. It would have been a home run.

Q. Feels pretty good?
CARL CRAWFORD: Feels good. Feels great to help the team win.

Q. Joe said that he had never seen you bring back a home run like you did tonight. Where does that stack in your plays that you've ever had in your career?
CARL CRAWFORD: It's got to be the top play. I don't think I've ever robbed a home run before, so I picked a good time to do it tonight. It's definitely probably my best catch I've ever made.

Q. How familiar are with you that fence? Have you played much out there at all? Did you have a good feel for where you were and what the fence was going to give and you possibly take away from you?
CARL CRAWFORD: I played there last year but the ball was so high in the air, it gave me time to get back to the wall. It was just one of those things where when the ball is so high in the air, you just try to get to the fence and do what you can from there.

Q. Can you just talk about the MVP honor, as a third-time All-Star?
CARL CRAWFORD: It feels great. They totally got me off-guard today. I didn't think I was going to win it. This being my third time coming here, it definitely feels good to win the MVP Award. You know, I'm just so happy, I don't really know what to say. I just hope I can come back many times and try to win it again.

Q. Could you sense that your catch was kind of a momentum changer?
CARL CRAWFORD: Well, I knew the game was close, so you know, everything -- we needed every out and every run we needed. So I didn't know how things was going to play out at the end. But I knew it was probably going to be important at some point that run didn't score.

CC provides All-Star Game's top moment

2009-07-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be nice if the outfield walls at Tropicana Field were just a tad lower? That way we can watch Carl Crawford steal more than just bases. We can watch him steal a home run or two or three or four.

The Rays left fielder robbed Brad Hawpe of a leadoff home run in the seventh during Tuesday's All-Star Game in St. Louis, which the American League won 4-3.

It was a play that kept the score tied at 3-3 and earned Crawford the MVP award, which might have been an indication of how much the 80th All-Star Game lacked in action as much as it was a reward for Crawford's game-turning play.

The AL took the lead in the eighth and old reliable, Mariano Rivera, closed it out with a perfect ninth.

We've come to expect All-Star plays like that from Crawford. What can I say? We're spoiled.

But with the walls at the Trop being 12 feet tall, we'll never see CC make that catch unless we hit the road.

Crawford had the best day of any of the five Rays players in the game. (Obviously, because they gave him the MVP award. Such keen insight on this blog.)

He delivered a pinch-hit single in the fifth inning only to be erased at second when Ichiro Suzuki grounded to second. That was Crawford's lone hit in three at-bats, but it did give him an All-Star Game hitting streak. CC homered at San Francisco in 2007, his last All-Star appearance.

Jason Bartlett bounced out in his lone at-bat.

Ben Zobrist struck out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth. But Zorilla did catch Miguel Tejada's fly ball in short right field for the final out of the night.

Carlos Pena would have pinch-hit for Zach Greinke in the top of the fourth had the inning been extended and Greinke got to bat. But Rays manager Joe Maddon, who skippered the AL squad, send CC up for Greinke to start the fifth.

Pena, a late addition to the squad, didn't get in the game.

Evan Longoria was scratched from the lineup because of an infected right ring finger that is not supposed to keep him out of action when the Rays return to the field Friday night in Kansas City.

Longoria's batting helmet did make it to the plate, though. AL starter Roy Halladay wore it during his second inning at-bat. The Rays logo was removed, but that was Longo's familiar No. 3 on the back. Didn't help Halladay. He looked at a called third strike.

Maddon wins his debut as an All-Star Game manager.

CC comes home with the MVP trophy.

A pretty good showing from the defending AL champs.

And now that the AL won, we can prepare for a possible Game 6 and Game 7 of the World Series at the Trop, right?

Yeah, we'll see.

It's an All-Star 'exhibition' Game

2009-07-14T06:58:00.001-07:00

I think we can agree that baseball's All-Star Game is the best of the four major sports.

With the exceptions of the starting pitchers working deep and the mass substitutions, baseball's All-Star Game looks like a regular season baseball game. Can't say that about the NFL's Pro Bowl and the NBA and NHL all-star games.

No one plays defense in those other three.

In baseball, the hitters don't want to strike out and the pitchers don't want to get shelled.

It's an exhibition game, yes, but the players want to prove they belong ... to a point.

With Pete Rose knocking over Ray Fosse at the plate in the 1970 game as one of the few exceptions, the players play at just a notch or two under 100 percent.

But, tonight's game in St. Louis, tonight's exhibition game, will decide which league gets home field in Game 7 of the World Series.

That's right, the biggest game of any baseball season, Game 7 of the World Series, is directly tied to a mid-summer exhibition game.

Way to go, Bud Selig.

It was the commissioner, embarrassed by the fiasco in his own park in 2002 when both sides ran out of pitches and the game ended in - gasp! - a tie, who decided that the All-Star Game will count.

Yeah, that fixed the problem.

So last year the two sides played forever in the Bronx. Scott Kazmir was the last pitcher used by the American League, and he Rays didn't want Kazmir to pitch. Neither did Kazmir.

And Kaz is determining which league gets home field in Game 7 of the World Series?

If you want this game to count, then you have to change the rules.

You have to make it less of an exhibition game. That means the starting pitcher has to pitch deep. Heck, if Roy Halladay can give you nine innings, great.

You need relief pitchers used to pitching in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, and one or two lefties to come in and get a tough lefty.

So, no longer do you need to send a bus load of starters, just two so you can use one in long relief.

Also, say good-bye to all the closers. You only need one since he''ll be pitching the ninth and only if you have the lead.

Say good-bye to all the starters at the other positions who serve as backups. Now you need guys like the Rays Willy Aybar, a switch-hitter who can pinch-hit and play several positions. You need guys accustomed to coming off the bench in the late innings.

In other words, you'd want to put together a roster that resembles a real major league roster.

Problem is, it's no longer an All-star Game.

So, back to having it an All-Star Game, a night of stars.

Set it up so you have enough players to 11 innings. That's two extra innings to break a tie. If not, it goes down as tie. Everyone wins. The players all played, the fans got to see all the stars and they were able to get home before 3 a.m.

As for home field in game 7? The old way worked just fine with the leagues alternating every year. You went to spring training knowing what the deal would be should you reach the playoffs. No one seemed to complain before.

Awarding home field to the team with the best record isn't always fair, because a team from a tough division may not have the best record even though it is the best team.

Award home field to the team with the best Interleague record is one idea, but what if one team played a weak Interleague record while it's opponent faced the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays? Doesn't seem fair.

But neither does leaving the biggest game of the year in the hands of a mid-season exhibition game.

There are plenty of things in baseball that need fixing: Testing for performance-enhancing drugs, big market vs. small market, ticket prices, the late start of World Series games.

The All-Star Game wasn't on that list.

So, wouldn't you know it, that's one Selig decided to fix.

Nice.

Pena named to All-Star team

2009-07-12T07:59:00.000-07:00

Turns out, Carlos Pena is an All-Star.

The Rays first baseman was added to the American League roster Sunday morning by Rays and American League manager Joe Maddon to fill the spot created when Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia removed himself from the team.

Pedroia took himself out of the game to be with his wife, who is expecting a baby.

Pena, who leads the American League with 24 home runs, was in danger of becoming the first AL home run leader not to make the All-Star team since Mickey Tettleton of Detroit in 1993.

Pena was not among the top vote getters for AL first baseman. He was one of five players on the "Final Vote" ballot, an MLB.com sponsored on-line campaign, but finished fourth.

Maddon placed Pena on the squad ahead of Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler, despite the fact Kinsler finished ahead of Pena in the "Final Vote" campaign.

A past worth forgetting

2009-07-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

Remember that logo? Nightmares, right?

Well, some Einstein with the Tampa Bay (No Devil) Rays decided to trot out that logo and the uniform that went with it Saturday night during the Rays salute to the '90s promotion.

Ah, old times.

Not good old times,just old times.

Take away the 30,000-plus crowd and you had old times.

Matt Garza, the Rays starter, gave up a 2-0 run lead in the seventh, and the last place A's poured it on against the top bullpen in baseball, winning 7-2 to become the first team to beat the Rays on Saturday concert night at the Trop.the Rays had been 11-0 on such nights.

The loss snapped a nine-game home winning streak, including four straight on this homestand.

Hey, the Rays might have been due for a loss, and the bullpen can't be shutdown every night.

But why did the Rays have to salute the '98 and '99 Rays? It's an era - error? - the organization is trying hard to forget, and one that seemed to be forgotten during the march to the 2008 World Series.

Those aren't the old orange uniforms of the Tampa Bay Bucs, which became cool shortly after the Bucs won the Super Bowl. But the Bucs actually reached the NFC title game in the old orange and white.

No such luck for the Rays, who finished last each season they dressed in their original rainbow colored uniforms, which were compared to a bruise or a 1972 Chevy van.

Rays relief pitcher J.P Howell joked Friday night the uniforms, which saw a lot of losses, had a lot of wins in them.

Wrong.

Turns out, they had one more loss.

Rays owner Stu Sternberg speaks

2009-07-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

Rays owner Stuart Sternberg held a conference call Friday to talk about the a recent ESPN poll that ranked the Rays first in game affordibility out of the 122 teams in Major League Baseball, the NFL, NBA and NHL. He also tackled a few other issues.

Here is a transcript:

Sternberg's opening statement
“This is something, as the owner of this team, that I’m really proud of. It’s something that we’ve strived for. There were a couple of things—to get to the World Series, to win the World Series, the steps we took last year were enormous. And the work that went into that. To get recognized by ESPN was the most affordable team in major professional sports is something that we inside the Rays organization have celebrated dramatically. We couldn’t ask for anymore. It really does talk about all the hard work that all of the employees and all of the partners that work with us strive for is to put out a great product on the field and a great entertainment venue, but to be recognized nationally when, quite frankly, the history of this franchise, even recently, has been somewhat of a laughing stock. To be recognized by ESPN as No. 1 for all the teams is an incredible accomplishment and a statement on the organization for what we’ve done.”

On if he’s frustrated by attendance:
“We had a mark in the ground a couple weeks ago when the Phillies came in. There was a confluence of events there, and I think that was something that that particular series was frustrating. And I sensed it from people within the organization, too.”
“The numbers that we saw for the Phillies and other games this year are not what they can be. But by the same token, we’re doing everything we possibly can. I don’t know if frustrations the term. We’re quite proud of what’s going on.”

On other promotional events coming up:
“We think about everything all the time. When ESPN does this, all of that is taken into account. A cheaper ticket price, the dollar dogs, it really is about value. And value comes in a lot of different ways. When you go to a movie theatre, you can buy three levels of popcorn. We don’t just look at it as what just happens to be the cheapest, we want to provide the quality surrounding it. We don’t just look at it now, we’ve been looking at it since I’ve come in. We’ve really touched every corner of it. I’m certain we’re going to have other concepts and ideas. I think in recognition or celebration of being the most affordable, we just want to be even more affordable.”

On the importance of a new stadium to improve franchise:
“Certainly we’re going to need a new facility. There’s no question about that. I’ve said that since the day I came in. The question is when. Right now, we play in St. Petersburg, we’re proud to be in St. Petersburg. It’s an enormous project to build another ballpark in St. Petersburg. Clearly we’re sold on the area, we love the area, and we think there’s tremendous potential. I doesn’t take a person to build a new park, it’s going to take the whole region.”

On challenges of getting people to the ballpark:
“Clearly the economy has had some impact. We look at it locally in Tampa Bay. One of the things I focused on before the season was on a relative basis, we’re not shooting for the moon as far as people coming in and packing the place. We were hoping to be average this year, that was sort of the expectation and desire. Each individual has their own reasons why or why not (they come). I think what I’m focused on is why they are coming, and of those that come out to the park, whether it’s once a year or 81 times a year, clearly having an incredible experience and seeing the value in it. We really focus on the people that do come out. In addition to that, our TV ratings continue to climb this year. I would expect that’s going to transfer to people coming to the ballpark as well.”

On TV ratings:
“It’s difficult for me to sense TV. It’s something that’s brand new to me. I think when you look at attendance, people in baseball or in business, there’s easy markers that you can look at. Payroll is one thing people focus on. Wins and losses is another. And attendance. The numbers are easy to digest. Ratings get a little trickier, because of where they’re being carried, how many games are being carried, things like that. I think as far as the ratings are going, it’s been a constant climb since we came in the door. We had a nice jump last year, we’ve had a nice jump this year. As long as they keep going up, it’s hard to understand where they should be or what the potential is. We’re drawing to a substantial number of households in the region. Hundreds of thousands. That’s a lot. So I think we’re heading in the right direction.”

On possible payroll adjustments this season:
“We made a commitment to do certain things this year to try to put the absolute best product we can on the field, and then some. Last year was so special, you wanted to give each of the guys in the clubhouse and the fans and the organization the chance to succeed again. I don’t think I would’ve changed anything what we did in the offseason in prepping things. We clearly had a need, we felt at the time, to shore up different parts of the team. We did that. We still feel great about the team. And as long as we’re in the hunt, I don’t see us, because of financial reasons, pulling back from that. Clearly, though, it’s a multi-year process. The money doesn’t come out of thin air. And budgetary shortfalls from out end, from a revenue standpoint, lead toward future years being a little bit leaner. I won’t say a lot leaner, but a little bit.”

On the importance of this recognition nationally:
“Affordable is a relative term. We talk about the average attendance, there was an expectation throughout all of MLB that attendance was going to come down a good deal this year. Nobody really knew, six months ago or eight months ago, when we made these projections, we didn’t know if attendance would be down 10, 20 percent. And I think we didn’t expect it to get to last year’s average attendance numbers, that would have been outstanding. Don’t get me wrong, it was in the realm of possibility. But to be a realist, we thought there would be a little bit of a shortfall in Major League Baseball’s numbers, and there has been. When we talk about affordability, that’s a relative term as well. Every dollar that people spend, wherever they spend it, comes out of their pocket, and it’s all relative. We just want to make sure we are at least in the game as far as what might be affordable. On an absolute basis, a family of four can come in for what I think is a very, very competitive, reasonable price for what we provide.”

On expanding fan base:
“That’s been a real focus. We didn’t know exactly what (moving Spring Training to Port Charlotte) was going to amount to. It’s obviously only been half a season, and we look at zip codes and where people are coming from, but we clearly have put a number of seeds int the ground by going to Port Charlotte.”

On thoughts of what’s happened on the field this year:
“I’m really satisfied. If you look at the team, from man one to man 28, the people that have contributed, I couldn’t be more pleased. I think we have a lot of good things ahead of us here. Clearly the schedule has dragged us down a little bit. We got off to a slow start. As I look back at it now, clearly there was a hangover effect from what we did last year. While I don’t think I would have changed a thing, because it was a real reason to celebrate, I think it might’ve had a bit of an impact especially because we have players that haven’t gone through it before. Next year it’ll be a little bit easier, when we get to the World Series again (laughs). I think once again if we can get our numbers at Tropicana Field as what I’d term a homefield advantage, if we can get that up to the upper 50 (wins), I think we’ll have a good opportunity to be there well into September.”

On improving midweek game attendance:
“I’m accepting all suggestions. I expected this year that Fridays woud’ve been a go-to night. Fridays compared to the rest of the week are very strong times for attendance. The biggest gap that we seem to have is what’s going on the rest of country on Friday nights and what we have in Tropicana Field. I try to tackle one thing at a time. We’ve tackled Saturdays. We’ve tackled Sundays, made them sort of go-to events. Now the next focus has been and will continue to be on Fridays. And as I expect Fridays to work, we’ll get to the midweek stuff and figure that out.”

Happy Anniversary, Jimmy Qualls

2009-07-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Qualls had 31 hits during a largely unforgettable major league career that touched parts of three seasons and three teams - the Cubs, Expos and White Sox. But one of those hits is the reason Qualls is long remembered by Mets fans and baseball historians.

It was the one-out, ninth inning single to left-center field July 9, 1969 off Tom Seaver that ended Tom Terrific's perfect game.

The Mets won 4-0.

No Met pitcher has ever thrown as much as a no-hitter. It wasn't until after Seaver was traded to the Reds when he finally threw a no-hitter.

Mets fans still curse the name Jimmy Qualls, even though Seaver beat the Cubs 4-0 that night and the Mets eventually overcame the Cubs to win the division, the Braves for the pennant and the Orioles for the World Series.

Here are links to a pair of stories on the Seaver-Qualls throw down at Shea Stadium 40 years ago tonight ...

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2008/04/27/a9b_qualls_0427.html

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/michael_bamberger/07/08/seaver.tribute/?eref=T1

Stealing home: More exciting than a triple?

2009-07-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

I think most agree that a triple is the most exciting play in baseball. I know Carl Crawford does not agree.

The Rays left fielder told me once the home run is the most exciting play. I guess if you're hitting them they are exciting.

But for those of us who can only watch, the foot race between the batter and the outfielders with third base as the finish line is pretty darn exciting.

Then B.J. Upton steals home Wednesday night, and I think, "Hmmmm."

Watching a guy steal home is pretty darn exciting, too.

Crawford did it a few years back against the Red Sox. That was a straight steal.

Upton didn't break for the plate until Toronto pitcher Brian Tallet threw over to first base in the first inning and easily beat Kevin Millar's throw home. That was considered a straight steal, too, meaning the runner from third didn't score on the front end of a double-steal.

Steals of home happen so quick you almost miss them.

Runner on third breaks. Pitcher throws home. The slide. The late tag.

Safe.

What?

It was Upton's third career steal of home plate, tying him with Torii Hunter, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield and Omar Vizquel for the most in the majors among active players.

You think stealing second is a dying art, how about stealing home?

Ty Cobb did it 54 times during his career. He also holds the record for a single season with eight, which he set in 1912.

The record for most steals of home plate in one game is two, shared by 11 players. The last to do it was Cleveland's Vic Powers in 1958.

Here is a link to Baseball Almanac's Web page on the topic ...

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_stbah.shtml

Here's a link to an MLB.com story on Upton's steal Wednesday complete with video ...

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090708&content_id=5770786&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

The tale of two shirts

2009-07-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

Say this about the Rays All-Star promotions: The T-shirts have gotten better.

The one on the bottom was going to be used to push Carl Crawford for the "Final Vote" in 2005, but the left fielder wasn't among the five finalists, so the campaign was scrapped.

The one on top is currently in use in the "Vote 'Los" campaign to push Carlos Pena for the "Final Vote."

Notice the use of the St. Louis Arch, the St. Louis skyline, an actually head shot of Pena and the way Pena's head is used for the letter "O."

"I'm very happy with it. I think I look somewhat handsome," Pena said before Tuesday's game with the visiting Blue Jays.

Crawford wasn't even aware of a campaign back in 2005.

"No way," he said before Tuesday's game. "They made T-shirts? No way."

Longo, CC, Bartlett, Zobrist are All-Stars

2009-07-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

Led by Evan Longoria, who was the fan’s choice to start at third base for the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays will send a franchise-high four players to the All-Star Game on July 14 in St. Louis.

Joining Longoria are shortstop Jason Bartlett, left fielder Carl Crawford and second baseman Ben Zobrist.

"I think it shows a lot about the steps that the team has taken, as far as the fan’s eye, and it’s definitely a huge honor, obviously with the caliber of third basemen there are in the American League, to be the leading vote getter is just a tremendous honor," Longoria told reporters Sunday afternoon in Arlington, TX.

The defending American League champions will be well represented at the All-Star Game. Rays manager Joe Maddon will manage the American League squad with the help of his entire coaching staff.

Longoria is an All-Star for a second straight year, having won the American League "Final Vote" by a record nine million last July during his rookie season. He was one of a then team record three Rays to attend an All-Star Game, joining pitcher Scott Kazmir and catcher Dioner Navarro.

Longoria is the second player in team history to be voted a starter by the fans. Jose Canseco was voted in as the designated hitter in 1999 but missed the game because of back surgery.

Crawford, who leads the major leagues in stolen bases with 40 and is third in the majors with 104 hits, will attend a franchise-record third All-Star Game. He was a reserve in 2004 and 2007, homering for his only All-Star Game hit in the American League’s win in 2007 at San Francisco.

Bartlett and Zobrist are making their first trips to the All-Star Game.

Bartlett, the top-hitting shortstop in the majors, finished second to Derek Jeter of the Yankees in the fan voting.

Zobrist is the surprise of the quartet, having begun the season as the Rays super utility player. The versatile Zobrist has started at six different positions — second base, shortstop, third base and all three outfield sports — but has settled in as the Rays every-day second baseman after Akinori Iwamura injured his knee on May 24.

"I think it is all well deserved obviously," Maddon said. "I’m in agreement with all the people that were voted in and I felt, I’m looking at everybody else that was available or eligible and I just felt that Zobrist’s numbers stacked up really well. And you have to be careful, you want to be fair to everybody else but then you cannot be unfair to your own group at the same time. I just looked at the whole thing and I felt Ben definitely belonged on the team also."

Zobrist leads the American League in slugging percentage and OPS. With a career-high 16 home runs through 82 games, he is on pace to hit more than 30 this season.

"I’m really excited to see Zobrist go," Longoria said. "I definitely think he deserved it. He didn’t get the at-bats he needed at the beginning of the year, but you saw when he got the at bats his abilities."

"The luckiest man ... "

2009-07-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

Lou Gehrig's famous farewell speech at Yankee Stadium, delivered 70 years ago today, will be remembered across major league ballparks this afternoon and evening as MLB helps promote awareness for ALS, which is known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease."

Baseball will also give Gehrig another day in the sun, which is great. To most fans, Gehrig is a name from the past, linked more to his record for consecutive games, since broken by Cal Ripken Jr., than anything else.

Gehrig was one of the best to ever play the game. Still, it is his death that keeps his memory alive.

Fans have come to poke fun at the famous line, adding their own echoes ... "Today (today), I consider myself (consider myself), the luckiest man (man) on the face of the earth (on the face of the earth.)"

I've heard grooms say this at their wedding. I was going to, but those plans were nixed.

You'll find it during a scene of "Sleepless in Seattle."

Anyway, the thing is, Gehrig didn't know he was dying. That bit of news was kept from him. So the scene in "Pride of the Yankees," where Lou asks the doctor, "Is it three strikes, Doc?" Great line. Never happened.

Still, "Pride of the Yankees" is one of the best baseball movies ever.

Lou is my all-time favorite Yankee, more so than Babe Ruth. Lou had one of the greatest careers in baseball history and was happy to play in the shadow of Ruth.

He set the the record for consecutive games played, because that's what did during his era: You played every day.

And, of course, he died a hero's death.

I just bought a figurine a few weeks ago of Lou, hat in hand, standing at the microphone while he delivers his farewell speech. It will have a prominent display in my den as soon as I clean out my den.

Here is a link to the Lou Gehrig web site: http://www.lougehrig.com/

Here is a link to a clip of his speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4msaZTJrTA

Here is a link to Gary Cooper in "Pride of the Yankees:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbNrCxqxzgo

Here is Lou's speech ...

"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth.

I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans. Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn't consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day?

Sure, I'm lucky. Who wouldn't consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball's greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy?

Sure, I'm lucky. When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift - that's something.

When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies - that's something.

When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter - that's something.

When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body - it's a blessing.

When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed - that's the finest I know.

So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

Rays trade for Triple A pitcher

2009-07-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired right-handed relief pitcher John Meloan from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for right-handed relief pitcher Winston Abreu.

Meloan (ma-LONE) has been added to the Rays 40-man roster, bringing the roster to its full capacity. He will report to Durham (AAA). Meloan, who turns 25 on July 11, has spent the entire 2009 season with Columbus (AAA). He went 0-0 for the Clippers with a 5.52 ERA (44.0-IP, 52-H, 27-ER, 17-BB, 37-SO) in 25 appearances (two starts). He has pitched a total of seven games in the major leagues, appearing in two games for the Indians in 2008 and five games in 2007 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over parts of five minor league seasons, he is 15-16 with 22 saves, a 3.75 ERA (321.1-IP, 134-ER) and 384 strikeouts, an average of 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

Meloan was acquired by the Indians on July 26, 2008 from the Dodgers along with catcher Carlos Santana in exchange for infielder Casey Blake. In 2007 he was named a Southern League All-Star and Double-A Reliever of the Year by MinorLeagueBaseball.com. He was selected by the Dodgers in the fifth round of the 2005 June Draft out of the University of Arizona.

Abreu, 32, was designated for assignment on June 27 after making two appearances for the Rays. The Rays selected him from Durham on June 14 after he compiled a 3-0 record, 10 saves and a 1.41 ERA (32.0-IP, 14-H, 5-R/ER, 10-BB, 49-SO) for the Bulls. Abreu was a non-roster invite this spring for the Rays.

Rays No. 1 ... in affordability

2009-07-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

ESPN the Magazine ranked all the professional sports and found the Rays 16th in their ultimate standings.

The affordability of attending a game at the Trop carried the Rays, who improved from 75th last year.

I would question the rank of the coaching, which is 25th. After what Joe Maddon and his staff did with that team last year, I would say they deserve to be in the top-5.

Here is ESPN's run down. For more, here is a link to ESPN the Magazine ...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=4289812

Last Year's Rank: 75
Title Track: 35
Ownership: 48
Coaching: 25
Players: 23
Fan Relations: 19
Affordability: 1
Stadium Experience: 106

Bang for the Buck: 21
What do you get when you charge fans the fourth-cheapest admission ($18.35) in MLB to see the defending AL Champs? A 59-slot bump in the Standings. Even with a 24.3% hike in the average fan cost per season ($2,962.35), the Rays are still the most gently priced team among the Big Four sports, thanks, in part, to free parking and programs.

But even young superstars Evan Longoria and David Price can't fill the seats at Tropicana Field. The club averaged just 22,259 fans during its 2008 World Series run and is drawing only slightly better this season. Sparse crowds are a big part of the reason fans rank the Trop's Stadium Experience so low. And plans to build a new $450 million ballpark on the waterfront in downtown St. Pete are off the table (the team is looking for alternative sites), while developers court needed public support.

Until then, don't think of the Trop as half-empty. Think of it as half-full.

Rays power,speed combo an MLB first

2009-06-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

B.J. Upton drove his team into the record books Sunday afternoon with his first swing of the third inning that produced the 100th home run of the season for the Rays.

The Rays are now the fastest team in major league history to hit 100 home runs and steal 100 bases before the All-Star Break.

The 2oo3 Marlins, the 1998 Blue Jays , the 1994 Indians and 1977 Reds also went 100/100 before the break, though none of those four did it as quickly as the Rays.

The '94 Indians and '77 Reds needed 84 games to go 100/100.

The Rays did it in 77 games. And with 118, the Rays reached the 100/100 club with the most steals.

We know the Rays can steal bases. Carl Crawford led the majors with 39 prior to Sunday's game. Upton was third in the American League with 27, a number that would lead the National League as well.

Jason Bartlett, despite missing 19 games with a sprained ankle, is tied for eighth in the AL with 16 steals.

We know the Rays can hit home runs, too, what with Carlos Pena, Pat Burrell, Evan Longoria and Upton in the lineup. What is amazing is while Pena leads the AL in home runs, Pat the Bat has two and Upton's history-making homer Sunday was only his sixth of the season.

Most team are built for either speed or power, and since the mid-1980s, teams have usually been built for power. The art of stealing a base has declined over the years since managers don't want to risk losing a base runner.

Rays manager Joe Maddon is not one of them. Every Ray has the green light, because Maddon's philosophy is if the opportunity presents itself to steal a base, go. Maddon doesn't care if his runners are thrown out trying to steal third. He doesn't believe in the rule that the first or third out should never be made at third base.

Maddon would rather his players take chances. He's willing to risk a runner getting caught stealing third if stealing the bag means having a runner on third.

As for all the home runs, that's due to big power years from Ben Zobrist and Jason Bartlett, both of whom have already exceeded their previous best home run totals.

"Everybody talks about our speed. Nobody talks about the power," Maddon said. "I'm good with that."

No surprise: Kaz in, Sonny out

2009-06-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

In the end, the Rays did what everyone expected them to do: Send Andy Sonnanstine back to Triple A Durham to clear room on the roster for the returning Scott Kazmir.

Sonnanstine did not talk to reporters after the move was announced following Friday's 7-3 victory against the Marlins.

Can't blame him, but he only has himself to blame.

The right-hander had the highest ERA in the majors and was basically ineffective away from the Trop this season. The Sonnanstine who went toe-to-toe with Boston in two September starts last season and won twice in the American League playoffs never showed up this season.

The Rays had to take one starter out of the rotation, and it wasn't going to be rookie David Price. The Rays have won eight of Niemann's last nine starts, so he wasn't going anywhere.

Sonnanstine is confident he can pitch in the big leagues, and he showed that by winning 13 games last year. But he struggled this year despite receiving 8.16 runs per start, the most in the majors.

Sonnanstine had options, and a record that said Durham. He should be disappointed but not surprised.

Moves to come ... later

2009-06-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

Big doings at the Trop tonight.

So big the Rays won't make the announcement as to when Scott Kazmir will come off the disabled list and which starter will leave the rotation for the latest version of the new and improved Kazmir until after tonight's game with the Marlins.

It's all hush, hush.

Manager Joe Maddon said the club knows which moves they will make, and it will be two moves because Chad Bradford is expected to come off the disabled list and rejoin the team as well, but he hasn't informed the parties involved.

The Rays could make it easy on everyone and announce the moves before tonight's game with the Marlins, but that would be too easy.

Maybe it involves infielder Joe Dillon, who hardly plays and will be hardly missed, but won't be released until after the game just in case something happens to Evan Longoria.

Longoria is back in the lineup after missing one game after feeling pain in his left hamstring Wednesday night.

Andy Sonnanstine seems to be the leading candidate to leave the rotation since he ranks high in the American League in all the wrong categories. Sonnanstine is tied for fourth in hits allowed (103), tied for second in losses (seven), fourth in home runs allowed (15), first in earned runs (60) and first in runs allowed (61).

Sonny's ERA is 6.61. His batting average is .273.

Seems to me that ought to be reversed.

Sunday mornings with the King of Pop

2009-06-26T12:57:00.001-07:00

It was, I believe, the summer of 1984 and my buddies and I formed our own softball team, which played doubleheaders every Sunday morning.

We split our first three doubleheaders of the year, then lost our next seven. Do the math. We ended the year with a 14-game losing streak.

Anyway, Joe Kennedy, who played left center field, drove most of us to games in his old VW van that sometimes didn't quite make the trip, requiring some of us to get out and push.

Chris Hahn, who played first base, always brought a boom box along. He was a big Michael Jackson fan and, for some reason, "Beat It" became our theme song.

I remember driving up to a field one Sunday morning, the van choking to a stop as MJ provided the musical backdrop.

The team we were playing that day not only wore pinstripe uniforms, but each player had a team jacket listing their league and state championships.

We were up against it that morning and, not surprisingly, got crushed in the first game and mauled in the second game.

There was a league rule that only one game of the doubleheader could end with the 10-run mercy rule, and we used that in the first game.

So, we had to endure a 23-run loss in Game 2. As if that wasn't bad enough, the guys on the other team ran around the bases singing "Beat It," only they changed the words to "Beat Them."

Ah, good times.

Here's a link to the "Beat It" video.

Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqxo1SKB0z8&feature=fvst

2009-06-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

Rays first pick looks familiar

2009-06-10T07:18:00.000-07:00

So the Rays used their first pick in the first round of Tuesday's baseball draft to take a speedster who can play center field and shortstop. Well, that's a surprise.

Before the draft, scouting director R.J. Harrison said they favor "middle of the diamond" players, and vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman said they would go the "best player available" route.

LeVon Washington from Buchholz High in Gainesville fits both those categories.

He's considered one of the fastest players in the draft, something which sets him apart from most of the other top talents, Harrison said.

The Rays like athletic players. That's why the roster is filled with Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton, Jason Bartlett and Akinori Iwamura.

They like them fast, too. Every so often manager Joe Maddon touts the speed of catcher Dioner Navarro. Whatever.

Washington is recovering from surgery on his right shoulder that cut into his high school season and forced him to DH more often than he played center field. The Rays don't have a problem with that. Harrison said Washington will DH for the Gulf Coast League Rays until his shoulder heals. Then it's off to center field and maybe even shortstop.

Washington fancies himself a shortstop. He compared himself to the Mets Jose Reyes.

The Rays will give Washington some time at short, even though that's where Tim Beckham, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft plays.

It will be several years before either Beckham or Washington reach the big club. Who knows how the Rays roster will look then. CC will be gone. Maybe even B.J.

Beckham might emerge as an outfielder. Washington could come up as a shortstop.

We don't know what to expect with draft picks, no matter how high they were taken in the draft.

But we know this: Should Beckham and Washington make it to the Trop (if the Rays still play there), they will bring a familiar look ... athletic and fast.

Longoria ready by weekend

2009-06-04T14:28:00.000-07:00

Evan Longoria participated in a series of running drills early Thursday afternoon including one where he leaned backwards on Rays head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield and back peddled across the outfield turf at Tropicana Field.

Afterwards, Longoria ducked into the office of Rays manager Joe Maddon and said he would be available to pinch-hit against the Royals later that day.

The third baseman, who leads the American League in total All-Star votes, said he hopes to return to the lineup when the Rays open a four-game series Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

"I felt pretty good. I feel a lot more confident than I did (Wednesday)," Longoria said. "I feel a whole lot better waking up this morning. I think it’s very possible to start (Friday), definitely (Saturday)."

Longoria injured his left hamstring Tuesday while running out a ground ball during the sixth inning of the Rays win against the Royals and immediately left the game. An MRI on Wednesday morning did not reveal any damage to the hamstring, and Longoria was listed as "day-to-day."

He was held out of the lineup Wednesday night and again Thursday in the finale of the Rays six-game homestand.

Maddon said Wednesday he planned on starting Longoria at third base Friday at Yankee Stadium but wouldn’t commit to that Thursday.

"I’m still not sure," Maddon said. "I do know he’s feeling better. He took a bunch of swings (in the batting cage) and feels he can hit."

Longoria was injured while serving as the designated hitter — a role he was playing to give his sore right shoulder a rest. Longoria made it clear Thursday he has no desire to rejoin the lineup as the designated hitter. When he comes back it will be at third base, something that might add a day to the original plan.

"When I’m ready to play, I want to be as close to 100 percent as I can be, both physically and mentally, confidence-wise," Longoria said. "I think if I try to rush back and feel any type of discomfort or don’t have full confidence in it, it’s gonna be a hindrance to me. But I’m pretty close."

There was only one "old" Yankee Stadium

2009-06-02T17:39:00.000-07:00

I had to laugh at something Marlins outfielder Cameron Maybin said recently on "This Week in Baseball."

He said he hit his first home run at "old" Yankee Stadium. Now Maybin, who was born in 1987, was referring to the Yankee Stadium that closed for business last September.

Bless his heart, but the "old" Yankee Stadium was knocked down after the 1973 and rebuilt in time for the 1976 season and was referred to as "new" Yankee Stadium.

"Old" Yankee Stadium had monuments in center field, which was about two miles deep.

"Old" Yankee Stadium was built by Babe Ruth.

That's where Don Larsen threw his perfect game and the 1955 Dodgers clinched the World Series title.

It's where Lou Gehrig called himself "the luckiest man on the face of the earth," and where Roger Maris passes Ruth.

It's where Louis knocked out Schmeling.

"Old" Yankee Stadium is where I saw my first Yankees game June 2, 1973, 36 years ago today.

The place was huge.

We sat in the upper decks in right field. The seats were so high I actually got dizzy. Nolan Ryan pictched for the Angles. Fritz Petterson pitched for the Yankees.

Frank Robinson was the Angels DH.

The Yankees won 2-0.

I remember it like it was yesterday.

Here's the boox score and play-by-play, courtesey of www.retrosheet.org/

New York Yankees 2, California Angels 0
Day
Game Played on Saturday, June 2, 1973 (D) at Yankee Stadium

CAL A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 0
NY A 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 x - 2 7 1

BATTING
California Angels
AB R H RBI BB SO PO A
Grabarkewitz 3b 2 0 0 0 2 1 2 0
Pinson lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Berry cf 3 0 0 0 1 0 3 0
Robinson dh 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Oliver rf 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
Epstein 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 0
DaVanon 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 2
Kusnyer c 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Llenas ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Torborg c 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
Meoli ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 4 2
Ryan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 27 0 2 0 5 3 24 7

FIELDING -
DP: 1. DaVanon-Meoli-Epstein.
BATTING -
HBP: Epstein (4,by Peterson).
Team LOB: 6.
BASERUNNING -
CS: Oliver (1,2nd base by Peterson/Munson).

New York Yankees
AB R H RBI BB SO PO A
Clarke 2b 3 0 0 1 0 2 3 5
White lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 0
M. Alou rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Murcer cf 4 1 2 0 0 0 2 0
Blomberg 1b 2 0 1 1 1 0 11 0
Nettles 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 1
Hart dh 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Munson c 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 1
Michael ss 3 0 1 0 0 1 3 3
Peterson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
Lyle p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 27 2 7 2 3 6 27 14

FIELDING -
DP: 3. Clarke-Michael-Blomberg, Munson-Michael, Clarke-Blomberg.
E: Blomberg (4).
BATTING -
2B: Murcer (6,off Ryan).
SF: Clarke (2,off Ryan).
Team LOB: 5.

BASERUNNING -
SB: Murcer (3,2nd base off Ryan/Kusnyer); Munson (1,2nd base off Ryan/Torborg).
CS: Hart (1,2nd base by Ryan/Torborg); M. Alou (1,2nd base by Ryan/Torborg).

PITCHING
California Angels
IP H R ER BB SO HR BFP
Ryan L(6-6) 8 7 2 2 3 6 0 31
New York Yankees
IP H R ER BB SO HR BFP
Peterson W(5-6) 7 2 0 0 5 2 0 27
Lyle SV(8) 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 6
Totals 9 2 0 0 5 3 0 33

WP: Peterson 2 (5).
HBP: Peterson (3,Epstein).
Umpires: HP - Marty Springstead, 1B - Bill Kunkel, 2B - Larry Barnett, 3B - Red Flaherty
Time of Game: 2:18 Attendance: 13831

Starting Lineups:
California Angels New York Yankees
1. Grabarkewitz 3b Clarke 2b
2. Pinson lf White lf
3. Berry cf M. Alou rf
4. Robinson dh Murcer cf
5. Oliver rf Blomberg 1b
6. Epstein 1b Nettles 3b
7. DaVanon 2b Hart dh
8. Kusnyer c Munson c
9. Meoli ss Michael ss
Ryan p Peterson p

ANGELS 1ST: Grabarkewitz walked; Pinson flied out to left; Berry
grounded into a double play (second to shortstop to first)
[Grabarkewitz out at second]; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Angels 0,
Yankees 0.
YANKEES 1ST: Clarke grounded out (shortstop to first); White was
called out on strikes; M. Alou singled to center; Murcer popped
to third in foul territory; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Angels 0,
Yankees 0.

ANGELS 2ND: Robinson flied out to left; Oliver walked; Epstein
struck out while Oliver was caught stealing second (catcher to
shortstop); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Angels 0, Yankees 0.
YANKEES 2ND: Blomberg walked; Nettles was called out on strikes;
Hart grounded into a double play (second to shortstop to first)
[Blomberg out at second]; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Angels 0,
Yankees 0.

ANGELS 3RD: DaVanon grounded out (first unassisted); Kusnyer
grounded out (third to first); Meoli singled to center;
Grabarkewitz forced Meoli (shortstop to second); 0 R, 1 H, 0 E,
1 LOB. Angels 0, Yankees 0.
YANKEES 3RD: Munson struck out; Michael flied out to center;
Clarke struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Angels 0, Yankees 0.

ANGELS 4TH: Pinson grounded out (pitcher to first); Berry
walked; Robinson lined into a double play (second to first)
[Berry out at first]; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Angels 0, Yankees 0.
YANKEES 4TH: White flied out to center; M. Alou grounded out
(pitcher to first); Murcer singled to left; Murcer stole second;
Blomberg singled to right [Murcer scored]; Nettles grounded out
(first unassisted); 1 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Angels 0, Yankees 1.

ANGELS 5TH: Oliver singled to left; Epstein forced Oliver
(second to shortstop); Peterson threw a wild pitch [Epstein to
second]; DaVanon grounded out (second to first) [Epstein to
third]; Kusnyer grounded out (pitcher to first); 0 R, 1 H, 0 E,
1 LOB. Angels 0, Yankees 1.
YANKEES 5TH: Hart popped to second; Munson walked; Michael
singled to center [Munson to third, Michael to second (on
throw)]; Clarke hit a sacrifice fly to center [Munson scored];
White popped to second; 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Angels 0, Yankees
2.

ANGELS 6TH: Meoli reached on an error by Blomberg; Grabarkewitz
walked [Meoli to second]; Pinson forced Meoli (pitcher to third)
[Grabarkewitz to second]; Berry flied out to center; Robinson
walked [Grabarkewitz to third, Pinson to second]; Oliver forced
Robinson (shortstop to second); 0 R, 0 H, 1 E, 3 LOB. Angels 0,
Yankees 2.
YANKEES 6TH: M. Alou popped to third; Murcer doubled to center;
Blomberg popped to shortstop; Nettles flied out to right; 0 R, 1
H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Angels 0, Yankees 2.

ANGELS 7TH: Epstein was hit by a pitch; Peterson threw a wild
pitch [Epstein to second]; DaVanon struck out; LLENAS BATTED FOR
KUSNYER; Llenas flied out to center; Meoli grounded out (pitcher
to first); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Angels 0, Yankees 2.
YANKEES 7TH: TORBORG REPLACED LLENAS (PLAYING C ); Hart singled
to left; Hart was caught stealing second (catcher to second);
Munson walked; Munson stole second; Michael struck out; Clarke
struck out; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Angels 0, Yankees 2.

ANGELS 8TH: LYLE REPLACED PETERSON (PITCHING); Grabarkewitz
struck out; Pinson popped to third; Berry grounded out (first
unassisted); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Angels 0, Yankees 2.
YANKEES 8TH: White singled to left; M. Alou forced White (second
to shortstop); M. Alou was caught stealing second (catcher to
shortstop); Murcer flied out to left; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.
Angels 0, Yankees 2.

ANGELS 9TH: Robinson grounded out (second to first); Oliver
flied out to right; Epstein lined to first; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0
LOB. Angels 0, Yankees 2.

Final Totals
R H E LOB
Angels 0 2 0 6
Yankees 2 7 1 5

Look! A leadoff hit!

2009-05-31T10:58:00.001-07:00

B.J. Upton is not in the starting lineup during this Sunday afternoon series finale between the Rays and the Twins. Rays manager Joe Maddon wanted to give Upton the day off which, when coupled with Monday's off day, will mean a two-day rest for Upton.

Ben Zobrist batted leadoff and singled in his first at-bat, proving that leadoff hitters are allowed to lead off with hits.

One at-bat doesn't mean a whole lot, except after one at-bat Zobrist's average as a leadoff hitter is 800 points higher than Upton, who raised his season average to .200 with a hit in four at-bats Saturday.

Maddon said Upton will bat leadoff Tuesday when the Rays and Royals open a three-game set.

Price looks right

2009-05-30T15:24:00.000-07:00

Grant Balfour received the biggest ovation of his life Saturday. Nearly 30,000 inside the Trop stood and cheered as the Rays reliever entered the game.

Oh, wait. They were cheering for David Price, who was headed to the dugout.

My bad.

Price's good.

The lefty struck out 11 and allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings Saturday against the Twins.

It was a heck of an improvement over his first start last Monday when he walked five batters and struck out six in 3 1/3 innings at Cleveland.

Rays manager wanted to see Price pitch deeper into the game and have better command of his fastball. Check and check.

Price left with the Rays up 4-1.

The rookie, so big in last year's postseason, isn't the savior of this team. But a few more outings like the one he turned in Saturday will go a long way toward getting the Rays above .500 and challenging for another trip to the postseason.

Dark days at the Trop

2009-05-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

Carlos Pena was on his way to first base after drawing a first-inning walk off Oakland starter Dallas Braden on Thursday afternoon when the stadium lights at Tropicana Field went off.

Braden jumped off the mound as the building grew dark.

You can understand Braden being a tad spooked, what with the thunderstorm pounding the Trop from the outside.

The scoreboard, video board, sound system and lights through the stadium continued to work. Just the lights suspended from the catwalks lost juice.

The A's left the field as everyone waited for the lights to come back on. It would take 15 minutes or so before they came on fully juiced.

This is a good time to trot a favorite story among those who have covered this team for many years.

It happened when Hal McRay was manager. The lights went out during a mid-season game in 2002. After the game, Carter Gaddis of the Tampa Tribune asked McRae what he thought when the lights went out.

"Carter," McRae, began, "the lights went out around her a long time ago."

A Devil Rays classic.

Sonny at the bat

2009-05-17T12:30:00.001-07:00

Who needs Pat Burrell when you have Andy Sonnanstine?

The Rays pitcher, forced to bat because of an error on the Rays lineup card, doubled home a run against the Indians in the Rays five-run fourth inning Sunday.

Sonnanstine lined the bal over the head of Indians left fielder Ryan Garko, who was playing a tad shallow.

It was the first extra-base hit of Sonnanstine's career.

Sonnanstine, who takes a great deal of pride in his batting ability, bunted into a force play during his first at-bat and looked at a called strike in his second.

The double raised Sonny's career average to .417.

Lineup card error means no DH

2009-05-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

The No. 3 hitter in the Rays lineup received a nice ovation when he came to bat in the first inning Sunday. More than a few Rays fans even stood.

A normal response when it is Evan Longoria, but this time it wasn't the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year, but pitcher Andy Sonnanstine.

Yes, Andy Sonnanstine.

Sonnanstine was forced to hit because of an error on the Rays lineup card that listed Longoria and Ben Zobrist as third basemen. Longo was supposed to be the DH.

The mistake was brought to the attention of the umpires in the middle of the first inning. After huddling amonst themselves then with Cleveland manager Eric Wedge, the umpires called the Indians off the field.

They met with Rays manager Joe Maddon for a few minutes.

Their decision was Longo was out of the game, but since he didn't bat or play the field, he was eligible to come off the bench.

After a 13-minute delay, play resumed with Sonnanstine the No. 3 batter in the lineup.

It was the first time a starting pitcher batted at Tropicana Field.

Ken Brett was the last starting pitcher to hit in an American League game. He did that for the White Sox on Sept. 23, 1976.

Rays pitcher Matt Garza was the last pitcher to hit in an American League game when he batted for the Twins in 2007.

Rays return home with some momentum

2009-05-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

Well, you knew Troy Percival was in for a rough outing, giving his lack of work this season and, well, he's Troy Percival. Good thing the Rays handed him a six-run lead to protect Wednesday.

Hey, look at it this way: At least Percy gave those Orioles fans who stayed around for the bottom of the ninth something to cheer about.

The Rays scored four times in the ninth then held on for an 8-6 win.

The Rays return home Thursday to face the Indians for the start of an eight-game homestand that features four with the Indians and four with the Athletics. Not exactly a daunting task, since both are last-place teams.

Wednesday's win was the swing victory in what became a 5-4 road trip that could have been - should have been - better.

They held the lead in every game.

The bullpen blew leads in both games at New York and again during Sunday night's loss at Boston. The Rays were able to rally both nights against the Yankees. They had no answer for the Red Sox, despite having the tying and go-ahead run on second and third and one-out. Jonathon Papelbon pitched himself into and out of the jam, striking out Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford to close the door.

Percival aside, the bullpen did a very good job against the Orioles. They picked up six shutout innings in Tuesday's loss and picked up another 3 2/3 shutout innings Wednesday.

James Shields fell apart in the Red Sox comeback last Friday.

Andy Sonnanstine gave further cause for concern Tuesday in Baltimore when he gave away a 5-1 lead in what appeared to be a matter of seconds. He's now 1-4 with a 7.27 ERA.

Designated hitter Pat Burrell left the road trip before Wednesday's game and returned to St. Pete so he could have his sore neck examined.

Despite that, the Rays showed some positive signs.

Upton's bat is showing life. Dioner Navarro has contributed offensively.

Jason Bartlett continues to hit, an indication, perhaps, his hot start may actually be a hot season. He now has five home runs this season.

Evan Longoria continues his record-setting RBI pace.

Crawford bruised his right shoulder making a diving catch Wednesday, and that will be a cause of concern.

So is Burrell's neck.

The Rays are 16-19. They have a chance to push themselves above .500 during this homestand.

Sternberg gets high marks from SI.com

2009-05-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

According to SI.com, Rays owner Stuart Sternberg is one of the top owners in major league baseball, ranking fifth in a story on the web site.

The rankings were based on several factors:

- Team's success or failure on the field.
- Willingness to spend money to improve the team.
- Stability and capabilities of the front office and management.
- Amenities at the team's venue.
- Club's culture and interactivity with fans.

Since taking over the franchise after the 2003 season, Sternberg has certainly upgraded the organization in each of those areas.

Here are the top-five baseball owners according to SI.com:
1. Henry/Werner/Lucchino, Boston Red Sox

2. Arturo Moreno, Los Angeles Angels

3. William DeWitt, St. Louis Cardinals

4. Steinbrenner Family, New York Yankees

5. Stuart Sternberg, Tampa Bay Rays

And here are the bottom five:

1. Peter Angelos, Baltimore Orioles

2. Tom Hicks, Texas Rangers

3. David Glass, Kansas City Royals

4. Jeffrey Loria, Florida Marlins

5. Ted Lerner, Washington Nationals

He's Mr. RBI to you

2009-05-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

Evan Longoria is on pace to drive in 223 runs this season, which would be a major league record and pretty darn near impossible.

Unless the Tampa Bay Rays continue to play the Boston Red Sox.

Longoria’s five RBIs in Saturday’s 14-5 mauling at Fenway Park raised his RBI total to 44 – 21 in nine games against the Red Sox. Five if his 11 home runs have come at the expense of Boston pitching. Longoria is batting .367 overall, .405 against the Red Sox.

Longoria’s 44 RBIs are the most through 32 games since Brooklyn’s Roy Campanella had 45 in 32 games in 1953.

"Pretty unbelievable," Longoria told reporters in Boston after Saturday’s win. "It seems like every time I come to the plate, someone's in scoring position. And a lot of times, it's with less than two outs. All I've got to do is hit a fly ball or a ground ball to shortstop and it's an RBI. Our offense has really, really started to go in the right direction. It makes it easy to hit when you've got guys out there with less than two."

Sandwiched in the Rays batting order between Carl Crawford, who is batting .331 and seems to always be on base these days, and Carlos Pena, who leads the majors with 13 home runs, Longoria finds himself coming to bat in ideal situations.

With Crawford a threat to steal on every pitch, Longoria sees more fastballs from pitchers who want to give their catcher a chance at throwing Crawford out. Longoria also finds himself facing a pitcher whose concentration is split between the batter and the runner.

With Pena hitting behind him, Longoria sees a steady diet of strikes since walking Longoria could mean a two-run homer by Pena.

"My swing is right where I want it to be,” Longoria said. “And I mean, the guys behind me hitting, it helps a lot with the pitches I'm getting. It's a credit to them and a credit to everybody else, too. As far as my swing goes, I feel really good."

Still, Longoria has handled the bat well all season, even before Crawford got hot.

He was the American League player of the week twice in April and was the American League player of the month for the month of April, becoming the first reigning rookie of the year to win player of the month during the first month of his sophomore season.

Crawford said Longoria has that “it factor,” that all great ball players have.

Pena, who agreed with Crawford, offered a more detailed answer during the Rays last home stand.

Pena offered Longoria’s grand slam against Boston on the recent homestand that lifted the Rays to a 6-2 victory. The grand slam came one night after Longoria started the Rays on their way to a 13-0 bashing of the Red Sox with a bases-loaded, three-run triple and came off Boston starter Justin Masterson, who has been tough on Longoria.

"And that particular at-bat he had two strikes on him, and (Longoria) had not looked very pretty against Masterson. He had been very difficult on him,” Pena said. “Yet I saw him step out, take a deep breath, kind of shrug his shoulders. I'm just thinking what's going on inside him, that he's saying, 'there's only one thing I can do and that's trust my ability.' That's what it seemed like to me. And sure enough, on the next pitch he hits it out. And that to me is huge, how can you slow it down so much when everything is so quick around you. Situation, we're down, bases loaded, he's got two strikes, there's two outs. You know we need a big hit, and yet he still has the presence of mind to slow it down and say, 'I'm just going to see this ball and put the barrel on it.' ”

It was mentioned to Pena that is how Pena hits.

“He's just a kid,” Pena said. “That's what's so impressive.”

Did we just witness the turning point?

2009-05-08T06:43:00.000-07:00

The moment the 2008 season became the 2008 season was that May night in Toronto when Troy Percival blew the three-run ninth inning lead and the Rays still won. Remember?

Carl Crawford hits a bases-loaded sac fly and Dioner Navarro follows one batter later with a grand slam.

The Rays used to lose games like that all the time. Blown leads became blown wins.

Not that night, and not for the rest of the 2008 season.

These past two nights in the Bronx seemed like 2008 for the Rays. The bullpen gave away leads, but the Rays still won.

It took a 10th inning homer by Carlos Pena on Wednesday night and back-to-back homers by Crawford and Evan Longoria (MVP! MVP!) off Mariano Rivera on Thursday for the Rays to build their first three-game winning streak of the season and sweep the Yankees in a two-game series.

By the way, that was the first time Rivera ever allowed back-to-back homers during his Hall of Fame career.

The late-inning comebacks. The late-inning power. That looks familiar.

If the Rays shake off their poor start and make a run at the postseason, I think we will look at those two nights in the Bronx as the moment 2009 became 2009.

A pair of no-hitters for the Rays

2009-05-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

The No. 9 and No. 1 hitters are vital in Joe Maddon's lineup, because he likes speed at 9 so when it turns over, it's as if the Rays have two leadoff hitters.

When it works, the Rays offense is a scoring machine.

When it doesn't, they are iffy.

Right now, the Rays are operating without a leadoff if you consider center fielder B.J. Upton's current funk.

To call it a slump would be an insult to slumps.

Upton was 0-for-5 in the Rays 8-4 loss to the visiting Orioles on Monday, which extended the funk to 5-for-50 and dropped his batting average to .152.

Now Upton is basically going through spring training since he missed all the real thing. Those at-bats he would have had during March against Triple A pitchers in places like Lakeland and Dunedin he had during the month of April at the big league-level.

And keep in mind he did have offseason surgery.

So, safe to say, Upton is a little behind. His on-base percentage was above .300 until this current homestand, which meant Upton might not have been hitting his way on base, but at least he was still getting on.

Now he's not even doing that.

That's a big out at the top of the order.

As for the bottom, that spot is currently occupied by catcher Dioner Navarro, who is in a 5-for-45 slump.

That's two virtually automatic outs that Maddon was counting on to be productive spots.

Normally, Maddon flips the right-handed hitting Jason Bartlett and the left-handed Akinori Iwamura at the bottom of the order depending on the starting pitcher. But with Navarro batting .160, well, let's just say you can bat him 10th.

Maddon is reluctant to take Upton out of the leadoff spot, because that would show a lack of confidence in Upton.

That could change, especially with Bartlett swinging such a hot bat - .363 after Monday's 1-for-4, two RBI night.

As for Navie, Maddon said backup Michel Hernandez won't start full time unless there is an injury.

Shawn Riggans starts his rehab assignment at Double A Montgomery on Tuesday, so maybe Riggans can hustle back and provide some help.

But Riggans isn't known for his bat, and he is often injured.

Navarro has to get it going. The Rays have no other choices.

Longo for MVP? Too early to call ... now

2009-05-02T18:03:00.000-07:00

There was a moment during Friday's Boston-Tampa Bay game when Dustin Pedroia and Evan Longoria ended up on third base together.

Longoria was defending the base, as he does quite well for the Rays. Pedrioa was there only because he couldn't score from first on a double by Kevin Youkilis.

So there they were, the last two American League rookies of the year. Pedroia, the Red Sox second baseman, followed his with an MVP award.

Those who follow the Rays wonder if Longoria can do the same.

Way too early for MVP talk. But, if there was an MVP of the first month of the season, you couldn't go wrong with Longoria, who had a better start to his sophomore year than Pedroia did.

Longoria is among the league-leaders in every offensive category. He leads the American League in RBIs and leads the major leagues in doubles, extra base hits and total bases.

And he fields his position better than most third baseman's in baseball.

Again, waaaaay too early to talk MVP.

The Rays would have to stay in the postseason hunt the entire season and Longoria would have to be a big reason for the playoff drive.

Those who watch Longoria play every day don't think this will be a problem.

In fact, those who watch the Rays play every day are excited every time Longoria comes to bat and any time the ball is hit his way.

You watch closely because you are certain Longoria is going to do something you've never seen before.

"He’s got that 'it' factor," Rays left fielder Carl Crawford said after Longoria helped win Friday's game with a grand slam. "He lives for those moments. Some guys have it and some guys don’t. He’s one of those guys who has it. He seems to thrive on those type of moments."

That's what you do if you are an MVP-caliber player.

Rays manager Joe Maddon had this to say about Longoria: "We believe Longo is, and I'm going to say something stupid, pretty good, and he's only going to get better."

How much better? MVP better?

We'll see.

Time to lose? Or time for a win?

2009-05-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

So the Rays lose tonight against the Red Sox, right?

Recent history says that will happen when Andy Sonnanstine faces Justin Masterson at Tropicana Field.

In this win one, lose one, win one, lose one season, it's time for the Rays to lose simply because they won Thursday night.

But, if the Rays are going though a rough patch, as manager Joe Maddon said before Thursday night's 13-0 win that included six perfect innings from Matt Garza, than it's time for them to shake the slump and put some wins together.

Third baseman Evan Longoria called tonight's game a "test of character."

It is. Sonnanstine has not looked good and the offense lacks consistency and the Rays tend to come out flat after winning the day before. They haven't won back-to-back games since April 12 and 13. They haven't beaten the same team twice since taking the last two games of the season-opening three-game series at Boston.

The players like to mention the season is still young. It's only May 1. They have 139 games left on the schedule.

No time to panic. No time to blow up the roster. No time to stray from the game plan.

All true.

But it is time to prove you can follow up one win with another.

Some thoughts on the Rays

2009-04-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

A few thoughts about the Rays ...

1. They showed more life in Tuesday's 4-3 walk-off loss at Minnesota than in any of their other losses.

They came back from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits. James Shields didn't implode after hitting a batter with the bases-loaded to force in the go-ahead run.

2. They still can't hit with runners in scoring position.

3. The bench is killing them.

4. You can't count on a pinch-hit home run from Ben Zobrist every night.

Speaking of Zorilla, why isn't he playing more?

Yes, manager Joe Maddon likes to move him around, and right now Zobrist is the only valuable part on the bench. He's also the only right fielder generating any offense.

Why not play him there while the team digs itself out of this funk? Can't hurt. Might help.

5. It's OK to win back-to-back games.

6. Was injured catcher Shawn Riggans that much a part of Matt Garza's success on the mound last season? Can't be, because the oft-injured Riggans wasn't around for the ALCS, and that's when Garza enjoyed his most success.

7. You know things aren't going well when Jeff Niemann is the stopper on the staff. Not that there is anything wrong with Niemann. It's just that he's doing a better job than Garza and Andy Sonnanstine.

A leadoff homer that stands? Not that uncommon

2009-04-23T20:12:00.000-07:00

Home runs by the first batter in the first inning are not all that unusual.

Heck, Gerald Williams homered for the then-Devil Rays on the first pitch of the 2000 season.

But a leadoff home run that stands in a 1-0 win?

Rare. But not as rare as you might think.

It has happened 22 times in baseball history, the most recent Thursday in Seattle when Ichiro Suzuki took James Shields deep for the lone run in the Mariners 1-0 victory against the Rays.

That info comes from David Vincent of the Society of American Baseball Research.

Stats Inc. did a little digging and found Ichiro's dinger was the first of its kind since Alfonso Soriano went yard against the Pirates in a 1-0 win May 9, 2007. Before that, it was Kaz Matsui of the Mets who beat the Diamondbacks May 12, 2004.

It's actually happened once before in Mariners history. Greg Briley beat the Twins with one swing July 19, 1992.

As former Rays manager and current Cubs skipper Lou Piniella would say, "How about that?"

The DH rule: You decide

2009-03-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

The Rays and Pirates are presenting fans with a unique look at the designated hitter rule Monday during their game at McKechnie Field.

Since it is a National League park, spring training rules say pitchers must hit. But the NL manager has the option of using a DH to get a position player more at-bats.

The DH was used during the first two trips to Bradenton this spring.

But today, the Rays will continue to use the DH, while the Pirates will let their pitchers hit.

That will basically amount to Pirate starter Zach Duke getting one, maybe two at-bats, before fans are treated to a parade of pinch-hitters.

The Rays will use Matt Joyce as the DH. Joyce has missed most of spring training because of an injury to his right calf.

So, the age-old debate (started in 1973) will rage on at McKechnie: is baseball better or worse with the DH.

You decide.

Ode to a cap

2009-03-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

Saw this hat in the team store at McKechnie Field a few years back. Almost bought it. Didn't. Now wish I did.

They don't carry it now, of course. I suppose I can find it on-line.I remember when teams wore these pillbox hats in 1976. The Mets, Phillies, Reds and Pirates. There might have been more teams, but those I remember. It was to honor the 100th anniversary of the National League, so only National League teams wore them.

I thought they were kind of goofy then, but I was in the eighth grade, so what did I know?The 1979 Pirates wore the gold and black pillboxes to the World Series title - their last.I

've always liked the Pirates, and have met a few of the guys from the 1971 and 1979 championship teams over the years at Pirate City. Nicew guys, every one of them.

I have a hat from the 1971 season, replica, of course.Now I want one from 1979.

Wish I bought it that day at McKechnie.

Dang.

Shields to start Opening Day

2009-03-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

Rays manager Joe Maddon announced his rotation for the season Wednesday.

James Shields will start the opener April 6 in Boston. He'll be followed by Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza and Andy Sonnanstine.

Shields gets the Opening Day nod because he's earned it, Maddon said.

Kaz is No. 2 because Maddon wants to split the two right-handers with the left-handed Kazmir.

As for the fifth starter, the Rays won't need one until April 15, so Maddon doesn't have to make a decision for a few more weeks.

Don't expect it to be David Price. The left-hander will more than likely start the season at Triple A.

The No. 5 spot will probably go to either Jeff Niemann or Jason Hammel with the odd-man-out headed to the bullpen.

Of course, there is always the possibility of a trade.

Rays Day 1: Hello Peter Gammons

2009-02-15T11:32:00.000-08:00

The Rays are a big deal this spring. How do we know? Peter Gammons attended Sunday’s workout, the Rays first of the spring.

Gammons, ESPN’s resident baseball guru, goes where the action is, and hitting the Rays camp this early in spring training means the Rays are one of the top stories in baseball.

But you would have guessed that being the Rays are the defending American League champs.

The first day of pitchers and catchers seemed like any other in the team’s history.

It began with a meeting on Field 3, where manager Joe Maddon gave his annual “we’re going to be real good” speech.

Then the pitchers broke into groups for the time-honored PFPs. That’s Pitcher’s Fielding Practice for the uniformed. PFPs are when pitchers work on fielding comebackers and throwing the ball to first, fielding bunts and throwing the ball to first and covering first when a ground ball is hit to first.

Now when a pitcher messes up covering first base in August and the announcer says, “That’s something they work on during the first day of spring training,” you’ll know the announcer is not lying but actually providing valuable information.

Sunday Night Baseball at the Trop

2009-01-28T10:27:00.001-08:00

Sunday Night Baseball returns to the Trop in May for the first time in nine years.

The Rays play host to the Red Sox on May 10.

The last time the Rays played a Sunday night game at home – well the last time the Rays played a Sunday night game at the Trop was Game 7 of the ALCS against the same Red Sox – but the last time they played a regular season game on a Sunday night at the Trop was April 9, 2000 against the Indians.

It was a day the Rays hoped to forget sometime during the fourth inning, which was the second time the Indians batted around that night.

Cleveland won 17-4 with the help of a five-run second and a five-run fourth and a bunch of other innings in which they scored.

The Rays used six pitchers, most of whom weren’t effective.

After the game, a member of the Rays PR staff shook his head and said, “ESPN will never come back here again.”

He was wrong, of course.

The ESPN crew were regulars last season, but it took a historic worst-to-first run by the eventual AL champs to bring them back.

No, Rocco. Thank you.

2009-01-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

I remember the first time we talked to Rocco Baldelli during spring training 2003. He thanked us. We laughed.

Baldelli was a rookie in his first major league camp. He was honest and polite.

We thought that would change once he got a taste of the big leagues.

It never really did.

Baldelli signed with the Red Sox on Thursday, ending his nine years in the Rays organization.
He will be missed by the fans and the people who cover the team.

Baldelli was everything the Rays could want, except, of course, healthy.

But even during his struggles with his hamstring injuries and with the Mitochondrial Disease that placed his career in jeopardy, he always remained polite and honest while dealing with the media.

I’ll never forget his press conference last March when he talked for the first time about the disease. How he held himself together is beyond me. I heard he walked back to the locker room, sat in front of his locker and cried.

I can tell you this: Most of the reporters in that tiny room under Al Lang Field that morning wanted to do the same.

Baldelli thought his career was over. Actually, he was thinking worse things than that.

Thankfully, it wasn’t.

He returned in August and helped the Rays reach the World Series. He had a big RBI in Game 7 of the ALCS against Boston. I had a feeling that day the Rays would win and Baldelli would come up big.

I told him that on the field after the game.

He thanked me.

Are Yankees asking for trouble?

2008-12-24T08:40:00.000-08:00

I want to work for the Yankees.

I hear they pay well.

Looks like the Bombers aren’t feeling the economic pinch like the rest of us. Either that or the Rays really rattled the Yankees’ cage by winning the division title and the American League pennant last season.

So the Yankees respond by paying a king’s ransom for two front-line pitchers and a front-line first baseman. The four highest-paid players in baseball now have their mail delivered to the Bronx.

Might not be enough, though.

The Yankees are an old team and their age showed last season when they finished third in the AL East behind the Rays and the Red Sox.

Derek Jeter is getting old. Alex Rodriguez was never a difference-maker, especially in the postseason. Jorge Posada is getting old. Mariano Rivera is getting old.

There is no telling how the new toys will handle the pressure of playing in New York. History doesn’t favor a smooth transition. You can bet one of them will have a bad season. Maybe two.
Plus, the entire team has to play under the pressure of the offseason spending spree aimed at guaranteeing a World Series title.

These guys better open the season 20-0 or feel the wrath of the New York media and their fans.

Bowling at the Trop

2008-12-20T15:13:00.000-08:00

You are looking live at Tropicana Field! Welcome to the magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl.

Last time we were inside this building was for Game 2 of the World Series. It feels a lot like that night only without the sold-out stadium, the atmosphere and the excitement.

The South Florida Bulls are having their way with the Memphis Tigers, and the crowd that is decidedly USF is loving it.

Why not? The Bulls could use a feel-good game to end a not-so-feel-good season.
The Trop looks a bit different for football.

The infield dirt has been covered with FieldTurf making for an all-FieldTurf playing field.

Tickets were sold for only three sides of the football field. Left field is completely empty.

Fans form a horseshoe around the field, and since this is a bowl game, the seating area is split.

It’s supposed to be one half South Florida, one half Memphis.

But a lot of Tiger fans stayed home, opting for the big hoops game tonight between Memphis and Syracuse.

The blue-clad Tiger fans are sitting between home plate and first base, which is behind the USF sideline.

That means the home team, the Bulls, are backed by fans of the visitors.

For those who are familiar with Rays games inside the Trop, it seems a bit odd to see visiting fans behind the Rays dugout and fans of the home team sitting behind the visitor’s dugout.

Rays interested in Giambi, Abreu

2008-12-10T08:16:00.000-08:00

Add Jason Giambi, Bobby Abreu and Ken Griffey Jr., to the mix of free agents the Rays are interested in signing.

Vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman and manager Joe Maddon met with Giambi on Monday during baseball’s annual winter meetings in Las Vegas. The former Yankee first baseman would fill the Rays need for a fulltime slugger.

They also have plans to meet with Abreu’s agent. The former Yankee right fielder could fill the Rays void in right field or he could be used as the designated hitter.

Griffey’s agent has told several news outlets that the Rays are on his short-list of teams he would like to play for. The left-handed slugger could be used as a right field/designated hitter platoon or he could serve as primarily the Rays DH.

Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel is linked in rumors of a possible trade between the Cards and the Rays. The Cards need pitching. The Rays could use Ankiel in the outfield.

The rumors of Delmon Young returning to the Rays are apparently just that, rumors.

Is Delmon Young in Rays future?

2008-12-09T15:18:00.000-08:00

One rumor making the rounds of baseball’s annual winter meetings this week in Las Vegas is the return of Delmon Young to the Rays.

The right-fielder, who had as stormy relationship with the ballclub during his stay in both the minor leagues and in St. Petersburg, is rumored to be part of a three-way deal between the Rays, Rockies and Twins.

The Rays would send either Edwin Jackson or Andy Sonnanstine to the Rockies, who would send third baseman Garrett Atkins to the Twins. The Twins would then send Young to the Rays.

Getting Young and his sour attitude out of the Rays clubhouse before last season was seen by many Rays as a good move. Getting shortstop Jason Bartlett and pitcher Matt Garza in return was a great move, one that got the Rays to the World Series.

So why would the Rays want Young back?

Because they need a right fielder.

Because they would control his contract for another four years.

Because Jackson is out of options and the Rays are tired of waiting for him to blossom into the pitcher everyone expects him to be.

Because they are not sold on Sonnanstine as a long term fit to the rotation.

Because Milton Bradley, whom manager Joe Maddon and vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman met for lunch Monday, made $5.25 million during his breakout season with the Rangers in 2008.

Because Young comes cheap.

Oh, already mentioned that.

My Maddux memory

2008-12-08T15:14:00.000-08:00

Greg Maddux retired Monday. He was the greatest pitcher of this generation and the greatest of any generation.

His numbers are staggering: 355 wins, the second most by a right-hander; 10 plus wins for 20 straight seasons; less than 1,000 walks and more than 3,000 strikeouts.

Here is my Maddux memory:

It was July 18, 2000 at Tropicana Field. Maddux was carving up the Devil Rays on his way to another complete game for the Braves when he faced Jose Canseco in the ninth and drilled Canseco in the butt. At least it was a drilling as far as Maddux was concerned.

Canseco was stunned.

“Me?” he kept asking as he looked toward the mound.

Yes, you.

The Rays pitchers had been hitting Braves batters during the three-game series.

Maddux hit Felix Martinez earlier in the game as sort of a, “Hey. C’mon guys.”

Nope, the Rays hit Walt Weiss again, the second time in the game.

So in the ninth with the game well in hand, Maddux drilled Canseco, who, at the time, was the Rays best player.

Canseco finally walked to first base while Rays manager Larry Rothschild argued Maddux should have been kicked out for throwing at a batter.

Get real, Larry. He’s Greg Maddux.

After Rothschild was tossed, Maddux went back to work and finished off the Rays.

Just another day at the office for the hall of famer.

Rays sign three minor leaguers

2008-12-05T17:55:00.000-08:00

The Rays made a couple of minor news Friday, signing right-handed pitcher Jason Childers, right-handed pitcher Jeremy Cummings and outfielder/first baseman Chris Richard to minor league contracts with invites to major league spring training.

Childers, 33, was an International League midseason All-Star in 2008 for Triple A Charlotte, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. He went 4-2 with a 1.22 ERA, converted all 17 save chances, and held opponents to a .167 average. Childers’ only major league experience came with the Rays in 2006, when he made five relief appearances.

Cummings, 32, spent the 2008 season with Durham (AAA) where he went 8-3 with a 2.87 ERA and was an IL All-Star. He won a bronze medal as part of the United States Olympic baseball team in Beijing, compiling a 1.80 ERA in 5.0 innings of relief. He pitched briefly for a professional team in Taiwan before signing with the Rays on May 12.

Richard, 34, spent the entire 2008 season with Durham, hitting .293 with 26 home runs and 88 RBI. The left-handed hitter led the Rays organization with 26 home runs (third in the IL) and led the Bulls in RBI. Richard was named an IL All-Star and was the Rays Minor League Player of the Month in May. He has compiled a .258 average with 34 homers and 122 RBI in parts of four major league seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals (2000), Baltimore Orioles (2000-‘02) and Colorado Rockies (2003).

Here's the pitch: Keep Anderson

2008-12-01T07:21:00.000-08:00

Brian Anderson said it was like clockwork. Matt Garza would show up for a few innings. Then Scott Kazmir.

Then Andy Sonnanstine.

Then Edwin Jackson.

The Rays pitchers made their way to the clubhouse on nights when they weren’t pitching and spent a few innings watching the game with Anderson, who serves as the assistant to pitching coach Jim Hickey.

There, the pitchers would pick the brain of a pitcher who, as recently as spring training, was one of them.

Anderson arrived in St. Petersburg last February hoping his left elbow had enough life for another season. His work early in camp was along the lines of a rehab, but it was soon accelerated and Anderson found himself pitching in games.

And then the elbow gave out again and the left-hander who was a member of the 2001 World Series champion Diamondbacks, called it a career.

Rays manager Joe Maddon wanted Anderson around and offered him the job as Hickey’s assistant so Anderson could still work with the pitchers.

Judging by how well the Rays pitched this past season I’d say it was a good move.

“We just talk,” Garza said last May. “We talk about what’s going on in the game, my last outing, my next outing, things I can do better. I kind of pick his brains.”

“He was huge,” Kazmir said.

Now, the Rays are looking for a TV analyst to replace Joe Magrane, who is headed to the MLB Network, and Anderson’s name is mentioned among the candidates. Anderson filled in when Magrane left the TV booth in August to help with NBC’s coverage of the Olympic baseball games.

It might be a good idea to take a long look at Anderson.

For one, he was pretty good on the air.

Two, he can still work with the Rays pitchers. Maybe not in the middle of games. It’s unlikely anyone would want to make the climb to the TV booth.

But Anderson can chat with the pitchers before and after games as well as on long flights and over lunch on road trips.

The pitches sang Anderson’s praises last season.

The pitching is what helped carry the Rays to the World Series.

It might be a good idea to keep that combination together.