A Tampa Bay Rays Blog From The Other Half

Monthly archives for October, 2008

What a Season.

Oct30
2008 15 Comments Written by Jessica

At the beginning of the season I started this blog with a lot of trepidation.  Would anybody care what a girl had to say?  Did I have a different perspective to offer?  Could I be entertaining?  The biggest question by far was, can I handle writing about ninety losses or will I go off the deep end?

Well, almost nobody cared.  I didn’t really have a different perspective.  I was definitely not entertaining, but I was blessed with writing about ninety-seven wins.  Wins and a post season run that ended in the World Series.  All since I started this wee blog.  What a season.  It’s either coincidence or I’m the Rays good luck charm.  I’ll let you decide.

When spring training comes around there’s always the hope of a winning season.  The Rays looked real good this year.  They were stocked with great athletes.  The question was could they put it all together and compete with the big boys?

Right from the start of the season the little team that could just kept chugging along, although everyone expected them to fade away.  Even the most faithful fans remembered the previous years and figured it was only a matter of time.  Slowly though the magic started to become routine and those faithful fans started to believe.

The better the Rays got, the bigger the dream became.  Maybe the little guy could prevail?  Then a symbol for that very mantra showed up in the form of Rocco Baldelli.  He’s the story within the story.  If he could find a way, so could the Rays, and they did.

They believed in themselves and they conquered the AL East.  They played baseball in October for the first time.  They beat two pair of Sox to become ALCS champions.  That was an unbelievable ride.  It was such a fight that I really believe they lost some steam.  The Red Sox series was a rivalry the Rays had never known to that point, and it took all of their might to defeat them.  A trip to World Series was their reward.

The worst team in baseball last season was now playing for it all.  The little team that could, did.  There was only one problem, the Phillies.  A team that none of us had any animosity towards.  This was the one component that was missing in this series.  There wasn’t that “let’s beat their brains out” mentality.  They are a great team that is actually a lot like the Rays in many ways.  Hats off to them.  They had a great season and they deserve to be champions.

Hopefully the Rays players know they’re lucky to play baseball every day for a living.  I’d like to thank them and everyone in the organization.  This year they were doing more than just playing baseball.  Our country is facing tough times and people are stressed about many things.  The Rays gave us something to look forward to.

In a day and age when we are worried about money and finding out our parents have cancer, the Rays shone bright.  How many times did you come home stressed out only to watch a miraculous walk-off win and go to bed feeling a lot better.  Sometimes it was bigger than baseball.  Ironically watching Jonny Gomes tackle David Price reminded us of all that is right in the world.

What a season.  It’s one that we’re sure to never forget.  They didn’t win it all, but they came damn close.  Besides we got a lot of free donuts and even a free taco out of the deal.

I for one can’t wait to take the ride again next year.  Thanks Rays!!

Posted in Uncategorized

A Couple of Things

Oct29
2008 7 Comments Written by Jessica

First congratulations to the Phillies on a great season.  They have  a great team, and they even seem like darn nice guys. 

Second, why in the world was JP Howell pitching to Burrell?  I know Burrell hasn’t been great this post season, but JP shouldn’t pitch to a right hander in that situation.  I actually said it out loud as Pat was coming to bat.

Third, why is BJ Upton swinging on the first pitch with Crawford on first?  Killer.

Sorry if this is negative but these are my thoughts tonight.  Tomorrow I’ll have more on how much I love this team and thanking them for this magical season.

Posted in Game Diaries - Tagged , , , ,

Rays Live to See Another Day.

Oct28
2008 2 Comments Written by Jessica

poor philly fans
Sucks to be these guys.  What’s worse than being cold?  Being wet and cold.  I read one great description of the conditions.  “It was like standing in your freezer while someone sprays you with a garden hose.”  Lovely.  Florida fans are cold just thinking about it.  This is the first time watching a game that I actually wanted a cup of coffee instead of a cold beverage.

I’m sure that Citizens Bank Park is perfectly lovely in the summer months, but in October it has been miserable.  Fly those diehard fans down to Clearwater and they can finish the game at Brighthouse Field where the Phillies do their spring training.

After fighting the elements the Rays were able to hang in there.  Now they get to wait for less crappy weather, and when the time arrives they have to be ready to finish the sprint to nine innings.  I hope David Price gets the baton first.

C’mon boys.  You can do it.  Keep that dream alive.  Go Rays!!

Posted in Game Diaries - Tagged ,

Would the Real Rays Please Stand Up.

Oct27
2008 4 Comments Written by Jessica

I can handle the Rays losing.  As long as they are playing good, but last night they blew.  Seriously, they blew chunks.

First of all it’s not always Sonny in Philadelphia.  I think Rays fans everywhere knew trouble was brewing when Sonny came out and couldn’t throw strikes.  Sonny always throws strikes, ugh.

Then there’s the Rays who can’t hit.  You guys are super cute and I love you, but c’mon now quit thinking so much.  If Hinske can step in and hit a homerun, and Willy can step in and rope a single, and Sonny your pitcher can get a hit, it can’t really be that hard can it???

Plus the bullpen has chosen now to be bad at pitching.  Really?  Now?

So here’s the deal.  In order to not make me hibernate and gorge myself with Halloween candy the Rays need to play better tonight.  Like really play their asses off, none of this fading into the night.  Time to pick up a win.  Nobody wants Philly to win it this easy and at home.  Well maybe some Philly fans do…

I’m sure Mr. Maddon reads this site and takes my advice to heart therefore I’m going to lay down the plan for him.  Kazmir starts and pitches well into the sixth.  At the first sign of trouble, the only option is to bring in the kid, King David.  At no point are you to even think of any other relievers.  He will get it done.  Fernando Perez is to start in right field.  Use his speed in the field and on the basepaths.  He can bat right handed which is the side he’s much better from.  If he’s not performing, Rocco can bail him out.  Also, and this is a tough call, if Longo or Pena are still sucking by the third inning, do you bring in Willy to play third or Hinske to play first???  I’ll leave that one up to you. 

It’s crunch time.  Time for the real Rays to stand up.  Go Rays!!!

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Now We’re Even Steven, err Phil?

Oct24
2008 3 Comments Written by Jessica

ugh
(photo ESPN.com)

The Rays evened the series with the Phillies.  The number of bad calls is now even also.  Oh and if you think Rays fans are going to feel guilty about those calls last night, you are sadly mistaken.  The Rays have had an obscene amount of bad calls work against them in the course of this season.

It’s no secret that I love me some Rocco Baldelli, and that boy laid it all on the line last night.  First with his super tricky walk.  Then he barrels over the Phillies catcher.  Later he hustles out a grounder to avoid a double play.  Later still he makes a super catch and doubles Werth off of first.  He’s the man.  He must be exhausted.  I bet he could use a rub down.  Mmmmm, give me a minute.  Okay sorry about that.  Seriously I hope he’s okay and can recover from those nine innings.  His fans would like to see more of him this series. 

James Shields was magnificent again.  Glad to see him pick up the win.

Love the small ball.  Barty’s bunt was perfect, and the Rays got it done last night.  So I don’t need to worry about Pena and Longo right?

On to Philly.  Let’s hope the weather and the mound are to Mr. Garza’s liking, and that the bats are awakened.  Go Rays!!

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Expected yet Unexpected, Those are the Breaks

Oct23
2008 4 Comments Written by Jessica

I expected the Rays to have trouble with Cole Hamels.  What was unexpected was that the Rays never really seemed out of that game.  It’s like they didn’t play bad, they just never got that one break to put them over the hump.  The breaks seemed to go to the Phillies.

Kazmir didn’t pitch bad.  The defense wasn’t bad.  BJ’s assist was quite awesome actually.  Mr. Hamels did make several of the Rays hitters look bad though, and that made all the difference. 

Since it was kind of a meh loss, let’s just talk about the non-important stuff.
Did the green screen behind home plate bother anyone else?
How cute was Carl Crawford saying he was batting left-field?
The fans should have been way louder when the Rays were batting in the ninth, and what’s up with letting Ryan Howard catch that foul ball.  I know he’s a big boy, but come on, take one for your team!
Thanks Barty for the free taco, but you don’t need to buy my love.

On to game 2.  Let’s hope Shields has a much better outing, and that his offense helps him pick up a win.  He’s due.  Go Rays!!

Oh and I’m calling it right now.  The Rays are going to break Lidge’s streak at some point.  Just like BJ broke that kid from Oakland’s streak.

Posted in Game Diaries - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Holy Crap!

Oct22
2008 4 Comments Written by Jessica

In roughly four hours the Tampa Bay Rays will take the field for game one of the WORLD SERIES!!  I hope they aren’t in as much of a daze as I am.  The Rays are playing for the whole enchilada.  THE RAYS!!

Okay, I know, be cool.  Yeah, so it’s just another game.  Nine players, playing hard for nine innings.  No problem.  Big deal.

It is a big deal.  The Rays are in the World Series people.  Our smokin hot Rays.  It doesn’t get any better.  

Let’s just hope Cole Hamels doesn’t bring me crashing back down to earth.  Get your beer and snacks.  Let’s do this.  Go Rays!!

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Let It Soak In.

Oct20
2008 9 Comments Written by Jessica

yes! 

So yeah the Rays are going to the World Series.  The Rays!  I have a perma-grin, I can’t seem to get rid of.  I was sooo late this morning because all I wanted to do was watch the celebration on ESPN over and over again.  Got nothin but love for ya boys!  The Rays are going to the World Series!

Congratulation to Boston who had a another great season.  I truly believe this is that much more special because the Rays had to survive in the AL East, and beat the very best in the ALCS.  The coming years could be quite interesting.

You know I want to shower the Rays with praise, but you also know I’m too superstitious to do that now.  It’s not over yet.  They still have work to do.  I never thought I’d have to wait this long to brag about how great this team is.  I’ll just have to hold it in for one more week.  Then look out!

I do have to say that Matt Garza was beyond awesome last night, and I was so stoked to see Price get the call at the end of the game.  My neighbor says watching baseball is liking watching the grass grow.  Hmmm, well I was watching grass grow on the edge of my seat last night!  It was a great night to be a Rays fan.

Yes a Rays fan.  There is something that’s getting really old.  Fan base generalizations.  I’m so tired of it.  Every team has its jerkoff fans.  Every team has its bandwagon fans.  Every team has its trendy, uninformed fans.  Not all Red Sox fans are evil, and neither are Rays fans. 

Comments like this are quite popular lately and they bug me.  Then it annoys me that I waste energy being bugged by it!

Posted October 20th, 2008 at 7:37 am by Max

I’d say the biggest loser would be the Tampa Bay “fans.” Seriously, the Rays are one of the most impressive squads MLB has seen in a long time, and it’s wholly wasted on that fat, sweaty pile of wannabe baseball fans. Where the hell were they during the regular season?

Actually, watching them is kinda funny. Almost cute, even. With those nice crisp hats, t-shirts and jerseys; those freshly shorn mohawks; those incessant cowbells…it’s like they think they’re actual baseball fans. Adorable. Meanwhile, you can’t shake the feeling that at any point during the game, 50,000 of these so-called fanatics are asking one another “Why do they call it a curveball?”, “Who’s the team in the grey outfits again?”, “How do they grow grass in here without any sunlight?”

Last night was a win for the team, not the fans. With so much talent on that squad, and a world-class manager like Joe Madden, they deserve it. The fans, however, DO NOT DESERVE IT! Giving it to them would be akin to giving a trailer park meth addict a $30 million winning lottery ticket. They won’t know the first thing to do with it, except buy more meth (or in this case, more of those fucking cowbells).

The Rays fan is the worst thing to happen to baseball since steroids, or perhaps the death of Roberto Clemente (depending on your opinion of steroids). For the team’s sake (hell, the league’s sake), I hope they go back to losing 100 games a season so they won’t have to put up with them any longer.

I’m not fat, sweaty, or dumb.  I wear my new shirt, proud to support the new organization, and new players.  I remember the losing seasons.  I know the starting line-up.  I’ve been to many games this year, and I think it’s fantabulous that this little team has pulled off the improbable.  The Rays are going to the World Series.  We didn’t have to wait 50 years, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t sweet!  Go Rays!!

Posted in Game Diaries - Tagged , ,

OH MY GOD!

Oct20
2008 7 Comments Written by Jessica

Oh my God.  Oh my God.  Oh my God.  Oh my God.  Oh my God.  OH MY GOD!

Rays Win!!!!!

More on that tomorrow when I can form a coherent thought.  OH MY GOD!

Posted in Uncategorized

It’s Rally Time People!

Oct19
2008 4 Comments Written by Jessica

We need to believe.  We need to pump up this town.  Cheer loud and proud the entire game.  Will these boys to lay it all on the line.  The time is now.  We are one team.  Okay that’s enough cheesy sayings.  You get the jist.

The Rays need to find their mojo again.  Time to unleash the secret weapons.  Price and Perez.  It’s time to shake things up.  Back to the small ball, stringing base hits together, stealing bases and kicking ass!

We need more cowbell.  Cowbell!  (Thanks Karen!)

GO RAYS!!!!!!

Posted in Uncategorized
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