HER RAYS!

Movie – Sweet Home Alabama

Jason Bartlett – Andrew Hennings
Rocco Baldelli – Jake Perry

Originally played by Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas

Rocco shares many similarities with Jake.  For one, he’s got those rugged good looks.  It got a little too rugged this year, but we’ll let that slide.  Secondly like Jake is to Melanie, Rocco is my first Rays love. 

Jake let Melanie down too many times so she set off to find herself.  Rocco’s body let us and himself down too many times and we’re ashamed to admit we set off to find something…

Melanie found Andrew, we found Jason Bartlett.  Like Andrew, Jason is a clean cut, classy, and quite dreamy.  Both are very successful.  Andrew is what Melanie always thought she wanted.  Barty is the shortstop all Rays fans have wanted.

In the end, Jake gets his act together, and while there is nothing wrong with Andrew he just can’t compare to Melanie’s true love.  Such is the case in this Rays story too.  Rocco figured out how to treat his condition, and while Jason Bartlett is fantastic and worthy of much adoration, he can never take the place of my first love Mr. Baldelli.  The history and chemistry is something that can’t be denied. 

Let’s just hope Rocco sticks around and we all live happily ever after.  Go Rays!!

(yes, I’m aware that my photoshop skills suck)

It’s unanimous.  Evan Longoria is the best of the newbies.  Actually, he’s better than a lot of oldies.  The dude’s right up there on my list of the best things ever.  He just passed carmel macchiatos, and that’s saying something.  I love him.

I also love movies.  All kinds of movies, but particularly chick flicks.  I’m a chick, I’m allowed.  So I thought why not combine these things for something fun this off season.  If your favorite Rays player was a chick flick character, which one would he be?

I think Longo deserves the honor of being first in this series of Rays as Leading Men.

Evan Longoria = John Smith

Movie – Mr and Mrs Smith

Originally played by Brad Pitt

John Smith is not what he seems.  He plays like he’s your normal suburban husband when he’s actually a paid assassin.

Neither is Longo.  He plays like a seasoned veteran, when he’s actually a 23yr old rookie.

Both men use their instincts to succeed.  They also have a lot of weapons.  John has knives and guns.  Evan has a cannon for an arm, amazing aim, and he’s especially handy with a bat.

Evan is missing the hot wife that happens to be an assassin, but he’s been spotted with some possibilities.  He’s got plenty of time for that.  Imagine though, she could wear his jersey and boots after they rocked the house.

Longo is the man, kind of like John Smith.  Yet both are kind of cute and goofy underneath it all, making them that much more irresistible. 

Who knows maybe next year he’ll be the MVP.  Go Rays!!

Big Hugs for Carlos Pena!
Congrats go out to him for winning the Gold Glove.  He played an awesome first base this year, and it’s great to see him get recognized for it.

The front office didn’t make any moves this week, but there were a few rumblings out there about the Rays.  A couple of teams are reportedly interested in Rocco Baldelli, including the Red Sox and the Phillies.  Let’s just hope there is one other team interested in Rocco, like say the Tampa Bay Rays!  I don’t even want to think about him not being here this spring, so I’m staying in denial.  *fingers in ears* La La La La, I can’t hear you.

Evidently the Rockies really want to unload Matt Holliday, and the Rays have pitchers so they come up in the discussion.  Carl Crawford’s name was brought up too.  I like Mr. Holliday, but La La La La, I can’t hear you.

The Mets have a pitcher, Heilman, who needs a change of scenery.  Meh, I guess it depends on what they want in return??

The Rays find Milton Bradley appealing.  I’m willing to be he’s not as crazy as some people peg him to be, but he does seem like a fella with a short fuse.  I seem to remember him easily breaking a bat over his knee when he failed to get a hit.  He would definitely be a big change from Clifford, that’s for sure.

Some have mentioned that they think Nick Swisher would be a good addition for the Rays.  Remember when Rachel made that trifle, but was missing a page in her cookbook, so she added a layer of meat to her otherwise wonderful dessert?  Joey liked it, but nobody else did because meat is not good when it comes to dessert.  Kind of like Nick Swisher is not good when it comes to the Rays!  Why, because he’s icky!  Can I just tell you that if Rocco goes and Swisher shows up…well that would be an offseason I might not ever be able to recover from.  I feel sick just thinking about it.  Of course it could also be all the talk about meat and sweets, bleck.

Let’s hope the Rays front office keeps up its stellar record for making great picks, and that they don’t break my heart this week.  For up to date trade talks visit MLB Trade Rumors.

(photo courtesy of brian216 flickr.com)

Yeah so I’m a little lost now that the season is over.  I’m not finding much on TV.  I find myself thinking about things that aren’t really crucial but enter my mind anyway.  Like what the heck am I going to do with my hair?  It needs an upgrade.

When the Rays were in the hunt for October this kind of thing never even bothered me.  I mean following baseball is pretty time consuming if you put your mind to it.  So now I look around and think “Holy crap I really need to get some stuff done.”

The off season is also a bit nerve racking in that the team could look quite different when spring training rolls around again.  Last year I wasn’t sad to see certain guys move on, but this year is quite different.  I really love most of these guys and I don’t want anyone taking them away. 

Today the Rays declined options on Clifford and Trevor Miller, and since I’m a chick this affects me differently.  I know both are probably good decisions by the team, but these guys are pieces of the whole you know.  They played pivotal roles this season.

I really like Cliff Floyd, and he had some great moments for the Rays this year.  I love his earring and his smile and his big brother ways in the dugout.  It’s too bad he isn’t a good fit for the Mets, since Metsgrrl loves him.  Maybe he could be an advisor for some lucky team?

When I think of Trevor Miller I immediately think of his family, well that and his rockin mohawk.  I’m sure they loved him being here in Tampa with them.  I’m sure he will find a spot somewhere, but it won’t be as comfortable for him.  He got to be a part of the amazing turn around season though, maybe he’ll decide to retire now?  Either way I wish him the best.

Ugh, first I’m missing the Rays and now I’m saying goodbye to some of them.  How many days until spring training? 

Don’t worry I’ll make it through.  I’m updating my Netflix queue.  I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.  As for the blog, I’ll probably cut back to weekly posts if nothing is going on.  Don’t forget to rock the vote.