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He’s gone.
By Jessica | January 8, 2009
I knew it was likely. I knew it could happen. It did, and it still shocked me. Rocco Baldelli is no longer a Tampa Bay Ray. The guy who made me the Rays fan I am today is not coming back. Not only is he not coming back, he’s going to Boston. Ugh!
Yeah so it’s been a long day. I’ve pretty much been through all the stages of mourning.
Denial - I’ve been in denial since the Rays didn’t pick up Rocco’s option. I even convinced myself that since many of the teams had dropped their interest, the Rays might find a way to bring him back.
Anger - I wasn’t mad at the Rays front office. They couldn’t afford to take anymore risks on the guy. Plus I like the thought of Joyce as the rightfielder, and Perez as the back-up outfielder. Not to mention the shiny new DH.
I couldn’t be mad at Rocco himself. He’s too stinkin nice. He didn’t know if he was ever going to play again. Now he’s the hometown boy. I’m so glad he was part of the Rays success last year. He really deserved it.
I had to be mad at somebody though. Those freakin Red Sox! I think Centerfield was on to something. Boston stole the one guy most Rays fans were attached to.
Bargaining - Let’s just say it’s a good thing I don’t have any authority when it comes to who should make up this team. I would have given up quite bit, not the farm, to secure that occasional back-up outfielder/DH. I had a package that was irresistible. They want outfielders, we’ll give them Gross, Zobrist and Ruggiano and we’ll even throw in John Gruden as a bonus. Just give us back the Woonsocket Rocket. Funny, I still think that’s a good deal! Maybe I never moved past denial?
Depression - This would be a hard stage to get past except they make drugs for it, and the Rays still have a really good team to look forward to. However, I will be revisiting this stage when I see Rocco in that other uniform. *shivers*
Acceptance - I’ll be working on this for most of the season. I wish Rocco nothing but the best. I’m telling you right now any Rays fan who boos him when he comes to the Trop should be tasered immediately.
If Rocco feels the need to make it up to me, it would be really cool if he could come out and play some beach volleyball with my friends. Clearwater Beach, most Saturdays, along the pier. They’ll be there all spring.
Acceptance will come with time. For some Rocco will soon be forgotten. However I will have something to remind me of him for many years… my puppy Rocco.
Topics: Uncategorized |
January 9th, 2009 at 1:07 am
that is not the most flattering picture. although the second one is pretty cute.
January 10th, 2009 at 6:09 am
I still feel that the Rays blew this one big time.
He signed for a mere .5 million with incentives that could go to 5.5 mil. Rocco showed in the post season how valuable he can be to the team -far more productive than a one dimensional, poor fielding, slow and underproductive Pat Burrell who is getting 8 mil/yr.
What is a half a mil to risk ?
I’m no longer a Rays fan.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:47 am
January 10th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Wow Dino. You should trust the front office a little more. They are pretty smart. After all they just took the worst team in the league to the world series.
Draysbay has tons of stats to show you why they made the right decision on Pat Burrell. Also you shouldn’t give up so easy. I think you might really like Matt Joyce if you give him a chance.
rocco will surely be missed though.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:39 am
[…] In her own special way, Her Rays went through all the stages of depression after Rocco Baldelli signed with the Rays. She was even willing to give the Red Sox John Gruden if they would have let the Rays keep Rocco…That doesn’t seem very fair for the people of New England. [Her Rays] […]
January 11th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Hey you guys should see what this guy has to say:
‘How Much For David Price?’
‘Price Should Pitch This Season In AAA’
lvironpigs.wordpress.com
January 18th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
No kidding, my son cried (6 years old) when he heard Rocco went to the Rays. As long as it doesn’t turn into a Josh Hamilton thing, it’s probably a good decision. We got Kapler, which hopefully will be a good thing.
January 19th, 2009 at 7:52 am
You need to do more updates. I look every day and no change from 1/8/ 10 days
January 20th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
That picture of the little girl crying broke my heart! Sorry about Rocco. Even sorrier he went to Boston.
January 21st, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Did you see the letter Rocco sent you in the paper today Jessica? Hanky time.