It’s way too early in the season for me to be this negative.  I’m a positive person by nature, so even though the Rays have beaten themselves three times in a row now, I’m not going to fall into the negative abyss.  Although I admit it is harder this year since they have so much talent.

So I’ll tell you what I like.  Lance Cormier.  Which is surprising because I don’t think I’ve ever liked a Lance before.  I find Lance Bass and Lance Armstrong totally annoying.  Lance Cormier is not annoying at all.

To be honest I didn’t know too much about him, so I looked him up.  He’s from Louisana.  He went to Alabama and played four years for the Crimson Tide.

He was drafted twice while he was in college but chose to remain there.  Whether it was because he wanted to finish his education or because he was having too good of a time, we’ll never know.

After he got his degree in finance, so he would know how to invest his signing bonus, he was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 4th round.

He played for the Yakima Bears.  Yakima.  That’s totally fun to say.

In 2005 he was traded to the Braves.  His two years there were somewhat disappointing and he was DFA’d when they need to make room for Tom Glavine in 2007.  He was later released.

In 2008 he signed a minor league contract with the Orioles with an invitation to spring training.  He was called up on May 2nd.

Now he’s with the Rays and he pitched really well last night.  He’s married and has a son LJ.  Lance Junior?  Lebron James?  Liam Joakin?

Anyway I like him.  I don’t have quantitative reasons why right now, I just do.  Sue me.

I hope he sticks around.  Even if he does look like the 40yr old virgin in this pic…