HER RAYS!

The Tampa Bay Rays 2009 season is now in the books, and it is quite a collection of stories. 

Beloved main characters were lost.  Rocco Baldelli defected to enemy territory.  Jonny Gomes found success in a different city, and Scott Kazmir headed to LA to try to become a star.

The team’s story got off to a slow start in April but it picked up the next month.  Different facets did well at different times.  At times the offense was at the forefront.  Other times the pitching was masterful.  Even the bullpen had its moments.  However, the team never seemed to put it all together for any length of time.  This underlying theme is present throughout the 2009 story.

There were many subplots involving individual characters this year, some are joyous and others heartbreaking.  First there were the stories of the five all-stars.

Jason Bartlett had an amazing season at the plate.  He increased his power and got on base routinely, all while playing a not too shabby shortstop.  Plus I shared an elevator with his wife and son, and let’s just say he is a very lucky man.

Ben Zobrist decided to show the baseball world that he’s got this game figured out and he’s not going anywhere.

Evan Longoria started out blazing hot, and eventually cooled.  It’s obvious he has the talent to be an MVP in the future though.

Carlos Pena’s story is hard to classify.  Is it fantasy, he did hit 39 homeruns and didn’t even play the last month of the season.  Or is it tragedy, because he only hit about that many singles and he snapped two fingers?

Carl Crawford’s guide to a great year in left field is a best seller.  Hopefully we’ll get to read the sequel next year.

Jeff Niemann also quietly put together a great rookie campaign.  Let’s hope he can build on it next year.

Then there were the few, the tired, and the weary.  James Shields and Matt Garza didn’t have bad seasons they just were not nearly as sharp.  Let’s hope they get some much needed rest and come back strong next spring.

Now on to the sad stories…

BJ Upton’s was perhaps the saddest of them all.  This kid has enough talent to carry this team if he can find a way to put it all together.  It was very hard to watch him struggle.  I only hope we can watch his epic comeback next season.

Navi also struggled.  That is putting it mildly.  Only he can write the next part of his story.  I hope he puts in the work.

Pat Burrell’s got some ’splaining to do.  I would prefer he does it with his bat in about six months time.  If he can’t, I hope to see his butt on the bench and Willy Aybar’s cracking bat in the line-up.

The most painful story of the Rays season by far was of course the collapse of the bullpen.  It actually caused this blogger to seek therapy in college football, while watching the Rays with my hands over my eyes.

The coaching is hard to summarize.  My personal review is that Mr. Maddon is loyal to a fault, and it hurt this team this year.  It aided to the fact that the team never put it all together.  I understand wanting to encourage guys and show them support, but if it is at the expense of the team??  BJ Upton was left in the lead off spot for way too long.  Andy Sonnanstine was given way too many chances.  Pat Burrell was put in the line-up consistently and never proved that he deserved to be there.  Several relief pitchers were marched out there time and time again even during their own personal suckfests.  This is only my opinion, but I really feel that it hurt the team this season.

The most puzzling story is the one where the hitting coach is let go and the pitching coach stays??

Remember even though this season is in the books there are many exciting stories to look forward to next season.  Young kids who could save the world.  Okay, I might be getting a little dramatic now…

As for Her Rays, this season mirrored the team’s.  After an epic rookie year that was very exciting, this blogger suffered a bit of a let down this year.  Real life seemed to get in the way a little more, and as a result the performance lacked.  I still had a great time, and I have the Rays to thank for that.

I’m not sure what the future will hold for this blog.  Either I will work really hard this off-season and make the team out of spring training or I might be designated for assignment.  Thank you to those of you who stopped by.  I appreciate it.  A special thanks to those of you who were nice.  Yes, I found out these internets can be a cruel place.  Oh, and a very special thanks to the Professor at Rays Index for all of your support.

Have a happy off-season.  If I’m not here in the spring, you can find me at a Rays game.  Go Rays!

(photo Espn.com)

Okay I don’t know if Spring is in the air or what but that was so hot.  Mister Garza was damn near perfect.  The team really needed a charge and boy did he deliver.  He even proved that Pedroia can’t hit the high inside fast ball.  If only Jacoby Ellsbury wasn’t so bloody fast…  Barty made a great play on that ball and a slower man would have been toast.  Oh well it was still fantastic to watch.  Way to rock and fire Matt.

Mr. Hernandez deserves some credit tonight too.  After watching Navi’s horrible performance last night, Michel really looked like a pro.  He helped make Garza perfect, and he hit too.  What a concept.  Hopefully that’s the little prod that Navi needs.

I don’t know what turned these guys around but I hope it’s here to stay.  Everybody was hitting, even Gabe Gross.  I hope they saved some runs for the rest of the series!

Did anyone else notice the music as Josh Beckett was leaving the field?  So ya had a bad day…That cracked me up.

A couple more observations:
The Red Sox catcher Kottaras is very cute.
It still hurts my heart to see Rocco in the wrong dugout with the wrong clothes on.
Every team needs a Van Everything.  Where can we get one?  Can Zobrist pitch?

Hey Rays, how about winning two in a row. 

First the disclaimer.  Remember where you’re at.  This is a female fan’s perspective.  It is not always rational or spot on like Rays Index.  It will not appeal to your mathematical side with pretty graphs like DRaysBay.  Nor will it remain eternally optimistic ala Mr. Chalk.  The reason being, girls rely way more on their emotions.

You see viewing pleasure weighs heavily into how a female fan feels about her team.  If a player is attractive and fun to watch then he gets our vote.  Some would say “Well, that’s stupid.”  To these people I would point out two things.  First stupid is a mean word.  Second we don’t go on looks and entertainment value alone, we actually want our team to win games.  However the players ability directly effects his attractiveness.

Example 1 - Matt Garza is pretty attractive.  He’s got a great smile and a rockin body.  However after game seven of the ALCS, where he was the MVP for his awesomeness, he went from pretty attractive to super hot.

Example 2 – Robert Pattison is quite hot, but what if he trotted out there daily for the Rays and his OBP was nill?  His negative baseball ability would suck the hotness from him, and while we’d wish him well, we’d call for his replacement.  Maybe Ian Somerhalder?

Now you know how my twisted mind works.  Those Girls explain it better and they even have stats to correlate.

So how do I feel about the Rays this season?  Well to tell you the truth it feels a little odd.  Normally at this time of year I am uber-optimistic.  Really believing that they can do better than 97 losses.  Then last year they won more than 97 games.  They went to the world freakin series.  Yet when I look at the team on paper, it looks even better this year? Don’t know about you, but my mind is not sure how to deal with that.

Outfield
With any luck the Rays should have a healthy Carl Crawford and BJ Upton shortly after the season starts.  It doesn’t get much better than that.  I’m also very excited that Matt Joyce got a spot on the roster.  Because of the formula above I’m hoping he can do well enough to boot one of the Gabe’s when BJ returns.  The way Ben Zobrist swung the bat last year improved his value so I’m sure he’ll be in the picture too.  I love Perez, so I’m hoping he can make it back by the dog days of summer if they need him.

Infield
The Rays have a great infield.  Longo is Mike Schmidt like.  Which is cool, unless he decides to grow the porn star mustache.  Barty is superb on so many levels.  Did anyone else like him in the lead-off spot?  Aki is back, and although he’s no Mark DeRosa, he was obviously the best looking guy on the Japanese WBC team.  That’s something.  Then there’s Mr. Carlos Pena.  He’s as pretty on the inside as he is on the outside, and he happens to be really good at baseball.  That folks is a win-win-win.

DH
I don’t really have a read on the new DH.  He’s supposedly a machine, so he shouldn’t break down.  I’m excited to see how he can help the Rays.  Cliff Floyd’s personality endeared him to me.  I’m hoping Pat’s bat endears him to me.

Catchers
Navi and Riggy.  What’s not to love.  If Navi can continue to improve every year that would be phenomenal.  Plus Riggy is the perfect back-up.  He’s so cute that he doesn’t have to be awesome, and when he is it’s like the cherry on top of your day.

Pitchers
This is where I get a little worried.  Don’t get me wrong these guys can pitch.  I’m just worried about them staying healthy.  Although the Rays have a better back-up plan than most teams.  Ever heard of Wade Davis or David Price?  That’s quite a back-up plan.  I’ll be following them at Watching Durham Bulls.  So who should be the fifth starter when the season starts?  If you go by my highly scientific theories it should be Jason Hammel.  He is way more attractive than Jeff Niemann.  Plus his Mom is a HerRays reader.  Major bonus points.  Besides I think Niemann is better trade bait.

The Bullpen
I just hope they can be more like 2008 than 2007.  This is the one area where I could care less what a player looks like.  At this point in the game my sanity is much more important.  Of course if the Rays could find a closer that looked like CJ Wilson and pitched like Mariano Rivera I would not object.  Plus there would be many nights I would go to sleep with a smile on my face.

All of that to say I’m totally geeked about the start of the season.  Go Rays!  Too bad Monday’s game is during the day.  I could use some brown liquor to help me deal with this…

This…

is not helping.  Really, was a kleenex inducing ad necessary?  You look way too cute in the picture and what’s with all the niceness?  This would be way easier if you would just say “later sucka.”  Just go be with your new buds.  You can dance with Papelbon, hunt with Beckett, use Pedroia’s head as an arm rest, and feel free to smack Youkilis in the dugout.  I think it’s customary.  

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.

Once again the Rays front office proved why they make the big bucks, and we just sit in our mom’s basement typing in our pajamas.  Many different names were being thrown around to fill the Rays right field spot, but none of them were Matt Joyce.  I think this is a brilliant move.

I must wish Edwin Jackson well.  He was a big part of the Rays success this year and I hope he knows the fans appreciate his efforts.

Brilliant, I tell ya.  First, they didn’t trade Sonny.  He had me at ALCS.  Not to mention, he rocks when it comes to inter-league play.  It wouldn’t surprise me if he could play right field!

Second, they went with a young guy who has tons of potential.  Matt Joyce totally fits the Rays mold.  He’s going to have no problems fitting in.

Third, he’s super cute.  The genius that is Katie from Those Girls tracks teams based on their baseball abilities and their swoon worthy factor.  I think this trade puts the Rays right off her chart.  Can any other team compare?

So now I wonder what they are thinking for the DH vacancy?  Should we all chip in so they can get Manny Ramirez?  Hopefully they’ll surprise us again.  Please no Abreu or Burrell.  I know, you can show me stats that these guys could really help the Rays, but they still bug me.  Things don’t always have to be logical.  Just like I could care less about Jason Bartlett’s stats.  The fact is when he was playing the Rays won games and I didn’t scream at the TV.  Sometimes you have to go with your gut.

Who’s going to be the odd man out?  Gross is definitely not DH material, so are they just going to decide at Spring Training whether they should keep him around?  Any chance Rocco comes back?  Please Mr. Friedman this is serious.  I named my dog after the guy.

Best wishes to Jonny Gomes.  It was a blast.

One more thing.  I’d like to thank DRaysbay and Rays Index for giving up their lives to keep us informed of all the latest Rays news.  I toast you regularly during the offseason.  Go Rays!!

Brilliant!

CharlieRay says it’s time for an update.  I agree, but there’s not much to talk about.

The winter meetings start today and hopefully the Rays will make a move that will improve the team and keep yours truly happy.  No easy feat let me tell you.  The meetings are in Las Vegas.  Most people get a visual of slot machines, bright lights and showgirls when they think of Vegas.  I on the other hand get this visual…

Matter of fact, he’s kind of a big dude, I wonder if he can play right field?  Yes these are the thoughts that come to mind during a boring offseason.  Especially when none of the other names thrill me much.  I might learn to love these guys, if they knock the cover off the ball …  Giambi, Giles, Burrell, Abreu, Dunn, Griffey, Bradley.  They might be mashers but aren’t they kind of old and expensive??

Wouldn’t it be awesome if all the GM’s had to gamble to win the free agents they coveted?  Would all teams interested in CC please report to the blackjack table.  If you could have your dream picks, who would they be?  Of course I’d bring Rocco back.  Many teams find the idea of an occasional outfielder/DH appealing.  Especially when he won’t get pissed off if he’s not playing every day.  The only problem is the Rays have too many of these guys.  I say get rid of Gross.  Use Rocco, Perez and someone like Giles or Griffey who can play defense too.  That would give Maddon lots of line-up possibilities.  Even more if you add Zobrist the super utility player to the equation.  Then all they would need is a closer.  Sounds good on paper or should I say cyberspace.

I’ll try to get another Rays as Leading Men post up soon.  I know y’all are dying for the next installment. *cough*  Thanks to PTownFan I can’t get the image of Carlos Pena in Dirty Dancing Havana Nights out of my head, nor do I want to.  Caliente!

Oh I bought myself an awesome Christmas present last week.  Rays spring training tickets!  WooHoo.  Things to look forward to.

Finally I know this is a Rays blog, but… GO BUCS!

Peace Out Homies

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)

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)

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!!!