A Tampa Bay Rays Blog From The Other Half

Posts tagged Joyce

Where the Heck Have You Been?!

Feb15
2011 2 Comments Written by Jessica

The Tampa Bay Rays pitchers and catchers report today.  WooHoo!  However I guess that means I have to answer the question that keeps coming up.  Hello? Where the heck have you been?

Well rest assured I am never far from a baseball field.  I have two boys who play travel ball and when the Rays finish their season the kids are just getting started.  Although it is time consuming it is also exciting.  I’ve even seen a couple of big leaguers this off season.  Roy Halladay was very gracious whenever he was at the fields.  Miguel Cairo looks to be in great shape.  I thought it would be funny to ask him if he could get Jonny Gomes’ autograph for us, but in the end I like to leave these guys alone.  Matt Joyce even coached first base for one of the teams.  All the kids were stoked to see him there.

The off season is also a good time for me to work on my other writing with no interruptions.  So while I have been following all of the Rays news, I haven’t had the urge to tear myself away and write about them.  Valentines day always changes that for me though. 

It is the most optimistic day of the year and for none of the lovey dovey reasons.  Every team has a fresh start on fresh grass under blue skies.  It just warms my heart.  No chocolate needed!

While many in the bay area are not excited about this team after losing some of their favorites, I think this year is going to be a blast.  That could be the optimism talking, but in a very short time the Rays will be in our living rooms every night again and all will be right with the world.  How can you not be delighted by that?

Posted in spring training - Tagged ,

This Weeks Thoughts – Who to Root For?

Oct21
2010 2 Comments Written by Jessica

I haven’t posted since that fateful night when the Rays season came to an end.  I could go on and on about how much I miss the Rays, but that’s not going to change anything.  Since it’s the off-season, I’ll probably cut back to weekly posts of any baseball thoughts that have crossed my mind. 

I’ve been sorta watching the championship series’, but it’s definitely not as much fun when your team is home watching it with you.  Up until last night I hadn’t even had an urge to root for any of  ”those” teams.  However the fans in San Fransisco swayed me.  They are so stoked about their team.  It took me back to 2008.  Right then and there I decided to root for the teams that hadn’t been there because I want their fans to have that feeling.

With the Rangers it wasn’t an easy decision.  I like a lot of the players on that team but they did just beat our Rays.  Plus I still want Kinsler to drop and give me twenty for skipping to first base on his devastating home run.  Given a choice between them and the Yankees it is pretty easy though.  I think the Yankees have had their share of success.

The Phillies have also had their share of success.  I am a big fan of Roy Halladay, and would love to see him take on Cliff Lee in Philly but  I can’t help root for the Giants.  It took me a bit to get to that point though since every time Pat Burrell shows up on my TV I wish I had a BB gun.

Other thougths…

A fan is a fan is a fan.  Quit flooding my twitter account with tweets ripping other fan bases.  It all happens everywhere.  There are not only empty seats in Tampa but in Atlanta and New York too.  Rays fans don’t deserve a playoff team because their fans were spotted leaving a playoff game.  However Rangers fans were filmed carrying their antlers and brooms to the exits, and Yankees fans were leaving in droves.  It happens everywhere people.  Bandwagon fans, imbecile fans, arrogant fans are prevalent all across MLB.  It sucks but we need to learn to live with them because they help keep our teams afloat.

When it comes to the Rays should we take an “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it attitude” because the won the AL East?  I mean Derek Shelton was the hitting coach of a team that won 96 games.  So why do I still wish we could trade him for the Blue Jays hitting coach?

How many platoons is too many?  The Rays have used the platoon very successfully, but at what point is it a detriment to the team?  In the ALDS the Rays were two completely different teams depending on the handedness of the opposing pitchers.  One team was way better than the other.  This might have something to do with Cliff Lee and his super awesomeness, but it still made me wonder if the other guys would have been better.

I mean clearly everyone wanted Jaso over Shoppach.  I’m not the best one to ask on that one, since I think batting Shoppach is like batting the pitcher.  He is usually pretty good defensively, but had a very rough game five.  I wish him well, but I hope to see all Jaso all the time next season.  What about Joyce, Johnson, Brignac?  Will they be platooned forever without getting at bats against the other side or will they get a chance to be full-time guys?

Yes the Rays could have picked Posey, but they didn’t.  They still made several really good picks, Longoria, Price, Upton etc.  Not to mention Tim Beckham is still very young.  Here’s hoping he works hard and makes some noise when he finally reaches Posey age, 23.  He’s not a bust yet people.

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Bragging Rights

Aug11
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Jessica

As some of you may know, my entire family roots for the Detroit Tigers.  In years past this has been a painful thing for a Rays fan like me.  NOT ANYMORE!  The Tampa Bay Rays, the lowly franchise from Florida beat those cats 6 out of 7 times this season.  They almost came away with the sweep.  You can usually expect to lose one to Justin Verlander so we’ll let it pass.  Oh, and we’re not going to talk about all the guys left on base.  Thirteen,  just sayin.

This year there is an added bonus to the bragging.  Matt Joyce.  They used to love him, but now he is ours.  Mwaa, haa, haa, haa.  Not only is he ours but he happens to play awesome against his old club!  He went 4-9 with a double and a home run this series.  Plus he’s super cute.  He is quickly becoming one of my favorites. 

Here’s hoping the day off does the boys some good and they come home and get hot again.  They need to cool off those Orioles.  Go Rays!

Posted in Game Diaries - Tagged ,

Home-stand Re-cap

Aug05
2010 2 Comments Written by Jessica

It was a good one.  The end.

Just teasing.  This was a great home-stand and since there was only intermittent blogging around here, I would like to review and give credit where credit was due.  In speedy fashion.

It started with a bang.  Matt Garza no-hit the Tigers, and Matt Joyce hit a grand slam!

The next night Shields was solid.  Pena was on and Joyce had another big RBI.  Plus there was a walk off double play!

Longo took care of the next game along with the best tag team ever of Beniot and Soriano.

David Price and Pena completed the sweep.

Then it was on to the Yankees where Wade Davis stepped up to the challenge.  Joyce was the big hitter again.  Love him.

Soriano uncharacteristically gave up a game winner to Cano.

I saw James Shields blank the Yanks and beat CC Sabathia.  So great.

Hellickson is in the building.  Strasburg who?

Two three run homers beat the Twins.  Clap for Sean Rodriguez and BJ Upton.

The game with no offense.

The game with the Trop RBI, that the Rays probably shouldn’t have won anyway.

So 8-3 is pretty great considering the competition.  It’s just that those three games they lost were so…attainable.  Baseball is so friggan great and frustrating at the same time, but I love these guys.

Go Rays!

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

Hell-O and Goodbye

Aug02
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Jessica

Whew, this feels like those moments in the old movies where they have a post-coital cigarette.  Jeremy Hellickson aka the Rays’ Strasburg pitched a very sexy game tonight.  I’m sure he was nervous, but you couldn’t tell.  He owned it.  He was perfect until Delmon Young decided he’d had enough of that.  He pitched seven innings and only gave up two runs.

He was so great and fun to watch that I don’t want to give him back!  The Rays sent him back down after the game.  I want to have a toddler tantrum of epic proportions.  You know like kicking and screaming.  Maybe someone should grab onto his leg and not let him go.

This is not a bad problem to have.  I’m sure the Rays have a plan for Jeremy, but it still sucks not to have him where the Rays might need him.  I know, patience young grasshopper.  Besides we love Dan Johnson, so he’s like the consolation prize.

I also really love Matt Joyce.  He continues to get big hits and contribute.

You know what else is great?  When BJ gets on base.  He was 3 for 4 tonight.  I hope he gets hot, because he is so dynamic that he could really elevate this team to another level.

Crawford and Longo continue to be their awesome selves.  It must be fun being them.

Keep bringing it Rays!

Posted in Game Diaries - Tagged , , , , ,

ReJoyce Rays Fans!

Jul30
2010 1 Comment Written by Jessica

This home-stand is a blast.
I think it deserves a poem.
If you don’t like it,
you can just go home.

It began with a no-hitter,
that turned into a sweep.
The Tigers were broken,
but the wins we will keep.

Now the Yankees are in town.
A huge series for the Rays.
The seats are sold out,
for three straight days.

Tonight started out a bit scary,
when Swisher drove in two,
but Wade Davis was a hero
he knew just what to do.

He mixed and he matched.
He pitched and he dealed,
and when he was done
the Yankees fate was sealed.

Another reason to reJoyce,
Matt hit a huge home run.
He sure picks big moments
to maximize the fun!

The best tag team ever,
again saved the day.
Benoit and Soriano,
they will make you pay.

Let’s drink to the Rays.
May they continue to wow.
Stay hot boys,
the time is now!

Posted in Game Diaries - Tagged , , ,

Matt Garza Sits ‘Em All Back Down!

Jul26
2010 2 Comments Written by Jessica

A face all Rays fans love.

I’m not sure how coherent this post is going to be since you know I’m totally stoked for Matt.  He threw the first no hitter in Rays history!  What a game.

I got home a little late and picked up the action in the 4th inning.  It took me a little while to figure out what was going on since frankly it was a long day and I was just glad to be sitting at that point.  First my frazzled brain goes to the score. 0-0.  Oh, pitchers duel is my next thought.  Slowly it sinks in, they are both throwing no hitters.  Then as a Rays fan my thought was “not again.”

Both pitchers were dealing until the 6th inning when Scherzer started to show signs of weakness.  He struck out Shoppach, but walked Zobrist.  Carl gets on due to catcher’s interference, and Longo walks.  The Rays have bases loaded but still no hits.  Pena strikes out for the second out.  Who’s up?  Surely you didn’t call me Joyce!  What does he do?  He HITS a grand slam!  How does he look?  Super cute!  How loud was it in my living room?  The squirrels outside ducked and covered.  IT WAS AWESOME!

Meanwhile Mr. Garza just goes about his business.  Carl Crawford as usual made a great catch and then followed it up with a home run. 

Then things got tense.  It was on to the 9th.  Todd Kalas pointed out that all the starting pitchers in the dugout were staying in the same seats so they didn’t mess anything up.  Of course I then felt the need to stay in the same spot even though I was super antsy.  Matt did a great job of keeping himself calm.  Me, not so much.  There was nail biting, knuckle cracking, and whisper chanting.  None of which mattered because he did it.  Matt Garza pitched the first no-hitter in Rays history!  IT WAS AWESOME!

You know it’s great when you’re compelled to watch all of the post game shows.  Congrats to Matt and all the Rays on a great night.  He had his own headline on the ticker!  Go Rays!

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

Get Outta Here!

Jul20
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Jessica

This is one of those games that you could tell your friends about and it sounds so far fetched that they’ll think you’re making the whole bloody thing up.

You – Carl Crawford got picked off first.  Guess where the ball hit him?  In the hoo-hoo.
Friend – No way.
You – Way.  He left the game.  Nobody had the balls to call him tater-nuts though.

You – Garza gave up back to back to back home runs in the second.
Friend – Get outta here.
You – Seriously I thought his head was going to explode.

You – BJ Upton hit a home run.
Friend – Because he wanted to jog around the bases instead of running hard?
You – Hardee Har Har

You – Garza gave up another home run to Luke Scott in the 3rd.
Friend – Bringing the total to four?  This story is getting deep.
You - Seems like it.

You – Matt Joyce hit a home run.
Friend – Now that I believe.
You – Plus he’s cute.

You – The Rays scored 4 runs in the 6th inning.
Friend – It’s the Orioles, that’s possible.

You – Benny made a boo boo in right and two runs scored.
Friend – You are a liar.  Take it back.
You – It wasn’t the only weird route he took.

You – Choate was only able to retire one of the lefties he faced.
Friend – That sounds about right.
You - No, I said left.
Friend – Right.

You – Brignac homered to take the lead back to two.
Friend – He’s no Sean Rodriguez.
You – Reid my lips, I love that kid and I will throw you down.

You – The Rays had a two run lead going into the ninth.  Bring in Soriano.
Friend – Game over.
You – Not so much.  Soriano’s a tad rusty since he’s been on the shelf FOREVER.  Tie ball game.
Friend – That blows.
You – Chunks.

You – They go to extra innings.  The Rays take the lead in the top of the 12th.
Friend – But?
You – But they give it right back in the bottom half of the inning. 
Friend – This story is getting tired.
You – You’re telling me.

You – Guess who blew the game?
Friend – Lance Cormier?
You – Oh you’ve heard this story before.
Friend – Tragically.
You – Know what else is tragic?
Friend – What’s that?
You – The Yankees finally freakin lost a game.
Friend – Well you always have the day game after a night game to look forward to.
You – Yippee.  Go Rays.

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

The Cranky Post

Jun22
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Jessica

Disclaimer – You know I love this team but sometimes tough love is better medicine, especially when they are playing like dog doo.

John Jaso JingleHeimer Schmidt – I like you lots.  I suggested that you should run for president.  Tonight you drove in the lone run, and you’ve been doing pretty well overall.  However tomorrow you will be practicing your Lord of the Dance moves for many hours.  That way you will be able to avoid line drives at your feet.  Oh and for the record I don’t like you in the lead-off spot.

Evan Longoria - You are awesome.  You are an all-star.  Please for the love of Pete do not start slumping now when nobody on this freaking team can hit.  If you keep this up I will have to make comments about your not so stellar hair.

Mr. Pena - Your defense is superb.  However first basemen are also supposed to hit the ball. 

Sean Rodriguez – It’s time I told you that you annoy me on many levels.  First I hate how you roam so far into the outfield on fly balls that are clearly the outfielder’s ball.  Second, many people commend you on being so aggressive on the base paths.  I find you aggressive to a fault though, and tonight was a good example of this.  You almost got doubled off, and then you were thrown out by a MILE in the bottom of the ninth when your team was only down by one run.  Ugh.  I do realize that there are worse things than being too aggressive, but remember I’m extra cranky tonight.

Beej – see Carlos Pena.  Your amazing defense is keeping you in the line-up.  However against logic I think you should be batting first.  I think you do better there, and if you do get on base then the fun starts.  I love the thought of you and CC on base together.  Make it happen would ya.

Navi – You are the third player mentioned that is in the line-up for their defense.  How long do you think that is going to last? 

All in all the Rays need to do better, much better.  I really like Wade Davis but five walks and 103 pitches in 4.1 innings is not going to cut it.  Hellickson was selected for the Futures game, but the future is now.  He should get a shot.

Although it’s not going to matter how well the Rays pitch if their offense can’t score more than one run!  Yes they have faced some tough pitching, but they look down right awful at the plate.  Like everyone says it’s time for a roster move.  Joyce to the rescue.

Since I’m cranky I’ll make my only comment on the stadium issue.  If you’ve been to the Trop, you know that it’s not a bad place to watch a game.  However if you’ve been to any of the new parks, you know there are much better places to watch a game.  How great would it be for the players of our beloved team to have a new park to play in.  I really don’t care where they build it as long as it’s in Tampa Bay.  If the high speed train from Orlando to Tampa becomes a reality it seems that downtown Tampa would be a great spot.  People travelling to Orlando for vacation could include a trip to watch their team play ball.  I’m not sure my opinion matters on this subject though, since if they keep the team somewhere in Tampa Bay I will still go to my handful of games in a season.

They say it’s not good to go to bed angry so I will finish with a positive note.  Congratulations to Dewayne Staats on his 5000th broadcast.  I’d like to thank him for his dedication.  Just think I grew up listening to Ernie Harwell and my kids will grow up listening to Mr. Staats.  He is the voice of the Rays, and he’s a great one.

Let’s hope the Rays give us something to feel better about tomorrow.  Go Rays!

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

Don’t Run Forrest, Don’t

Apr25
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Jessica

Jose Molina has a go-go gadget arm.  He will throw your ass out.  If he can throw Carl Crawford out TWICE, he can throw anybody out.  Why keep trying? Does it become like a Tin Cup moment?

They have a Molina, so what the Rays have a Price.  You see you don’t need to throw out runners if your pitcher doesn’t let them reach base.  David Price sent the Jays home today without even so much as a parting gift.  He was filthy and efficient, a wonderful combination. 

It’s so much fun having a catcher that can hit!  Jaso was 2 for 3.  Think Navi gives him the stink eye the whole game?

I love Barty, but it was awesome to see Brignac at short today.  Like Natalie Imbruglia, I’m torn.  At least Jason came in and drove in some runs.

BJ, Longo and Pena have been pretty solid lately, just quietly going about their business.  This team is so groovy.

Speaking of groovy, Mr. Garza and Aybar were groovin in the dugout.  I think we need an encore. 

There was a Matt Joyce spotting.  Somebody twirl that boy in bubble wrap, until he gets better.

In conclusion, the Rays are awesome right now.  Baseball is fun.  Let the good times roll.  Go Rays!

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