In light of the escalating feud between Major League Baseball, the Rays, and Bill Foster over the usefulness of Tropicana Field, I think it’s funny that no one tried to capitalize on last night’s rain delay.  If I am Bill Foster’s PR guy, I have a quote from Foster in every paper this morning about  [ Read More ]

Yesterday, The Sporting News announced the Joe Maddon was voted AL Manager of the Year by his colleagues.  Generally, I think Manager of the Year is a silly award.  A manager’s effect on his team’s success is a difficult thing to gauge and the award always seems to go to someone with a really good  [ Read More ]

Among Andrew Friedman’s many talents in building the Rays, perhaps none is more important than his instinct to cut bait.  I like to compare the Rays to the Indians.  In 2007, Cleveland was a strike away from the World Series.  Then, they promptly locked up the entire team, casting aside the possibility that luck had  [ Read More ]

I just finished reading the local news section in this morning’s Times that included a glowing story, on the front-page above the fold, about how smart and fan-centric new Lightning owner Jeff Vinik is. The guy has been smart.  He moved here, he dumped a ton of money into local charities, he changed the feel  [ Read More ]

[Remember me?  Sorry I went into the basement for so long.  The convergence of the season ending and my son arriving was the perfect opportunity to lock in for some family time.  I'll write more frequently this winter as we gear up for 2012.  Thanks for your patience.] I cannot stop watching this continuing meltdown  [ Read More ]

I was going to duck Stu Sternberg’s recent comments about the state of the organization  but, several folks have asked for my opinion both in the comments and by email so, I am happy to at least think about what Stu said rather than brushing it aside. Let me start by saying that I am  [ Read More ]

I started to write a few different times yesterday but was unable to complete any thoughts due to client meetings and family obligations.  Looking back on the half-thoughts I got out, it is probably best that I waited 24 hours.  Last December  if I offered you the choice between a safe, reliable, but otherwise stodgy  [ Read More ]

Well, that makes sense.  I am in Denver on business but, was not surprised to learn that the 1-0 lead the Rays had when I left for a meeting last night turned into a loss. At first, I was a little upset.  But I turned it around fast for a few reasons.  First, my meeting  [ Read More ]

Among my favorite things about the end of summer is the Little League World Series.  The Mrs.  isn’t quite on board with the LLWS yet but, it is great for two reasons: 1) The kids seem like they are having so much fun playing the game; 2) The kids seem like they are having so  [ Read More ]