Both local newspapers led this morning with eulogies for this “era” of Rays baseball. That’s just lazy.
Here is a link to Gary Shelton’s eulogy and a link to Martin Fennelly’s eulogy.
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Officially closing the Rays “window” is the easy column to write. Both papers have to know that every media outlet in the country will look at the Rays’ loss in Game 5 of the ALDS in this way so, why not jump on board. (re-read that, we are upset about losing in the playoffs…the Devil Rays losing in the playoffs disappoints us…bizarre) God forbid our guys break away from the expected script.
Do we know this “era” of Rays’ baseball is over? Of course not. We won’t know that until they start playing games again in 2011. Do we know the next “era” of Rays’ baseball won’t be just as good or — dare I say it — better? Of course not. But let’s go ahead and kick everyone while they are down. Also, let’s pretend like this team is a disappointment because they never won a World Series. That is, quite simply, absurd.
We still have the best third-baseman in baseball who is so young that he is still getting better. Right? We still have a second-year pro who nearly stole the Cy Young award from the Yankees $100-million man. Right? We still have so much starting pitching — including the top pitching prospect in baseball — that we need to dump a good pitcher just to make room for it all. Right? And we still have the mad scientist that took a group of castoffs and formed them into something so creative that it won 96 games in the AL East and subsequently became the blueprint for winning baseball in the post-steroid era. Right?
Don’t let the newspapers tell you that this is a time for mourning. This is baseball. Save the sad stuff for real life.
The only thing we know for sure is that 25 guys are going to put on the home whites on April 1, 2011, and we are going to have fun cheering for them.
No one described the time between now and then better than Rogers Hornsby: “People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”
Happy birthday Mark!! Oh and good article too!
Thank you.
Bravo!!!! Great season, can’t wait for Spring…..
Great article Mark, and stirring stuff! We have ready made replacements for CC and Los in Jennings and Johnson plus a young core that is getting better all the time – I’m looking forward to another 90 win season next year.
I agree with you Mark. This team, with or without Pena, Hot Carl, Bartlett, Upton (& a couple of pitchers) will still have a very strong core of young players. With our staff alone there is no reason we should not compete.
Last night was frustrating because of Maddon’s failure to employ any type of small ball, especially when his team strikes out more than anyone. (and yes they showed the graphic, no one has struck more than us in a LDS series) Feel like they should tried a safety squeeze with Hot Carl (0′fer Cliff Lee) when they had men at 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. I bunt Pena (or don’t play him vs Lee) every at bat( 0-7 with 6 k’s?). The most frustrating part of the game was obviously the mental errors. Pena lollygagging in the first when any 1st basemen should recognize Andrus stealing before the ball is hit. He just slowed up, like its a regular game and tossed it to Price when that was his play to make. Hustle makes that play. Shoppach was of course a disaster. Price had to work harder because he knew he had no help behind the plate stopping runners. His only throw on a SB was to LF, brutal. The 2-2 fastball to Cruz was also a amateur call (double that should have been a homer). I think Cruz (less Hamilton) may be the best fastball hitter in the league.
Make no mistake, I enjoyed the season and I think we have a great squad. I just feel like last night’s team resembled a little league team, not a team playing for the World Series. Go Rangers.
Zach
Zach,
Don’t get me wrong. Last night was incredibly frustrating, particularly the two plays at first base that allowed runs to score. But, in the end, I feel like Texas beat us more than we beat ourselves.
I think the 2011 Rays are going to be plenty fun. I don’t know if they will win 90, but I might guess they will be in the high 80s.
I feel like April 1st is so far away. For some reason, I do like the off-season trades and moves and bull that goes on.
The Hot Stove is fun.
Just 110 days until pitchers and catchers report in Port Charlotte on February 13, 2011.
Mark, first off, congratulations on a great season and an AL East championship. Also, congratulations for taking a positive attitude towards your season, and for not bashing your players and management. I know this has to be a disappointing time for you, so kudos that you can keep your head when so many around you in Tampa-St. Pete seem to be losing theirs.
As per usual over at IIATMS, we’re spending time between series discussing your Tampa Bay Rays. It’s strange how many words I’ve written over there about your team over here. To you, these Rays are your team; for me they’re an example of how baseball’s revenue sharing system fails the teams that are the most deserving of financial assistance.
In any event, my friend Brien has just posted an article arguing that you guys will be strong contenders in 2011. See http://bit.ly/bkISkw. I’m about to post a dissenting blog arguing that it’s only a matter of time before the Rays’ small market status brings an end to the success of this era for the Rays. As I think you know, I hope to be proven wrong — the Rays are now my third favorite team in baseball (after the Yankees and whoever is playing against the Red Sox).
I encourage you and all Rays fans to come over to our site and tell us what’s what with the Rays. Feel free to tell us that we have our nerve to think that we northeners have anything intelligent to say about what goes on in Florida.
Again, congratulations. And for what it’s worth, we Yankees fans feared playing the Rays a bit more than we fear playing the Rangers.
Amen brother. Well said.