Thunder Matt MLB Preview 2009: Tampa Bay Rays

2008:97-65, 1st place in AL Eastern Division, American League Champions

SO LONG: OF Rocco Baldelli, OF Cliff Floyd, OF Jonny Gomes, OF Eric Hinske, P Edwin Jackson, P Trevor Miller

WELCOME: OF Pat Burrell, P Lance Cormier, P Jason Isringhausen, OF Matt Joyce, OF Gabe Kapler, P Joe Nelson, P Brian Shouse

PROJECTED LINEUP (actually, this is last year's lineup. This year's lineup depends on Upton's health.)

1. Akinori Iwamora 2B

2. B.J. Upton CF

3. Carl Crawford LF

4. Carlos Pena 1B

5. Evan Longoria 3B

6. Pat Burrell DH

7. Matt Joyce RF

8. Dioner Navarro C

9. Jason Bartlett SS

Starting Rotation: James Shields, Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnanstine, Jason Hammel (Where's David Price? Check Triple A.)

Setup: Grant Balfour/Dan Wheeler

Closer: Troy Percival

Welcome to the most important year in Tampa Bay Rays' history.

When we last left the Rays, they were defeated at the hands of the World Series Champion Phillies. They were wet, tired, and probably hungry.

Now, five months later, they have returned as the model of all franchises. Although denied glory, they are the heroes of the underclass. The little market that could. They are the revolutionary who dared to challenge the twin evil empires. They envoked the audacity to upset the establishment, knowing they had little to lose but a past full of defeat.

Like the heroic Tank Man of Tiananamen Square, the Rays of 2008 stood defiant before the Red Sox and Yankees and dared them to run over their upstart season. Despite numerous challenges and scares, the Rays held their ground. While other small market teams cried for salary caps, new stadiums, and other Marxist solutions, the Rays looked for solutions from within, for the talent, drive, and heart necessary to reverse the misfortune of a decade of embarrassment.

The 2009 Tampa Bay Rays, like Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, and John Jay, now have to prove their revolution was not only a success, but the beginning of a fruitful nation. Whereas a young America was allowed to prosper in poli-social-economic-military vacuum without any legitimate fears of invasion, the Rays now bear the burden of being the biggest target in the Junior Circuit. They have to protect their burgeoning reputation of success against numerous embarrassed entities with scores to prove.

The Rays enter 2009 without any significant losses. The foundation is still intact and will be for years to come. Many believe the Rays are even stronger now than at this time a year ago. They have acquired the long-range muscle of a Phillie import, while only parting ways with part-time pieces and spot starters. Of course, they also have a year's worth of experience to their credit as well as a bevy of talent in the lower ranks.

Although some might be dared to label the Rays as the benefactor of their own misguidedness, reaping hordes of quality youth through years of wayward failure, those people are fools. Never in history have youth been revolutionary due solely on their age. They need a quality environment in which to blossom and the opportunity to prove to the world they are in indeed for real.

The Rays are here to stay.

(Disclaimer: I am a Rays season ticket holder.)

Preseason Awards:

Mr. Sexy Time: Evan Longoria - How can the AL Rookie of the Year be Mr. Sexy Time? Shouldn't he have already arrived? Not so fast. To quote Rays patron Dick Vitale, Longoria is PTP. He is going to be David Wright-South. If not this year, sometime soon he will be in running for a few MVP Awards. And he drives the ladies in Tampa nuts.

The Sorry Dude, The Bandwagon's Full Award: Lil Wayne, Rob Schnieder, and Jeff Foxworthy - I don't care how "in" rooting for the Rays is. B-list celebs only look even sadder try to hype themselves by putting on Rays hats. Hey Mr. Wayne, you might have survived Hurricane Katrina, but you've never seen suffering unless you sat through a Casey Fossum start.

Best Use of an Afro: The Cowbell Kid. How much I miss the harmonious ring of cowbells.

Further reading:

Rays Index

DRays Bay

MLB Preview 2009: New York Mets

2008 Finish: 89-73, 2nd place in NL Eastern Division

SO LONG: OF Moises Alou (retired), P Luis Ayala, P Ambiorix Burgos (good riddance), OF Endy Chavez, 2B Damion Easley (too old), P Aaron Heilman (too ineffective), P Orlando Hernadez (too old), P Pedro Martinez (too hurt), OF Trot Nixon (too ex-Red Sox), P Ricardo Rincon, P Matt Wise

WELCOME: SS Alex Cora, P Elmer Dessens, P Casey Fossum (why?), P Freddy Garcia, P Sean Green, P Livan Hernandez (10 years too late), P J.J. Putz, P Tim Redding, OF Jeremy Reed, P Francisco Rodriguez, P Ron Villone

PROJECTED LINEUP

1. Luis Castillo 2B

2. Carlos Beltran CF

3. Jose Reyes SS

4. David Wright 3B

5. Carlos Delgado 1B

6. Ryan Church RF

7. Daniel Murphy LF

8. Barry Lyons C

Starting Rotation: Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Tim Redding

Setup: J.J. Putz

Closer: Francisco Rodriguez

Here is how everyone else's Mets' preview reads: The Mets, who choked away the last two seasons, bolstered their bullpen with the acquisition of K-Rod and Putz. The offense is still stacked with Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Delgado, etc, but the starting rotation is questionable after Santana.

Blah, blah, blah.

Here is what you need to know about the Mets:

They have no direction. The front office has no clue what they are doing and they think they still need to compete with the Yankees. Don't get me wrong, I like Jerry Manuel, but time and my patience is running out on Omar Minaya.

The Mets have once again turned into the stereotypical large market club. They go through phases like that. The last six years however, they haven't hesistated to throw around the dollars. But the problem with the Mets is the market has changed. Acquiring big names rarely solves problems. Continuously throwing money at free agents went out of style around the same time as Limp Bizkit.

So they had a bullpen problem for the last two years. Everyone knows big name closers are not the answer. Especially when the save is the most overrated stat in baseball and you break the bank signing the MLB record holder for saves in a season. I'll give them credit on the JJ Putz trade. They dumped Heilmann and Joe Smith for Putz and Sean Green. Heilmann never fit in anyway. He is a four-inning starter. Now he is the Cubs' problem.

I'll give Mets credit for another thing, they are starting to play a few rookies, particularly LF'er Daniel Murphy. A few other rookies are beginning to permeate the pitching staff, to include Jon Niese, who is having a solid spring.

So what do I predict for the Mets this year? They will definitely be competitive. They may even win the World Series. If that happens, of course, I will deny saying anything bad about them. But for now, I have to complain. I'm a Mets fan, it's my job.

Preseason Awards:

Mr. Sexy Time: David Wright. Does it get any easier than this pick? Yes, the Mets are chock full of good players, but some are on the downside of their careers (Delgado), some have peaked (Beltran), and some will only maintain (Reyes). Wright will win an MVP before all is said and done. Probably this year.

The Please Go Away Award: Luis Castillo. Castillo was good on the Marlins back in the early 21st century. In those yesteryears he could run, field, hit, and get on base. Now he is a punch-n-judy slap hitter with bad knees and little ability above that of the small bus kid Little League coaches put in right field (wait, that was me).

The Coolest Name in Baseball Award: Mets 3rd base coach Razor Shines. His name is Razor Shines. It doesn't get funkier than that.

Further Reading:

MetsBlog

Faith and Fear in Flushing

Toasted Joe

MLB Preview 2009: Florida Marlins

2008 Season: 84-77, 3rd place in NL Eastern Division

SO LONG: OF Luis Gonzalez, P Kevin Gregg, P Mark Hendrickson, OF Jacque Jones, C Paul Lo Duca, P Joe Nelson, P Arthur Rhodes

WELCOME: P Jose Ceda, P Scott Proctor

PROJECTED LINEUP

1. Cameron Maybin CF

2. John Baker C

3. Hanley Ramirez SS

4. Jorge Cantu 3B

5. Dan Uggla 2B

6. Jeremy Hermida LF

7. Cody Ross RF

8. Gaby Sanchez 1B

Starting Rotation: Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson, Chris Volstad, Anibal Sanchez, Andrew Miller

Setup: Leo Nunez

Closer: Matt Lindstrom

Say hello to the most underrated team in baseball. Did you know the Marlins were second only to the Phillies in team slugging and in home runs last year? Did you know their entire infield averaged over 30 home runs each? Once again, don't be surprised if the Marlins come out of nowhere to sneak into contention in the NL East.

Never a team to make too many big offseason moves, this winter the Marlins' biggest move was sending 24-year old lefty Scott Olson and outfielder Josh "The Hammer" Willingham to baseball purgatory Washington for Emilio Bonifacio and two minor leaguers: second baseman Jake Smolinski and right-hander P.J. Dean. Olson had already peaked in his usefulness for the fish. He was to the Marlins another version of Pat Rapp or Ryan Dempster - just a transition arm until a new batch of kids comes along.

Even with the departure of Olson, the Marlins still feature one of the best starting fives in the National League (although still the second best staff in the state). Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson, Chris Volstad, Andrew Miller, and Anibel Sanchez lead a posse of arms that are young, healthy, and scary good. Think Pavano, Beckett, Burnett, Willis, and Penny.

Offensively, the Marlins didn't lose much from 2008. Only the aforementioned Willingham and first baseman Mike Jacobs. Taking their place is super prospect Cameron Maybin and Gaby Sanchez, respectively. Both will be interesting to watch. Maybin was the centerpiece of the much maligned trade with Detroit that sent over Miggy Cabrera (who has since ate himself to firstbase) and Dontrelle Willis (who immediately contracted Steve Blass Disease) and Sanchez is a native Miamian who also went to the University of Miami. How they both play now that the pressure is on will determine how well the Marlins do in 2009.

The Mr. Sexy Time Award: (no-brainer) Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez is the best shortstop not only in his division (over Rollins and Reyes), but in the entire major leagues. Yes, he is still not the greatest fielder in the world, but he brings an array of offensive firepower not seen in any position, no less at short. The Marlins also recognize Ramirez's vast ability, signing him to a long-term contract, a deal almost unheard of in South Florida.

The Going Green Award: Jorge Cantu and Dallas McPherson (tie). Both of these gentlemen were left on the scrap heap of baseball talent. Instead of recreating prospects and letting these two go to waste, the Marlins took Cantu and McPherson, dusted them off, shined them up, and put them back on the field. Cantu responded with 29 home runs, 95 RBIs, and an over .800 OPS and McPherson hit 42 home runs in Triple A.

The Famous Blunder Award: The Chicago Cubs. As many people know, there are several classic blunders. The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line. Then, there is the most prominent baseball blunder: Never Trade Pitching With The Marlins. When was the last time the Marlins got ripped off in a swap of pitchers? It doesn't happen. No pitcher, save for Trevor Hoffman, leaves the Marlins and does unexpectedly better with their new team. The Marlins always get the better end of trading arms. So, with that in mind, seven years after trading Dontrelle Willis and several other arms for journeyman reliever Antonio Alfonseca, the Cubs yet again tempted the fates and dealt prospect Jose Ceda to the Marlins for mediocre-at-best spot reliever Kevin Gregg.

Further Reading:

Fish Stripes

Fish@Bat

Grapefruit League Tour 2009 Stop 2: Mets at Nationals, Viera, Fla.

Yesterday marked my second excursion to Space Coast Stadium in Melbourne Viera, Florida. In 2007, I watched the Nationals take on the visiting Dodgers. This year's visit pitted the Nationals versus my beloved New York Mets.

First, a few notes on Space Coast Stadium: back in '07, I commented how the Nationals organization had re-done Space Coast Stadium and removed any and all traces of the Marlins time at the facility. Well now the Marlins are long gone. Yet there is still work that needs to be done at the Nationals' spring training stadium to make it a more enjoyable experience.

1) Upon entering Space Coast Stadium, there is no sign to point visitors in the right direction. Every other ballpark I have visited has at least one sign to guide fans to their seat. Signs that state "Sections X thru Y --->" or "Sections A thru B 
2) There were no roaming vendors. None. I was shocked. The ballpark experience falls just a little bit when I don't hear someone shilling peanuts, popcorn, cotton candy, or even beer. All guests as Space Coast Stadium had to visit the concession stands.

3) Lack of ushers. This goes with point #1. Most other stadiums I have been to have numerous ushers to direct guests to their seat or even check their tickets to ensure they are in the right place. Space Coast Stadium had a few ushers, but all the limited few of them did was stand around and watch the game. They seemed useless.

4) No mascot, no dancing grounds crew, no cheerleaders, and a useless Public Address announcer. There was nothing at the ballpark to excite the fans except for the game. Although many fans may think the lack of extraneous entertainment is a good thing, good or bad, I found it oddly absent. I guess I am used to seeing something attempting to entertain me between innings, or someone trying to get the crowd excited. Space Coast Stadium seemed rather bland in the customer experience department.

As for the game: Due to the World Baseball Classic, the visting Mets were playing mostly minor leaguers - prospects such as Wilmer Flores and Ike Davis. On the mound starting for the Mets was ancient right-hander Livan Hernandez. Livan makes me feel old, as I remember his rookie season with the Marlins back in '97. Now he is a cagey vet, surviving only on his experience, cunning, and guile.

The Nationals, on the other hand, played many of their big leaguers - players such as ex-Met Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Austin Kearns, and Ryan Zimmerman. On the hill for the Nationals was John Lannon.

The game was your average spring fling: lots of errors (including a very surprising bone-headed mistake by Zimmerman), many random pitching changes, and lack of all-around quality play. There was no doubt the best of the Mets was not on the field.

Funny side note: back in 2007, the Tampa Bay then-Devil Rays had what many today call the worst bullpen in major league history. Coming out of that pen on a near-daily basis was right-hander Gary Glover and lefty Brian Stokes. Both of them pitched like garbage for the Devil Rays. During yesterday's contest I saw both of them: Stokes pitched the bottom of the 7th for the Mets, and Glover closed out the game for the Nationals. My condolences to either team if they are relying on these ex-Devil Rays to be a key part of their bullpens.

The final was 8-3, advantage Nationals. Washington is now 2-0 when I visit. 

Once again, I have written too much and said too little. If you want the details of the game, click here:

Mets at Nationals

Next stop: Disney World on March 21 or Port Charlotte on March 22.

Grapefruit League Tour 2009: Twins at Yankees, Tampa, Fla.

The first leg of this year's Spring Training tour took me to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. For whatever reason, even though this is the closest park to my place, I had never been to The George.

(Note: They don't actually call it "The George". I made that up.)

Before I begin, however, I have to say that the ticket office at Steinbrenner Field is incredibly rude. That's a whole other story in itself, but suffice to say, I went to get a ticket the day before the game and they did not give me a good first impression. So if you ever go, you have been warned.

Another note: limited bicycle parking (read: none). Because Steinbrenner Field is so close (appx 5-6 miles) from my place, I decided to ride my bike. It had been a while, so need some exercise. Not a bad ride, except for the fact that a few spokes broke on my wheel and I had to walk the bike home. But again, that's a whole other story. So anyway, I had to lock my bike to a handicap parking sign and have a security guard promise he would watch it. At least someone at The George is customer friendly.

Before I get to the game itself, I want to pitch an idea to each and every concession stand at each and every event (sports, concerts, etc): SELL BATTERIES! I took two pictures before my camera ran out of juice. I was not going home to get more batteries. I was ready to dish out whatever the cost to take more pics, but they don't sell batteries at The George. Their loss.

Ok, the game: Twins v. Yankees.

Starting pitchers: Francisco Liriano (Min) vs. Joba Chamberlain (NY)

(By the way, what is the official pronunciation of "Joba"? Is it "JOE-BA" or "JOB-A"?)

Today's lineups had the usual spring flavor. The Yankees were playing most of their starters, save for Jorge Posada. The Twins featured far less big names, as neither Justin Morneau nor Joe Mauer played. But they did play Delmon Young and the great Nick Punto, who in 2007 was 23.4 calculated runs worse than a replacement-level player (that's baseball geek-speak for "he was beyond terrible").

To use the cliche, the Twins struck early and often, posting 2 runs in the first, 1 in the second, and 3 in the third. Whether prescribed or not, Joba lasted only 1 inning. The Yankees matched the Twins through the first two innings, but fell behind 6-3 after 3.

Sidenote: I've come to the conclusion that jeering A-Rod and the rest of baseball's Steroid Squad (another term I made up), is a lot like jeering a pro wrestling heel. One of the most common accusations a "bad guy" wrestler gets is that he is a "cheater". The biggest difference, however, is that when the heel chokes his opponent, it is part and parcel of the show. A-Rod's steroid dalliance, on the other hand, was more than an act, it was a slap in the face to baseball. And so, to paraphrase "The Princess Bride",

Jordi: Boo. Boo. Boo.

Alex Rodriguez: Why do you do this?

Jordi: Because you had greatness in your hands, and you gave it up.

Alex Rodriguez: But they would have ignored me if I hadn't done it.

Jordi: Your true ability lives. And you scarred it. True ability allowed him to be great before, and he treated it like garbage. And that's what he is, the King of Garbage. So bow down to him if you want, bow to him. Bow to the King of Sham, the King of Fraud, the King of Mockery. Boo. Boo. Rubbish. Filth. Slime. Muck. Boo. Boo. Boo.

Ok, one more sidenote: The George P.A. played The White Stripes's "Seven Nation Army" in the middle of the sixth. I wonder if they conveniently swiped it from the Rays, who were playing it every game towards the end of last season (credit for the idea goes to The Professor over at Rays Index).

Back to the game:

Twins won 7-4. Read about it there, I written too much and said too little. I'm done.

Next stop: Melbourne Viera.

Grapefruit League Tour 2009

Ah, springtime in Florida. It is that magical time between the brisk chilling hours of winter and the barely-there bikinis of summer. It is a time of perpetual 75-degree weather, before tourist season but after the snowbird exodus. It is a time for baseball. A time for warm-ups and wunderkinds, for reclamations and rejuvenations. And most importantly, it is time for another tour of the Grapefruit League.

So far I have visited seven different spring training facilities in the last two years. I have been to Clearwater (twice) to see the Phillies, Melbourne Viera to see the Nationals, Lakeland to see the Tigers, Sarasota to see the Reds, Dunedin to see the Blue Jays, Bradenton to see the Pirates, and Winter Haven to see the Indians.

Then, of course, there was my trip to the Trop to see the then-Devil Rays take on the Mets in an exhibition.

This year I intend on continuing this glorious tradition and visiting spring training facilities throughout Florida.

This year's itinerary should (no guarantees) include:

Pirates vs. Yankees in Tampa, Feb 28th

Mets vs. Nationals in Melbourne Viera, Mar 8th

Pirates vs. Rays in Port Charlotte, Mar 15th

Blue Jays vs. Twins in Fort Myers, Mar 22nd

Yankees vs. Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Mar 28th

Red Sox vs. Phillies at Clearwater, Mar 29th

That's six games and four more stadiums checked off the list. If I go to all these games, the only home teams I'll have yet to see are the Red Sox, Marlins, Cardinals, and Orioles.

Nothing beats springtime in Florida.

Did the Cowbell Kid hurt the Rays?

Normally, I like the Cowbell Kid. He is the ultimate cheerleader. He has excited Rays fans for many moons with his eccentric personality, his wild hair-dos, and his persistent cowbell banging. He is an icon among Rays fans.

Lately, however, the Cowbell Kid has worn out his usefulness to the Rays. As a matter of fact, I would go so far as to say he was a burden to the Rays' success this postseason. Perhaps, just maybe, the Cowbell Kid did more harm than good.

On October 20, the Cowbell Kid made his first World Series video. For nearly four minutes the Cowbell Kid talked his drivel about how great the Rays were and how the World Series was just a "formality" after the Rays beat the Red Sox in the ALCS. He then predicted the Rays would win the Series in 5. Unfortunately for Rays fans, the opposite was true. Strike 1, Cowbell Kid.

On October 24, the Cowbell Kid made a video of himself on the toilet, spewing trash talk about the Philadelphia Phillies. In this video, which has since been removed from YouTube, the Cowbell Kid made fun of Phillies slugger Ryan Howard, who at that point had not hit a home run during the postseason. After the Cowbell Kid's video, Howard hit three home runs against the Rays, including two in Game 4 of the World Series. If there was ever an example of letting a sleeping dog lie, that was it. Strike 2, Cowbell Kid.

Lastly, on November 2, the Cowbell Kid showed up on yet another video, this time ridiculing Phillie fans and linking them all to all social disturbances that occurred the night the Phillies won the World Series. Another poor showing. In this video, the Cowbell Kid proclaims that he is glad the Rays lost, so the world can see that all Phillie fans are horrible, "homeless, soup-kitchen dwellers". I am going to go out on a limb and say that is not true. This blog has been linked to by sites of Phillie fans, who might I add, happened to be pretty cool people. Strike 3, Cowbell Kid.

By making videos like this, The Cowbell Kid is showing the worst of Rays fans. As the video ambassador to the Rays, he is displaying Rays fans as classless, arrogant, and sore losers. For an organization that had enough negativity surrounding it for the first 10 years of its existence, the Rays don't need the Cowbell Kid undoing all their positive work. Here's hoping 2009 brings a more mellow and more mature Cowbell Kid. One who doesn't provide the opposition and their fans bulletin board material.

Tropicana is where I lost my heart

"I'm not much for inspirational addresses. I just wanta point out that every newspaper in the country has picked us to finish last. The local press thinks we'd save everybody a lot of time and trouble if we just went out and shot ourselves. Me, I like to waste sportswriters' time so I'm for hangin' around and seein' if we can give all these guys a nice big shitburger to eat."

- Lou Brown, Manager, Cleveland Indians - Major League (1989)

For some reason I imagine the Tampa Bay Rays' 2008 season began with a similar quote. The Rays, as most know, were picked to finish if not last, barely above the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. It seemed only Baseball Prospectus thought highly of them, picking them to finish somewhere in the 83 to 88-win range. I, personally, was a little less optimistic. I hoped for 81 wins, a .500 record.

But a funny thing happened on the way to October. To say I was pleasantly surprised by the 2008 Rays is an understatement. To say every fan I talked to was surprised would also be an understatement. Every new fan, every old fan. Everyone was shocked.

While this season has definitely been one for the ages for the Rays' franchise, it has also meant a lot to me personally. Never before have I been so vested in a team. Never before was I so into every game - every pitch, every at bat, and every run. Never before have I been so involved. Maybe it was because the team seemed to want me as a fan, allowing fans to chat with both of the Rays' General Managers. Maybe it was because I had a some money this year and could afford to go to Tropicana Field quite often, nearly 20-25 times, including the postseason. However, I probably watched or listened to nearly 100 other games. Again, hanging on every pitch and cheering every one.

When I was nine, I followed every game of the '86 Mets, following as close as a 9-year old could. But it didn't feel like this. When I was in my late 20s in 2003, I had a college roommate who was a huge Marlins fan (yes, they do exist). We watched as many games of that season as we could in sports bars, cheering and drinking our way through the Marlins postseason. But that didn't feel like this either.

As many of my regular readers know, I have struggled with rooting for the Rays, penning numerous blogs disguised as love letters to my "long-distance love" a.k.a. the Mets. At first, I would say my interest in the Rays was strictly geographic. They are the local team, and I only live 30 minutes from the ballpark. I would have gone even if the team played poorly, as I did in 2007.

But after hearing Rays radio host Rich Herrera nearly choke up while closing the season broadcast, I've come to the conclusion that I am definitely a Rays fan. In his final broadcast, an emotional Herrera talked about how special the 2008 Rays were to him and thanked everyone involved with the team, from the players to the front office to the fans, both new and old, for giving us a magical 2008 baseball season.

I too would like to extend my thanks, although mine are a bit more personal.

I'd like to say thank you to the Tropicana Field ushers I often talked baseball with, and to the hardcore fans I saw in April and May (who were there probably long before that) who lead the cheers as the team got better, specifically those around my seat: the fans above home plate who chanted "left-right, left-right, sit down!" when an opponent struck out and the elderly gentleman who yelled "1 down, 26 more to go" after a Rays pitcher recorded the first out of the game.

Thanks also to the writers of Rays Index and DRays Bay for providing daily Rays-centric sports blogosphere insight, and most importantly, to the co-worker who was kind enough to let me buy some of his season tickets last December. Everyone listed, along with the aforementioned players, fans, announcers, and Rays employees, helped ignite a baseball passion in me that I hadn't felt in a long time.

This 2008 season might be the Rays' equivalent to the 1969 Mets, it may be a watershed year that creates an explosion of loyal, committed, die-hard fans. It may be the Rays' version of 1991, the year the Braves lost the World Series, but began a decade of division dominance. Or, as unlikely as it could be, the Rays could be a flash in the pan, the second coming of the 2007 Colorado Rockies. Next year, the Red Sox and Yankees could decide enough is enough, open up the coffers, and buy themselves another World Championship.

Whatever happens, however, I know that even though I have been a Mets fan for over 20 years and that will never change, I am proud to also call myself a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays.

(Yes, the title of this post is a line from Motley Crue's "Girls, Girls, Girls" [at the 3:05 mark of the video]. According to Google, no one has ever used that line in a Rays' post before.)

Eulogies for the Eliminated

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today not to praise the departed, but to bury them. For they are the meek that shall inherit golf courses, while those who remain strive for glory. They are the eliminated, the condemned. They are those whose bright summer seasons have grown dark and sickly like the colored leaves of fall. They are those who are left to play out the season, settling only for the bittersweet hope of playing "spoiler".

For today we are beginning to bury all those who no longer have a chance of making the Major League Baseball playoffs. For these teams there is no October Quest, no championship run, no dreams of ticker tape and champagne showers. Only the cold, dark, dismal reality of another season failed.

Dear Great Creator Doubleday, please take the souls of the 2008 Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Oakland A's, Cincinnati Reds, and Baltimore Orioles into your loving bosom. They were among the first eliminated this season, and all are now over 20 games out of first place.

We apologize, Great Creator, for this mass burial. But we unfortunately had not thought to bury them sooner, although there was little doubt of their demise. (On a positive note, however, we did a great deal on this corner plot.)

Beloved, please bow your heads as I say a brief word about each of the deceased.

2008 Seattle Mariners: Unfortunately, you threw all your eggs into the basket of a false god. Erik Bedard was not the answer, unless the question was "what was one of the most overhyped trades of last offseason?" Yet you gave up the farm, while you still counted on Richie Sexson. May you rest in peace.

2008 Washington Nationals: In a town of dissension, you were to be our rock. A stable guiding light that people from both sides could rally around. Yet you represented our nation with the weakest fighting force since Valley Forge. May you rest in peace.

2008 San Diego Padres: You counted on one of the most overrated pitchers in baseball to carry you to the promise land. If not for Adrian Gonzalez, you might be finishing in the California Penal League. The charge: impersonating the proud former team of Tony Gwynn. May you rest in peace.

2008 Oakland A's: Two pitchers with sub-1.00 ERAs and you are over 20 games out? Your demise speaks more to the strength of the Angels that you could not fly with, than your own personal vices. Even the sheer power of Thunder Matt could not save your season. May you rest in peace.

2008 Cincinnati Reds: You tempted fates by using Belisle Belial. Although the wicked communists of the Soviet Union have seemingly returned, you have yet to give us a Red Scare worth waking up for. Although Jay Bruce may save you soon, may you rest in peace.

2008 Baltimore Orioles: Another team full of promise, you failed to stockpile talent and follow the footprint of your divisional sister, the Tampa Bay Rays. Until you treat Camden Yards like the hallowed grounds that it is, the Great Creator will continue to smite you. However, because I am generous, may you rest in peace.

2008 Pittsburgh Pirates: 16 years of continuous futility? Forget a proper burial, you suck. May your rotting corpse end up in the belly of the Sarlacc, and may you find a new definition of pain and suffering as you are slowly digested over a thousand years.

Talking Rays At-Bat Music

Last year, I attended a focus group meeting for (then Devil) Rays fans at Tropicana Field and I voiced my opinion on one particular issue: I wanted to know what song was playing as each individual player stepped to the plate. I suggested that it would be a good idea if this information was broadcast somewhere on the scoreboard. As this year has progressed, and as I have gone to approximately 20 home games at Tropicana Field, I have again wondered the same thing I thought about last year: what songs were playing?

Although I have noticed a few titles and some singer/band info being displayed, especially during the last few weeks, thanks to the MLB Entertainment website (via DRays Bay), I finally have my answers.

A few notes on the Rays at-bat music info:

- The page lists Evan Longoria's music as Pantera's "I'm Broken". While that was his music after the all-star break, he began the season with Tantric's "Down and Out".

- Of all the songs in English, the one I can least understand is Willy Aybar's entrance music, T-Pain and Flo Rida's "Low". I think the song goes something like "the belly-saggin' jeans and Reebok-twirling shoes" and then "she got low, low, low, low, low". The rest I have no idea. This song makes me feel old. I saw kids no older than eight singing along to it, while I stood there baffled.

- I'm pretty sure Edwin Jackson's music is not "Track 12" by Unknown. I don't think a musical artist would go by the name "Unknown". Then again, maybe they do and I am just old.

- Also in the category of "people who changed songs during the season", I think Troy Percival began the season coming in to Audioslave's "Chocise" before settling on Godsmack. Usually Godsmack oozes confidence and bad-assness, but not when Percival takes the mound. I've never been more nervous during "Keep Away".

- I know B.J. Upton has come up to the plate to more than just Lil Wayne's "Lollipop", but I have no clue what his other songs were.

- How cool is it that two Rays come to the plate to Pantera, both the aforementioned Longoria and Eric Hinske, who after his first at-bat comes to the plate to "Walk"? Both "Walk" and "I'm Broken" sound kick-ass echoing through the stadium. I also think the PA guys crank those songs up a little louder than they do some of the rap songs. But maybe I am just biased.

- Hinske's opening tunes also remind me of an opportunity lost. Why didn't anyone form a group in the stands called "Hinske's Headbangers"?

- Speaking of fan groups, and time is not yet lost on this one, what about the "Longo-holics" for fans of Longoria? Count me in as the first Longoholic. I might have to start making t-shirts.