Rays Win the Title For Best Clubhouse Parties

The Rays have clinched themselves a spot in the ALCS for the first time in team history, obviously, where they’ll take on the Red Sox. Now, there are many reasons to root for Tampa’s side in this emerging rivalry: The “Cinderella factor”; they’re batch of young, exciting, talented players; Grant Balfour’s anger; Red Sox fans are obnoxious enough to make you root for any team they’re playing, no matter what.

But for me, I’m rooting for these upstart Rays so I can see what they’ll introduce to their clubhouse party next. After clinching a spot in the playoffs, they drank beer out of a “male athletic supporter.” Last night, they took things to a new level, as they crushed a bottle of Patron (see photo above, plus bonus shot after the jump) on top of the always required bubbly and beer:

"We're pretty good celebrators," manager Joe Maddon said.

They went quickly through another 200 bottles of G.H. Mumm champagne (plus six bottles of high-end Cuvee R. Lalou 1998 for the brass), a dozen cases of beer and the now ritual shots, at Maddon's instigation, of Patron tequila.

The improvement they showed this season is evident here, too.

"Everyone gets a little better," pitcher Scott Kazmir said. "We're getting good at this now. We're starting to get better at unraveling champagne corks and everything."

"It took a little while to get the corks out the first time, now they're popping right off," Balfour said. "They say they get better and better, and that each one feels a little bit better. I can't imagine what the next two possibly could feel like."

I can’t imagine what their next two celebrations will be like either. But I’m hoping we get to find out. I think a 40-way beer bong and some keg stands are in order if they take down the Sox. Oh, and Jager. Every party needs some of the Black Death.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.