SB Nation User Blog: J.D.

Adieu

J.D. — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 02:38:59 -0000

Although the Rays dropped Al Lang's final game 6-3, that wasn't really important to me. I was obviously there to see the game and root for the Rays, but like most people there, it was really just to see a game at Al Lang one last time.

I suppose the best thing you could call the game today is bittersweet, as it's great the Rays are expanding their fan base south and possibly building a beautiful waterfront park on Al Lang's current property, but it's just hard for me to imagine that they won't be playing baseball on First Street anymore come springtime.

The place was packed, 30 minute lines for beers and hardly a slice of grass available on the berms, it was electric and a great send off for old Al Lang Field, and I hope that all of you that wanted to go were able to. Hit the jump for a couple pictures of the post-game barbeque.

Once More

J.D. — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:30:32 -0000

As you all know, tomorrow truly marks the end of an era with what will be the final game at legendary Al Lang Field. Named after St. Petersburg baseball grandfather Al Lang who helped begin the tradition of spring training baseball in St. Pete, countless teams have called Al Lang home, from the Philadelphia Nationals in 1916-1921, Boston Braves from 1922-1924, St. Louis Cardinals from 1938-1997, to Babe Ruth and the Yankees from 1925-1937 and finally the Rays from their inaugural 1998 year.

It's genuinely depressing to me to see this staple of Florida baseball come to an end, and I know some of you must have some great memories about the place I'd love to hear. I'll be attending tomorrow, so I'll probably make a post and possibly have some pictures to share.

See you at the game.

Townsend to the Pen

J.D. — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:25:30 -0000

Credit to Stacy Long

Injury-troubled pitcher Wade Townsend is moving to the bullpen, following an outing Wednesday where he was shelled for 6 runs in the eighth inning of a Double-A exhibition with the Yankees.

Townsend, the former 8th overall pick by the Rays in 2005 struggled through 21 starts at Single-A Columbus last year before he was sidelined by injuries a year after recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Murton Very Available

J.D. — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:12:31 -0000

Per the Chicago Sun-Times, Matt Murton is officially not a part of the Cubs' plans. Today Lou Piniella named Mike Fontenot as the final player on the five man bench, ruling out the possibility of Murton making the roster and going on to say that the Cubs will try to get him a spot on a major league team.

The Rays, being in the market for an outfielder, would be doing themselves a big favor by acquiring Murton. He flat out hits and gets on base, with a career line of .296/.365/.455, developing power and good speed on the bases. Matt was originally drafted in 2003 in the first round by the Red Sox, and saw himself dealt to the Cubs during the four-team blockbuster in 2003 which sent Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs and Orlando Cabrera to the Red Sox, among others.

Granted, the Rays were specifically looking for a switch-hitting center fielder, but I can't imagine that they could land one nearly as valuable as Murton.

Jonny Sounds Off

J.D. — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:42:50 -0000

Jonny Gomes, from Baseball America:

If I say I commit to winning, he's on my team for sure. I think everybody wearing a Tampa Bay hat and uniform wants that guy here. I don't think it's a good day on the players' end and for everybody in a uniform.

I don't necessarily disagree with Longoria's demotion, and I think the writing has been on the wall since before spring training started that he wasn't going to make the team -- remember when it was said that Longoria could bat .500 and still not make the squad? Yeah. Well, as you saw, Jonny Gomes isn't happy. I'd be interested to find out how many players on the club feel this way, as Gomes isn't the type to beat around the bush.

Price Leaves Game

J.D. — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:40:31 -0000

From tampabay.com

Top draft pick LHP David Price left a minor-league exhibition start Thursday after feeling some "discomfort" in his elbow and will see Dr. Koco Eaton in the next few days, but the Rays say they don't consider it anything serious.

First Kazmir, now Price with arm trouble? Shitske.

Also worth noting, ESPN reports the Blue Jays released Reed Johnson. He's been noted in the fishwraps as an option for the vacancy of Rocco's spot, we'll see.

Matt Garza wallpaper

J.D. — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:35:45 -0000

Threw together this wallpaper for R.J., thought I'd post it here too. Enjoy.

Discipline from Wednesday's Incident

J.D. — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:50:55 -0000

Jonny Gomes was hit with a two-game suspension and $2,000 fine today for charging Shelley Duncan from the outfield after Duncan went spikes up on Akinori Iwamura this past Wednesday, to be effective from the March 31 regular season opener. Duncan was given a three-game suspension as well as a fine of an undisclosed amount. Also handed a three-game suspension and fine was Melky Cabrera for punching Evan Longoria in the head after the benches cleared.

Also of note, Elliot Johnson, Jonny Gomes and Evan Longoria will make the trip to Lake Buena Vista to play the Braves on Saturday in lieu of the Yankees game, an effort by Maddon to cool things off between the clubs.

Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

J.D. — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:17:41 -0000

Per 620 WDAE, Rocco Baldelli has an unknown muscle disorder and will be placed on the DL indefinitely. Rocco visited doctors all over the country who performed a slew of "invasive" tests on him but couldn't trace the cause of his muscle fatigue, which is what is limiting his play -- according to Rocco, doing simple workouts would leave him exhausted. Ruled out with the tests were some very serious conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gherig's disease.

When asked about Rocco's upcoming option, Andrew Friedman said that as of now it looks like they won't pick it up unless something happens between now and that day.

Update(12:20):(Kevin Gengler) Per Lancaster:

Rocco Baldelli addressed his myserious medical problems for the first time today, saying a litany of tests by doctors around the country had revealed "some type of metabolic and/or mitochondrial abnormalities." Essentially, his body is not allowing his muscles to work as they should and made it all but impossible for him to sustain any kind of regular activity on the field for any length of time. He will open the season on the disabled list and it’s unclear when—or if—he might return, though he said he is not retiring.

Zobrist Out 4 Weeks, First Cuts

J.D. — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:25:59 -0000

Shortstop and potential utility man Ben Zobrist suffered a fractured left thumb in Sunday afternoon's game against the Reds, as it says in the post title he'll be back in a month. This improves former Yankees farmhand Andy Cannizaro's chances of making the club considerably to back up the middle infield.

Additionally, RHP Wade Davis, LHP Jake McGee and C Matt Spring were optioned to minor league camp with OF Fernando Perez, LHP James Houser and C John Jaso being optioned out.