If you didn't catch the E:60 Tampa Bay front office piece on ESPN the Magazine, here it is. The piece is a great interview with owner Stuart Sternberg and interviews with team Prez Matt Silverman and Rays GM Andrew Friedman.

While I was very skeptical of Stu and Co. in 2005, I have to say, "Great job gentlemen!

Today, it's good to be a Rays fan.

E:60- Ball Street - ESPN Video

or copy & paste:

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3554845

He gone!

After single handidly trying to wipe out another Rays win last night Manager Joe Maddon saw enough of Percival and of all people Jason Hammel came in to shut down the bases loaded no-out threat to preserve victory.

The two questions that will arise is will Percival be realeased or placed on the DL so he can save face? And, will Dan Wheeler be the new closer?

Everyone has seen enough of Percie and his heroin tough guy antics on the mound. It's time to focus on winning, the guy just hasn't got it anymore. Name him emeritus for the rest of the 2008 season and allow Troy some time in the dugout, just no more games.

Besides that, let's hope the Yanks have thrown in the towel and will allow the Rays a clean sweep in the Bronx to keep the Red Sox out of 1st. And if we have to kick some Yankee ass, as Smith Barney would say, "We earn it." That's just fine by me too..

It was the 1st inning, Navarro puts down a single digit between his legs and shakes his head NO. Did anyone else catch it? Jackson preceded to throw a slider on a fastball called. What's up with that you ask?

I bring this up because just after that happened the Bosox bats went dormant. Tampa Bay has caught onto the Red Sox cheating ways at home. In the 90's in Cleveland cameramen would flash a green light in the CF stands to signal a fastball. I am not saying that Boston may have been cheating by a cameraman picking up signs and signaling the pitches being thrown. I'm saying the damn cheaters  were doing it and the Rays caught them as they immediately changed their pitch calling signals.

Alls I gots to say is "CHEATERS" were busted. May the worst, whining, crying fans go straight to hell with the Football equivalent Bill Bellicek. May the Red Sox lose all their games the rest of the way out.

TWO WORDS:

FUCK BOSTON!   It's time to kick some Red Sox ASS!

It's more than apparent Troy Perciaval is going to cost this team more games than he will save. He reminds me of Al Reyes a season ag, started hot, turned to shit.

Release Percival, DFA him, just get rid of him. It's time to set this guy to pasture, he's pitiful at this point. Joe Maddon cannot continue sending this guy to the hill. He's done, goose is cooked, PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW!

Get rid of Perciaval NOW!

If you haven't caught any of the olympic baseball on the tube, here's your chance to watch it online. If you are a Verizon Fios subscriber as I am, you will enjoy the best of quality pictures.

Let me know what you think of watching this if anyone gets to watch the game. Me, I'm a baseball junkie and any baseball is good baseball. There are many inconsistancies or differences of watching this game fed from China compared to watching in the States.

Enjoy!   http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=bs1h-bj-sd07-081808-185002

With Joe Maddon calling for 4 against Josh Hamilton, he becomes only the 6th player in MLB history to be intentionally passed with the bases juiced.

With two outs in the 9th inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 28, 1998, Bonds became only the fifth player in baseball history to be given an intentional walk with the bases loaded. Nap Lajoie (1901), Del Bissonette (1928) and Bill Nicholson (1944) were three others in the 20th Century who received that rare honor; however Abner Dalrymple was the first to receive one in 1881.[31] Bonds finished 8th in the MVP voting.[32]

What was everyone else's reaction to the intentional pass. I was able to discuss this with a few Tribe mates who were in awe over Maddons decision. My take on everyone's opinion was from the movie Top Gun in which   Hollywood said to Maverick in their aerial simulation room , "gutsyiest move I've ever seen, man."

As for me watching the game, how did I feel and react? Last night I was biting at my lip, pacing in my recliner, and asking myself, what the hell is Joe doing? Here's what I found: Joe knows stats, Joe knows tendancies, Joe's not afraid to make the bazaar move of the season. This is Joe's team, he manages without fear or hesitation. After cursing the screen screaming, don't walk the winning run to the plate, Wheeler steps in K's Byrd, and I'm sitting back saying, good move Joe, good move.

Has anyone heard any word of this?

There is word here in the REAL Bay Area that the Giants just called up Minor League infielder Ryan Rohlinger as a possible precursor to a trade with the Rays.  Supposedly the deal would be Randy Winn and Rich Aurilia for prospects...not sure which those would be if it goes through.  Still not a done deal obviously...just some chirping going on.

And consider the following:

All teams have been scared away by Bonds' off the field baggage but I do think that if (BIG if!) Bonds shows he can still hit, he'd be worth a look.  He wouldn't cost any prospects and if he doesn't work out, you can always just cut him and the Rays would be no worse off than they are now.

The math is simple; if the Rays can lose four games less than the Red Sox over the next 40 games they will almost definitely win the American League East. Yet without Evan Longoria (for the next three weeks) and Carl Crawford can the Rays pull it off?

The math is moreso on the Rays side more than ever. Consider that if the Rays succumb to the Bosox and surrender the A.L. East, they are still almost a shoe in to win the Wild Card. At 25 games above the .500 mark the Rays could play the next 45 games with an 18 - 27 record and still sqeak out a wild card birth.

Assuming the White Sox or Twins win an avg. of 55% of their games the rest of the way (which they have done throughout the season), the best either Central team could do would be to finish tied with the Rays for the W.C.

It is more evident than ever that this Rays team will indeed make the playoffs one way or another.

TICKETS! GET YOUR PLAYOFF TICKETS!

According to the numbers the Tampa Bay Rays finish the season as A.L. Champs. Of course many things can change between now and early Oct. such as Jason Bartlett getting his fingered mangled by a heater or Shawn Riggans manning up and taking one in the chest for the team. Not to make light of the situation but Shawn will be fine, I've seen some devastating football hits to the upper thorax that would have killed the avg. man, but these are fine tuned athletes. Shawn most likely was winded and will have a softball size bruise in the morn'n.

Thank goodness for 15 yr old algebraic guru's. After analyzing the %'s of the Rays, Sox & Yanks, here's what sonny boy showed me as to the final standings of the A.L. East. I knew I reared a good'n:

Tampa Bay    95 - 67

Boston            92 - 70

NY Yanks       87 - 75

The tally was based on the Rays winning 73% of their home games and 45% of their road games. Based on the home / away schedule throughout the rest of the season the Rays will win 17 of their remaining 23 home games and win 13 of their 30 remaining road games. 30 more wins? That  I could live with.

The Red Sox actually win only 42% of their road games and are winning 68% of their home games. Boston's split thru the rest of the year will be winning 18 at home and 11 on the road or a total of 29 wins before years end.

The Yanks it would seem would have it the roughest but are 1 game over .500 on the road this season. Regardless, playing 30 road games in which they are basically 50% winners vs. 19 home games which they win 57% of the time makes one get the feeling the Yanks have a tough road to hoe. Out of the Yanks remaining 51 games, according to the % they will win 27 games before years end.

Congrads to Joe Madden, the team, Stuey, and Andie for a job well done.

If everyone here had one reliever to bring out of the pen to get an out, who would it be as of right now?

My post must be 75 words long so I must tell you a joke:

A man and a woman were driving down the road, arguing about
his deplorable infidelity when suddenly the woman reached
 over and sliced the man's penis off. Angrily, she tossed
it out the car window.
 Driving behind the couple was a man and his 6-year-old
 daughter. The little girl was chatting away at her father
 when all of a sudden the penis smacked their car windshield,
 stuck for a moment, then flew off.

 Surprised, the daughter asked her father, 'Daddy, what
 the heck was that?'
Shocked, but not wanting to expose his little girl to
anything sexual at such a young age, the father replied,
 'It....it was only a bug, Honey.'
 The daughter sat with a confused look on her face, and
after a moment  said..
 'Sure had a big dick, didn't it?'

Was the trade that sent one of the games most prolific performers out of Boston. I could care less that "Gutless" Andie was fearing what he may have traded away rather than what he would have gained by making a trade. Ramirez leaving Boston is like Jeter being traded from the Yanks or Puhjolz (sp) leaving the Cards.

The best move for the Rays was to have one of the best hitting players ever to suit up and play the game leave the A.L. East for L.A.    IMHO, Theo F'd up! You cannot replace Manny Ramirez, you cannot bring to the table what this cat does offensively. Ortiz will suck the rest of the year as he will not see another hittable pitch. I see the Red Sox not making the playoffs w/o their World Series MVP.

As Steve Phillips stated on ESPN, "this could have been handled in a different way." Manny was the curse buster as he is maybe the most clutch performer in the Major Leagues today. He's the real "Mr October."  Boston fans, management, and that idiot Peter Gammons were relentless in calling for his head rather than reconciliation. What a bunch of blowhards. To boot, Manny said in an interview as he was packing for L.A. "I'll be wearing a Cleveland Indians hat when I'm inducted into the Baseball H.O.F."

WTG Boston!  All I can say is   WOOHOO!

After checking the local news around the country it came to my attention that not only are the Tampa Bay Rays a hot commodity in the news, but this newsclip of DRaysbays own RJ Anderson has taken the Rays and Presidency to a new level.

I am in total shock that no one has found this news channel 3 live feed from yesterday. I did not realize people on this board had this type of hype and political clout.

Here's the news clip>>>www.News3Online.com

Good Luck RJ!!!!

I for one think the Rays need that extra player on the all star squad this year. Owning the best record in all of baseball gives a team that distinction.

I'v been voting my ass off and hope you all do to. Evan is leading in the A.S. voting as an e-mail jammed my in box from MLB.com yesterday evening saying he was leading.

I go to www.tampabayrays.com and just find the "vote now" link for Longoria. I believe it limits you to 25 votes, just keep voting til you can't vote no mo' and get to another e-mail address and vote some more.

Just like in the movie "Other People's Money" if you don't vote, he can't get voted in.

The company's not for sale,
Mr. Garfield.

  
                  
I don't want your company, Jorgy.

  
                  
I just want what
every other stockholder wants:

  
                  
- I wanna make money.
- You are making money, Mr. Garfield.

  
                  
You bought the stock at  30
It's now  38

  
                  
The stock is  at 38 because I'm buying it.

  
                  
I'm doing my part. Now you do yours.

THE GOOD:

A 46-31 record.     Winning on the road.    Evan Longoria pushing for R.O.Y. with outer limits HR's   Pena on his way back to the line up.  An oh so strong farm system.  Money to spend if a FA player is needed.   Not having Shawn Camp in the BP.    Players smiling in Tampa Bay.   As Drew Carey stated in 1995 when the Indians went on to go 100-44 in a strike shortened season, "we don't suck anymore."     Aki's sole error.     C.C.'s pluto shots last night.     Shields finding a way to win for the 1st time in 8 starts.      Dioneer Navarro? Bless you my son, I was down on the pudgeball coming into this season (you were too, no comments).     JP Howell, come on! Ditto for JP.   ME.    The possibility of a new stadium.   David Price (he will be a stud pitcher), so keep on keep'n on.     Kaz, he's just got filthy stuff!     The BP, (how many more games would the Devil Rays have won last season with this pen?).       Percival's closing games.    Rocco's health may be takinh a turn for the better.   Feel free to add more of you'd like.

THE BAD:

Boston is still in 1st place.     Yanks are on our heels!     Percies Hammy.    Reyes on the DL.     Joe Maddens glasses.     That's all I'll list. Life is good!

THE UGLY:

Need I say more? How'd ya like to wake up with a mug like that?      Whew!

Here's the scenario, You're the batter. you get to choose your poison. If the Rays do trade for C.C. Sabathia, there may (3) loaded guns you get to stare down the barrel of by years end.

 If I'm a hitter, it'd be just scarry!

Price should be getting his promotion sometime in August. While I feel he may benefit more by being used in the pen rather than starting, to imagine facing these three is just sick!

The Rays do need a theme (fight) song. My favorite of all time in Tampa Bay sports history was the Tampa Bay Rowdies theme. If you didn't like it, keep it to yourself, I did. That's what's important.

The Rowdies run here,

The Rowdies run there,

They kick the ball around.

The Rowdies run here,

The Rowdies run there,

Then they fall on the ground!

Oh, The Rowdies, The Rowdies,

The Rowdies aaa-are...

A kick in the grass!

===

When the Rowdies play soccer,

'tis a sight to behold.

You'll swear they be devils

with mag-i-cal toes!

You'll laugh!

You'll cheer!

You'll leap from your seat,

When they kick with their heads

instead of their feet!

(chorus)

I used google to find the actual music to the song but couldn't find it. If anyone can find it please email it to me, I'd appreciate it.

Now, a close 2nd if not my favorie theme song is the Bucs. Actually, we'll call it a tie as the Bucs song has the creativeness in cheering on us Bucs fans to throw our opponents in Tampa Bay. I can picture the Bears walking a plank off the skyway bridge. That RULZ!

Hey, hey, hey, we're the Buccaneers
Ho, ho, ho, we're the Buccaneers
Offense, defense, now we're here to say
Make the (Other Team Name) walk the plank
Throw 'em in Tampa Bay, hey

There was the song that went hey hey Tampa Bay, the Bucs are going to shine. I didn't care for that one so I didn't include it.

 The Rays need a good theme song. I'll let RJ come up with it since he's a musician.

 Bottom line:

 Fight songs are cool..........

After looking at what Cleveland Indians RP Masa Kobayashi goes through after games to recover, I'm happy to say I'm not a Japanese reliever.

Indians reliever Masa Kobayashi displays the fresh bruises that are a part of his regular training regimen following a recent treatment at Progressive Field. Kobayashi uses suction cups placed at strategic spots on his back and shoulders to help recover from relief outings. He says the treatments --- and the bruises --- do not hurt.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer..Link to article below...

Cleveland Indians Baseball News, Schedule, Photos, Players and Rumors - Cleveland.com

Coming Soon........

To a Ballpark Near You!

David Price

Height - 6'-5"

Weight - 235

Fastball - 100 MPH

It's time to start attending some of these games. It's approx. a 60 mile hike for my ass but if I'm going to be there Friday/ Sat. everyone here should be there too.

Time to start supporting these guys by showing up! There's an aura abound. Do you feel it?

Anyone got free Tix?

"Honey, I was just kidding"

--Scarface

Sonny & Carl are excelling on my fantasy league team. While Carl is a shoe in for fantasy points, insider info. on Andy let me add him as one of my SP's as my longshot. While Carl still hasn't caught fire, it is exciting to see Sonny pitching well.

As for the Rays..... I'll just bet Friedman would still like to be chatting with Mark Shapiro and  the Tribe about acquiring Cliff Lee in the Delmon Young discussions. Have you seen this guys stats?

                  W    L    E.R.A.   G   CG   SHO   IP's   H   R   ER   HR   HBP   BB   SO

Lee           4     0     0.28      4     1       1      31.2   11   2    1      0       0         2     29

All I can say is DAMN!