SB Nation User Blog: free hotdogs

my own personal torture

free hotdogs — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:45:06 -0000

So by some slight fate I was destined to live below a huge Red Sox fan. The floors in my apartment building are paper thin, so we can hear everything anybody does. He is an older guy, and always, always on the phone. I can hear him as if he was standing next to me.The loss last night was tough to take, but I wasn't really that down about it because I knew the series was going back to St. Pete....so I headed off to bed to forget about it. But oh no.....this guy is on the phone ALL FUCKING NIGHT talking to people about the greatest comeback in sports history. I had to re-live that fucking game over and over again all night long. I could not fall asleep, he would not let me. That is torture....although I think I read on another post that one of the fans here lives across from Fenway? I think that pretty much takes the cake in torture. I can only imagine what a night that would have been.

But on the bright side, today is another day. I have said the same thing in other posts, but this Rays team has had to prove themselves are year long. This is no different. How many times have we heard "The Rays are over now, it's the Red Sox time." All year long we have heard this...so of course we will hear it the next 2 days. No surprise there. But this team has always come back, always gone out on top. More than anything I want to beat the Red Sox......I don't even want to think what it means, where it will take us afterward. Just beat the Red Sox. I want to beat the Red Sox in Game 6, and then tell them we want to play a Game 7, just so we can beat them again.

San Fran Rays Watch

free hotdogs — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:21:28 -0000

Hey Giants fans,

I am a Tampa Bay transplant to San Francisco, and was wondering of anybody wants to meet up to watch the Rays game. We are welcome to anybody on this bandwagon....and besides, the Giants are not so different from the Rays in their make-up, at least the Giants of the second half. Since I am new to the area, I don't really know a good bar to go to, so any suggestions are welcome. You can reach me at brian.choquette@gmail.com.

San Fran Rays Watch

free hotdogs — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:41:25 -0000

Hey guys,

I saw on my last post that there might be a few people in San Fran up for watching some Rays games. I am planning on trying to find a place to watch the game tonight.....or actually this afternoon as it were...so shoot me an email at brian.choquette@gmail.com if you want to meet up, or suggest a place. I did join the McCovey Chronicals today, but I can't leave a post until 24 hours later, so if anyone is a part of that blog and wants to put the word out, that would be great.

San Francisco Rays Fans?

free hotdogs — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:23:11 -0000

I recently moved out to San Francisco (I always call it the other Bay area, which seems to really annoy be here), and I know it's a long shot.....but if there any other fans around this site who live out here and want to get together at a bar or something and watch the game, I would be up for that. It's just not quite as much fun running around my apartment yelling with all my Rays gear on by myself.

Armegeddon a win tonight?

free hotdogs — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:55:44 -0000

Is it just me, or is the media's reaction to last night's game just a total blow-out agaisnt the Rays? I mean you read these stories about the how the Rays just completly melted down, and how the Trop was full of Red Sox fans and it wasn't even sold out. "Choke! Choke!" If you just read these articles, it seems like Armageddon over just one game. Already they forget we won 2 games in Boston just last week. But on no, it's now how much Boston owns Tampa Bay. The Rays haven't been playing their best ball of late....but still tied for 1st....in the AL East....and are now home after a very difficult road trip.

I know most of us are tired of hearing about the lack of attendence, and I guess I am just sick of it, and need to blow-off some steam. The attendence is what it is. Is it disapointing? Yes, of course, but it is much better then it ever has been. I will say that Stu seems to be taking it very well, and is being patient. I think he is right to say next season will be the real test. Some people are saying we don't deserve this team, I think that jumps the gun. The Rays have more fans in more places, buying more merch then ever, and that is a good start. Most of the teams that sell-out are usually teams that have been around for say, I don't know 100 years or so? Have a World Series ring or two or at least multiple pennents? Couple Hall-of-Famers? Teams that have a lot of tradition, something we don't have much of yet, but are gaining. My point is that it takes some time, the management is satisfied for the moment, so let's just enjoy the ride, and hopefully a taste of October baseball.

On a different note, I think Stu has done well in the promotionals at the Trop, but if I had one suggestion: Bring back College Dollar Beer Night. Heck, make it Dollar Beer night for Everybody. This used to take place on Friday night home games....but I say spread it to Saturdays as well, even all games against Boston and New York. It would really be lively then.

To the Division Title!

No bunt? Ever?

free hotdogs — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:08:51 -0000

Now I know this is the American League, and I know that nobody on the team can bunt....but how come Maddon never uses the bunt? I can't really question Joe on many things, he continually proves that he is a great, smart, and when he needs it, lucky manager, and I really can't think of a better person to run this team.....but if I had a complaint about today's game, it was that it could have been won with a bunt.

In the sixth down by a run, Hinske singles with nobody out, and Zobrist comes up. If you are not going to bunt Zobrist in that situation, when is a good time to ever do it? Earlier in the game Aki doubled, and CC came up. In this situation, I can see not bunting, but say you do, Carl has a good chance to beat it, and we have Aki at third for a sac fly.

I know these are unpopular, small ball, NL type tactics, but for a team that has solid pitching that keeps the team in the game, and an offense that comes and goes, it wouldn't hurt to manufacture some runs. If I am totally wrong, please don't hesitate to call me out. It would probably make me feel better knowing I am the crazy one.

P.S.- with the Rays in NYC, I prepare myself to enter the forbidden temple of Yankee Stadium with full Rays gear tomorrow night......wish me luck that I may come out alive and victorious.

To all the C.C. haters

free hotdogs — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:56:19 -0000

First off before anyone says anything, yes, I do have a man-crush on Carl Crawford. Let's just get that out there now. That being said, I really hate all you C.C. haters that have been ranting on him lately. There are two types of Rays fans: Those that dig Carl Crawford, and those that suck, and you know who you are (R.J.). Sure, he is having a down year offensively thus far, but he has made a highlight reel's worth of amazing catches in left field this year, therefore saving runs, saving the pitcher's arm, basically winning games single-glovedly. You all need to get behind this guy and give him a break, but instead you are just a bunch of what-have-you-done-for-me-latelys. After all, Carl has been there for us as a bit of sunshine during those terrible losing seasons. Who else was making sliding catches, leading the league in stolen bases, hitting inside-the-parkers, stealing home, and having the most hits in August? He was the only shoulder we could cry on. The only flower blooming in our big pile of sh*t. And now that the Rays are winning and he is having a rough time, you abandon him in the woods like unwanted offspring. You should be ashamed of yourselves. You drag out these stats like, "His whatever/whatever is terrible", or "His OPS is blah-blah-blah." Well I don't need stats or numbers; I just listen to my gut. My gut tells me that I need to eat lunch, but it also tells me that when C.C. gets back from his suspension, he is going to be on fire at the plate. Not only that, but he needs to bat third in the line-up. I will give you one stat, for that is about as ambitious as I am feeling: on Monday night when C.C. hit third for the first time this year he had 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. I rest my case. I know R.J. will say "He does not like to hit third", but you know what? The guy likes to hit third. You have seen A Ray of New Hope and The Red Sox Empire Strikes Back, now get ready for Return of the Carl Crawford! Thanks for your time

Change batting order?

free hotdogs — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:16:37 -0000

I know it is probably best not to fix something if it's not broken, the Rays are winning in bunches after all, but do you think there is a need to switch up the batting order a little...or a lot? The offense is sputtering a bit, so maybe a change is not so bad. My biggest issue is all those lefties together at the top of the order. What would you, as the monday-morning-manager do? Here is mine:

1. Akinori Iwamura- I think right now at least, the best lead-off man we have

2. Evan Longoria- a lot of rookies seem to have success at this slot

3. Carl Crawford- good AVG with RISP

4. B.J. Upton-good AVG with RISP

5. Carlos Pena- needs a change

6. Cliff Floyd/ Willy Aybar/ Eric Hinske

7. Dioner Navarro/ Shawn Riggans

8. Gabe Gross/Jonny Gomes

9. Jason Bartlett