While looking at last year's roster for opening day, I can't help but sigh. So far this off season I have been as optimistic as the next Rays fan. But, this is the sobering truth; the rays will only have 12 of the original 25 guys returning from last year's opening day roster. So what? Right? Well, it was the guys on that starting roster that jump started the second best season in Rays history. So, those who are fans of visuals and who are too lazy to click on the link of last year's roster, please allow me to illustrate down below:

2010 Rays Roster

Catchers: Dioner Navarro, Kelly Shoppach

Infielders: Carlos Pena, Reid Brignac, Sean Rodriguez, Jason Bartlett, Evan Longoria, Willy Aybar

Outfielders: Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton, Ben Zobrist (vs RHP), Gabe Kapler

Designated Hitter: Pat Burrell

Starting Pitchers: James Shields, Matt Garza, Jeff Niemann, David Price, Wade Davis

Bullpen: Rafael Soriano, Grant Balfour, Dan Wheeler, Lance Cormier, Randy Choate, Andy Sonnanstine, Mike Ekstrom.

Let's take and early look at what we have to replace.

(Yes, I know it's early)

2011 Rays

Catchers: John Jaso, Kelly Shoppach

Infielders: Dan Johnson/ Leslie Anderson, Reid Brignac, Sean Rodriguez, Evan Longoria, Elliot Johnson

Outfielders: Desmond Jennings/ Justin Ruggiano/ Sam Fuld, B.J. Upton, Ben Zobrist (vs RHP), Matt Joyce

Designated Hitter: Anyone's Guess

Starting Pitchers: James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, Jeff Niemann, David Price, Wade Davis

Bullpen: Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Paralta, Jake McGee, Adam Russell, Cesar Cabral (Rule 5 Draftee)  Andy Sonnanstine, Mike Ekstrom.

So, I am looking for optimism. Why should I look forward to this upcoming season? Is this a rebuilding season? Let's talk about it.

For years I would rush home from work and head south bound on I-275 towards the concrete bubble known as Tropicana Field. I would park my car and purchase my "Beach" seat which would cost me $5 or less and head inside. After a few moments I was able to sit up in the front row of the left field seats where I got a great view of # 13, Carl Crawford. This was the way of it. Win or lose I knew I could always count on Carl Crawford to justify driving 40 minutes and fighting through evening rush hour traffic. For years I would marvel at just how good Crawford was going to be. For years I would predict Carl Crawford winning a gold glove or hoisting a World Series trophy. I was right about one of the two. So, now that the news of Carl Crawford leaving Tampa Bay for "greener" pastors of Boston have had almost 24 hours to sink in, I want to take a moment to reflect on the greatness of Carl Crawford.

Was Carl the greatest Rays of all time? For now, I think so. Who knows what will happen or what will be written 10 years from now. But, let's take a moment to look a the records that Crawford currently holds for the Rays and see who is the next closest active Ray who could possibly surpass Carl Crawford.

Per Baseball-Reference.com:

BOLD indicates the player is still with the team.

WAR Position Players

*As of 10:46pm on 12/09/10 Jason Bartlett was still on the Rays active roster.

Offensive WAR

Defensive WAR

Batting Average

Games Played

At Bats

Plate Appearances

Runs Scored

Hits

Total Bases

Doubles

Triples

Runs Batted In

Strikeouts

Singles

Sacrifice Hits

Sacrifice Flies

I will go out on a limb and say that it will a long time until we see someone break the stolen base record or triples record for the Rays. What about you draysbay? What will remember most about CC in a Rays uniform? What record do think will stand the test of time, if any? Is there a great moment that will stick out in your mind?

Last year I did several poll questions during the off season (here, here, and here). Near the end the thought was brought up to do a poll on the greatest moments in (Devil) Rays history. I want to see if we can construct a poll to illustrate the great moments of this franchise, thus far. What I want from you the reader is to give me a least 10 of your favorite moments and list them in the comments field. My goal was to have a least four moments from each year and we vote on the great moment from each of the respected years. What do you think? Good idea? Bad idea? Lame idea?  

Here is my 10:

1998 first pitch in franchise history.

2008: Aki forcing JD Drew out at second to clinch the 2008 AL Pennant.

2009: CC wins All-Star MVP.

2006: Triple Play in Kansas City.

2006: Seth McClung's shutout against the Cleveland Indians, spoiling their chances at playoff birth.

2010: Matt Garza's no-hitter.

2009: BJ's cycle.

2005: Nomo's 200th win.

1999: Wade Boggs hits his 3,000th hit.

2008: Evan Longoria's 2 HRs against the White Sox in the first ever playoff game in Rays history.

'my people we don't know defeat we crush the strong and
percolate the weak daily (everyday) we make our moves to
improve our groove because we love to rule where we
lay yo!..(Yo!) work and play we started at the bottom and
now we're leading the way and yea!..(yea!) i'm havin a fit kickin it
at the top because i'm too legit to quit...sang!..."- MC Hammer "Too Legit to Quit"  

 The Rays welcome a bottom-dwelling Kansas City Royals team who sport a 8-13 record and share of last place in the AL Central. The Royals limp into the Trop after losing two of three to the Seattle Mariners. The Rays look to build on a Rays record 16 April wins and start a new record in for wins in May.

In Search of Four-Play

Both Matt Garza and David Price try to go for their forth win of season. We take a look at other (Devil) Rays pitchers through out the years who were the first to win four. 

1998: Rolando Arroyo (4-2) , May 6th

1999: Bobby Witt (4-4), June 27th

2000: Albie Lopez (4-4), June 19th

2001: Tanyon Sturtz (4-7), July 12th

2002: Ryan Rupe (4-5), May 22nd

2003: Seth Mcclung (4-1), May 16th

2004: Victor Zambrano (4-5),  May 25

2005: Danys Baez (4-0), May 13th

2006: Scott Kazmir (4-2), May 5th

2007:James Shields (4-0), May 30th

2008: Andy Sonnastine (4-1),  April 30th

2009: Scott Kazmir (4-3), May 9th

 Probable Pitchers

Thu, Apr 29 Kansas City 7:10 PM Garza (3-1) Hochevar (2-0)
Fri, Apr 30 Kansas City 7:10 PM Niemann (1-0) Bannister (1-1)
Sat, May 1 Kansas City 6:10 PM Price (3-1) Davies (2-1)
Sun, May 2 Kansas City 1:40 PM Davis (2-1) Greinke (0-2)

All-Time Series: 56-42 

Blast from the Past

Today we take a look at August 8,2003. Back when George W. Bush was the President and the Buccaneers still mattered on a national scale. On this day the D-Rays topped the Royals in a shutout mastered by Geremi Gonzalez.

Friday, August 8, 2003 7:15PM, Tropicana Field
Attendance: 9,381, Time of Game: 2:32

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Royals          0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0    0  4  1
Devil Rays      2  0  0   0  0  1   0  1  X    4  9  1

Kansas City Royals

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2B: J Randa (18, off G Gonzalez). TB: J Randa 2; M Sweeney; A Guiel; R Ibanez. Team LOB: 7. With RISP: 0 for 3. Fielding DP: 2. C Beltran-D Relaford; A Berroa-D Relaford-K Harvey. E: K Harvey (8). Outfield Assists: C Beltran (R Baldelli at 1st base). Baserunning CS: R Ibanez (2, 2nd base by G Gonzalez/T Hall).

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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2B: A Huff (39, off K Appier); M Anderson (19, off G Lloyd). SH: J Lugo (3, off K Appier). IBB: A Huff (12, by D Carrasco). HBP: D Rolls (2, by D Carrasco). TB: M Anderson 3; A Huff 2; T Hall 2; J Lugo; R Baldelli; A Perez; T Lee. GIDP: T Hall (11). RBI: J Lugo (35); R Baldelli (58); A Huff (60); M Anderson (51). 2-out RBI: J Lugo. Team LOB: 9. With RISP: 3 for 11. Fielding DP: 1. T Hall-J Lugo. E: J Lugo (15).

Kansas City Royals

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Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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Balks: None. WP: K Appier (5). HBP: D Carrasco (5; D Rolls). IBB: D Carrasco (4; A Huff). Pickoffs: None.

So, Draysbay, I turn to you...

Ain't nothing gonna break my stride
Nobody's gonna slow me down
Oh no, I've got to keep on moving
Ain't nothing gonna break my stride
I'm running and I won't touch ground
Oh no, I've got to keep on moving

- Matt Wilder "Break my Stride"

The Rays need to keep moving forward. The Rays need to finish what has been a wonderful April (14-5) and start even better May. The Rays welcome the Oakland A's(12-8) to town for two game fracas. Oakland currently sits atop of the AL West with a 2 game lead over the LA Angels.

All-time Series: 41-72

Probable Pitchers

Tue, Apr 27 Oakland 7:10 PM Davis (1-1) Sheets (1-1)
Wed, Apr 28 Oakland 7:10 PM Shields (2-0) Braden (2-0)

Blast from the Past

Today, we take a look at May 25, 2005 where the Devil Rays would put a 10 spot against the visiting Athletics. This was game Damon Hollins hit 5 home run and Travis Phelps chimed in with second homer in as many nights.

Wednesday, May 25, 2005 7:16PM, Tropicana Field
Attendance: 8,785, Time of Game: 3:00

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Athletics       0  0  0   0  2  0   0  2  2    6  9  1
Devil Rays     10  2  0   0  1  0   0  1  X   14 15  3

Oakland Athletics

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2B: K Ginter (3, off J Switzer). TB: B Kielty 2; M Scutaro 2; M Kotsay 2; K Ginter 2; M Ellis; J Kendall. GIDP: E Chavez (4). RBI: M Scutaro 2 (12); K Ginter 2 (18); M Kotsay (22). 2-out RBI: M Scutaro 2. Team LOB: 11. With RISP: 4 for 14. Fielding DP: 2. M Scutaro-M Ellis-N Swisher; M Ellis-M Scutaro-N Swisher. E: E Chavez (8). Baserunning Pickoffs: M Kotsay (2nd base by S Kazmir).

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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2B: N Green (5, off B Reames); J Cantu (8, off J Blanton); J Lugo 2 (7, 1 off J Blanton, 1 off B Reames); T Lee (7, off J Blanton). 3B: C Crawford (3, off J Blanton). HR: J Phelps (4, off J Cruz; 8th inn, 0 on, 2 outs to LF); D Hollins (5, off B Reames; 1st inn, 0 on, 2 outs to LF); C Crawford (5, off B Reames; 1st inn, 2 on, 1 out to CF-RF). SF: N Green (1, off J Blanton); A Sanchez (1, off B Reames). HBP: J Cantu (2, by B Reames). TB: C Crawford 7; D Hollins 6; J Phelps 5; J Lugo 4; N Green 3; J Cantu 3; T Lee 2; A Sanchez. GIDP: A Sanchez (3); T Lee (2). RBI: C Crawford 3 (25); N Green 2 (12); A Sanchez 2 (8); J Lugo 2 (23); J Cantu 2 (20); D Hollins (12); T Lee (12); J Phelps (23). 2-out RBI: D Hollins; J Phelps; J Lugo; N Green. Team LOB: 4. With RISP: 8 for 12. Fielding DP: 1. N Green-J Lugo-T Lee. E: N Green (4); J Cantu 2 (6).

Oakland Athletics

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Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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J Switzer faced 4 batters in the 9th inning. Balks: None. WP: B Reames (1); S Kazmir (2). HBP: B Reames (1; J Cantu). IBB: None. Pickoffs: S Kazmir (2; M Kotsay, 2nd base).

So, Draysbay, I turn to you...

So, I went to a Canadian school once, I got straight ayes. 


Seriously folks the Rays come home to St. Pete sporting the best record in majors (12-4) and take on the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays come to town fronting a 9-7 record having taken two of three from the Kansas City Royals.

Series Probables

Fri, Apr 23 Toronto 7:10 PM Garza (3-0) Cecil (0-0)
Sat, Apr 24 Toronto 6:10 PM Niemann (1-0) Romero (1-0)
Sun, Apr 25 Toronto 1:40 PM Price (2-1) Morrow (1-1)

All-Time Series: 100-103
 

Blast from the Past

Today, we will take a look at April 6th 2007, where the Devil Rays scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th to take the home opener. Take a look at Brian Stokes not giving the game away, wow.

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Blue Jays       0  0  0   0  0  0   3  2  0    5  9  0
Devil Rays      0  1  1   0  1  0   0  0  3    6 12  0

Toronto Blue Jays

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Toronto Blue Jays

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

"It's great to be in the great state of Chicago."- former Vice-President Dan Quayle

Your Tampa Bay Rays are 10-3 moving down the map to the Windy City to take on the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox limp into the three-game set sporting a 4-9 record and having been swept away in a three game series against the Indians.  

Probable Starters

Tue, Apr 20 Tampa Bay 8:10 PM Danks (1-0) Price (2-0)
Wed, Apr 21 Tampa Bay 8:10 PM Buehrle (2-1) Davis (0-1)

Thu, Apr 22 Tampa Bay 8:10 PM Peavy (0-0) Shields (1-0)

Count to 10...

Here is a nice look at how long it took past (Devil) Rays teams to reach the 10 game win mark

1998: 16 games

1999: 17 games

2000: 27 games

2001: 32 games

2002: 35 games

2003: 24 games

2004: 33 games

2005: 28 games

2006: 23 games

2007: 23 games

2008: 21 games

2009: 24 games

2010: 13 games

Blast from the Past

Today we will take a look at 2002. Now, not a lot went right for the 2002 Devil Rays but they managed to beat the White Sox in Comiskey to the sound of 8-2 win with Tanyon Sturtze earning a complete game win. Take a look a the IBB to Toby Hall, wow.

Friday, August 23, 2002, Comiskey Park II
Attendance: 27,988, Time of Game: 2:40

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Devil Rays      0  1  0   2  0  2   2  0  1    8 12  2
White Sox       0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  2    2 11  1

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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2B: S Cox (25, off J Garland); T Hall (14, off A Osuna). HR: B Grieve (14, off J Garland; 2nd inn, 0 on, 2 outs to CF); T Hall (5, off J Garland; 4th inn, 1 on, 1 out to LF). SF: S Cox (5, off M Porzio). IBB: T Hall (2, by M Porzio). HBP: C Crawford (1, by M Ginter). TB: T Hall 7; B Grieve 6; S Cox 2; R Winn 2; J Sandberg; A Huff; C Crawford. GIDP: T Hall (9). RBI: T Hall 3 (31); B Grieve 3 (48); S Cox (65). 2-out RBI: B Grieve. Team LOB: 10. With RISP: 4 for 14. Fielding DP: 1. C Gomez-F Escalona-A Huff. E: B Grieve (3); T Sturtze ().

Chicago White Sox

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HR: J Liefer (4, off T Sturtze; 9th inn, 0 on, 0 outs to CF); J Crede (2, off T Sturtze; 9th inn, 0 on, 0 outs to LF). SH: A Rowand (7, off T Sturtze). TB: J Liefer 5; J Crede 4; A Rowand 2; W Harris 2; J Valentin 2; C Lee; M Johnson. GIDP: W Harris (2). RBI: J Crede (4); J Liefer (12). Team LOB: 10. With RISP: 0 for 10. Fielding DP: 1. W Harris-J Valentin-J Liefer. E: W Harris (3).

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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Chicago White Sox

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Balks: None. WP: None. HBP: M Ginter (1; C Crawford). IBB: M Porzio (1; T Hall). Pickoffs: None

All-Time Series: 38-56

. So, Draysbay, I turn to you. What do you think will happen when the Tampa Bay Blue take on the White Sox?

"Well, I don't know what I've been told, you never slow down, you never grow old.

I'm tired of screwin' up, tired goin' down, tired of myself, tired of this town.  " Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers "Last Dance with Mary Jane."

It's that's time again, the Rays take on the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park. The Rays come in with a 6-3 record having just swept the Baltimore Orioles, in Baltimore. Now, before we pound our chests and think that the Rays are walking on water please remember that the Rays could easily be 3-6. How grim would Draysbay be if the Rays were 3-6? If the Rays were 3-6 this three game series against the Red Sox would be almost a must win situation. But, lucky enough for our boys in Bay-Blue, they are sitting at 6-3 with a chance to pick up some important wins against a AL East foe.

Probabible Starters

Fri, Apr 16 Tampa Bay 7:10 PM Beckett (1-0) Davis (0-1)
Sat, Apr 17 Tampa Bay 7:10 PM Buchholz (1-0) Shields (0-0)
Sun, Apr 18 Tampa Bay 1:35 PM Lester (0-1) Garza (2-0)
Mon, Apr 19 Tampa Bay 11:05 AM Lackey (1-0) Niemann (0-0)

Blast from the Past

Today we will take a look at 1999 where the Rays beat the Red Sox 5-1. Two things to look at that I find interesting: 1, Fred McGriff stole second in this game. 2, Jose Canseco hit home run number 6 by April 18th.

Sunday, April 18, 1999 1:07PM, Fenway Park
Attendance: 27,589, Time of Game: 2:53

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Devil Rays      0  0  0   0  2  1   0  0  2    5  7  0
Red Sox         0  1  0   0  0  0   0  0  0    1  5  1

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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HR: B Smith (1, off B Rose; 9th inn, 1 on, 1 out to Deep RF Line); J Canseco (6, off P Rapp; 6th inn, 0 on, 0 outs to Deep LF); D Martinez (2, off P Rapp; 5th inn, 0 on, 0 outs to Deep RF Line). IBB: F McGriff (2, by B Rose). TB: B Smith 5; D Martinez 4; J Canseco 4; J Flaherty 2; D Lamb. RBI: B Smith 2 (2); J Canseco (9); D Martinez (11); D Lamb (1). Team LOB: 6. With RISP: 0 for 6. Fielding DP: 2. B Smith-M Cairo-F McGriff; M Cairo-D Lamb-F McGriff. Baserunning SB: F McGriff (1, 2nd base off B Rose/J Varitek).

Boston Red Sox

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2B: N Garciaparra (1, off B Witt); J Offerman (8, off B Witt). SF: J Frye (1, off B Witt). TB: N Garciaparra 3; J Offerman 2; D Buford; J Varitek. GIDP: J Offerman (1); M Stanley (2). RBI: J Frye (2). Team LOB: 6. With RISP: 0 for 6. Fielding E: J Valentin (3). Baserunning SB: N Garciaparra (1, 2nd base off B Witt/J Flaherty); D Buford (1, 2nd base off B Witt/J Flaherty).

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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Boston Red Sox

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Balks: None. WP: B Witt (1). HBP: None. IBB: B Rose (1; F McGriff). Pickoffs: None.

 All-Tme Series (look away): 86-128

 So, how do you feel about this upcoming series against the Boston Red Sox?

It's been a while, but I think I should bring back the "series preview poll."

A message to fellow rays fans: step off of your ledge. It's only 6 games into the season. The good news is, your Tampa Bay Rays are .500, middle of the pack, treading water. Let's take a quick look at where the rest of the (Devil) Rays teams stood after 6 games:

1998: 4-2

1999: 3-3

2000: 2-4

2001: 1-5

2002: 3-3

2003: 2-4

2004: 3-3

2005: 3-3

2006: 3-3

2007: 2-4

2008: 3-3

2009: 3-3

So, 3-3 and after 6 games has happened more then a few times throughout our short history. So, are you ready to fold up shop and give up on the 2010 season?

ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST BALTIMORE: 102-105

Looking Back:

Today we will look at Friday, May 15, 1998. The Devil Rays Beat the Orioles 4-1 in Baltimore.

Friday, May 15, 1998 7:08, Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Attendance: 47,421, Time of Game: 2:33

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Devil Rays      0  2  0   0  1  0   0  0  1    4  9  1
Orioles         0  0  0   0  0  1   0  0  0    1  6  0

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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2B: A Ledesma (3, off J Key). 3B: R Winn (1, off J Key); K Stocker (3, off J Key). HR: M Kelly (3, off N Charlton; 9th inn, 0 on, 0 outs). SF: Q McCracken (2, off J Key). SH: Q McCracken (4, off J Key). TB: M Kelly 5; R Winn 4; A Ledesma 3; K Stocker 3; W Boggs; M Cairo. GIDP: A Ledesma (2). RBI: M Cairo (12); K Stocker (12); Q McCracken (16); M Kelly (7). 2-out RBI: K Stocker; M Cairo. Team LOB: 4. With RISP: 1 for 5. Fielding DP: 2. M Cairo-K Stocker-F McGriff 2. E: A Ledesma (1).

Baltimore Orioles

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