Results tagged ‘ David Price ’
We May Never Know the True Exchange
I want to believe that the game of baseball doesn’t get itself caught up or snagged on those petty little things that can not only drag the integrity of the game down from all angles, but can sometime balloon out of control and eventually label a player or pitcher as “loose-lipped” or belligerent. I want to believe that baseball is above such drama, but with human interaction, anything is possible.
I personally think whatever was said between Home Plate Umpire Tom Hallion and Rays starter David Price on Sunday will ultimately come down to a “he said, they said” kind of scenario for the MLB disciplinarians. Now I’m not on either adversaries side here. I do feel that Hallion errored when he made a move in Price’s direction as the Rays ace was strolling towards the Rays dugout at the end of the 7th inning. With Hallion beginning the aggression by speaking with an already frustrated Price, even a sane and rational statement would have ignited Price and the Rays bench.
I expect the Umpires to have a sense of decorum which somehow was not evident in Hallion’s movements or comments even if it was more G-rated than the PG-13 opinion heard by Price and the Rays bench. What makes this volleying of comments between Price and Hallion especially dangerous is the fact Price is stating Hallion used a “no-no” adult phrase towards him after his last pitch of the 7th inning contest, and Hallion with a square-jaw is calling Price “a liar”. The fact the two parties even got into each other remote space after Price retired Dewayne Wise with a come-backer to end the inning then strolled to the Rays dugout was made worse by Hallion aggressive steps towards Price when decorum and tight-lips would have been advised by both sides.
You can see on the replay that they did bark back and forth a few times, and here is where the “he said,they said” come full circle. Price says Hallion snipped at him, “throw the ball over the f#@^&in’ plate”, while Hallion told a pool reporter after the game that he said, “just throw the ball”. Someone either heard extra words and vowels, or someone didn’t hear their own verbage in the exchange. Some say MLB should dig deeper into the fandango, but in all honesty, unless the conversation was caught by the Home Plate audio mic, it is every man’s words for themselves, even Hellickson’s commentary.
I wonder just what was heard by fellow Rays hurlers Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore who were barking like bulldogs towards Hallion and Hallion advised the Rays duo to stop the barrage, but Hallion decided Hellboy was the aggressor of the pair and immediately ejected Hellboy while Moore was given a reprieve. This type of exchange happens nightly upon a baseball diamond, but what set this situation into a total nuclear meltdown might just be the frustrations of Price overflowing at the wrong moment when Hallion decided he had to make his opinion known as well as a level of disrespect felt by Price’s peers who were camped out on the Rays dugout rail and got a front row seat to the entire exchange.
There is a huge danger here for Price to consider first and foremost. If he begins to show emotions, make ill-advised comments towards anyone in blue, his reputation with the Umpires and their previous strike calls when Price’s pitches just seem to nip the corners may fade away. No one wins in this exchange. Sure Price has been frustrated this April and maybe one certain word from Hallion, possibly the phrase “then get it over the plate” to Price might have set this all in motion, or just poked the already angry bear hidden within Price.
In the end the game of baseball is filled with high and low emotional moments when frustrations, excitement and even dismay can turn on a dime and take you from the top of the mountain to the darkest depths. In all honesty, both parties have fault here, but Price has more to lose in the long run than Hallion. Respect on the diamond is paramount especially for a pitcher who makes his living painting the corners of the strike zone. Let’s hope there are no repercussions from this for Price, and that Hallion get whats coming to him…..I think a 98 mph fastball somehow missed by a Ray catcher into Hallion’s thigh would make more than a few people smile…including me.
Could the Rise of Moore and Cobb Make Price Late July Trade Bait?
You have to think the recent deep valley that Tampa Bay Race ace David Price has found himself so far in April is an unfortunate blip in his otherwise stellar Rays career marks. That fact Price is still winless after his 5th start of the season has some wondering if Price might indeed have more to worry about in late July than how much water to give super pooch Astro.
With his recent slide backwards some chirps have been growing louder that Price could find himself on the opposite end of more than a few trade rumors come July, and possibly find himself throwing his late season starts in a National League park. Of course it is too early to fully dive deep into such a move, but with his recent struggles and the younger members of the Rays rotation posting wins and numbers that have the Rays Front Office giddy for the future, the proposed arbitration salary mark for Price might make him expendable a lot earlier than any of us truly imagined.
Because the Rays 4 and 5 starters Matt Moore and Alex Cobb have stepped up considerably during the time of Price’s unfortunate pitching streak and have miraculously contributed to 7 of the Rays total 10 victories. In all, the Rays starting staff has notched 9 of the Rays 10 wins, with Rays closer Fernando Rodney getting the other victory. But with Moore and Cobb escalating their game, it kind of makes Price a little bit of extra weight especially since he is projected to be the Rays highest paid pitcher EVER possibly this Winter.
I truly expect that sooner rather than later the Rays will swap Moore into the 3 slot currently held by free agent signee Roberto Hernandez, and I would not be surprised if the Rays might also have Cobb tag-along right behind Moore and possibly take over the 4 spot with Hernandez descending to the 5th spot in the rotation. This is nothing personal to Hernandez, it is the pure fact Moore and Cobb have adjusted and matured to the point they would be solid at the 3 or 4 slots in the rotation for the rest of the season.
Combine all of this with the success a few of the Rays top hurlers have had at Triple-A Durham, and you could see a considerably young explosion of talent rising up in September to claim attention and possible spot for 2014. Chris Archer who most thought might push possibly push Hernandez to the Bullpen this Spring has a healthy 3-1 record after 5 starts and has struck out 25 hitters. Jake Odorizzi might sport only a 1-0 record, but he also has sent 30 International League hitters back to the bench in his 25 innings.
It is not like I want to see or propose the Rays look for alternatives to Price come late July, but more and more the quick maturation process displayed already by Jeremy Hellickson, Moore and Cobb might hasten the Rays Front Office’s conversation to possibly find a suitor for Price who could possibly bring in a slew of great prospects, possibly a top catching prospect and maybe even a young Third Baseman currently at the High-A level who could mature in the Rays system and be a fit if and when Evan Longoria possibly becomes a Designated Hitter or possibly a First Baseman as he grows into the gray parts of his recent Rays “lifetime” deal.
This is hard to write and even fathom since Price is such a likeable guy and has been more than generous with his time on and off the field to the Rays Republic. But as we all know, sometimes you have to make adjustments, let go of real talent to bring your own club’s level of competition to a higher level and bring in the right pieces to run the machine for several seasons.
This scenario of Price possibly leaving the Rays earlier than anyone expected might have its origins in the pure fact the Rays young pitching talent has shown reason for the team to possibly even think the unthinkable and imagine this team without Price leading the rotation come August 1st. But sometimes when the talent level rises as high as it has in 2013, no one is guaranteed a spot on the 25-man roster, sometimes not even a proud and fan popular Ace.
Papa John’s Also Rewards Fans at Home for 10 K’s
It is one of those moments that everyone within Tropicana Field await with grand anticipation. Once the Tampa Bay Rays pitching staff get to that lucky number “7”, the assembled Rays Republic begins that count down towards double digits with an increased excitement an increased cheering decibel level and that awesome thrill of knowing that something amazing happens when the Rays Center field Strikeout sign clicks to “10”.
The moment has become symbolic and synonymous to illustrate both the Rays pitching staff’s strikeout proficiency as well as the benchmark for a free morsel of edible goodness that can only be redeemed when that numerical plateau is finally achieved. It seems like forever, or at least since the Blimpies Sub promotion hit the trash can, that Papa John’s has become a part of the Rays late inning fun with such honored events such as the 7th inning stretch, or watching that invisible arrow pierce the sky after a Fernando Rodney save.
So far during the Rays 2013 season this event has transpired only once back on April 5th against the Cleveland Indians when Rays starter Matt Moore combined with relievers Jake McGee, Brandon Gomes and Joel Peralta to post 11 K’s on the Centerfield lighted strikeout board.
The Rays 10- Strikeout Challenge has become a part of our Rays in-game culture, but all that is about to change a bit as everyone within the Rays Republic can now taste the joy and excitement, even from your own couch or comfy recliner. ow, even as you sit at home watching the game on television or your computer or even listening to the contest on the Rays Radio broadcast within Tampa Bay and select Central Florida market locations can also celebrate this feat both home or away with discounted munchies and cold beverages?
That’s right Rays Republic, no matter if you are at home, at the game or even on the move within select Tampa Bay and Central Florida you can benefit from the Rays striking out 10 opponents in a game. All you will have to do is either call or go online to PappaJohns.com submit your order for their tasty products and use the promo code: “RAYS” on your carry out or delivery order and you will get 50% off your total for that order. Of course you will have to use this special code online only the day
AFTER a 10-K game and this offer is not valid with other discounts or offers and is only available at participating Papa John’s locations.
So far this season the Rays actually hit that double-digit mark in 2 of their away games, both in Boston on Saturday, April 13th and Monday April 15th when the Rays pitching staff posted 12 and 11 strikeouts respectfully during their weekend series. That would have been 2 additional times we could have utilized this food offer to the extreme joy and excitement of our families and friends. So now whether home or away you can utilize this special offer the next day after the Rays pitching staff hit the double-digit mark in strikeouts.
I actually did not know of this new Rays promotion with their corporate sponsor Pappa John’s until I recently bought a pizza and chicken poppers from my local franchise here in Northwest St. Petersburg, Florida. There upon the hot and extremely fragrant cardboard pizza box was attached this new Rays strikeout special offer.
Some might say it is only a 50% discount on your entire order, but considering that could be a nice $15.00 windfall on a $30 usual order., but it is another small way you can bring the excitement of watching the Rays strikeout total elevate and get something fantastic even while not sitting within the tilted cap of the Trop. I know I’m hoping the Rays hurlers today post 10 K’s so I can use this special offer knowing that 10 strikeouts by the Rays can get more some great food and beverages as I sit at home hoping for another 10 K result.
Hellboy Adding Some Follicles to his Persona
We have all known him during his journey as a clean cut, mid-western farm guy with no real scuff or hardness to him. But if you looked closely at Tampa Bay Rays hurler Jeremy Hellickson during his start on Monday in Boston, there are a few changes a brewin’.
I mean we have all seen a few of these guys come into Spring Training a bit rough with Winter pelts upon their face, but this is the first time I have ever seen even the first stages of a ‘stache and possible goatee on Hellboy. It is not like this would ruin or change his image overnight if he did sprout some facial features, but with guys like Ryan Roberts, James Loney and even David Price sporting some impressive facial accessories, maybe it is just part of the maturation process for Hellickson.
I do not want to make a big thing out of it since I’m one of those guys who is mostly clean-cut 24/7 except to let my hair grown long at times just to prove it still grows up there and is not sent out for a cleaning every 30-days. Still, this could be a nice addition to the Hellboy motif with some sprouting hairs both above and below and besides that trademark tongue appearance that is so-Helly.
I know Hellickson is not bowing the peer pressure from those more follicle enhanced on the team, but it just shows another direction and avenue Hellickson could journey down before his career is all said and done. I mean the guy will never produce a hair-masterpiece like Josh Reddick, or even Duck Dynasty’s Jace or Willie, but having a little reminder front and center to people you are not 21 forever and that is a good thing.
I truly hope the goatee and “mustache come in with fullness and robust color and clarity for Hellboy as those high definition camera’s will play a bit of havoc with him until it is fully grown in and it develops it own style. Still, it is a quick reminder that Hellickson is maturing, finding his own way both on and off the mound and truly feels like “one of the guys”, especially now with the Rays all-follicle crew. I know Rays Bench Coach Dave Martinez must like the change since he sports a pretty mean beard and accessories himself.
“Mama Said There’ll be Days Like This”
I guess The Shirelles had it right when they said….”Momma said there’ll be days like this”. It is one of those thing that happen to every pitcher at some point in their season, a game just gets away from you and no matter what you do to adjust or stop the bleeding, something springs a leak again and all you can do is shake your head at “ what could or should have been”.
That the most honest and to the point reasoning I come to what transpired to Rays ace David Price and any other Rays hurler that took their tun on the Rays mound on Sunday. I mean usually one pitcher gets rattled a bit and someone comes in and reverses the course or stems the tide a bit, but for some reason Sunday it seems no matter if the Rays went left or right they had a obstacle in their way.
I’m just going to chalk this horrific outing all around to a pitcher who was on his game on Sunday and a team that was tired of being embarrassed and shut out by this Rays pitching staff. You know this type of game seems to get into some pitcher’s heads once thew runs and hit begin to fall they try and adjust a bit on their grip, location and then instead of good things happening, the bottom falls out of their game.
Sure this is not a typical Rays outing, especially from Price, but the reality is this type of games do happen over the course of the season even to a guy who has a Cy Young on his home mantle. Some times things do sideways and you can not recover, and that seemed to happen to Price, Kyle Farnsworth, Brandon Gomes and Fernando Rodney all seeing their appearances become small disasters while Jamie Wright and Cesar Ramos got out of their innings unscathed and not permitting any run damage.
But this outing will have raise a few questions, with maybe one or two about Price. I thought he was trying to utilize his off-speed stuff a bit too much when things got dicey, but I also do not have the benefit of the Indians pitching report and possibly they are a team that showed some glaring weak spots in the breaking pitch department in the first two shutout wins, but on Sunday seemed to be waiting for some pitches and just launching them skyward.
There will definitely be a few muffled voices within the stands and fan base as to if Fernando Rodney is going through that usual “dead arm” sequence that sometimes hows up in Spring Training now in his first few appearances of 2013. But even if Rodney is suffering a bit with his delivery, do no fret, this is not a resurfacing of the 2011 Rodney that seemed to lose control at will and defeated himself on the hill.
And the third pitcher that might warrant a few odd opinions is Farnsworth who also did not seem at all settled and loose on the mound Sunday and might have some lingering effect he is trying to play through or might reoccur if he throw the bullet a bit higher in velocity. This is someone who prides himself on his craft and right now Farnsworth doesn’t seem to have all the materials he usually has at his side to fluster and confuse hitters.
This is not to suggest the Rays greatest asset, their pitching staff has concerns. It is just the plain truth that Sunday when the Rays sent their best to the mound, sometimes things do not groove in the right order, follow the norm and the unexpected rises its head up and introduces itself to your team. Maybe there is more life wisdom to that Shirelles song than we want to admit to at times. “There’ll be days like this my mama said”.
Rays Opener Produced a Mixed Bag of Moments
Baseball defines itself by its unscripted single plays and moments that can easily decide victory or defeat. Where the crack of the bat meeting the ball can electrify a crowd, a defensive play that illustrates brilliance can boost your confidence for success, or a misplaced pitch left flat and lifeless can become a isolating factor in the contest.
These moments and more showed themselves vividly on Tuesday afternoon as the Tampa Bay Rays opened their 16th Major League baseball campaign against divisional rivals, the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays were riding a 2-game home opener winning streak and with a third win in a row could get Rays Manager Joe Maddon back to the .500 mark in his Rays tenure. Instead, the Rays showed us all the ways they have improved over the Winter, but also gave us a quick dose of reality that some things still need some fine tuning to succeed in 2013.
Rays ace David Price took the hill hoping to begin another trek towards a stellar season, but some crafty hitting and patience by the O’s hitters bore into the small holes of opportunity and had Price on the ropes early in this contest. Sure Oriole’s sluggers Adam Jones and Chris Davis had great starts to the 2013 season against Price, but C Matt Wieters seemed to be the biggest nemesis to Price on this day.
Not only did Wieters stake Baltimore to a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning, but his 13-pitch at bat in the top of the 3rd inning that ended up as a walk, which included 8 foul balls did load the bases for a potentially bad situation, but a Davis ground ball to Yunel Escobar began a nifty double play that ended the inning without any further incident. Wieters did have a secondary effect on Price that his long plate appearance did elevate Price’s pitch count and hastened his exit from the game after 6 innings.
Jake McGee then came on in the 7th inning and made a few pitch location mistakes. Jones made the first impression with a 2-RBI to deep left center to give the Orioles the lead again at 4-3. Misfortune again reared her ugly head for McGee in the inning after he intentionally walked Wieters and David blasted a 396-foot 3-run Home Run to right and posted the eventual runs needed to secure the O’s first win of the new season. McGee just never seemed comfortable out on the mound yesterday and might have thrown 18 strikes in his 25 pitch outing, but the Baltimore hitters made his exit swift after 2/3rds of an inning.
Mistakes happen in ballgames, that is par for the course. A pitch that stays flat or doesn’t break away from the plate is destined to be put into play and bad things can become the immediate result. Both Price and McGee had moments of flatness in this game and it cost both of them dearly with McGee getting the loss plus posting up a ballooned 67.50 early ERA. Both pitchers will find their grooves and make amends this season, but their small mistakes on this day definitely played into the Rays breaking their home opener streaks and taking Rays Manager Joe Maddon’s career home opening day mark to 3-5.
But there were also some moments in this contest that made you not only feel good inside, but built upon the confidence that a few pieces that falters at times in 2012 have been fixed and made great starts to building confidence on the field and in the stands. All around the field yesterday there were defensive plays and great moves on the base paths that showed this team again has that attitude that no game is decided until the 27th out. That kind of mentality will pay huge dividends down the road and even in this initial loss, we saw more than a few reasons to think our defensive debacle in 2012 has been rectified.
Evan Longoria definitely showed he is psyched for 2013 with 2-straight impressive defensive plays in the top of the 5th inning with the second play coming with a throw on his backside at third against the speedster Jones with his throw bouncing across the turf until James Loney secured it to end the inning. Sam Fuld who replaced Matt Joyce in left also made his presence known as well as Ryan Roberts who replaced Ben Zobrist at 2B when Zorilla went to RF and SS Yunel Escobar showed brilliance on the pivot providing a crucial 6-3 double play in the top of the 3rd to stop the O’s scoring chances.
From the Rays first hit of the season, a solo Home Run by Zobrist to RF, to Desmond Jennings RBI double in the 6th inning then scoring on a Sac Fly by Zorilla. Jennings again provided some needed magic beating out an infield single to the shortstop, then stealing his first base of the season in the bottom of the 7th inning putting him in great scoring position to secure the Rays 4th run of the game on a ground ball to 2B by Fuld in the bottom of the 8th inning. These plays show great glimmers of hope the Rays offensive woes from 2012 might have also vanished over the Winter as the Rays employed both long and short ball concepts during this first contest.
All in all it might have been a mixed bag of results for the Rays, but the team showed the type of hustle and strive for victory you need when in the course of a season a single win or loss could decide not only your fate. I know that might seem a bit fatal thinking a single loss can be so detrimental to a team, but in this high contested AL East, especially against a division rival who wants to improve on their 90+ win totals from 2012, a single loss can put you behind the 8-ball early on in the season.
Tuesday the Rays might have come out on the losing end of it all, but there were multiple bright spots to show this team’s improvement and 161 more chances to grab back this loss and get on with the grand scheme of things this season…which is securing another ticket to play deep into October.
Do not forget, this season is the 5th anniversary of the “Miracle of Baseball”, and that 2008 Rays campaign also started off with a opening day home loss to these same Orioles ( 9-6). And we all know how that season ended up…….Coincidence, I think not.
Nothing Like Opening Day….Nothing!
The emotions are beginning to scattering all kinds of grand thoughts around my brain almost to the point of round ball insanity as we edge closer and closer to the Rotunda doors swinging open at Tropicana Field and myself and a sell-out crowd of Rays Republicans wander towards our seats in anticipation of not only a great contest, but seeing our Rays again playing this grand game. I am afraid I might just explode with the bursts of excitement currently held captive in my chest. As each thump of my churning baseball heart beats as the seconds come off the clock in anticipation of the 3:10 start time when Rays ace David Price will send his first pitch of the season towards the plate.
Sure it has been 5 seasons since the Rays last shocked the baseball world, and we are again hoping to find another “Miracle” season in that back pants pocket of Rays Manager Joe Maddon. I’m thrilled with anticipation waiting for the usual Opening Day pomp and circumstance possibly making my head swim a bit as I get caught up in this emotional moment at might produce a tear or two that might slip towards my eyelid, but never make the light of day as I again see my Rays in their home whites and blues take their place along the First Base foul chalk line as each and everyone of them is introduced to the crowd and get the ovation they all rightfully deserve from this community. 
But Opening Day is also a rebirth of the baseball friendships that seem to hibernate from November to Opening Day as we went about our outside of baseball lives for that short span and again assemble to cheer, celebrate and rejoice that the game is back again. It will be the time to showcase and introductions of new people in our lives, a new hairstyle, or even just a renewal of our first love….baseball.
To stand there tall and proud as I become awash with fond memories of the Rays past 14 Home Openers and possible be swept away by the moment as those awesome past Opening Day scenes flood my brain and escalate the excitement to unforeseen levels as the adrenaline rushes through my body with each cheer and sound.
And maybe this afternoon will bring back the flooding of emotions from Opening Day 2009 when with a flurry of fire thrusting upwards towards the Teflon roof, and with that huge American flag being unfolded as the National Anthem is belted out with pure emotion and pride. As our local political leaders get their chance to possibly hit the mitt during those famous ceremonial First Pitches prior to the game. I truly can’t wait to see this year’s players standing at the Rotunda gates welcoming fans into the game which has been a long time Rays custom on Opening Day.
It will not be the new eye candy we see as we all flow into the stadium which has taken on a new persona and a new purpose in 2013 to again bust through the door and play deep into October again. The real beginning of the Rays 2013 journey will commence the moment we hear those two special words we have waited to hear spoken loud and proud since early October….Those words that define that baseball is again ready to become a part of our everyday lives and it will all begin when one lucky young Rays fan who will become the next generation of Rays fans says those immortal words:…..”Play Ball!”.Rays to Hold Second Tweet Up
If you are an avid Twitter fan and also have a passion for the Tampa Bay Rays, then you will be more than glad that the Rays have decided to resurrect a special night again at Tropicana Field just for the Rays Republic’s Twitter branch, or just those souls who love using their finger dexterity as well as enjoy a great baseball game. I hope the rest of the Rays Republic are as excited as I am that the Rays again embraced the social media segment of their fan base and again brought a LIVE Tweet in to Tropicana Field.
I’m personally as excited as watching a walk-off victory ( which happened during the Rays 1st tweet Up), complete game shutout or possibly seeing another Rays player hit for the cycle. Who wouldn’t be excited about sitting just above the Rays Bullpen area tweeting our fingers to the bone while cheering on our Rays both on the web, and in person.
Coming up on Tuesday, May 7th as the Rays take on their divisional rivals the Toronto Blue Jays, the Twitterverse will be completely congested again with Tweets and Photos from the Trop. It is truly fantastic that the Rays front office and their marketing department have again embraced the Rays huge social media presence and again provide a chance for the Rays Republic to take another stab at possibly trending not only in Tampa Bay, but possibly Worldwide.
That is what I’m hoping happens that the Rays Republic’s own Tweet Nation comes alive and provides a trending experience we can all be proud of. Even if we just hold that sacred spot for a minute, the work, hustle and bustle would be a complete success. So that is a goal within our reach, one we can touch or type, to provide a Rays moment Worldwide. I love the sound of that personally.
It is actually kind of ironic the Rays announced this recently as I was about to compose a blog posting asking them to again have just such an event during the upcoming season. I felt the first one back in 2011 went off without a hitch and the speech by guest speaker Emmy award winning CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) was entertaining and informative.
hiUnlike the 2011 Tweet Up, the May 7th contest will take place with a First Pitch at 7:10 pm and not in the afternoon. The early evening and night scheduling of this Tweet Up should help to boost the Rays chances of getting that trending acknowledgment as well as show the true size of the Rays Republic’s social media segment. There will be a future announcement possibly via Twitter about a Guest Speaker that will also be on-hand with us Tweeting the night away.
Just as the Rays did back in 2011, the team will furnish all participants who purchase tickets in the Rays Tweet Up special section a blue T-shirt sporting the event logo and your Twitter handle/name. On the evening of the event the Rays will distribute these shirts to the assembled masses, but you have to purchase your ticket by April 21, 2013 for you to have your shirt silk-screened and ready for the event. If you miss the deadline, you can still get a T-shirt, but it will have the @RaysBaseball handle on it instead of your own personal Twitter handle.
Also during this grand night of digital dexterity there will be drawings for autographed baseballs, game tickets and even a chance to possibly throw out the First Pitch that evening. I was a participant during the Rays first event that was held during an afternoon game and there was a great response and constant Tweets before, during and even after the game. I can attest to the fact that the Rays offer a great quality T-shirt, and you do have a chance to win prizes ( I won a Matt Joyce autographed baseball). I truly expect this second edition of the event to have even more rabid Rays fans using their fingers all game long, possibly even taking photos of other participants and driving up their follower base during this event.
I have already bought my seat (Sect 128), and hope to see a huge turnout from the Tweeter branch of the Rays Republic. I’m looking forward to see so many of the Twitter followers that gaze at the Tweets from @RaysRenegade or @TheRaysRenegade during the season and 365 days a year. I fully expect the event to sell-out as the Rays Twitterverse has expanded so much since our first event back in 2011. If you still need to purchase a ticket and get into this grand night of Tweeting and supporting the Rays, here is the Tweet Up At The Trop page on RaysBaseball.com ro secure your T-shirt and spot within the Rats Tweeters area for the contest.
Just as last time, any Tweet using the special event hashtag will have a chance to be displayed on the Rays Jumbotron during the Game and the entire group will be recognized by the Public Address announcer probably more than once that evening. This is one of those events where you can not only meet some of the people who pop up those funny and great Tweets during the year, but also a chance for you to bring in new followers, find possibly a few new friends to attend games with, and promote yourself and the Rays while watching a fantastic baseball game.
I got to warn you, I’ve gotten better since the last time at doing my Tweet in 140-characters or less…….See you there Rays Twitter Nation!
First Glimpse at Photos From Today’s 2013 Media Day
This is the day a lot of us wait for wondering who will smile, who will not, and who just might have the most character in front of the photo lens. When the Tampa Bay Rays take their Team Photos, you never know what will transpire and make itself to the Web. So I hit up a familiar website that usually posts these photos in nano-seconds and took 21 of the photos uploaded and presented them here for you to get a first glance/peek at before the final set is divulge.
As always most of the main characters within the Rays roster got their time in front of the lens, but a few of the Rays team photos did not make it into this first batch and probably will make their way onto the blogosphere some time soon, but I’m hoping they might show a bit more character and possibly a splash of that classic Rays humor we all know and love.
Of course Evan Longoria is not in this first set as he was motoring towards the St. Petersburg area to attend to a bit of baby business, but we know when his photo does surface, he will definitely have a grin from ear-to-ear as Papa Longo heads into the 2013 MLB season. But the 2013 edition of the Team Photos does look a bit tame compared to some of their previous Team Photos since the Rays moved their Spring Training complex 79 miles to the South in the hamlet of Port Charlotte, Florida
Out of this first batch of photos there are the usual pairings like Ben Zobrist, David Price and Rays Manager Joe Maddon that look more like a Glamor Shots shooting than a Team Photo. But the camera again this season seems to love some people while also doing a 180 shift on others to kind of dull their enthusiasm and excitement and make fun of others.Some times the worst thing to do in front of a camera lens is try and look too professional be too serious as the camera doesn’t have a brain and can then tend to make them look more demented or possibly deranged even before the first Grapefruit League contest.
This season the “Grumpy” awards might go to Rays SP Alex Cobb who looks serious, but also has that serial bean ball artist look much like Kyle Farnsworth’s every year photo.Interesting enough, minor league prospect SP Alex Colome might actually get the old moniker I stuck on his Uncle, ex-Rays RP Jesus “Smiley” since his photo looks more like a mug shot than a happy occasion. But that is what sets Team Photos apart.
Not all of them will be masterpieces or utter clusters, but it is the time of the season when you can definitely tell who is relaxed, who might need a long hug, or who should be tackled by Raymond and tickled to the point of a huge smile and giggle.
Still, I think Luke Scott might actually have a twin in the Rays Spring Clubhouse mounted right alongside his locker. Now if he dyed his mutton chops white they might actually look like the tusks of that wild boar currently residing with a Rays Spring starburst cap in the Clubhouse.
But it is still great to see most of the photos are relaxed, tranquil photos that definitely shows who is eager, who is relaxed and who the camera seems to love.
Rays newcomer James Loney seemed to have brought a bit of that old LA vibe with him into the photo day as he looks perfectly calm, cool and collected as the Rays head into their 2013 slate of Grapefruit contests in less than a few days.
Also within the first 21 photos released were SP Jeremy Hellickson, INF Sean Rodriguez, SS Hak-Ju Lee, Desmond Jennings and someone who might just make a player for a rotation slot this Spring, Roberto Hernandez. There will be more photos in the future, but this first crop of Rays Team Photos for 2013 definitely shows the vast polar realms of personalities on this Rays squad this Spring. Not matter what transpires, I can definitely see this team this Spring not being a bore…or is that boar?
Players and Fans Definitely Rocked the Trop at Fan Fest
I saw a member of the Tampa Bay Rays front office while doing my usual trading card route a few days before that Saturday’s Rays Fan Fest. He seemed really excited about the anticipated fan to player ratio at the multiple events held throughout the day, and believe me, the Rays not only delivered, but a few of their players such as INF Sean Rodriguez and P Chris Archer seemed to be everywhere.
All day long I heard stories of players going above and beyond. We all have heard of Archer inviting a young fan up to the Autograph tales and behind the Rays blue curtain to meet a few of his Rays friends in the “Blue Room”. It was stuff like this, plus the added touch of players reading to young fans, being open to fan’s questions and requests all day long that made a deep and lasting impression as to their investment in this region and this special fan base.
I did not hear a single story of a player turning down a fan, or refusing any request during this special Rays day that is a huge celebration of the season that is now upon us. Heck I think we all might even have gotten a glimpse at a possible Rays future draft pick as Toby Hall’s son stroked a HR out of the curtained off ballfield a few times from the left side of the plate.
I mean I even saw Rays P Jeff Niemann at one point basically depositing basketball over by the hoop carnival games like he was dropping a wad of paper into a wastebasket. And during all of this were a gaggle of screaming and excited kids, adults and a combination of the two relishing in this increased presence of the player this year. Over the past few years as the team has grown increasingly competitive some of the fold reverted a bit back into old habits of selective signings and photos with fans. On this day if they were able, photos were snapped and memories were imprinted forever thanks to their increased visibility.
Combine this breathe of fresh air from the Rays themselves with the over 25,000 fans who walked into the Rays Rotunda on Saturday, this region still craves baseball and made sure other in and around the MLB World knew there was a fan base in this community. Even with the huge turnout of fans to Tropicana Field for Fan Fest, it was overshadowed by the fact the team only drew over that 25,000 visitor threshold 17 times during the 2012 season.
Hopefully the recent blast in the media of supposed apathy and nonchalant attitudes towards the game have been erased at least until the regular season when the proof will be in the proverbial pudding if the fans will again flock to the Trop.
But this day was about the 2 lucky fans enshrined into the Rays/Pepsi Wall of Fame, the hundreds of scavenger hunters snapping pictures around the Trop in hopes of grabbing an Even Longoria signed bat for their collections. Everywhere you looked there were kids, parents and even long time fans walking, talking and making mostly positive comments about the days events. Baseball Hall of Fame member Peter Gammons visited Rays Manager Joe Maddon’s “Thanks-Mas” event prior to his own panel discussion making a few of those fans not only full of Maddon-induced food goodness, but also got to hear a baseball analyst’s take on the Rays and baseball.
Sure there were moments that made you scratch your noggin for a second like Rays INF/OF Shelley Duncan and Rodriguez as a pairing for the “Family Feud event. There were a few scattered “boo-birds” when Duncan was announced, but most have let the Spring incident of 2008 be finally put to rest. Still, it would have been interesting if Elliot Johnson was still here…pairing him with Duncan would have caught everyone’s ear. Still this season’s Fan Fest was amazing in the items up for sale in the Rays Garage Sale to the amount of MLBPA Alumni players participating in the Home Run Derby (won by O’s OF Mike Deveraux), to the huge table of past stars both of the Rays and other MLB vistas.
All in all the event might have been a bit reduced in total time we all spent within the confines of the tilted cap, but it was a day spent watching kids frolic in the batting cages, running the bases and getting a high-5 from Archer as they hit Home Plate. Matt Joyce also made a few more Rays fans as he stayed after his signing time was over and came to the side of the autograph stage and signed for a bit longer for fans who did not get a chance to get to him before his time was over.
Rays new Stud-du-Jour Wil Myers even made extra time for Rays fans who did not know him before his recent trade to the Rays and with Myers taking that extra moment, he sparked a few comments from people hoping he makes it to the MLB level some time in 2013. So now that the Rays Republic got a chance to see and meet a few of our new players to the Rays fold, and a few of the hungry and eager ones wanting a taste of the MLB life, it is now our time to show support for this team not only this Spring, but all the way until Game 162.
The Rays invest a lot of time and money in an event like this, and with 16 of them now in the books I can definitely say without any remorse that the 2013 edition definitely has set a new standard for future Rays Fan Fest’s. I made a tongue-in-cheek Tweet the other day about the whole Rays front office forming a Congo line today and each of them pat each other on the back for pulling off this grand event in style. I think it was Pepsi who sealed the emotions of the day as the Rays staff and players definitely “Rocked the Trop” on Saturday and I do not think anyone did not leave with a bit of Rays swag, autographs or maybe even a former players jersey tucked under their arm. The Trop definitely rocked a bit on Saturday, but I think we were all having too much fun to notice, which is a good thing.
Rays Renegade
Recent Comments