Recap

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 6, 2008 4:24 PM EDT Comment 51 comments

I had some short rant about Scott Kazmir’s different approach this season, but thankfully Tommy Rancel covered it far better than I had.

This game featured every emotion possible. Initial anger and distaste for Upton’s benching that was followed by a gut punch leadoff homerun. From there the Rays would storm back only to fall behind until the 9^th inning.

Jason Bartlett, the most unlikely of designated hitters we’ll ever see, began the rally with a double that is perhaps the hardest hit ball of his Rays career. Eric Hinske would follow him up with another double that was just fair down the first base line. Gabe Gross stepped up and unleashed, sending a ball crashing into the right field scoreboard and placing the score at 7-7. Akinori Iwamura would reach on an infield single and Ben Zobrist would walk. Up stepped Carlos Pena, the guy who made game tying homeruns cool last season. With a quick stroke the ball ascended in an arch that would’ve made Eero Saarinen proud.

I think it’s safe to say all those bad feelings that could’ve possibly existed at the beginning of the afternoon are gone, just like that baseball, and just like a series defeat.

On to the west coast we go with four versus Seattle and make no mistake, despite their less than pretty record we’re going to be facing Felix Hernandez, stellar, and R.A Dickey, knuckleballing madman. A split is a very acceptable outcome, and a series win would be excellent.

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Winning with today's lineup is pretty huge

If they DFA Gross the Rays will be cursed. Might as well go back to “Devil” Rays.

by gatorman2k2 on Aug 6, 2008 4:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

YOU HEAR THAT CAT JEFF?

DRAYSBAY IS COMING FOR YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

by Sylar on Aug 6, 2008 4:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

R.A. Dickey

Sounds like the name of a country singer.

www.raysbb.com

Yes, we really do have fans.

by killa3312 on Aug 6, 2008 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 6, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rocco pitches for the Mariners?

by TallMatt on Aug 6, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

This.

"STP is me. He can do everything I can do." - R.J. Anderson

by P Brady on Aug 6, 2008 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yup that is where he has been the last year

longo=ROY. friedman=Executive of the year. Maddon=Manager of the year. Rays=WS champs 08! fiddler cat=best way to show your excitement middle name lamar=success, last name lamar=fail, sorry chuck! pause not!

by RaysOfHope on Aug 7, 2008 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's from Nashville, too.

J.K.L.

by acblue on Aug 6, 2008 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think we'll face Dickey

He pitched last night.

www.citadel-insurance.com

by SeanDubbs on Aug 6, 2008 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Four game series + Washburn pitching today.

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 6, 2008 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Additionally

Knuckleballers put little stress on their arms. They can pitch on short rest.

www.raysbb.com

Yes, we really do have fans.

by killa3312 on Aug 6, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dickey doesn't have a UCL anyways.

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 6, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

UCLs are overrated

www.raysbb.com

Yes, we really do have fans.

by killa3312 on Aug 6, 2008 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How bad could your first name be

that you decided to go with the initials R.A. preceding the last name Dickey? He had no chance at all when it came to other kids picking on him. “You R A Dickey” Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha

by rayweaver on Aug 6, 2008 4:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Robert Allen Dickey

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 6, 2008 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rob A. Dickey?

Not much better…

B Rad the Ray Fan
www.we-use-more-than-one-stat-here.com

by B Ray on Aug 6, 2008 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can I bitch about today's win?

Kaz’s sloppy outings are beginning to bother me, as were yet again an inability to get runs on lefties (other than the first inning), this team struggling to beat the Indians (again) and I’m still bent about that lame-ass Upton move. I like the outcome, but not the means, and I think the Rays got a lot more luck than usual to pull out a victory today.

On the plus side, Jesus Motherfucking Christ, Gabe Gross obliterated that ball.

by kericr on Aug 6, 2008 4:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bad processes today.

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 6, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can we please keep the JMFCs to the game thread?

RJ is not an elitist douchebag who hates scouting

by ttnorm on Aug 7, 2008 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Aug 7, 2008 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm serious about that

Nothing cool about crude

RJ is not an elitist douchebag who hates scouting

by ttnorm on Aug 7, 2008 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw a shirt at the park yesterday

It said ‘God’s last name is not Damnit’

I’m assuming it was meant to be serious. But found it’s implied message (that screaming damnit is A’ OK) humorous.

by GomesSweetGomes on Aug 7, 2008 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll leave the answer to this to the powers that be.

by kericr on Aug 7, 2008 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WOOHOO!

Rec’d for the Architecture reference!

Takin’ D3 this semester….yay.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Aug 6, 2008 4:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't want to thread jack but.

What are the origins of the fiddle cat? Can we please get a wiki page on it or something? I see it all the time and I know it is a celebration symbol. But I would like something difinitive on where and how it started and I would love to see the Rays pick it up and play it just once on the Jumbotron at the game.

by PewterPirate55 on Aug 6, 2008 4:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sylar posted it on here during the first LookoutLanding invasion and since it's been used for victories.

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 6, 2008 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The tale of the FiddleCat is a long and ultimately rewarding story....

He was born into poverty in post-World War I Fiddletown. Wrecked by mortar shells in the first battle of the Marne, Fiddletown was bereft of economy and most importantly, happyness. FiddleCat was a bright child, always looking at instruments through the local town’s music stores. It wasn’t until his parents sent him to boarding school in Vienna that he first heard American folk music. From then on, FiddleCat knew his destiny. He saved all spring working odd-jobs with SeizureMouse to buy a fiddle to play in the streets to bring back the happiness to Fiddletown. Once that fiddle was in his hands, nobody was stopping him. He even impressed the local talent scout who would eventually send him on his first American tour.

Thus, the FiddleCat is born, highlighting celebrations of happiness throughout modern American history.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Aug 6, 2008 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 11 recs

Rec'd.

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 6, 2008 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome...

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans

BELIEVE in 08!

by SRQman on Aug 6, 2008 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You brought a tear

To a fiddle fathers eye.

by Sylar on Aug 6, 2008 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I liked him more when he was about the music

His first album was the best, but then the fame and fortune got to his head…as did his addiction to catnip.

by GomesSweetGomes on Aug 6, 2008 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Turkey, Rye, ham, mayo, Olives, please

"STP is me. He can do everything I can do." - R.J. Anderson

by P Brady on Aug 6, 2008 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hold the spit?

by GomesSweetGomes on Aug 6, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bahn mi?

J.K.L.

by acblue on Aug 6, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Carlos Pena's OBP is .500 this month.

by Vin on Aug 6, 2008 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

.900+ OPS since the break.

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 6, 2008 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol that's only 1 stat!!11

he’s not blowing up yet if you only have 1 stat.

Go Nova

by dbroncos31 on Aug 7, 2008 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So.. to start the 9th I put in my Ipod to watch the final inning with some tunes...

When Gross was up it was “Put On” specifically Kanye’s verse when he hit it. Then with Carlos up it was “Hero” by Nas… after the HR it was “Award Tour”. My ipod knows the future..

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans

BELIEVE in 08!

by SRQman on Aug 6, 2008 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that ipod seems to be a rays fan

and also really nice timing lol

by RaysOfHope on Aug 7, 2008 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

THIS JUST IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edward Mujica is changing his name to Edward BOHICA

Do not think that what is hard for you to master is humanly impossible; but if a thing is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach.

by Orlando Rays on Aug 6, 2008 6:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A split is a ~~very acceptable outcome~~ missed opportunity, and a series win would be ~~excellent~~ likely.

I love you Luddy.

by JI on Aug 6, 2008 8:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dickey/Felix scare me.

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 6, 2008 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who wouldn't be afraid of Dickey?

Look at that face!

J.K.L.

by acblue on Aug 6, 2008 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

felix is the only one who scares me

i would only be afraid of RA Dickey if i meet him in a dark alley

by RaysOfHope on Aug 7, 2008 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gross is terrible. He's gotta go.

by RATW on Aug 6, 2008 9:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This game was an emotional rollercoster

I got there, was happy, content. The thundersticks weren’t that bad, we had plenty of room to move and relax. The Rays were winning, all was good. Then the group of kids behind us showed up. We had to move and our section filled up. The thudersticks are now in my ear and hitting me in the head, the Rays were losing. Frustration set in. I want the kids to go away, I want to kill the man who invented thundersticks and I want to go home.

Then the ninth inning happens! Pure Joy!

Much later I find out why Upton was benched…frustration again. Then I lock my keys in my car.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Aug 6, 2008 10:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs