Finally some respect?.... Or do we care?

by RalphieTheRay on Aug 9, 2008 6:32 AM EDT Comment 6 comments

One week though August and only two teams have a larger lead than the Rays....

If it hasn't sunk in yet, we are one of the best teams in either league.

We compete in the toughest division in baseball... and certainly the most expensive and ESPN friendly.

Can we finish the job? September looks brutal, but we have arrived a few years early.... Have there ever been important games once the Bucs start? Well... There will be this year!

Can you believe it... some teams are now modeling themselves after Tampa Bay.... Wow?

We'll always be the Devil Rays to most people... that's fine with me.

After this fall and a few future September's and October's they'll learn the difference.

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I sure do

miss being called the Devil Rays AND our distinctive green colors as opposed to the worn out blue that EVERYONE uses

by Matt C on Aug 9, 2008 10:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I enjoy the more classic looking uni's

We actually look like a baseball team this season, and what do ya know? We’re also playing like one. I don’t miss the flashy two toned green uni’s at all. The only thing they were distictive of was losing 100 games every season.

by jacksontsmith on Aug 10, 2008 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hated the Green Uni's

There was too much Green when they were on the field at the Trop. Green turf, green walls, green uniforms. I cant say that I was thrilled with the redesign of the uni’s when they were unveiled. But I can say that they have grown on me as the season has gone on. I think that it is actually a by product of the team winning this year more than the uniform looking more traditional. I will say I did like them being called the Devil Rays though and was not supportive of calling them just the Rays. But winning baseball cures a lot. I can say they could call them the Tampa Bay anythings and I would support them. But winning helps everything.

by PewterPirate55 on Aug 10, 2008 8:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

NY Times

In Sunday’s Sports section today, there is a 2/3 page article headlined “Rays’ Maddon Puts Pieces Together” with a sub-headline “A Manager Quotes Camus and Acts Younger Than Players”. The byline is Alan Schwarz, an excellent writer and author of “The Numbers Game”, a history of the use of statistics in baseball.

The article is very complimentary both of Maddon and the team, including a large full length picture of Joe. Schwarz does not like the Trop (“a dreary dome that looks less like a ballpark than a sagging souffle.”) Otherwise the article lauds both the team and manager, focusing a great deal on his background and praise from various sources such as his own players and Scioscia, who calls him an “organizational builder”.

It is a worthwhile read and a certain sign that the Rays are increasingly respected.

by bobr on Aug 10, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the heads-up.

For anyone interested, here is a link:
Rays’ Maddon Puts Pieces Together

by RATW on Aug 10, 2008 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I enjoy the respect

But be prepared. Once the playoffs starts, the Rays will become everyone’s darling. It will be great for team merchandise sales. But it will also mask that most of the pundits lauding them had predicted their demise throughout the season.

by RayFanNY on Aug 11, 2008 12:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs