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An Ode to El Asesino

The difference between the 2007 bullpen and the 2008 one is clear with the placement of one player. In 2007 Al Reyes was looked upon, and acted like, a relief ace. Yet this year he's been pushed to the front of the expendable line and very well could be on his way out of town. When Reyes signed here on a minor league deal he was still recovering from an arm injury that would eventually cost him most of the 2006 season. Reyes had previously signed with the Rays in 2004 before being released, heading to St. Louis, and putting up back to back strong seasons as a set-up man.

When Al broke with the team in 2007 nobody was quite sure whether he would set-up or close, remember that's back when we thought Brian Stokes might be able to close out games. Yet in the second game of the season, with most of the Rays dressed in ninja-esqe face warmers and sleeves, Reyes entered the game in the 9th with a 7-6 lead to protect.

Josh Phelps would be first to face Reyes, and would face a 3-2 count before being retired on a foul tip strikeout. Hideki Matsui would come up and get ahead 3-1. He would foul off the next two pitches, and on the seventh pitch of the at-bat groundout to second. Finally Jorge Posdada came up.

A ball and a called strike were given to Posada and on the third pitch he would send an arching fly into right field. The camera angle was all but indicating we were heading for a tie, but then something happened. Delmon Young looked up, held his glove in the most awesome of ways, and with a collective sigh from the fan base watched as the ball nestled cozily into the padding.

That's how Al Reyes earned his first save, and that's how Al Reyes did a lot of his work. Not always flashy, or brief, but almost always getting the job done.

Thanks Al, and I have little doubt you will find another spot.

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I hope he finds another spot

because he was a solid reliever for us last year and a good guy.

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

BELIEVE in 08!

by SRQman on Aug 9, 2008 11:37 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Too bad for Reyes.. in the twilight of his career, to be part of a first place team for over 4 months only to be let go in the stretch run while being far from useless. Maybe one of the NL East teams will pick him up; they’re all dealing with injury and depth issues in the pen which is why guys like Brian Stokes, Ruddy Lugo and Les Walrond are back in the majors.

by RATW on Aug 9, 2008 12:23 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yes

They’ll have all 3 pieces, they can start building hotels.

by kericr on Aug 9, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Quick question: If Reyes passes through waivers (doubtful) and accepts a miner league assignment

Do we bring him back when the rosters expand?

Certainties in Life: Death, Taxes, and Gabe Gross coming through in the ninth

by JMB on Aug 9, 2008 1:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

*minor

yay spelling

Certainties in Life: Death, Taxes, and Gabe Gross coming through in the ninth

by JMB on Aug 9, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i would bring him back up

i would pitch him in situations that the rays have used jason hammel is being used right now, any one think that hammel will be used more often now that he has been successful as of late?

Longo=ROY. Friedman=Executive of the year. Maddon=Manager of the year. Rays=WS champs 08! fiddler cat=best way to show your excitement. BJ UPTON IS NOT LAZY! ! ! Gabe Gross=caption clutch.

by RaysOfHope on Aug 9, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That game in Toronto still gives me nightmares

Certainties in Life: Death, Taxes, and Gabe Gross coming through in the ninth

by JMB on Aug 9, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i was at that game at yankee stadium.

maybe the coldest i’ve ever been in my entire life.

by calmer than you are on Aug 9, 2008 3:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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