I know we typically frown on ranting on this board, but I think I reached my tipping point.

Firstly with the good. Evan was/is my favorite player (BJ is #2, but I don’t think he really plays anymore). I just loved the way he played the game and his passion as well as his intensity. However this year was a bit different. His performance is fine, but not as good as we hoped. The main problem for me was that the way he played the game changed. Just like his quote prior to last nights game saying how this series vs the Red Sox was just like any other series and that they weren’t treating it differently. However Evan did something that turned his Langoria type 2009 into a Longoria. He bunted. I’m not a big fan of bunting, but I love the message and the attitude. It showed that deep down, in places Joe Maddon doesn’t allow the players to talk about, that Evan knew the importance of the game. That is the way Evan played last year. All out, every game. Keep that up.

Pena and BenZo are monsters. I wouldn’t be opposed to extending both of them. Pena for less years obviously.

What the heck happened to BJ Upton? Would Theo give us Ellsbury for Upton? Pretty please? God Ellsbury was a monster last night. He is arguably the worst “hitter” out of any ML starter I’ve ever seen. He isn’t nearly as bad offensively due to his speed and his eye. Speaking of his eye, he needs to realize robots aren’t behind the plate. BJ, umpires don’t call the book strike zone. Adapt. Back to his hitting. God is it awful. Would he be able to catch up to a baseball that was placed on a tee? Why does he feel the need to swing once the ball hits the catchers mitt? I don’t think hes suddenly lost all his talent to become Sandy Kazmir with the stick. So that leaves a few possibilities. The possible solutions in (). In fact the Rays should explore every one of these possible issues. BJ has too much talent to not cover every single potential problem. In no particular order:

1. His mechanics are screwed up (BenZos and MVBs hitting coach)
2. His shoulder is hurt (Dr. James Andrews)
3. His bat speed is too slow (#1, #2, + Victor Conti)
4. He has the Rick Ankiel mind disease (a shrink, a vacation, and a room full of aromatherapists)
5. He has eye problems (go see a freaking eye doctor)

Personally I think it is #1, #3, #4, but Andrew you should cover all the possibilities.

Attendance. What the hell Tampa Bay? This is the biggest series since the World Series and you don’t show up. How highly embarassing. St Pete does not deserve the team. Does Tampa? Does the area? I’m leaning towards no. This has been the most disappointing Rays season (due to expectations and major underperformance), but we are still pretty darn good. Way over .500 plus in the wild card hunt plus playing the team we were hunting. That is prime baseball time. If the area will only support the Rays when they are in 1st then the team should move. That was just a pitiful and sad showing. Tickets were really cheap. I got 2nd row in right field for 15 bucks (2 for 30). Why aren’t people showing up? I’m sure there is a bit of cannabalism with the concerts, but still. It is just embarassing. We live in the worst baseball market in America.

Sonny, go back to what you were doing last year. Pretty please.

Fire Joe Maddon. Seriously. I always thought he was bad, but most managers are poor so I didn’t want Maddon fired. It would have been tough to upgrade if we went the traditional route. However Maddon has proven to be one of the worst in the league. He is full of gimmicks, but is absolutely pitiful with game strategy. We could have won maybe 10 to 15 more games if our manager just did the correct move. Would we have won? Not all 15, but a handful. Three of our last four losses Maddon has had a major hand in. Ranging from the Niemann/Balfour/Granderson fiasco to the giant egg he laid last night. Lets talk about last night. Aki/BenZo instead of BenZo/Kapler. Mistake #1. That was fairly close, but the numbers clearly point to ben and gabe. Considering Aki’s error as well as his really slow turn on the double play……nice move. Oh lets throw multiple pitch outs when Andy is walking guys. You know the plan is to not allow Ellsbury to steal, but instead lets just let him walk to first. Nice move Joe. What about sending Sonny out for his last inning? That also was close, but the move again was to be yanked. Oh and the not pinch running for Navi in the 8th was a total brain fart. What are you thinking Joe? Throw in other things that a good, smart team would have done and we could have easily won (say pinch hitting for Upton).

I got more but I cant think now. All in all that was a total fail of a team effort last night.

Oh and I like the Kaz trade now.

Oh and Friedman….the major league playoffs are more important than the Durham playoffs. Can the Rays hang a banner for that champtionship? Would have been nice to pinch hit Joyce for Upton? Or perhaps allow Perez to run for Navi? Perhaps that’s why people don’t show up.