In 2008, it couldn't be done.  At some point or another the Red Sox were going to overtake them.  They had too much "veteran" leadership.  They "knew how to win."  But then a funny thing happened.

They never did.

In 2010, it couldn't be done.  At some point or another the Yankees were going to overtake them.  They had too much power.  Too many names.  They were the Yankees.  27 championships.  But then a funny thing happened.

They never did.

I still don't know which I loathe more...the Yankees or the ignorant national media.  I think I'll just flip a coin and say **ck 'em both.

Bottom line is the Rays have accomplished something even the Red Sox have never done:  Winning 2 AL East Division titles in three years.  The Rays faced the Red Sox best and won.  The Rays faced the Yankees best and won.

In 2011, it couldn't be done.  At some point or another, the Rays won't be able to stay with payrolls three or four times their size.  They've lost too many players.  You can't retool with that much lost.  You can't replace Crawford, Soriano, Pena.  It doesn't matter that one of them was injured in 2008 and another wasn't even on the team to help that stretch run. 

But then again, funny things can happen.

So to all the national media who would rather focus on attendance than talent, to all those who say a large wallet is better than smarts, to all those who want to say that the Rays can't compete next year, **ck you very much.  I will enjoy the Rays shove another pile of your BS down your throats.

Here's to the Rays in 2011.  Grab a shovel.