Tampa Bay Rays news and links: Jose Bautista signs with Atlanta as a third baseman

The Rays won a series yesterday, but the highlight play of the game wasn’t made on the field. Or maybe it was. The umpires decided that it was, and that that was a problem.

Jim Turvey was on the recap, and this is how he described the play:

With one out in the fifth, Faria allowed what appeared to be a home run off the bat of Renato Nunez. The ball was caught by a fan, but it was ruled a double (fan interference) on the field. The replays certainly looked like the ball would have cleared the fence with the fan touching it, but that decision wasn’t clear enough to overturn the call on the field. The fan also had the instant backup ball in his cargo pant pocket to throw back on the field while he kept the real one. I’d say he was smart if I hadn’t seen the hat he was wearing…

The surehanded fan respectfully disagreed with Jim.

Mr. McMahan also respectfully disagreed with the umpires (judge for yourself on the hat).

Rays Links

• Rays Radio had a good recap of the game, including audio from Johnny Field, Daniel Robertson (along with a clear listen to the clubhouse soundtrack), and others.

• Marc Topkin wrote about how the collection of Rays that just won that series is not made up of name-brand players, but is playing hard. There’s video of a postgame interview with Jacob Faria in there.
• Rays first base coach Rocco Baldelli will time the opposing pitcher to the plate, so as to help you steal second, and will also find your lost dog.
• Kevin Cash says not to worry about Chris Archer.

Other Worthwhile Links

• The Braves signed Jose Bautista to a minor league contract. To play third base.
• Shakeia Taylor continued her Fangraphs residency with an article on “The Underappreciated Legacy of Lary Doby.”
• Jon Roegele wrote about Tommy John surgery.
• The guys over at Five Thirty Eight examined how the strike zone changes in extra innings.
• Bryan Curtis wrote about the Denver Post sports section, and how after its acquisition by Alden Global Capital it’s become the poster child for the story of the death of local print journalism. A must read, if you care.