Tampa Bay Rays news and links: Memorial Day musings

Memorial Day is about celebrating and honoring those who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s about perspective: being able to realize one’s own and being able to see perspective in the world around us as a whole.

While it might seem callous to spin that into baseball talk, the sport of baseball and the U.S. Armed Forces have a long history together, one that baseball honors with special uniforms and an added attention on this holiday.

Perspective is a wonderful thing, it grounds us and humbles us in our brightest moments and raises us up and moves us along in our darkest hours.

For the Rays in 2019, perspective is a powerful tool. If, at the beginning of the season, you had offered the Rays a 31-19 record through 50 games—they would have snatched it up in a heartbeat. If you had offered them being between the Yankees and Red Sox in second place—they would have snatched it up in a heartbeat. If you would have offered them Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow as top five breakout candidates (albeit with Glasnow on the IL)—they would have snatched it up in a heartbeat.

Because the Rays have gone “just” 12-10 in May, while the Yankees have turned their zombie squad into a somehow unbeatable force with a two-game lead in the division is annoying. But it’s far from the end of the world.

Take a little time today to put some perspective on everything in your life: the good, the bad, the ugly, and even the Rays.

Rays Links

• Rays may look to Dallas Keucgel to bolster their rotation, if the Yankees (or others) don’t strike first — The Keuchel/Kimbrel potential additions are arguably the biggest debate raging in Rays Land these days. Reiterate where you come down in the comments section.
• Rays say pushing back Tyler Glasnow return “not at all” a sign of trouble as they make room for Oliver Drake — This is good news... Again, perspective.
• Could the Rays expand Casey Sadler’s role to include The Bulk Guy? — Sadler has been awesome; I’m here for this idea.
• A year later, Tampa Bay Rays’ Ryne Stanek continues to shine in opening role — Forbes giving the Rays some love.
• Former Lousville star Brendan McKay on fast track to MLB — as a pitcher — How the Rays handle future promotions and how McKay’s bat progresses along with that is one of the more interesting stories the Rays minor leagues will see over the new couple years.
• Austin Meadows leads way as Rays beat Indians 6-3 — The dude is sporting a 186 wRC+ right now.

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