I want to thank everyone who took the time to allow me to ask them questions to build this article/blog :o).

Since the early 1900’s, baseball has been an important make-up of the Tampa Bay area. From being the spring training home to a long list of organizations throughout the years to finally seeing the inception of the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays to Major League Baseball, the territory has witnessed it all. The region has also seen many local boys mature in to gifted athletes, such as Wade Boggs, Tony LaRussa, Dwight Gooden and Tino Martinez, that have left their mark on the game and in the history books. Behind all of the milestones, championships, hoopla and pageantry, there stands a solid backbone that has helped breathe life in to the quiet beast—the fans. 

At a time when the country is giving thanks for independence by barbecuing with the family and watching fireworks, baseball fans—and more specifically—Rays fans, are celebrating the game they so passionately lose their voices over and name their children and pets after by fashioning rayhawks and ringing cowbells. For some, the lure of a hometown team is what has drawn them to Tropicana Field, while the others have relocated to the area for scholastic endeavors only to end up trading in old team allegiances in order to adopt the fiery Tampa bunch. 

Among the fan favorites is Matt Joyce—a 2011 American League All-Star who like Boggs, LaRussa and company, is a hometown hero. Joyce went from playing ball at Armwood High School in Seffner to attending Florida Southern College before getting drafted in the 12th round of the 2005 amateur draft. The Rays made a trade with the Detroit Tigers that sent Edwin Jackson north to acquire Joyce in December 2008. “Matt Joyce is my favorite because who doesn’t love the local guy who came to see games here himself, as a kid!” Jason Rhodes, a former University of South Florida student interjected. “It’s really cool to see someone from this area be that good and be where he is.”

Of coarse, behind every great player stands a phenomenal, and maybe sometimes un-bromidic, coaching figure. Being a fan of the Rays means throwing out the traditional composition and dynamic of a team and accepting the sometimes unorthodox ideas of the two time American League Manager of the year, Joe Maddon. Will Smith, a Valrico resident and recent college graduate admitted that he was initially drawn to the team by Maddon’s “unique management style.” Under Maddon’s reign, the Rays have become a team that sports writers and broadcasting personalities cannot stop talking about; the gladiator masks and themed trips also help. “You don’t need a lot of money, just good management and innovation,” Smith added.

As the story in Tampa Bay continues to write itself, no other chapter is more prevalent than that of game 162. As close to unanimous as a percentage can possibly be, Rays fans rank September 28, 2011 as the best day in team history based on pure excitement. In the last regular game of the 2011 season, the Tampa Bay Rays squared off against the New York Yankees in what is now chronicled as one of the most epic games in baseball history. The team’s post season fate relied heavily on beating the Bronx Bombers and having the Baltimore Orioles overtake the Boston Red Sox in order to secure the American League Wildcard. Early on in the game, the Yankees looked like they were going to snag the win and force the Rays to have a Wildcard showdown with Boston; Dan Johnson didn’t like the sound of that. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with two outs, Johnson lined a solo home run over the wall in right field to not only tie the game, but send it into extra innings. Katiecake, a native Californian who now resides in Brandon recalled, “I remember us all standing and being on the edge of our seats glancing [at the screen] every time there was a break in play to see the Red Sox score. Then my Mom calls me and I am screaming at her about Dan Johnson and the whole time she was trying to tell me that the Red Sox lost because there was a delay in the posting of scores so I am jumping up and down screaming the Red Sox lost and everyone was staring at me.” For the next few innings, fans sat on eggshells as they desperately pleaded with the baseball gods for a win. Like the ending to any good fairytale, there’s one miraculous moment that stands out above all else. For the Rays, this magic moment belonged to the face of the franchise—Evan Longoria. In the bottom of the twelfth inning Longoria slammed a ball over the left field wall off of Scott Proctor and just like that, the Tampa Bay Rays were headed to the post-season to face the Texas Rangers. “After Longo hit the walk off home run I was hugging people I didn’t even know. It was truly magical. Being there was the most amazing experience of my life,” said Will Eveland, a diehard fan who has followed the team since it’s first season in 1998.

Fans of opposing teams may not understand the bond Tampa Bay fans have with the game because of the team’s lack of history. “People try to play the history card all of the time, and I tell them they can just stop right there. If their argument as to why their team is better is because they have X years of history compared to the 14 that the Rays have, then I concede the argument. The Rays can’t compete on history; they compete on the field where it is much more important.” Scott Caruso, now a Boston, MA resident explained. The late nineties may be where the Rays started, and they may not have several retired numbers decorating the walls of the Trop, nor have they had the honor of hoisting a World Series championship pennant in the outfield, but what they do have is an immeasurable foundation that grows larger and stronger every season; they have great fans. “It is hard not to become a fan. The Rays are a truly amazing team to watch.  They have fun and it’s apparent which makes you want to be a part of it.” Katiecake concluded.

As the smell of smoke escapes the summer air, the road to the 2012 MLB All Star Game becomes more clear. Tune in July 10th to watch and support Fernando Rodney and David Price as they compete in Kansas City for the right of home-field advantage for the American League in the World Series. 

I’ve had people text me and twitter me asking me about what I think of the Rays right now. I’m not an analyst, but I can certainly give my opinion based on what I see and based on what the numbers are telling me.

The team is clearly hitting, which is a good thing. Last night they out hit the Jays (10 hits to 7 hits) but didn’t come up with a W. Again, against Boston they had 7 hits compared to Boston’s 4 hits on Monday. Sunday they had 13 hits vs Boston’s 8. So on and so forth. It’s great to get hits, that’s part of how you win. BUT, you need to be able to score as well. While the team is doing a good job with hitting, they aren’t scoring. From my perspective, the team needs to have better base running and to develop strings of hits rather than the pattern which they are following at the moment.

Now for the base running that I just mentioned. They currently have one of the lowest numbers in stolen bases—tied with about two other teams, and one other team having even fewer. Last night Pena tried to stretch his single into a double. He was out with time to spare after Bautista fired the ball in from right field. Other plays that I also remember from the past week include Joyce getting picked off at first and Keppinger rounding third with an attempt to steal home…. when he was suddenly caught monkey-in-the-middle style. 

It’s still the beginning of the season. I think the team has tremendous potential.

Game 162, September 2011. The comeback of all comebacks. Everything from the timing to the execution made the final game of the Tampa Bay Rays’ season magical. Legions of die-hard Tampa Bay fans had been standing up for several innings, holding their breath each time the players attempted to swing their bats. A faint mumble began spreading among the crowd. A moment later, the large screen at Tropicana Field lit up with the final score in the Baltimore Orioles vs Boston Red Sox game; the Red Sox lost! Once the entire crowd was in-the-loop, cheers began ringing off the rafters. If there is one thing that both a Yankees fan and a Rays fan have in common, it’s their mutual dislike for that wicked team from Boston. Seconds later, Evan Longoria hits one deep to left field…. it’s over the wall. The Rays came back to win the game. The Rays were going to the Post Season! Boston was out. Magic. It was magic! 

The 2012 season opener between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays picked up right where the 2011 regular season ended. The series was nothing short of amazing for baseball fans in the Tampa area. New York had their ace CC Sabathia up against Big Game James (Shields) slated for game 1. Both pitchers found themselves in trouble early. This could have been the potential game changer. If CC was on-point, that could have been the difference-maker for the Yankees. If Shields was on-point, that could have made the difference for the Rays. Carlos Pena has been a fan favorite in Tampa for years and the fans rightfully had high expectations for their beloved first baseman’s return. CC loaded the bases and like any other super hero, Pena fearlessly stepped up to the plate for his first appearance back and did the unthinkable—he hit a GRAND SLAM! The final score for game one was 7 to 6 - Rays.

Saturday and Sunday also saw the Rays swipe games two and three from the Yankees. Saturday’s score was 8-6 and on Sunday, Jeremy Hellickson showed the baseball world exactly why he was named the American League’s Rookie of the Year for 2011. Hellickson remained in the game for 8 2/3 innings. Maddon called in Rodney to get the final out, and just like that…. the Rays shut out the Yankees 3-0. Tampa’s bats were on fire which is a very promising sign for the club since it has been no secret that the team has struggled offensively in the past. 

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweeted a stat last night that I think speaks volumes: “Rays needed 63 innings to score 15 runs last season, have done it in 16 this year.”

If this ball club can stay on track, big things are going to happen for them. They have a solid rotation and arguably the best defense. All I know is that I am incredibly fortunate to have witnessed another great weekend of baseball magic at the Trop. Three games in and I have already had goosebumps, “OMG!” moments, and several jump-out-of-your-seat-shut-up-no-way occasions.