I didn’t post last Sunday because the weekend was spent moving my daughter Hannah to Tampa to live with Sarah, my daughter who is the proprietor of this site. Hectic weekend.

I left the east coast of central Florida and went to Tallahassee to pick up Hannah, her clothes, her bed, and whatever else was making its way to Tampa. Hannah and I went to dinner with Maggie, her boss, and our good friend, and Maggie’s boyfriend Bryan. Dinner conversation at the Outback was dosed liberally with baseball chatter. Maggie is a huge Yankee fan – well, she actually is more petite, but loves her Pinstripes. Bryan, who lives in the D.C. area, supports the hometown Nationals.

Saturday morning, Hannah and I headed southbound to Tampa on taking the leisurely route down U.S. 19, which hits every little unheard of town you can imagine. We passed through Waukeenah, Iddo, Eridu, and Cross City before having lunch at Bar-B-Q Bill’s in Chiefland. I love barbeque, and this fit the description. Less than 25 minutes, and we were back on the road, headed for Weeki Wachee and New Port Richey before taking the southeast turn to the metropolis of Tampa.

Sunday was moving day for Sarah and Hannah. Which meant, of course, numerous trips up and down the stairs of their complex. Derik, a friend of Sarah’s from Florida State helped out with the move as well as Hannah’s boyfriend Bishop. They have a great little place a few minutes walk from Bayshore Blvd., which is activity central, from the Gasparilla celebration to Joe Maddon biking, to everyone and their brother running, jogging, or walking.

And why do I speak of all this, when this is supposed to be about the Rays?
» Continue reading “Tampa Bay Rays: Family, Changes, And The Small Things And Places Along The Way”

-What real-deal rookies do I speak of? Jeremy Hellickson and Desmond Jennings, of course. They were each named to the 2011 Topps All-Star Rookie team. With the way their Major League careers have started, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in the MLB All-Star game sooner rather than later.

-Jim Holland, general manager of the Princeton Rays, Tampa Bay’s Rookie Affiliate, gave an interview to Rays Digest. It’s worth a read if you’d like to learn a little bit more about where some of our guys get their start in the Rays’ organization. If you’re the tweetin’ type, you can give the P Rays a follow on @PrincetonRays.

-Bullpen coach Bobby Ramos is the odd man out. He was the only coach who did not receive a deal for next year. Stan Boroski, who filled in for Ramos while he was sick for a good part of last season, will take over the ‘pen. Skipper Joe Maddon has one year left with the team and I am praaaaaying that he signs an extension.

-Speaking of the ‘pen….James Phillip Howell might be the odd man out of that group. DRaysBay takes a look at the recent disappointing years we’ve seen from JP. Please note: The graphic to the right represents how JP might feel about this. Watching Howell made me so nervous last season, I’m inclined to agree with DRaysBay.

One thing is certain: Walk-offs feel A LOT better when they happen at the Trop.  The Blue Jays needed 11 innings on Friday to beat the Rays 6-4 following John McDonald’s 2-run shot.  Jeremy Hellickson lasted 7 innings and allowed 6 hits and 3 runs with 6 strikeouts in the no-decision.  Hellboy was pretty solid, but he left a few pitches up in the strike zone.  The loss marked the first blown save of the season for Tampa Bay’s bullpen.

Final Score: Rays 4, Blue Jays 6 [Recap]

I hope Evan Longoria has scoped out some of Toronto’s restaurants because he may according to skipper Joe Maddon, Longo may owe the team a meal after delaying their charter flight on Thursday night.  The third baseman, who is still on the disabled list with a left oblique strain, left his passport at home.  [St. Petersburg Times]

Before Friday night’s game Johnny Damon revealed that he has a cracked bone in his left finger.  Looks like he’ll be the DH for a while. [St. Petersburg Times]

When will Felipe Lopez learn the Rays’ way?  With the trouble Tampa Bay has had in getting runners on the bases, you would think Lopez would know he needs to hustle down the first base line.  After showing a serious lack of effort last night, Lopez was lectured by Joe Maddon.  Lopez will not play today as punishment.  Lopez, who flung a bat at White Sox pitcher Chris Sale on April 9, better get his stuff together soon. [The Heater]

J.P. Howell began his rehab assignment in a Rays’ extended spring training game on Friday.  Howell threw 25 pitches over 1 1/3 innings against the Orioles.  He struck out four and allowed two hits and no runs.  Howell is scheduled to pitch in an extended spring training game against the Twins on Monday. [MLB.com]

The Rays take on the Jays at 1:07 p.m. today.  Southpaw David Price will be on the hill for Tampa Bay and righty Brandon Morrow will start for Toronto.

1. Sam Fuld (L) LF

1. Yunel Escobar (R) SS

Who knew that I would be this excited about being nearly .500?  I guess starting out 0-6 really changes your perspective.  The Rays moved to 8-9 on the season with Tuesday’s victory over the Chicago White Sox.

James Shields had his first “Big Game” of the year and worked the full nine innings.  Shields threw 105 pitches, 76 for strikes.

Because I know my dad is emotionally invested in Casey Kotchman’s success, I just have to include this video in which he tags Paul Konerko out at first.  Kotchman is currently batting .313.

Final Score: White Sox 1, Rays 2 [Box Score]

-James Shields talks about his complete game in this post-game video.

-Ya know who’s awesome? (Other than Sam Fuld.) This guy. Instead of burning his Manny Ramirez t-shirt, he made some low-budget improvements.  How very Raysian of him.  News of The Legend is now published by the New York Times.  On Monday, Fuld became the first Major League player to record two four-hit games.

-Evan Longoria brought a Rays jersey to a pediatric patient at TGH on Tuesday.  Cute photo here.

-JP Howell threw batting practice on Tuesday and seems very happy with his progress.  I preferred watching this interview with my eyes closed so I could focus on the good news and the joy in his voice instead of zeroing in on Howell’s excess hair.  I beg of you, shave.  And cut your hair while you’re at it.

-The Rays will show their support for the Tampa Bay Lightning this Thursday.  The Rays plan to wear Lightning gear when they head to Toronto for a series against the Blue Jays.  The Bolts are down to the Penguins 2-1 in the opening round of the playoffs and will play Game 4 tonight at the St. Pete Times Forum.  Game 5 is scheduled for to take place in Pittsburgh on Saturday.  For more about the Lightning, make sure you check out Sons of Andreychuk! [The Heater]

The Rays won their FIFTH straight game last night thanks to a 9th inning solo shot from Ben Zobrist (I just can’t call him Zorilla this early in the season) and a walk-off single from Johnny Damon.  And no, I did not bring out the Ben and Jerry’s.  However, I was having dinner during the final two innings. Maybe I just need to eat any time the Rays are down.  With the victory, Tampa Bay improves to 6-8 on the season.

Final Score: Twins 3, Rays 4 [Box Score]

I don’t feel the need to question Joe Maddon very often, but I certainly wasn’t the only one wondering why John Jaso didn’t bunt with BJ Upton on third and no outs in the 9th last night.  I’m just glad Johnny was there to make the non-bunt (nearly) a non-issue. Joe Rays Fan echoes my sentiments. [Rays Index]

For some reason BJ looked confused (maybe he didn’t expect to win five in a row) while rounding the bases following Damon’s hit. Check out Upton’s expression around the :07 mark in this video Damon’s walk-off single.

Damon-sans shoulder towel-speaks about his recent heroics here.  He has the game-winning RBI in each of the last 5 games.

JP Howell’s long road to recovery from left-shoulder surgery seems to be progressing well.  The 27-year-old southpaw threw live batting practice before Saturday’s game. After throwing 34 pitches Howell said, “Feels good to have a little juice going in your body.”  While I’m glad you’re feeling good, JP, perhaps using the word “juice” in any context following Manny’s retirement is not the best idea.  Also, that hirsute look that Joe Maddon encouraged earlier this season doesn’t really work for you.  That said, can’t wait to see you come back! [Rays Baseball]

So far, Evan Longoria’s rehab for a strained left oblique is going well.  Longo is eligible to come off the DL on Monday, but is not likely to return to the lineup for another week.  The All-Star third baseman received his 2010 Gold Award before Saturday’s game against Minnesota. [Tampa Tribune]

Jeremy Hellickson is set to start against the Twins today.  Hellboy faced Minnesota in his Major League debut and picked up the win after allowing two runs in seven innings of work. Here’s to continued success for Hellickson and a sweep for the Rays! [Rays Baseball]