Kazmir: Playoffs possible
The optimism was rampant as the Rays opened spring training on Friday.
Besides the new name, the new uniforms, the new players and the new attitudes, there are also new - and significantly loftier - goals, such as making the playoffs.
"What's possible? Play in October, that's possible,'' ace Scott Kazmir said. "That is possible. That's what I got out of Joe (Maddon) talking to us, and talking to all of my teammates, it's not something that's impossible. We have what it takes to win here.''
That might be a stretch for a team that finished a major-league worst 66-96 last season, but the optimism was widespread throughout the clubhouse.
"I think we made unbelievable improvement, dramatic improvement,'' said Kazmir, who spoke critically at the end of last season of the team's efforts to improve. "We addressed every issue that came up in the offseason.''
Follow Tampa Bay Rays baseball from spring training to the World Series with Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and the St. Petersburg Times sports staff. From Evan Longoria to B.J. Upton and James Shields, we're your source for Tampa Bay Rays scores and schedules.
Lets do it Scott! I now anoint you Mr.October!!!
Posted by: DannyD | February 17, 2008 at 09:28 AM
I love it! Let's quit all the stupid goals of just getting to .500. Setting a goal to be mediocre is no goal at all. Play in October! I will be seeing the Rays play at Yankee Stadium in April, and I will be yelling "Play in October!"
Posted by: Brian | February 16, 2008 at 05:56 PM
2008 Rays rock the Kazbar w/Special K the Kazmanian Kid thinking big b/c anything is possible, anything!
Got love it :-)))
Posted by: rayray | February 16, 2008 at 04:17 PM
ROCKN' WITH KAZMIR
Posted by: Jeff | February 16, 2008 at 08:18 AM
i'm excited about this year. i can't wait for us to teach the yanks and sox a lesson. i can't wait for DAVID to take down GOLIATH(s). LET'S DO IT! GO RAYS!!!!
Posted by: raysfan | February 16, 2008 at 02:43 AM
i hope we re-sign kazmir. he is optimistic about this team, so hopefully we can get him to re-sign for longer than shields did.
Posted by: Ryan Callahan | February 15, 2008 at 08:55 PM
4 yrs 44-45 mil is less than what the Mariners paid for Carlos Silva. Kaz is looking at something like 7 yrs 126-140 in a 2 more years. I'd love to see it, but you can't argue with him wanting market value.
Posted by: Tommy | February 15, 2008 at 05:44 PM
4 yrs 44-45 mil ASAP for Kaz please, 2 years of club options would be great too. Com'on Kaz, you know you wanna...
Posted by: Ryan S | February 15, 2008 at 04:49 PM