Yanks' Girardi unhappy with Rays

Yankees manager Joe Girardi took exception to Rays infield prospect Elliot Johnson crashing into  catcher Francisco Cervelli in the ninth inning of Saturday's exhibition and said such tactics were "uncalled for" and inappropriate for spring training.
He also suggested manager Joe Maddon needs to tone down the Rays, citing Carl Crawford's collision Wednesday with Houston's catcher.
"I don't understand it,'' Girardi said. "I've always known that you don't do it. I know kids are playing aggressive and they're playing hard - that's how you want them to play - but maybe if it happens too much you should mention something.''
Maddon, though, had no problem with Johnson's play: "I loved the hardball right there. We're playing it hard, we're playing it right.''
Johnson said he was doing what he thought was the right thing in that situation: "I'm trying to show these guys what I can do. I'm just trying to score the run. That's my job. And looking back at it I'd have to say I'd probably do the same thing.''
Cervelli, the team's top catching prospect, sustained a fractured right wrist and was being treated at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Comments

[Chris]

I love it. All the bandwagon, loser Yankee fans are crying and whining now. Is this what we should expect from Girardi all season? I hope so- that would make the Yankees an even softer team and make them that much worse.

Don't like your boy getting run over? Then tell him not to block the plate. If the Yanks and Girardi want to play little league, then get the hell off the big diamond.

I hope we run someone over in every single game we play vs. the dirtbag, slime infested New York Yankees and their cockroach fans.

[Michael]

And by the way, to the person who said that if A-Rod had got our shortstop up high sliding into second base with his spickes, we would be complaining, first off, he TRIED to. On the radio broadcast, they said that he did. Second, it is a diffrent situation because A-Rod would be TRYING to hurt someone then. Elliot was just trying to score the same way as you do in the regular season, and it is a clean play then, so it is now. The only reason this is a big issue is that the little Tampa Bay Rays are beating up on the big, bad New Yor Yankees. Well, I am sorry to tell you this Yankees fans, and for that matter Red Sox fans, but your teams run of owning the division is about top come to an end, as it will be the Rays winning World Series in a season or two. This is the year we are fighting for a playoff spot. Maybe we come up short, maybe we make it. But what ever happens, 2009 will FOR SURE be the year that the Yanks and Sox are intimidated by the Rays. Oh and by the way, when the Rays scored at Legends Field, notice how loud the Rays fans were, and that the Yankees fans had to try,(unsucessfully), to drown out our cheers with their boos. Get used to that to, because the Trop isnt going to be your second home field anymore, it is ours!!!!

[Michael]

Kevin, just so you know, it might not be much, but you say that the Rays should climb out of last place just once before the Rays fans talk smack. Well considering that they Rays fisnished 4th a few years ago, I think that has already been done. And dont forget. Like 46 games into last season, the Rays were in second place in the division, with the Yankees third or 4th. It took injuries, and lack of depth to cause the Rays to fall apart. Even ESPN says that the Rays will be MUCH better than the Yankees in a season or two, and ESPN isnt usually complementary of Tampa teams.

[Joe Girardi Jr]

Daddy, why are you such wimp?

[Stankies]

Somewhere a 7 year old boy from New York is asking his father "What's the big deal? The Yankees haven't won my whole life. Why should I root for these guys?"

[Jason O.]

1) Just remember when the shoe is on the other foot sometime later this year: You started it.

2) Madden: Wears those cute glasses and wants to talk red wine? Gay or just metrosexual?

Add to #1 and #2 above: How's Kazmir's elbow? Regardless, you're still finishing in 5th place in the division.

[Clark]

This is nothing new. It's been baseball tradition for decades that the Yankees and their fans expect everything to go their way, and when something doesn't they cry like neglected infants. I guess it still catches people by surprise when an organization that constantly touts how much "class" they have shows absolutely no ability to deal with adversity, on or off the field.

[antisox]

ew, sox fan, get your ugly self out of here. no room 4 u.

[Sox fan]

The Yanks haven't done s*** in 7 years. But all they do is talk and talk and talk. And still nothing to show for it. If anyone in the AL East has a chance to take the strap from us, it's the Rays, not the Yanks. Nothing will make me happier than watching the Yanks try to stay out of the cellar the next five years.

[jason]

yeah you're right DEVIL rays fans...it does hurt to not win a world series in the last 7 seasons...does it hurt that a team that came into the league the same year as you already has a world championship? how bout the marlins having two? maybe the rockies going to the show this past year? i will be the first one to say you guys have great POTENTIAL...but its just that. you haven't done s*** and until they day you do, you have no room to talk. stop making excuses, man up to the fact your team is no where near the upper level of baseball's elite, and get ready for the number one pick in this years draft...again

[Hey YanksForever]

To answer your question, it feel GREAT knowing my team makes money off the Spankees. How does it feel knowing your team hasn't won a ring with the highest payroll in 7 years? How does it feel knowing your manager is the ONLY guy crying about the play at the plate? Even the guy who fractured his wrist said he didn't have a problem with the play. Girardi's old coach, the one and only Don Zimmer, said Girardi is out of line. Zimmer knows baseball. Girardi is a little baby boy crying to his mama.

[YanksForever]

I am laughing at these Devi Ray, excuse me, RAY fans trying to talk tough. Well the Devil Rays SHOULD be finally be good, they've had enough top draft picks over the years from being the DOORMAT of the entire major leagues. You also know darn well that if A-Rod took out your shortstop or second baseman, you'd be CRYING about it. Also, bang on Yankee Stadium all you want, we Yankee fans have a state-of-the art replacement coming next year. Who are the Devil Ray fans to talk tough anyway? The Yankees ARE baseball, and have been around for over 100 years. Your team has been around 10, and takes in those big revenue sharing and luxury taxes the Yankees pay. How does it feel knowing your team makes money off the Yankees. Johnson will also take one in the back if they meet in spring training again.

[signforhope]

Listen to a the "man" that has the respect of all who come in contact with him. Joe Girardi is not just a multiple World Series winner but a winner in life. Listen to what he has to say and you may learn something about both.

[Jeff]

ROCKN' WITH THE BIG JOHNSON

[RAYS COUNTRY]

let this be the year that the RAYS deliver a royal beatdown on the stankees and red sux. your fans will no longer be welcome in our stadiums, so stay the hell home. we are officially reclaiming our territory! THIS IS RAYS COUNTRY NOW!!!!!!!!! take your papelbons, a-rods, man-rams, ortizes, jeters, and giambis and SHOVE THAT. i smell SICK and i think it's manny's disgusting hair. keep that nonsense and those STDs to yourselves! the future is now and the future is the tampa bay rays. you bloated old guard can devour each other because the baseball world is better off without your stank. thanks. love, Tampa Bay Rays Nation.

[Brad]

This is not the year to mess with the Rays. Way to unite Rays fans.

We are giving this issue a ton of coverage at our Rays blog -- www.sportsindeed.com -- come check it out. We are fans and we write from the Rays fans perspective.

rays in '08

[Rebman]

Mr Jason, let's see. I believe New York has more people on the streets than the Tampa area has in double wides. If I am correct the Yankees didn't shine all to well against the Rays last year. I also believe your "heroes" haven't made the playoffs in quite some time with the HIGHEST payroll in the majors. Clemens was taking steroids WHILE he was a Yankee. Your relief corps needs just as much work as the RAYS so there is no comparison there. Steinbrenner (which one) lost total faith in arguably one of the best managers in the Majors in Torre so he puts in a former Yankee wasn't that great as a player. I wouldn't go shooting your mouth off since there are more teams now that are BETTER than the Yankees, including the Rays. YES, they are BETTER...position for position. I would put our starting rotation up against the Yankees rotation any day. The Rays outfield is much better than the Yankees. Rodiguez may be the better hit but his fielding is suspect. Every other position goes to the Rays. THIS IS A SHOUT TO ALL RAYS FANS...COME TO THE TROP WHEN WE PLAY THE YANKEES. LET'S DROWN OUT THOSE FAIR WEATHER BANDWAGONERS AND SHOW THEM WHAT RAYS COUNTRY IS ALL ABOUT. I've been a Rays fan from the beginning and I will be there. Let's pack the place

[Tony]

If this is ANY indication of how the Rays will play, this season will be very fun. Red Sox and Yankees...finally, welcome to RAYS COUNTRY!!!

[Cliff]

So, Francisco Cervelli can block the plate in an effort to show his stuff, but the runner isn't allowed to touch him? They are still playing professional baseball and they are trying to make the team. No one wants to see players get hurt, and no one said the play was dirty. It is unfortunate someone got hurt, but that is the risk of playing the game. I hope he heals fast and can get back in the game soon, but for Elliot Johnson to back-off on the blocked plate discredits his efforts, his team and the game. It wasn't his intent to hurt the other player. I wish Francisco Cervelli a speedy recovery.

[Mike]

Bandwagoner Yankee(and BO-tard)fans that have relocated to the bay are are the true scum of the earth. You call yourself fans but cannot support the local team. If you live here, you should support your LOCAL team. Don't like it? Then go the F back to NY or MA. Enjoy your sh**ty weather and you fat, ugly and pale women. Losers.

[Mike D]

Hey, wow. There really are Rays fans out there. As for the play, it's generally accepted among players that they're not going to cause each other damage as they prepare for the season. Johnson stepped over that line, but it wasn't intentional. These things happen and the Yankees will deal with it on the field at some future date. Move on.

[baseball]

gosh i'd love to see a-rod take a pair of spikes down his throat. arrogant d-bag. typical yankee; fits right at home there. oh wait -- except he blows chunx in the postseason!

[KingCarl]

How about ARod flashing his spikes while sliding into second on a flyout to the Rays centerfielder? I guess the Yankee fans would say that's just hustle, right?

[p.s. the trop sucks]

ok tampa RAYS fans. just don't go crying when your position players start getting plunked one by one. evan longoria, better watch your back. you never know when an erant inside pitch will find your arm.

[Ron]

Jason, let's evaluate your Yankee superiority predictions after the Rays kick Yankee butt over the next few years.

[raysfan]

never every be anywhere near the yankees in terms of how much they suck? oh thank god!! i KNOW the rays are better than that!

[jason]

a team that owns the 5th place spot in the AL east talking smack about how much better they are then the yankees...wow...tell you what, DEVIL rays fans...come out of your double wides in plant city and oldsmar every once in a while and actually go to a DEVIL rays game and maybe you guys wouldnt be the laughing stock of baseball...face it, you will never...NEVER...be anywhere near the yankees...

[ryan callahan]

its fans like keith that give yankee fans the bad persona that they have. take your dumb yankee a.s.s back to new york.

[raysfan]

keith, take your simple, average @$$ back to NY. we've got plenty of your weak kind down here already. our team is on the rise; yours is flatlining, bloated, and once again will underachieve this year.

[Mike Creyton]

Man Keith. You are a typical ignorant Yankees fan. Last Place? There is no publication anywhere that is picking the Rays to be in last place. In fact all the major national publications are picking the Rays to finish above .500 and in 3rd place this year. Baseball Prospecuts picked them to win 88 games and be in the Wild Card race. If you live in this beautiful area and are talking this way, you need to be exported like an illegal immigrant.

[DannyD]

You know the Yanks would do the same to us and say it was ok.Typical northern attitude,trying to cover up their loss.Steinbrenner,never wants to lose to the Rays.

[keith]

climb out of last place just once and you won't appear as foolish as you sound now.

[Ron]

Keith, if the game doesn't matter then the Yankees should tell their catcher not to block the plate. Who cares if the run scores? Since he was blocking the plate, he can get run into. Elliot did not want to hurt the catcher, but you Yankee fans want to intentionally hurt Elliot. Classy. By the way, please leave this area if you live here. This should be and will be Rays country.

[Dennis]

No one wants the injury, but I can't fault someone trying to make this team. I don't think the yankees or any else will be too interested in playing the Rays this year. I don't care for the yankees or any other team really and if they want to cry now, I am sure it will be worse later.

[Mike Creyton]

Hey Keith.

I flew up to NYC last year to see the Rays play the Yankees in Da Bronx. The Trop is much nicer than Yankee Stadium. Yankee Stadium is a leaky old dump like the rest of NYC.

And the Rays are moving to a new state of the art waterfront ball park anyway. But, it is hilarious for a Yankees fan to talk trash about the Trop. Those who live in glass houses....

[keith]

LOL -

the yankees draw more to their spring training games than the rays do to home games.

do you guys still have 3 for 1 tuesdays? hell, you can hear toilets flushing in that craphole when the rays are on TV.

you can call it a good play if you want, and it is. when the games count.

[Frank Jones]

Eliiot Johnson was demonstrating the punishment that any Yankee or Red Sox fan will be subjected to if they try to get in our faces this year at the Trop. The Rays are a feisty team and our fans are even more feisty. We are going to fight to defend our turg this year. Hopefully the Rays do a brass knuckles night at the Trop this year.

[keith]

if madden gets johnson an AB this coming wednesday, expect him to get sent to the ground by a fastball up and in.

message sent, you can expect a reply.

[jk]

Great play Elliott! That's the way baseball should be played, all out, spring training or playoffs, doesn’t matter. These are minor leaguers trying to earn roster spots or playing to advance to a higher classification. The fans in the seats paid their hard earned money for a ticket and deserve to see 100 percent effort on both sides. Keep up the good work Joe Maddon and the Rays. If crybaby Girardi doesn’t want a collision at the plate, he should tell his catchers not to block the plate and move away. I'm beginning to see why Red Sox fans hate the whining Yankees so much.

[Michael]

Theres no crying in baseball!! Well, unless you are Joe Girardi. I think it is GREAT that they are playing so hard. These wins may not matter, but you want to practice what you will be doing over the course of a season, and that is what the Rays are doing. Plus, These wins are going to build the confidence of the players. Go Rays. Cant wait for the Home opener. I will be there!!

[Old Team, same bad fans]

Yankees and Rays have the same amount of World Series titles this decade

[new name same bad team]

Blah blah blah. Finish above .500 before talking smack you silly Rays fans.

[ea]

Girardi is just a big P****. Like his owner Hank

[Terry]

Watch out Skankees, next time it may be Jeter or A-Rod the Rays go after.

[Joe]

What's Girardi worried about? He should just STFU. So a Yankee catching prospect was injured. Who cares. Big deal, with George's money he'll just go out and buy another catcher.

[saint bobby]

Now dadgummit Girardi, lay off Elliot. It ain't like he shot the president.

[raysfan]

HAHAHA! eat it up, girardi! wah, wah, wah! i guess you "expected" to win at home because you're the yankees. but sorry, you got upstaged by david price and the rays! who gives a rat's butt about your ninth-string no-name catcher? explain a-rod going into second with spikes, you bag of crap! i used to like you, now i just think you're a kiss@$$ for the steinbrenners and a weak loose cannon for a manager. let me guess -- you wouldn't open your gaping hole to spew nonsense if you had WON today, would you? get used to it, because the rays are going to step all over your face and crash into any catcher they want to. including your precious jorge posada! oh, we'll try not to break little jorge's freshly manicured nails in the process!!

oh and to "watch out": are you a yankee buttkisser too? find your sad way back to the yankee boards. we don't need you here. and the rays will definitely be prepared to get hit at the plate, because THAT IS PART OF THE GAME, numbskull!

[Julian]

You know when I saw that there were 19 comments on this thread I thought for sure at least half would be Yanks fans making the same tired jokes about the Rays. However, I was presently suprised to see the Rays fans out if full force supporting their team. Way to go!!!!

Go Rays!!!

Look out Joe just a sign of things to come! These Rays aren't going to roll over and die for you.

[Mike Creyton]

It was a perfectly clean play. It was a bang-bang play at the plate. Johnson was running full speed trying to score from 2nd. If the buy is blocking the plate that is what is going to happen.

Either way. This is OUR turf. Tampa is OUR town. And the Rays will role your sorry team from now on. This is a new day in Tampa Bay. Move to Arizona and get the heck out of our town during March.

[Mark]

Lighten up Joe. Not every team has an overpaid 25 man roster and a bunch of stiffs that show up for spring training. Some teams have players who are trying to make their team on hustle and grit.

Go Rays!!