LaMar's words of praise

Former Rays GM Chuck LaMar shared his feelings with the Philadelphia Inquirer about the team's surge to the top, giving credit to the current team execs but also pointing out how much his regime left them to work with.

"I'm proud of what we left behind, both players and staff," he said. "In the last 10 or 15 years, you can't think of a better scenario for a new owner and GM to take over. The team had only one way to go - up - and they inherited a group of young players capable of doing it."

LaMar, who now works for the Phillies, also said that current executive VP Andrew Friedman - who replaced him - "should be landslide winner of the executive of the year award. They are doing something historic because of the moves he and the new owners have made."

Comments

[James]

You better be talking about your leaving behind 10 straight losing seasons Lamar cuz you're a joke. You didn't do anything to get these young players here except choose the #1 overall pick each year and it's kinda hard not to miss when you're choosing #1 overall buddy.

[Raymond The Rays Mascot]

Yes Sir, No Sir!

[Bill]

I agree. If you look at the current roster and why this team has turned around, it's because of the new owners......

[Kurt Thoreson]

LaMar said "If not wasn't for win/loss records, we are a first class organization. Of course he plays for a Philadelphia team, any Tampa Bay team's biggest nemisis

[Jeff]

Lamar is the reason, or one of them, that this organization was such a laughing stock. Let him stay in Philly.

[Mark]

The only reason we could only go up was b/c of LaMar. He should have gone a lot sooner then he did. All of his trades (except Kaz) and free agent signings sucked.

[Carl]

The Yes Sir, No Sir man strikes again! Please stop with the posting of LaMar comments about what he left behind. It makes me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

[cory]

he dumped our best players to save a buck year after year. the only guy that was worse for the organization was namoli.