Rays plan to play Tuesday game

The Rays infielders and outfielders high five each other after their 6-4 win over the Angels.  [James Borchuck, Times]

The Rays say they are planning to play Tuesday's game as scheduled but could reverse that decision if weather conditions change.

"We will continue to monitor the storm and its progress,'' team president Matt Silverman said at around 7 p.m. "We will continue to consult with government agencies as well as the Angels and the league. If the storm continues its current track and the road conditions are safe we will play the game as currently planned.''

If plans change, the Rays would hope to make a decison by early Tuesday afternoon, Silverman said. If the game were to be canceled, there likely would be a doubleheader on Wednesday.

"At this point we expect (Tuesday's) game to be played unless the weather changes dramatically,'' Silverman said.

The Rays "take the lead" in the decision, Silverman said, but will be in consultation with government agencies and MLB officials.

"The safety of our players and of our fans comes first, and that's obviously one of the biggest factors,'' he said. "But it's a decision that we do consult with other bodies to make sure it works for all.''

Comments

[Brian]

ESPN can be frustrating, but for accuracy's sake, New York is not a part of New England.

[Dave]

I'm with ya 9equals8.com - that's why BJ needs to make this disappear. That way ESP - WESUK - N will focus on the low attendance at Tropicana. Even though the Marlins who have been in 1st place and are in a tight race themselves have never had an issue made by the losers at ESPN about attendance. The Rays attendance is up well over 4,000 per game. They always compare NY and Boston markets and this town will struggle to pull numbers like those polluted cites in NE.

[John]

That is a great photo.

"I believe I can fly..."

[9equals8.com]

I do have some suspicion that the publicity around this issue is an attempt by the national media to insert some controversy into the surging Rays season. New York/Boston/Other large markets and the media at large (despite the great story that is the Rays season) do not want to see the Rays in the World Series. This team is beating all the odds and an internal scuffle like this one could disrupt things. I'm not much of a conspiracy theorist, but does this issue really deserve first segment coverage on SportsCenter (especially after SC didn't even know that that Rays played in St. Pete until the All Star break). How much money does the media stand to lose if you end up with a Rays vs. Brewers or Rays vs. Diamond Backs World Series?

[9equals8.com]

Boos - point noted and perhaps you are right, but let's see if the fans will cheer him just as hard if/when he turns it around. My point is that a lot of folks on this board and elsewhere have written him off and want to see him gone. That is short-sighted as this is a very fixable problem and I believe Joe, Cliff, etc. are on top of it. Ego is the only thing that will keep this from being solved. Perhaps the fans gave him the kick in the pants he needed and I'll gladly admit it if I am wrong. I hope the fans will jump back on the bandwagon if BJ turns it around (my sincere hope because he's a potential stud!).

[dick]

If you read todays paper, Cliff said he would personally take this matter in his hands and has little doubt it will be the end of it. It was clear Upton was humiliated last night and the crowd deservedly let him know they didn't appreciate his effort. Perhaps that was all that was needed, getting the message from the fans that they don't like what they are seeing from him.

[Kyle]

Who photoshopped that picture? It shows BJ jumping as high as his teammates.

[BJ Upton]

hey guys, I just patented a new slogan so that I can play golf in late Sept instead of being burdoned with running hard

9-1 = 0

[boos]

9=8, what were they supposed to do? Cheer? Express no opinion at all? It was a ridiculous way to make an out, especially after getting benched twice in the last two weeks for not running hard. It isn't like they booed him before he did that. That play, when it happened, deserved a healthy collective boo. It just added to BJ's embarrassment, which is exactly what he needed.

[CharlieRay]

flsportsfan83 watch us blow BOS away in the Playoffs

[9equals8.com]

No excuses for BJ, but I see some pretty positive signs from him. Let's not give up on the guy. He's going to be a key part of the run at the World Series (defesively and offensively). Fans booing the guy at home is just dumb and doesn't accomplish anything positive. His bat is starting to heat up and was clearly trying to show everyone he's taking this seriously. Let's just sit tight for a couple of weeks and see how BJ settles in and not micro-analyze every single time he's on the bases.

[Bill]

Excellent. Now I can watch BJ walk some more around the bases.

[Jimbo]

Judging from past experience in Philly, Mark, your ticket is good for both games, and you can stay there the entire time for the price of one. I don't remember ever having to leave the Vet between games, so I assume the same would be applicable here.

However, there's no reason to worry about that, at least for now, since it's actually quite nice here in St. Pete today. Game on, and let's beat the Halos again! ALCS preview right here at the Trop!

[Mark]

In case they do have a day-night doubleheader on Wednesday, does anyone have any clue what the parking situation would be since this has happened only once before?

Say, if I were to attend the afternoon game, would I be allowed to remain in the parking lot with my car until I was able to go back into the stadium for the night game?

Does anyone know how it works for other teams who have had doubleheaders?

[BJ]

Poo on you all

[homeless man]

We were at the 7/21 Oak game. we yelled "LAZY" from the home side, while others yelled it from the home side. Obviously BJ is not smart enough or committed to playing for his team. If he did not have baseball skills he would be on food stamps.

[JeffC]

I think tonight's play will cause BJ to wake up. Just a gut feel on my part, but to get embarassed like that my another player, and then hear it from the crowd, has to send a signal.

Of course, only time will tell.

100% effort 100% of the time. If that's what we start getting from BJ he can be an elite player.

Maybe they can BJ for his brother. Or is that trading one problem for another. Some people really have learning difficulties, and it sure shows in BJ

[chux2]

Upton,
I guess the base running errors are not over. This was probably his worst gaffe yet. Too bad, because he is hitting very well.

[Jimbo]

Hey chux2, he's in Beijing being color commentator for the Olympics. He'll be back in a few weeks. Until then, Todd Kalas and (from what I heard) Rich Herrera would be filling in.

And I say damn the storm. We play in a dome for a reason...let's play ball and send the Angels packing! Let's see them play in weather like this in So Cal! :-)

9=8!!!

[chux2]

Where is Joe Magrane? Was some sort of announcement made about him? If so, I obviously missed it.

[Stab]

flsportsfan83 = Sausage Master.

[kyle]

I would like to see it played.

[flsportsfan83]

rays blow like fay

[Razzlegatorr]

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at1+shtml/205824.shtml?3day#contents

I say play it.