Rays are in!

The Rays accomplished the unimaginable if not the unbelievable Saturday, clinching their first-ever berth in the American League playoffs with a 7-2 win over the Twins.

The Rays came into the game needing a win to get in, and did exactly that behind a strong start from Scott Kazmir and their typical team-wide combination of big hits and bigger plays.

After Troy Percival struggled at the start of the ninth inning, Trever Miller came on to record the final out and launch a massive celebration at sold-out Tropicana Field.

“You know, we play pretty good,” said veteran Troy Percival. “But I think we celebrate better.” 

Carlos Pena had a two-run double, after an at-bat that was prolonged when a foul pop-up hit a support bar on the B-ring catwalk, to get them started. Fernando Perez and Cliff Floyd homered, and the Rays once again scored on a bases-loaded walk.

They are the second team in major-league history to make the playoffs the season after having the worst record; the fifth team, and first in the AL, to do so the season after losing 95 or more games; and the 11th team, second in the AL, to do so after finishing last the previous season.

The Rays will open the playoffs either Oct. 1 or Oct 2. The opponent (either the Angels, Twins or White Sox) and site will be determined by what happens over the final eight days of the season, whether they win the AL East or are the AL wild-card, and if they finish with the best record in the American League.

The Rays finished lost more than 90 games in each of their first 10 seasons and finished last nine times before this stunning turnaround.

“It’s not like other clubs,” team president Matt Silverman said. “This is something nobody thought would ever happen and we get to celebrate it. It’s a fantastic accomplishment and it only happens once; you only have your first time once.” ¶

Comments

[Amanda]

I was wondering where you've been, Ray! Hope everything's well...

[Ray F]

Just wanted to pop in and say heya to everyone. I had a change in positions in life and won't have time to blog as much anymore. It was a great feeling to watch the boys clinch a spot and I will be up at 8:50 AM tomorrow waiting to buy tix.

Awesome!!!

It was great to see all the scumbags out in full effect!!!

[Royals fan in Iowa]

To the Rays and their fans: Congratulations, and I hope you take it all the way! Your story gives hope to us fans of teams like the Royals; hope that nothing is impossible and that dreams do come true. Good luck Rays and take it all the way. Keep the dream going!!!

[Tara]

Having been a Rays fan for about 8 years now, I have never been more exuberant or ecstatic as I was last night when Longo caught that last out! I am still in a bit of shock today over the whole thing! It's just such an amazing feeling & such sweet vindication for those boys after so many years of being the butt of so many jokes.

Just one question...where can I get one of those 9=8 t-shirts the players had on last night after the game??? If they aren't selling them yet, they really should be!!!

[Jim Duffey]

Joe just had to do it...put Percival in.Heart is nice Joe, but the shut out would have been nicer.Can you just let him go next season?? Please!

[Brian J]

I'm still getting the chills.

[Foley25]

Only Percy could get away with saying, "We play pretty good, but we celebrate better.". Percy, you do everything better these days than play. Thanks for the memories, but next year please, just be here on the pitching staff, OK?

[Amanda]

Seriously, Joe. It was a sell-out. What the heck were you looking at?

[MammaRays]

Joe,

The stadium was a sell out and in the five years I've been going, I've never heard it so loud, or so energized. I don't know what pictures you were looking at, but you weren't seeing it right. There's a sell-out tomorrow too.

[Joe]

Looks from the pictures like the stands were empty again...when the Rays move to a city that wants them in the years to come, I hope the NIMBY wankers downtown enjoy looking at two empty stadiums.

[MammaRays]

Amanada, Yes, I cried while standing in the stands watching them celebrate. Today is my birthday, so what a great way to celebrate. This is our 5th year as season ticket holder's so it's been a fun year to watch. But we ain't done yet! Rays, we are so proud of you guys. Keep up the good work. Go Rays!

[M.R.]

Sitting in the Upper Deck, today, I thought back to that inagural game, 10 years ago. I remember thinking how cool it was to have a major league baseball team during that first game. Even though my faith has been occasionally shaken over those subsequent years, tonight made it all worthwhile. It was emotional.

[Amanda]

Thanks, stckr. Always appreciate the classy fans.

[Rob in H-town]

Too bad the 'stros are fading - we could have rooted for an all-orange-juice Series at Trop & MMaid

[stckr]

Congratulations Rays & Rays fans. Nice job. Be proud of what has been accomplished & enjoy your success. As a life long Red Sox fan I know how good you feel right now. I hope that we can meet you in the AL finals.

[ken]

Magic number for division is 6 right?

[Fogelberg]

Flew down from Ohio for today's game and boy was it worth it! I grew up off of 16th Street and 22nd Ave and I remember watching the Trop being built-up over the treetops in my backyard as a kid. I dreamt of this day all those years ago and how amazing it was to actually experience it. What a blast! What a fun and inspiring team we have to root for! Now go win the division boys and do some serious damage in October! WE BELIEVE!! GO RAYS!!!!

[jeff]

NOMO NAIMOLI

[Karpo]

To Phil J: Awesome bro, it's only because not as many folks grew up here that we don't have the fan base that say the Yankees do, but we are not darn Yankeess anyways!! We're Rays!! Go Rays, keep bringing in the kids and we'll have a great legacy. I watched my first game at Wrigley Field and I'll always have a spot in my heart for the Cubs but parents have to bring their kids to see the Rays, like Phil did to have that base.

[Go Rays!!]

Yeah, my eyes welled up. Been a die hard fan since March 31, 1998 racing home from work to watch the game on TV. My son and I were there tonight, by far the most intense game I've ever been at. Congrats Rays you've earned it, and double congrats to all those fans who have been here for 11 years.

[Cathie]

Amanda, I worked the game tonight and I cried too. This is just so exciting. And thanks for all the nice posts from the fans of other teams. They did it!!! Go Rays!

[Mike]

I'm sitting 742 miles from the Trop, totally bummed that I am not there. We were at the 2nd game in 98 and many, many since then. we are so happy for the Rays this year. The Rays bring a unique piece to this St Pete mosaic we love so much. Congratulations.

[Excited Fan]

I think we should all get Ray-Hawks, what an awesome trend to start! Not sure if the boss would like it, unless he has one too of course!!!! Go Rays, you've made history all year, what you say we keep it going!

[Phil J.]

Today I got to take my 6 year old boy to his first pro sports game and what a game it was! Who says we don't raise our own fans down here in Florida!?
He had a BLAST too!!!

LET'S GO RAYS!!

[potato]

Who does the best Mohawks? Maybe as fans we should get reverse Mohawks like that guy who sang "smack my b*t*h up".

[raysfan]

AWESOME BABY!!!!

[Stan]

Actually the Rays are 3 1/2 up on the Sox b/c they own the tiebreaker.

[Craig]

THANK YOU RAYS!!!!

[Kathleen]

So glad I was at the game tonight. The players ran the field with champagne spraying the fans. All were a part of the victory! You can feel the joy in St. Pete tonight! These are the ones you savor. They're few and far between.

[Dan in NY]

There has been a debate going on at my house. Who is the Rays MVP? While it pains me to say it as a Jets fan, we must take a page out of the Patriots book. The MVP for this Rays team is the team itself. GO RAYS! How I have longed for this day. When I was one of few at a day game against Toronto where we lost 14-0, how I did long for this day. We have more work to do. For this is the season of dreams. As the sunset over the Gulf has inspired so many dreams of mankind, so will this season of the Tampa Bay Rays.

[Scott]

9=8

Nine guys playing hard for nine innings equals one of the eight playoff teams.

[Amanda]

9 players playing 9 strong innings = one of 8 playoff spots.
Should be 9x9=8, but 9=8 works for sake of brevity.

[whs]

Caught the game on Fox, congratulations Rays fans. One question, what does the 9=8 mean?

[Ken]

I just got back from the game. What a blast! No one left early. Everyone stayed for the celebration. Sweet, sweet sweet!

Go Rays!

[Rob in H-town]

Astro Fan says - Way to go D-Rays - I hope you go all the way!!!

[Melissa]

Shoeless Jackson,
Tomorrow we fight... tonight we celebrate! WooHoo! Go Rays!

[Amanda]

Boston Dan-
Thank you. And good luck to you guys down this last stretch.

I was watching it at work, in Maine. The kids I work with came out of nowhere for high-fives!

[Shoeless Joe Jackson]

It ain't over yet Rays. Keep your gamefaces on. You need to win the division.

[Boston Dan]

Congratulations.
Boston Dan

[Jack Keefe]

Always thought the '67 Red sox and
'69 Mets could never be topped ....
but the '08 Rays are THE BEST.

[Eileen]

Wow! I am so happy for those guys! They worked hard and earned it! I am with Melissa. Welled up watching the guys celebrate. They truly are a TEAM!

Go for it! Go all the way!

[Tim]

Brian E. My grandchildren were there to see it for themselves .. ages 8 & 4 ...
Hopefully a memory they will never forget .. still more memories to come in Oct-RAY-ber ... GO RAYS !!!!!!!!!

and "yes" Amanda .. I had a lump in my throat after the last out ...

[Melissa]

PS. Amanda I cried my eyeballs out seeing our guys celebrating.

[Melissa]

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG

I just walked through Publix sounding like a bally girl in order to get suitable drinks. Tonight calls for celebrations county wide! It feels like we've waited for this forever. I am so proud to be a fan. And I am so proud of our guys. My god. I almost can't believe it!

Now I'm off to e-mail my Boston buddies. Look who's laughin now.

[Brian E]

Amanda, yea, I did get misty eyed....How can you not...Watching all year at the Trop, watching tv and listening to radio on mlb.com while I'm out of town. 162 games and I've only missed a few. I'm listening right now on rays radio on mlb.com !!!!!!! I'M GLAD MY FRIENDS TOOK MY TICKETS AND ARE ENJOYING THE TROP TODAY.......WE'RE WRITING HISTORY!!!!!!! Tell your grandchildren this one in 50 years!

[John]

WHAT YANKEES GEAR? I NEVER WORE A YANKEES JERSEY OR CAP, NEVER HAD A BIG NY ON MY REAR VIEW MIRROR, HAD A GOLD CHAIN WITH A SWINGING NY. NEVER.

[PrimeTime]

Been far away from the area for 9 years, but follow them daily on the website and see them around the country (Oakland, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit on Saturday, and hopefully Chicago in a couple weeks). Wow, sweet sweet season!

[Duffiedawg]

Dave,

BoSox lost today so we are 2 1/2 ahead. They will be the ones to collapse. Too much ego, not enough real depth.

[Dave]

After the first loss to the Red Sux this month I regrettably predicted the Rays would collapse and self-destruct. So today I am happy to post here to eat my words, I will never doubt you again Rays, keep it going! GO RAYS!