Scenes from ALCS Game 5, Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox
Shea Smith of Palm Harbor shows disappointment after the Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Boston Red Sox while watching the game at the Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill on Friday after midning, 10/12/2008. [Chris Zuppa, Times]
Laura Villano of Largo shows disappointment after the Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Boston Red Sox while watching the game at the Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill on Friday after midning, 10/12/2008.
[Chris Zuppa, Times]
Danielle Moore of St. Petersburg shows concern while watching the game at the Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill on Thursday, 10/16/2008. [Chris Zuppa, Times]
Dan Longtin of Clearwater cheers after the Tampa Bay Rays scored
again in the 7th inning against the Boston Red Sox while watching the
game at the Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill on Thursday, 10/16/2008. [Chris
Zuppa, Times]
Ivan Ropov of St. Petersburg cheers after the Tampa Bay Rays scored again in the 7th inning against the Boston Red Sox while watching the game at the Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill on Thursday, 10/16/2008. [Chris Zuppa, Times]
Yolanda "Yogi" Johnson of St. Petersburg gives Chris Georgopulos of Sarasota a Rayhawk at the St. Petersburg Pier on Thursday, 10/16/2008.Georgopulos at first didn't want one, but later changed his mind. "She guaranteed a win," he joked. [Chris Zuppa, Times]
(Left to right) Justin Summey, 11, of St. Petersburg; Gavin Figueruelo, 5, of Tampa; Giovanni Figueruelo, 8, of Tampa cheer St. Petersburg mayor Rick Baker while watching the game at the St. Petersburg Pier on Thursday, 10/16/2008. [Chris Zuppa, Times]
Victoria Thompson, 15, of Tampa cheers after the Tampa Bay Rays go up 2-0 in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox. Thompson was watching the game at the St. Petersburg Pier on Thursday, 10/16/2008. [Chris Zuppa, Times]
Ron
Wells of Tarpon Springs, also an employee with Video Screens, Inc.,
helps set up for the Tampa Bay Rays and Red Sox viewing at the St.
Petersburg Pier on Thursday, 10/16/2008. A DVD of the Rays' season
highlights played on the screen. [Chris Zuppa, Times]
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.
I'm a Sox fan, first off.
You guys are certainly a new beast in the East.... we all know who won the wild-card spot to get here. We know who won the season series. I do think we had the better team earlier in the year, but certainly, right now the Rays have several edges over the Sox.
But this is postseason baseball. Both teams are worthy of winning this series, and that means that either one of them can do it.
Whatever happens though, my hat's off to you guys. Should you get through the Sox and into the series, I'll be hollering for Longoria and Upton and Shields right along beside you.
Congratulations on a fantastic season thus far, and best of wishes for next as well.
Posted by: DirtyWater | October 18, 2008 at 07:35 PM
Yeah, because who would want to bring "logic" and "reason" into a conversation? I like how you show up after a win last night. Never seen you here before...
Posted by: Amanda | October 17, 2008 at 05:58 PM
don't rely on fuzzy math miss amanda.
face it - the tampa bay bugs are an utter disgrace. they will forever be remembered as the team that let the red sox off the hook in blow-out fashion, even rays or bugs (or whatever you guys call your disgraceful selves now) fans agree with me here so stop being difficult.
Posted by: we crush you like bugs | October 17, 2008 at 05:50 PM
"We crush you like bugs"-
8-7 is not a blow out. 9-1 is. So is 13-4.
3-2 isn't a "blow out" either, but who's ahead in that count?
Posted by: Amanda | October 17, 2008 at 05:45 PM
i heard the sox had to change cleats three times in game 5 because of all the bug gunk.
what a crushing blow-out. tampa is the laughingstock of sports history, but now the nation knows that its most worthless and pathetic citizens are not from tampa. they are from st. pete.
champions of the universe 8
the tampa bay bugs 7
Posted by: we crush you like bugs | October 17, 2008 at 05:43 PM
***attn: all boys 12 and younger***
CALL THE SHOW TODAY!
want some candy???
Posted by: Jeff Sports Vortex | October 17, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Frank,
Cluck. Cluck. Cluck.
Posted by: | October 17, 2008 at 02:16 PM
"Love the sox "fans" counting their chickens. Wonder if any of them remember Game Six in the '86 series? "
If you remember that series...the team that was dead and buried came alive and won the series. The team that was dead last night and is now awaken is the defending World Series Champs...you know their name !!!
Be afraid...be very afraid !!!
Posted by: Frank | October 17, 2008 at 01:33 PM
shouldn't you rays fans be sleeping right now? i thought bugs are nocturnal.
world champs 8
rays (bugs) 7
Posted by: we crush you like bugs | October 17, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Heh. Actually, Anthony, that IS better. Still the same bored, hostile condescension that makes you such a drag as a poster here, but much less petty than correcting posters' grammar and making tired cracks about rednecks and trailer parks.
Real Fan: 1) What Amanda said. For instance, I actually went to more games per season in the past than I did this year. 2) I didn't say I didn't expect people to talk about it, and once again, I'm not offended. I'm just tired of it here, specifically, like a person gets tired of a fly constantly buzzing in her ear.
Posted by: Helene | October 17, 2008 at 12:11 PM
RealFan-
You do realize that while our attendance has been poor, you're completely preaching to the choir right now? The people on this blog are the people who HAVE been going.
Posted by: Amanda | October 17, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Wait, Helene...you honestly think that fans of other teams aren't going to talk about your fake fanhood? You couldn't GIVE Devil (not anymore) Rays tickets away for the last ten years (again, this season included). Now, all of a sudden all of you idiots are the biggest Rays fans in the world? Did Opening Day even sell out this year? Every Rays home game had as many or more fans rooting for the visiting team (this season included). When the Rays move to a real baseball market eventually (you can only play in a 75% empty gigantic eyesore with no character whatsoever for so long), is anyone in TB even going to blink?
Posted by: RealFan | October 17, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Amanda!!! HAHA...HA!!!!
Posted by: SJ | October 17, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Love the sox "fans" counting their chickens. Wonder if any of them remember Game Six in the '86 series?
So we dropped a game. Horribly. Embarrassingly. Even, if you're on the other side, hilariously. But this team can come back easily and usually does after a spankin' like they got last night.
Posted by: SJ | October 17, 2008 at 11:48 AM
MikeD-
For the sake of the other people on Jeff's radio show, I sure hope he speaks better than he writes. Good Lord. Or should I say..
"I...sure hope he...speaks!!!....better than....he writes!!!!! HAAHAHAHAHA"
Posted by: Amanda | October 17, 2008 at 11:46 AM
tHE YOUNG rAYS ARE HUMAN AND DIDN'T HAVE THE kILLER INSTINCT LAST NITE. The meltdown will actually help them in the future-a Wake up call.Tomorrow nite they won't let up but go for the jugular. The 10th man will be such a great boost for the Kids, wait and see. Final score Rays 9 Sox 3.When is Benny gonna play?.Go Rays!
Posted by: Joisey | October 17, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Bring it on boston, you're back on our turf now!! BTW, if Maddon leaves Gross in for tomorrow nights game (I think he need his head examined). Put in Hinske or anyone else for that matter.
Posted by: M & M | October 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM
2003 at Yankee Staduim, thought the sox had it. I was calling everyone stating " we did it, we are going to the world series." Then we lost. Tough feeling, Rays fans do you feel me. How many of you were online looking for flights to Philly and tickets if possible. You fans jinx the team, now the sox may win. It happens all the time, look at the Pat's v. Indy when Indy won the bowl. Pat's were cruising, fans got cocky and God settled it. God loves it when you get too cocky, then he puts you back in your place.
Posted by: I know that feeling | October 17, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Jeff, I'll certainly have to make a point of listening to that radio show you keep begging us to listen to, if your personality on there is as pleasant as it is on here. Hope all these posts are driving up your traffic, which is probably your intent anyway. Good day to you, sir.
Posted by: MikeD | October 17, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Last night was the second biggest choke job in postseason history. It gave Boston momentum, and will embolden the Phillies in the WS if the Rays make it that far. At a minimum, it is the one game that most baseball fans will remember from the 2008 postseason, regardless of the ultimate outcome. Is that baseball oriented enough for you, Helene?
Posted by: Anthony | October 17, 2008 at 11:21 AM
well i thought he would have learned his lesson against the yanks when he took out kaz any they almoast blew a 7 run lead hung on by one run at home - i guess not just let him through another 20 pitches if he get 1 more out or 5 more out it would have been a big difference. he stood up there and said this is how he did it all year after he has managed this differently the whole series - i am a big fan of his style not a big fan of his intelligence i cant believe we are trying to win a championship without a closer- and what happen to gross was he drunk that wasnt the same guy get him out if he is scared-well im fustrated like so many im sure we will win this thing but now are world series rotation is messed up
Posted by: kazmirohokic | October 17, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Hey if you don't like the content, go start your own forum/comment site. There are TONS of free sits to do this so....Tampa Bay here we come...and yeah jerk..I do know where Tampa BAY/St pete...I have cousins who will be at the game supporting...you guessed...the Boston Red Sox YEAH!!!
Posted by: Jeff Sports Vortex | October 17, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Helene, I'm doing what I can to keep the positivity high here. I'm getting a little tired of the folks coming here who pretend to be disappointed Rays fans, who are actually, I suspect, Sox fans attempting to jerk some chains. I have been susceptible to that before, but not today, and not tomorrow.
Posted by: MikeD | October 17, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I'm beginning to think that The Heater should have a separate "Flame Us" section...where posts taunting the fans, attendance, Florida, the Tampa Bay area and other things that have little to do with the actual games can be automatically moved.
I'm not so thin skinned that I'm mortally offended by them or anything (hey, I'm embarrassed by Florida too sometimes), but they're getting tiresome. They're annoying like a static-y broken record is annoying.
Posted by: Helene | October 17, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Jeff, you have your facts, and I have mine. The facts I was referring to are these:
Sox have to win two on the road - they did it at home last year
Sonny and Garza are tough pitchers, the Rays have substantial firepower left in the pen and on the bench
Beckett was beaten, and Lester was demolished, the last time the Rays faced them in this series
OPINION ALERT: Beckett is hurt, according to some informed reports I have seen
So, as I said, the game will be played on the field, the Rays home field, on which we have been very successful.
Posted by: MikeD | October 17, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Who's this "Tampa" you keep talking about? We're supposed to think you're an expert but you don't even know where the team on top of the series (yeah that must hurt you) plays? Maybe that's why no one's calling in. That and you're a dweeb.
Posted by: SJ | October 17, 2008 at 10:43 AM
No one is ignoring ANYTHING...FACT The Boston red Sox are losing the ALCS to The Tampa Bay Rays 3 games to 2. Tampa Bay has, to this point FAR outplayed the Red Sox..FACT Tampa may be on a historic HR output...FACT...you had the Sox down 7 - 0 in the 7th inning of a potential World Series bid game....ANY YOU LOST!!! Not 1 player in the Tampa dugout has gone through ANYTHING like this..all the while..across the field...almost the ENTIRE TEAM has risen from the situation that stares them in the face. It isn't going to be easy..Tampa is an amazing TEAM with all the right pieces and are at home for Games 6 and 7...hows that for a grasp of the FACTS
OPINION The Sox take 2 in Tampa and add the 2008 Rays to a LONG list of what could have been!
And whoever the gutless wonder is who keeps posting slams..bring it...doesn't bother me in the least hahahahahah
Posted by: Jeff Sports Vortex | October 17, 2008 at 10:27 AM
So you and three of your closest friends have been going to games...great. Face it, even with this success, the Rays and the Marlins are first to move if the opportunity comes up.
Do your new Rays jerseys, t shirts, and caps itch or did you run them through the washer after you bought them two weeks ago?
Posted by: RealFan | October 17, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Gotta love you Sox fans who ignore the facts, of the present day situation, some of which I laid out above, to focus on the past and the future. As any stockbroker will tell you, especially these days, "past results are no guarantee of future performance".
Posted by: MikeD | October 17, 2008 at 10:15 AM
RealFan, please don't make assumptions. I personally have been to almost every home game for the last five years. This has been an amazing season for some of us.
Go Rays! 9=2
Posted by: MammaRays | October 17, 2008 at 10:14 AM
None of you Rays "fans" actually gives a sh*t about this team. Where have you been for the last 10 years (this year included)? Now, all of a sudden we're supposed to believe that you are living and dying with every pitch?
We all know that you and I have been to the same number of Rays games...I've seen them maybe 10 times when they've come to Cleveland.
Give me a break. Go back to where you came from, stop acting like you care.
Posted by: RealFan | October 17, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Right on MikeD.
Re: Maddon, I did submit a comment on Romano's article that I did blame him for Boston's comeback...because I couldn't see any other reason but complacency (with the large lead) that he would leave in Balfour to pitch to Oritz with three lefties (and a groundball pitcher) in the pen. I'm rethinking this and wondering if I'm making unkind assumptions. Still, I would say that IF Maddon was not managing this urgently and not treating this in his mind like a close game, he should apologize and take the heat for the loss. If he truly was and just let his gut make some bad decisions, well...that is what is, I guess.
Posted by: Helene | October 17, 2008 at 10:06 AM
For all those saying that people were leaving fenway early, hit your tivos and check out a very packed fenway postgame. People get up to get beer, you know; the walkways are jammed for the whole game. I doubt that very many people left at all - unlike the trop, which was half empty in the 9th for game 1 with the rays only down by 2.
Posted by: Anthony | October 17, 2008 at 09:58 AM
seriously guys, it's bad enough that I can't get any of the chowds up here to call my show .. .. I hate having to beg on here for callers but I have no shame
I still think that Manny & that old broken down 3rd baseman of ours is healthy ... uhh, what's his name ... sorry guys, only been a Sox fan for a few years now
NO, I am not whistlin' past the graveyard ... I swear I'm not ... really, I promise .. but we do need callers
LINES ARE OPEN!!!
Posted by: Jeff Sports Vortex | October 17, 2008 at 09:54 AM
hEy Jeff Sportsvortex
Im here ANd Im still slammin you
You didnt win Jack The Boston Red sox did. It was a tough loss. But its not over. But Enjoy it The SOx deserve it their fans deserve it. But find something new to comment on. Not the same ole Boston Fans taking over the trop stuff thats been played and it wasnt that way for the first two games. All the "people in the KNow" had the Sox sweeping us at Fenway.
I like the Rays Odds. History is history. This is now
Posted by: harold | October 17, 2008 at 09:52 AM
For those Rays fans who are already writing us off, you need to get rid of your jerseys and go root for another team. Yes, last night was a huge disappointment, but you have to give kudos to Boston. They are a really good team, and they took advantage of our bullpen not being on their game last night. (By the way, all of you who thought Kaz would lose it, I guess you were wrong.)
Boston, congrats on your win last night. You deserved it. You're coming to our house now and I honestly don't believe the Rays will lose two at home.
I'm not surprised that we are going this deep into the series. When you have two teams who have been this close all season, would you really expect otherwise???
GO RAYS! 9=2
Posted by: MammaRays | October 17, 2008 at 09:50 AM
someone please call the station .. PLEASE!
My mommy is getting sick & tired of having to call in and change her voice ... but she does a great "Frank the Truck Driver" ... probably something to do with her adam's apple, but I digress
operators are standing by!
Posted by: Jeff Sports Vortex | October 17, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Oh I love it...you guys have no idea what you are in for...Bring it! Thing is I've been through this MANY times before...this is all new to you...I have left many a forum/comment boards crying and depressed after this EXACT situation...bring it, because it will be SOOOO sweet!
Posted by: Jeff Sports Vortex | October 17, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Congrats, Sox fans, on winning one game out of three at home. That's really impressive.
Posted by: Clark | October 17, 2008 at 09:45 AM
yeah, it's gonna be full of Red Sox fans at the Traaaawp ... of course they will all be leaving before the 7th inning too
Posted by: Jeff Sports Vortex | October 17, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Hahahaah Hi Harold how you feeling this AM..By the way we have internet listeners buddy..we are world wide...USAf Base in Germany, Tokyo, Austrailia...Mainers worldwide are listening pal..plus we'll be 1000 watts very soon..one of the biggest community stations in the state...so as Fitzy says....GFY
Posted by: Jeff Sports Vortex | October 17, 2008 at 09:39 AM
the guy who said he tossed his CC jersey, burned photos, etc is a LOSER
there's no dount in my mind that the douchebag is a redsux poser as well
Posted by: Wake Up | October 17, 2008 at 09:38 AM
AGREED ON THE POPUP...BS..It's shockwave too so it cant be shut off.
Posted by: Jeff Sports Vortex | October 17, 2008 at 09:37 AM
PS) will someone please call my 5-watt radio show?
PLEASE???
Posted by: Jeff Sports Vortex | October 17, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Yep...that is what I am saying...Sox Nation was reignited in the 7th..look Tampa is a GREAT team. The top of the lineup is absolutely on fire and that didn't change last night. But 1 thing we have learned, and the rest of the country should have learned by now, is that Terry Francona is the PERFECT manager for this sort of thing, doesn't get too high or too low and waits for the spark that ignites his team. Papi turning on the fastball in did that last night. We have left better teams in our wake after this sort of thing. Look 03 was Zito and Hudson...not too shabby, 04 Yanks was Liebber who was great and game 7 was Kevin Brown so, but on Yankee Stadium soil no less.....last year we went through Sebathia Carmona and Westbrook BY FAR their 3 best pitchers. This situation doesn't faze 1 person in that dugout because not only have they had experience with the situation, they have had success in that situation. This is a 2 game series..It's going 7..be prepared...BTW What are you gonna do when Red Sox Nation brings the heat on you in your own building..Sox Nation will be out IN FORCE at the Trop..trust me..so far 4% of the park is on sale on ebay itself....you are in trouble.
Posted by: Jeff Sports Vortex | October 17, 2008 at 09:36 AM
BTW SPTtimes, this popup ad on the bottom of the screen here is becoming a deal-breaker.
Posted by: SJ | October 17, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Right on, MikeD! I'll be at the Trop on Saturday night with cowbells on!
Posted by: SJ | October 17, 2008 at 09:22 AM
So, Jeff, you're saying that the Sox will win two on the road, when they couldn't win two at home? That the Rays will lose both of their games at home, with tow of their best pitchers, two pitchers who have thrashed the Sox the last two games they pitched? We'll see, my friend, we'll see, and if it happens, I'll come back here to congratulate you, Novangelus, and even Anthony. May the best team win.
Posted by: MikeD | October 17, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Where are all you guys that slammed me hmmm....where are you now..licking your wounds I'm guessing..hahahahaha
Kisha..keep telling yourselves its a bump in the road..2003 A's, 2004 Yanks, 2007 Indians and 2008 Angels said EXACTLY the same thing. Here's to adding 2008 Rays to that list of "It's going to be OK we'll just finish it next game"...you had your chance..you let us in..now...DOOM!!!!!
Posted by: Jeff Sports Vortex | October 17, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Thank you Tim! This series will be over on Saturday. The Rays did put up almost 30 runs in three games. Why do you think it's over? Because of one blown game? You all have to chill!
Posted by: mm | October 17, 2008 at 08:45 AM