Jackson in, Hinske out

UPDATE, 2:36: Hinske confirmed that he had been left off the roster, and Percival confirmed that he was not added.

"They want to carry an extra pitcher and I'm the odd man out,'' Hinske said. "That's how it is. It's something that I can't control. I'll be ready if somebody gets hurt. It's not about me, it's about the team winning ballgames. No reaction.''

Percival threw 25 pitches during Thursday's workout and said he felt "awesome" and that it "probably today was as good as I've thrown in years.''

Percival said he would be ready if the Rays wanted to activate him for the World Series.  "I know that I'm healthy and ready to go if they need me,'' he said. "I am physically ready now, they know I'm physically ready now, but the way they've got their bullpen set up they needed somebody that can throw some more innings.''

- - -  - -

RHP Edwin Jackson has been added to the Rays roster for the ALCS, and it appears OF Eric Hinske has been dropped.

The team will not make an official announcement until Friday morning, when rosters are due. Manager Joe Maddon did say today he was "leaning toward 11 pitchers.''

Jackson won 14 games this season, tying the franchise record, but was left off the roster for the division series when the Rays opted for 10 pitchers and 15 position players. He was chosen to be added over RHP Troy Percival.

With OF Carl Crawford showing he was healthy, the Rays opted to cut back on the bench the seven-game ALCS. And with speedy rookie OF Fernando Perez more versatile, Hinske -- who filled in well when Crawford was hurt -- was apparently the one to go. Hinske did not play in the division series; he hit .247 with 20 homers and 60 RBIs in 133 games during the season.

Speaking generally about the decisions, Maddon said: "They're all hard. When you have guys that have played all year with the group and you have to pick and choose at this time of the year to say somebody is on and somebody's off, it's not fun because everybody is responsible for us being at his particular juncture. ... So when you do this it's difficult. But you still have to choose what you believe is the right thing to do based on what's going on right now, the length of the series, your strengths, your weaknesses, what you may have to do during the course of a game regarding pinch-hitting or pinch-running, etc. and just try to make your best guess.''

The selection of Jackson means Percival, who has battled knee and back injuries much of the second half, again will not be on the roster.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Edwin Jackson practices with the Rays on October 9, 2008 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. [Edmund Fountain, Times]

*

Comments

Ok any other questions why Hinske should be on the roster? One at bat one HR. We could have used the power all along. I told you so!

Yeah dude Hinske's bat will be missed at least a couple times in this series for sure. I hope it doesn't cost us anything. I would feel a whole lot better knowing we had a pinch hitter on the bench that could turn the game around with one swing. Now the best we can hope for is playing a little small ball instead of the knock out punch Hinske is capable of. I mean come on, he was third on the team in HRs. It will be tough to make that up when they are down by two with two on in the bottom of the 9th. I would have to agree that they made a mistake by leaving Hinske off the roster. That means the Rays have to bring it early in the games. . . like they are doing today. I gots ta says GO RAYS!

What a bunch of crap. Hinske not on the roster just means the Rays management does not know baseball. Now they will lose. Mark my word. The Rays WILL lose the World Series. Too bad they had a chance to really make history. All I have to say now is GO PHILLIES.

I agree. Gross blew it twice for us tonight.

Gross out Hinske in. He let one drop and made a horrible throw in the 8th.

I suck at math. I put a hondo on the Rays to win the world series when I was in Vegas this spring. They were 100 To 1 odds to win it all. So thats what? 10 Grand if they somehow pull it off? Damn that means I need to book a flight to Vegas to claim it. I hope my idiot brother didnt lose the ticket. Does anyone know how long I have to claim the winning ticket? It will be totally worth it to go out there. Anyone want to join me? If you are a hot blond under 25 I will pay for you to go. Show me a pick of what you look like and we'll talk.

I have to agree about Hinske on the roster for the WS. He does have power and can play the corners. I was against him to be on the roster for this series but the last guy makes a good point having to play NL rules. I have a feeling Philly will be a tougher series then the sad sack Sox. Go Rays.

Hinske is one hell of a ball player. He plays 4 positions at the major league level. How many people can say that? Remember in the World Series half the games are played with NL rules. That means no DH. Hinske can pinch hit for 4 different players AND play in the field if it goes extra innings. You cant leave a guy off your roster that can do that. You just cant. Hopefully Maddon knows baseball like we all hope he does and realizes the gold mine he has in Hinske sitting on his bench. That isnt even saying if someone gets hurt. He can play 1st, 3rd, left and right field. That's HUGE when you have a guy that can do that in the World Series. Absolutly huge. 20 HRs, 60 RBIs in 133 games and didnt start in all of those games. What else do I have to say? He homered in the first and last game of the season. He's a gamer. No doubt about it. PLAY HIM!

This discussion about Hinske is moot at this point. The Rays pretty much have it wrapped up. Now looking to the World Series I think they should put Hinske back on the roster. Sure he's in the dugout every game but at some point they will need a left handed bat that can hit with power. Who cares about season stats. . . Hinske has experience. You cant teach that. If you want to argue stats just look what Upton has done this series. Nobody would have guessed he would have hit for all the power he has. Bottom line, the Rays need Hinske in the lineup for the World Series. A guy that hit 20 bombs this year is needed. . . PERIOD. He has more speed then you might think and his fielding is better then Gross. That guy hasn't done anything. He sucks. Why do you think the Brewers dumped him? Put Hinske in if you want to win it all. The rest of you that think you know baseball I know who you are. You were the guy that watched the games in high school from the bleachers because band didnt play at baseball games.

Some of you people dont know squat about baseball and should not be posting here.

[Red Sox Ricki]

Sox in Sox

I bring nothing to this blog.

Sox in Sox

Sox in Sox

nothing else to add

Sox in Sox

[logan]

ive got 2 tickets for tonight in left field that i can use and id rather sell them to a rays fan than a sox fan threw stub hub last minute. they are 100 each section 147 row cc seat 17-18. stub hub is getting over 150 per for the same seats. email at loganlikesjelly@yahoo.com orr call 8632066304

[Joisey]

When is Benny gonna play? If he played the entire year he could have hit over 40 dingers! Benny and Aybar could have started with almost any other team. Problem is we have too many good position players and that's a good thing. Got a hunch Kaz and Garza are iffy but Matsu will walk a ton and his pitch count will soar then we can get to their middle relief (luv it) and do more damage. We bombed Wakefield last time he pitched. That will negate Kaz and Garza. Either Price or Jackson will surprise the Sox--wait and see.I would love to see Peres and Benny play more but Maddon's da Man!Rays take one at Trop this weekend, two at Fenway and wrap it up in game six. You read it here! What will Sox nation's excuse be--Brady was out! Go Rays!

[Charlie G]

Lotta big talk from Ricki and his buddies over a team that was within a 1/2 game of the Rays with games to play against the Rays and they could not close the deal at home or at the Trop. I believe home field advantage is going to win the day in this series and the Rays will take it in 6 or 7 games. I also believe that whoever wins this series will win the WS because these two teams both won mid-90's games in the best Division in baseball, including a Toronto team with one of the best, if not the best, staffs in the game this year. These two teams have seen the best all year long and neither the Dodgers nor the Phillies have a chance against either the Rays or the Sox, so the ALCS is really for all the marbles.

[Amanda]

CJ-
Person at 9:29 is right. The ticket scalping law in Florida was repealed in June, 2006. Legal to sell them for whatever you want to, now.

Red Sox Fan @ 6:56-
Thanks for the respectful comments. You're right, this will be a hell of a series. No way do I expect a blow out, either way. Two great teams about to do battle...

[to CJ]

Florida repealed the scalping laws over a year ago.

[nick]

I think Hinske should be in. Vet presence going against his old team. Is Zobrist in? If he is I'd rahter have 'Ske

[Annoying Mosquitos]

I was outside afterwork today splitting wood and it was so warm there were some mosquitos around. As I swatted them away, it occurred to me how similar the Rays have been. Not too threatening, just enough to annoy me. The sox will soon swat the Rays back to where they belong, the basement. No chance Tampa. No chance. Right church, wrong pew. This is the big time and the party is about to end. Sox in 5

[Red Sox Ricki]

Just in from ESPN.
The match America is waiting to see:
Sox vs Dodgers and that idiot, POS,
Manny!!!

[Red Sox Ricki]

Mike D.
I am here for the duration.
If my wager in Vegas comes through,I will gladly buy you a brew at Fergs.
SOX IN SOX

[MikeD]

Red Sox Ricki - speaking of "class", and I have to agree that Chucky was out of line, I expect you to show some and come back here after your beloved Sox are thrashed, and take it like a (wo)man. Rays in five!

[CJ]

Hey James
"1. Hey idiot, it's not illegal to scalp tickets anymore... go read up son."

Last I read you can't sell a ticket for more than a buck over face value unless you offer something else with it.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Red Sox Ricki]

Chucky Manson,
Very childish.
Please act like you have been out in public. I realize one sniff of beer and you get your courage, but show a "little" class.
SOX IN SIX

[Tom]

I went to the espn chat site and there were about a million sox fans being total jerks (maybe 5 Rays fans) dissing the bandwagon fans, the Trop, and anything else that didn't have anything else with baseball...Anyway it got me thinking about the "real" fans... A big difference between Red Sox fans and Rays fans is that if by some fluke the Rays lose, we'll go to the beach or play golf or tennis or any of a million other things available to us, if the Red Sox lose there will be about a million nutjobs on suicide watch. Pathetic.

I grew up in New England and was a Red Sox fan through and through. I was a child of the 80's and the Red Sox were perennial chokers back then. People believed in a curse - truly. It's amazing how much the context has changed with their recent success. They won the pennant in 1986, and were competitive many years, but they were viewed much differently back then. Indeed, when there was no wildcard and 2 divisions, it was incredibly difficult to win the division and play in the LCS. The Yankees were also mediocre in the 1980's. That said, GO RAYS!

[Tony]

If ANYONE follows the Red Sox you'd know they weren't always perennial World Series candidates. They were terrible in the 50's and spotty at best from the 60's to the early 90's. It wasn't until the late 90's that they became yearly favorites. You can't compare the Rays to the Red Sox. Baseball tradition oozes out of every pore of Boston, no different than the Cubs, Yankees, and even the Dodgers. The Orioles could even be argued. It is unlikely the Rays the will ever develop the generational following that the these other teams have however it is possible that Longoria, Crawford, Shields, Pena, and possibly even Kaz will someday become the modern day equivalent of Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Jim Rice, Dennis Eckersley, or Carlton Fisk. It isn't going to happen over night, if at all, so stop comparing them to each other.

[Chucky Manson]

PHUKK YOU RED SOX RICKI, PHUKK YOU!!!!!

[Russ]

Jackson has been GREAT or HORRIBLE. Had a 2.27 ERA in August. But a 7.90 in Sept. Relax people, he's not going to pitch in close games unless it's like the 13th inning.

[Red Sox Fan]

I'm a lifelong Red Sox fan and go to about 15-20 games a year a Fenway. A majority of the games over the years were against Rays because of their scrappy play. Regardless of the outcome this is going to be an awesome series. If the Rays make it, no hard feelings here! They totally deserve it. If anything, it's great to see Baldelli back on the field. Psyched for Madden too! His glasses are so cool!
Good luck but not too much!

[Red Sox Ricki]

Tim,
Sports are for fun. This banter is great.
I work for a living, people just need to lighten up a bit.

[Tim]

Red Sox Ricki .. havin' some fun with the Rays fans .. I did the same yesterday in a Boston paper as RAYS-FAN-1 ... just another way to spice things up ... GO RAYS !!!!!!!!!!!

[Jake]

I think Jackson is a waste of a roster spot. He is no good put of the bull pen, he is too shakey. There is no way I would even use him in long relief, as he is worse than a bad Kaz. But Maddon has made good choices all along, I hope this is one too. I would love to have Hinske's left handed bat off the bench, though. GO RAYS.

[Phil]

Hey Red Sox Ricki, the Sox only have 2 rings in 90 years. Give the Rays 90 years and I am sure we will have more than only 2. Heck, the Marlins already have 2 titles.

Remember only 16 teams were around back in the early 1900's and the Sox still never won.

[James]

1. Aren't these tickets $25 face value, you crooks?

2. Perez IS a stud and can play all 3 OF positions with ease.

3. Tom is right. EJ is there in case there is an early blowout game, so that the other bullpenners are not wasted.

4. YOUGOTTABELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: DIZ

1. Hey idiot, it's not illegal to scalp tickets anymore... go read up son.

"Nothing wrong with profit"

[Larry Wrobel]

I have 4 tickets for Saturday nights game available for sale,

they are in section 133, row GG, seats 19-20-21-22
This is right behind the Corona Beach Bar where a lot of foul balls end up.

Asking price $100.00 per ticket and I prefer to sell all to 1 purchaser, but can be flexible with 2 buyers.

I'd rather sell these tickets to a Rays fan before I am forced to go to StubHub and their exhorbitant fees...

email me if you are interested in purchasing these good seats...

PILARRY@AOL.COM

[Red Sox Ricki]

Mike,
I sense the pressure is getting to you already. Just hope your Devil Rays do not crack under the same pressure.
Getting a little warm are we?

[mike]

good moves joe....jackson has been hit or miss, but has been absolutely dominant about 50% of the time. Hinske cant hit, is slower than molasses...and plays a horrible outfield. we do not need him. HOPEFULLY percy can get back to 100% in time for the world series becasue we can use his leadership WHEN (not if) we get there....Red Sux Ricki- just go way. you are an idiot. go to redsux.com and flap your lips with the other red sux fans.

HOOOOOO-RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Red Sox Ricki]

Hey Bob,
Case you haven't noticed, Red Sox have a ring or two....
I guess you have always been a supporter of the Devil Rays.
BANDWAGON BOY

[Lisa]

They will take the tarps off for the WS. It was just announced on Bay News 9. MLB requires all seats be made availible.

Go Rays.

[Red Sox Ricki]

I have neither one arm nor clap.
Please refrain from using my name.
Thank you.

[bocasteve]

I'LL GO ALONG WITH THOSE WHO SAY JOE MADDEN HAS EARNED MUCH MORE THEN THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. HE HAS EARNED OUR CONFIDENCE AND RESPECT. GO RAYS !!

hinske hasn't touched the ball in the second half

[Bob G]

Sox in 6? Gosh, if we had nickel everytime a moron from the NE said that this year........hmmm. Wait, what about just wait until August, then wait until September...and then no way they'll win the East........hey Sox guy, dust off that Rays T-shirt... How bout dem apples loser?

[Red Sox Ricki]

Anyone wanna see a cool picture of me in my new redsox hat? It's purple and neato!
That's why the redsox win in 6

Did I mention that I bring about as much to the table as a 1-armed man in a clapping contest?

[Red Sox Ricki]

All this does not matter, Soxs in 6....

[attn: Dan @ 3:33]

>>>Hinske should be in. He knows the Red Sox. <<<
knows them how? well enough to give personal introductions? sure .. but that's about it

he batted .159 against them this year in 16 games / 44 at bats

back to the minor leagues li'l man .. let the big boys talk baseball

[Rob]

Luis Garcia is a ticket pimp and I can't believe....or yeah, I can actually believe the St. Pete Times just lets him and other ticket scalping pimps have free ads. But it IS the Times so what do we expect. Journalistic integrity? Gone years ago.

[DIZ]

1. Aren't these tickets $25 face value, you crooks?

2. Perez IS a stud and can play all 3 OF positions with ease.

3. Tom is right. EJ is there in case there is an early blowout game, so that the other bullpenners are not wasted.

4. YOUGOTTABELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Patrick]

I think at this point the manager definitely deserves the benefit of the doubt on personel decisions. This team would not be where it is right now without him making the right moves at the right time.

[Brian J]

I think it's a good move with Jackson. If Kaz can't find the plate or if Sonny finds too much of it, we have two above average long relievers in Price and Jackson.