Tampa Bay Rays, 2008 AL champs: What a wild ride (video)

[tampabay.com]

It ended in cold disappointment, after the longest and dreariest World Series game in history — two days and two hours of sideways rain and plunging mercury and about six minutes of Please Not Brad Lidge. But, oh, what a trip.

Comments

I was lucky to be at most of the playoff games. I also saw the clincher against the Twins.

We were 4-2 in the playoff games I saw live including the GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED, beating the Sox in Game 7.

In over 40 years as a fan, this my favorite ride ever!

Thanks Rays!

We can't wait to see you in the spring.

[Philly Dog is an idiot]

Philly Dog, the series is over. Go troll on Philly paper websites. No one here cares how many people came to your parade.

Considering your town hasn't had a major title since 1983, I would have expected MORE people to show up.

When the Bucs beat the Eagles in the NFC title game and the Lightning beat the Flyers to advance to the Stanley Cup, Tampa fans didn't troll the Philly paper websites to rub it in.

You prove without a shadow of a doubt that Philly fans have NO class at all. NONE.

[James]

One additional comment. With money issues, job stress, and economy concerns, it was great to take the family to a ball game ---- in which for three hours -- we could forget our problems and watch our Rays play the game the way it is supposed to be played. Hustle and heart. The Rays taught me about life -- not just about baseball. Don't quit, don't give up, don't listen to the naysayers -- believe in yourself and work hard -- it pays off.

[James]

The Rays had an incredible run. It was a pleasure going to so many games this season. The guys played hard in every game. Not in the past when you saw the team give up on the field. The attitude changed this year. They beat all the big teams during the season. We were three games short of declaring them World Champs. That's ok... just means that there IS something else to work for. We are no longer the joke of MLB. Us fans can wear our hats with pride and we salute the AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPION TAMPA BAY RAYS!!!

Philly Dog,
You are mistaken, we don't care at all.

[pghbud]

As a baseball fan for over 50 years (grew up in Pittsburgh), I feel what a lot of baseball fans in St Pete are feeling because we know that this year was unlike any other and may never be repeated anywhere. To follow a team that erased a decade of disappointments by playing with all their heart and following a leader that they trusted like a parent gave such joy and showed why baseball is America's game. Even without winning the WS, I was reliving the emotions of the 1960 Pirates. The Rays have given so many fans an opportunity to fall in love with this year's best all around team and the greatest game on earth. This feeling should carry into many years of loyal fans in this area and continued success on the field and noisy crowds at the Trop. I can't wait until next spring, but I will never forget this year and I thank every one of the Rays players and coaches for playing the game like they loved what they were doing. Go Rays!

[KG]

PHILLY DOG,

WHO CARES!!!! WE LOVE OUR RAYS AND THEY WILL HAVE THEIR TIME!!! Besides, we've had our own CHAMPIONSHIP parades here in Tampa Bay to enjoy. Go gloat on a Philadelphia newspaper site. GOOOOO Rays, GOOOOO Bucs, GOOOOO Lightning!!!

[Philly Dog]

Thousands of Phillies fans lined up 10 deep along downtown sidewalks and overwhelmed commuter trains hauled thousands more toward Philadelphia as excitement built Friday for the city’s first championship parade in 25 years.

Just thought you would like to know.

[william goldman]

I'VE NEVER BEEN PROUDER OF A BASEBALL TEAM THAN I AM OF OUR RAYS. THEY SWEPT THROUGH THE AMERICAN LEAGUE LIKE THEY OWNED IT.THEY CAME UP A LITTLE SHORT IN THE WORLD SERIES, BUT REPRESENTD THEMSELVES WITH CLASS AND DIGNITY.
JOE MADDON IS THE PERFECT MANAGER FOR THIS TEAM, AND IS A LOCK FOR A.L. MANAGER OF THE YEAR.WITH A LITTLE TWEAKING, I SEE THE 2009 VERSION OF THE RAYS AS BETTER THAN EVER. OUR NEEDS ARE A GOOD HITTING/FIELDING RIGHT FIELDER, AND PERHAPS A LIGHTS OUT CLOSER. WITH PRICE BECOMING A STARTER, THE RAYS WILL BE ABLE TO USE ONE OF THE PITCHING STAFF FOR TRADE BAIT FOR THAT MUCH NEEDED CLOSER.
BRING ON THE 2009 SEASON.

[Gatorgirl]

Dear Rays,

At a time when most people needed something in their lives to cheer about, you guys came through. Although it might not have turned out perfectly, you guys went from the worst to one of the BEST. You may not have won the World Series, but you gained the respect of every other team in the league as well as their fans. That is a victory in itself. The Tampa Rays are no longer the little ol’ team from St. Petersburg that nobody talked about. Thanks to you guys, from now on, this team has changed and you guys should be so incredibly proud to be a part of that. I am sure there is a level of disappointment, that is to be expected, but your fans are so proud of what you guys accomplished this year. Of course, we wish you guys were World Champions because you have worked so hard, but there is a reason for everything and I believe this is just the beginning of something even greater. Each and every one of you guys have been so fun to watch, you have brought baseball to another level for all the fans in Tampa Bay and I just wanted to thank you!

From,
A Rays Fan.