What they're saying about the Rays
Here's a sample of what other media are writing. Click on the hyperlinked words for the full stories.
Bring on the Rays
Michael Silverman, Boston Herald
The next plane the Red Sox will board will be bound for St. Petersburg, Fla., tomorrow afternoon, and it will be a flight they will make willingly for what should be a bruising and highly entertaining best-of-seven series against their fiercest regular-season foes, the Tampa Bay Rays.
Read full story.
One Proud, Slow Team
Greg Couch, Chicago Sun-Times
Monday, I could only think that the Sox had no chance. Down four? That meant four home runs to tie, five home runs to win. ...
For years, Tampa Bay would have been a joke of a franchise if anyone had noticed it even existed. ... A few days ago, Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle said the Rays reminded him of the 2005 Sox, the World Series team.
If Sox fans saw that, they would be jealous, a little nostalgic. But you had to feel good for Tampa Bay. That team can do everything. It has power, speed and a nice bullpen.
Read full story.
A First for the Rays After Years in Last Place
Pat Borzi, New York Times
Nothing could deter the Rays, an expansion team that posted losing records its first 10 seasons before joining the 1991 Atlanta Braves as the only major league teams to reach the postseason after compiling baseball’s worst record the year before.
"It means everything," B.J. Upton said. "We’ve been at the bottom of the barrel for so long. And I think there was a point in time where people didn’t even know who we were."
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Rays Rise to the Occasion
Chico Harlan, Washington Post
As the year progressed, and as Tampa Bay staged the third-greatest season-to-season turnaround in American League history, they constructed baseball's most embraceable identity. They were young and eager to please. Their manager knew literature and savored good wine. They admonished doubters the old-fashioned way, by saying nothing.
Read full story.
Cubs, White Sox Disappear in a Blink
Dan Morrissey, Chicago Tribune
Come with me now on a nostalgic journey back to a magical time for Chicago baseball fans.
George W. Bush was president, a gallon of gas cost $3.65 and a government bailout of the financial industry was in the works.
You know, the middle of last week.
Read full story.
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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.
What do you think, Phils or Dodgers vs
Boston in the World Series?
Posted by: Red Sox Ricki | October 07, 2008 at 09:35 PM
Another great NYT story about the Rays rise from the dustbin: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/sports/baseball/08baseball.html?ref=sports
Posted by: Martin | October 07, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Agreed about the coverage. I turned the TV sound down and listened to our guys on 1250. Even watching it out of sync was better that listening to that TBS moron saying "down in Tampa" and "Tampa" does this and "Tampa" does that. Hey TBS, it's Tampa BAY and they play at the Trop wich is not "down in Tampa".
Posted by: | October 07, 2008 at 02:53 PM
What and miss listening to Chris Rock for 4 more games?
Posted by: reynolds | October 07, 2008 at 02:00 PM
you can also hear it on 1250 am
much better than TBS noise
Posted by: Harold | October 07, 2008 at 12:28 PM
ESPN Radio (AM 1040) has GREAT play by play coverage from legendary announcer Gary Thorne. Turn off the TV sound and relish the full effects.
Posted by: tim | October 07, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Let's pop some more bottles, then win 8 more, then we'll be parading down central ave. & celebrating like it's 2099.
What Another Great Day in Tampa Bay.
Believe all the hype of:
Raysvolution
RaysRepublic
World SeRays
etc...
Posted by: rayray | October 07, 2008 at 11:13 AM
John Kruk on Baseball Tonight picked the Red Sox to win the ALCS. Let's show the Krukster he just doesn't get what's going on in Tampa Bay.
Go Rays!!!
Posted by: 9equals8.com | October 07, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Remove the Tarps - sign the petition below:
http://www.petitiononline.com/NoTarps/petition.html
Posted by: 9equals8.com | October 07, 2008 at 10:59 AM
The Rays arrived at St. Pete/Clearwater Airport at 1:30 this morning. I haven't heard anything about a celebration yet.
Posted by: Lori | October 07, 2008 at 09:28 AM
You know, all the Rays need to do is win eight more games.
Since in the ALCS, they have the better record than the Red Socks - so, they get four home games in the best of seven series.
Then, since the AL won the All-Star game, they'll be the home team in the WS as well - four games in the Trop.
Basically, the Rays could lose every road game and still take the World Series by doing what they do best - winning in front of their fans! GO RAYS!
Posted by: Larry | October 07, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Are the Rays back in St Pete yet. Any welcome home planned.
Posted by: Richard | October 07, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Defense wins Championships!
ERROR FREE = 8 more wins!
9 = 8 now, more than ever!
Off with the TARPS.
Posted by: joeknowsbaseball | October 07, 2008 at 08:49 AM