I realize I'm the newbie (and an 'outsider' at that), so I'll admit my ignorance re: Tampa vs St. Pete, ghetto location, etc. But it still seems to me that the Bay Area should be able to get enough support. As for the stadium being in a neighborhood of 12 old people, why in the world was it built there in the first place? And how many of those old folks go to the rock concerts?
My basic point is that the area should figh hard to keep the Rays. Once you lose them, no other team will want to come here later.
the stadium was built before the team was around. used it for hockey games, boat shows and other random sheet. they should move across the bay to tampa for sure though :toast
lets see what they can come up with today..better be a W! :cheers
They made some moves today
Baldelli off roster, Aybar in; Pena benched today, Jennings in RF
Rocco Baldelli has been taken off the Rays division series roster for medical reasons and replaced by Willy Aybar, who will start at DH today.
Baldelli felt cramping after Wednesday's game as a result of his illness that causes muscle fatigue, and again Thursday morning when he tried to hit. "It's the same thing that's bothered him to this point,'' manager Joe Maddon said."We spoke at the end of the game (Wednesday) and he was very distraught.'' Technically, the Rays are calling it left leg fatigue symptomatic of his mitochondrial disorder.
Under MLB rules, Baldelli can be replaced on the roster but has to sit out the next series if the Rays advance. Maddon said though Baldelli wasn't feeling well, he did not require medical attention.
Also, 1B Carlos Pena is out of the lineup against tought Rangers lefty C.J. Wilson, with switch-hitting Ben Zobrist at first base and right-handed rookie Desmond Jennings in rightfield. Maddon said that was the plan from the start of the series, and not a reaction to Wednesday's game. Wilson has held lefty hitters to a .144 average and has not allowed a home run; he has allowed a .236 question and 10 homers to righthanders.
Maddon said Jennings "seems to be fine" and the 23-year-old shouldn't be fazed by the spotlight. However Maddon admitted he would have preferred to play Jennings more after his Sept. 1 promotion from Triple-A - he has made only five starts (two in rightfield, two in left and one in center). "The opportunity wasn't there based on the other teams' pitching,'' Maddon said. "We've been keeping him ready in regards to his defensive work, his hitting, etc. So I feel really good that he's going to go out there and play well today.''
Minor-league C Nevin Ashley joined the team and will start working out with bullpen coach Bobby Ramos to be prepared should the Rays need another catcher. Ashley was summoned when Dioner Navarro decided to go home rather than stay with the team after being left off the roster.
Asked if he was disappointed in Navarro’s decision, Maddon said: “I’m surprised, and I’ll leave it at that.’’
The Rays lineup:
Bartlett ss
Upton cf
Crawford lf
Longoria 3b
Zobrist 1b
Aybar DH
Shoppach dh c
Rodriguez 2b
Jennings rf
Shields p
I do not want to see the name Rocco Baldelli on this roster next year. I know he has a medical issue problem, but he sucks. Just part ways and be done
