The 2008 American League Tampa Bay Rays championship ring is shown before a baseball game against the New York Yankees Tuesday, April 14, 2009 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
From Evan Longoria to Matt Garza, it was the feel good story of 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays winning the AL pennant. And the NY Yankees were there in Tampa last nite to watch the ceremony where their division rivals collected these beautiful rings.
After years of getting first picks, the Rays won a championship with a youthful, driven squad, and celebrated their home opener by crushing the Yankees with 15 runs. They have it all again this year, young pitching, a solid outfield, good hitters, veterans sprinkled in the mix, and a team placing its fate on youth and health.
BJ Upton has joined the club, and promptly made a Willie Mays like circus catch look like a can of corn. Longoria has torn up the diamond the first week. Kazmir looks strong. Carlos Pena has been rocking the ball. You know Pat the Bat is good for 25 dingers. Jason Bartlett is stroking the ball like the line drive hit machine he used to be. They stole a set up guy from the Marlins.
What is not to like about the Rays again? Well, they could use a closer. Izringhausen and Percival are very short term solutions. See the column below on the DL. But they do have some guy named David Price starting the season in the minors, and if they really need a 100 mph closer to back up Percival when he breaks down next week, they don't have far to go, do they?
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