text:
Results tagged ' James Shields '
Rays Want to be "King of the Hill"
You remember playing that childhood game called "King of the Hill". Of course in Florida we do not have many hills, but sometimes sand dunes, the rolling landscape or even a set of monkey bars can set the tone of the combatant game of skill and wits. As you push, shove and generally bully your friends to keep sole possession of that sacred space, in the back of your mind you always knew someone could or would topple you with a counter move or bum rush you never expected.
It always came, it put you firmly back on your heels or backside, and you always knew someone wanted the "Hill" as bad as you. That is exactly how I picture the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays right now. Both teams want to sit a top that hill all by themselves, and the Rangers, who have won 75% of their early contests is trying to dig in and stay firm for the long haul while the Rays are pushing, shoving and doing the general mayhem needed to irritate and cause mistakes of this Ranger squad.
Just like our own childhood backyard fights for superiority, honor and neighborhood glory, this 3-game knock-down drag-out square-off is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. Both teams know their own strengths as well as their oppositions weaknesses, but it was the Rays who forcefully shoved first last night pushing the Arlington crew back a step en route to the Rays 13th victory.
And the Rays did it the old-fashioned way by using their ace, James Shields who used his change-up and cutter to confuse and found the corners of the plate with sharpness and consistency last night, further helping develop the Rays chances of winning. Combine that with clutch hitting from Evan Longoria, some aggressive base-running that produced mixed results, but served notice the Rays are not standing in the base paths on their heels, and this team served notice it has come to take a few victories before heading back home for another home stand.
When I first saw this road blip on the Rays 2012 schedule I firmly thought this would be a nice checking point to see how this team will endure during the 2012 season. Usually around the 20 game mark teams show their developing interwoven character, and pitching begins to get closer to the hitter's early season advantages. The Rays have fine-tuned their starter's rough edges, and with that this Rays team has been rewarded with an impressive winning streak. For this to keep happening, the Rays have to keep doing what got them here, post up at least 6 runs in support for the starters and Bullpen, then find ways to secure outs and get this game quickly in the books.
Still, the Rays want to be the "King of the Hill". For the Rays to keep pressure on the Rangers and possibly take the hill for themselves, they need to keep pushing the Texas squads mental buttons, shove runs across the plate and take it to this Rangers squad hard and rough especially when they are down. Aggressive actions along with calculated moves could bring the Rays another "W" this afternoon and with that, a clear advantage in this series that the Rays can bank and will clearly pay dividends down the seasonal stretch. I mean baseball and "King of the Hill" are kid's games…right?
Rays Need to Wipe the Tarnish Off Their "Golden Arms"
Coming into the 2012 Major League Baseball season I do not think there was anyone connected with the game who had any major concerns about the Tampa Bay Rays starting pitching or their overhauled Bullpen. Most proclaimed them to be a pitching staff that was a year older, but considerably wiser beyond their years. From the only over 30 member of the starting rotation James Shields to rookie Matt Moore, the Rays were definitely a young staff to be wary of this season.
But how reality can change. How quickly things can go sideways, produce holes and show the Rays have a few situations, and not all of them have immediate solutions. Things looked up quickly for the Rays "Golden Arms" after sweeping the 2011 American League East champs, the New York Yankees at home. Quickly people were singing the praises of this young bunch of hurlers who seemed to have the midas touch, the "Golden Arms" moniker seem appropriate. Even after a hiccup of only winning one of three against the favored Detroit Tigers, the Rays seemed destine to head into the land of the Lobster and chowder with confidence and a chance.
Suddenly over a 3-game spread the Rays starters looked vulnerable, giving up extra base smashes that usually find a glove, or produce outs. Even though pitches were being placed perfectly in their quadrants, bats met ball almost like they knew it was going to be delivered there, without much sweat or guessing. Instantly eyes and fingers began to watch these Red Sox for clues or suggestions of a more clandestine reasoning for the Rays sudden fall from pitching grace. In an instant the once mystical Rays seemed bewildered and confused as speculation ran rampant that their secret formula had been deciphered and pilfered producing 3 straight dizzying losses to their divisional rival Boston.
The Rays seemed plagued by an aspiration more towards mediocrity than their acclaimed meteoric prediction. In a flash the Rays tumbled from the grace of promise to fall 0-3 and closer to the .500 mark before their ace, James Shields delivered them from the folly of losing all 4 contests to these Bostonians. Some say the difference was a change of habit, a visual game of hide and go seek where Rays catcher Jose Molina would do his best impression of hiding the corner and seeking the calls on the outside corners. Even if the strike zone did gain a few inches, it went both ways, but it did give Shields and the Rays a fighting chance.
You want to dissect the Rays starting staff and look for a fundamental reasoning for the Boston meltdown, but you will not find it. Tongues wagged that Moore was tipping off his pitches, but the same game outcome and hit barrage beset veteran hurler David Price and 2011 Rookie of the Year Jeremy Hellickson. How could a staff that stifled the Yankees less than a week before suddenly fall flat against a divisional rival they had winning history against in their ballpark. It is not like the Rays came into Boston complacent or sporting a superior record, somewhere the dike developed a leak and not until Shields hit the hill did it get plugged with success.
Some might contribute this strange quandary to the fact of a plethora of afternoon contests on this road trip, but that is the easy answer. The hard answer is this young staff is still maturing at times and can be vulnerable. The real answer is Hellickson and Moore have the abilities to shut down any American League offense, but if their control ticks even an inch off the plate, the Home Plate Umpire might not give that extra inch. That comes with experience and knowing which Umpire might be open to balls skipping the corners and who runs a tight strike zone. Worst thing is on any given night that variable could change without warning or hint.
We all know already if Shields and Price have the motors revving and are on point, only they can cost themselves a victory. Worst thing that could happen to the Rays is one of these two going down, or experiencing even a short span of wildness or ability to sit guys down via the outside corner called third strike. There is a gap between the experience levels of these two and the duo of Hellboy and M&M. Not even sure the tallest member of the silent assassins, Jeff Niemann can put himself into that middle ground at times. Even though the 6'9" Niemann can show the skills of an ace during his streaks, when he is off his game, weird things happen. You might consider Niemann a liability compared to the other 4 starters on this team, but when he is in his groove and popping balls into the strike zone, he looks more like a #3 starter than the back end option at #5.
The Rays starters just have to wipe the tarnish off their "Golden Arms" and again show the wealth and worth of their abilities to get the Rays close games that their offense can overcome and post wins. The Boston series was a debacle by any sense of the word, but this Toronto series might be the true test for the Rays starters. If they can harness themselves and post a winning edge in this first series in Canada, it could be a great launching pad into their home stand and again having people feel "golden" about this starting staff.
Did the Red Sox Signal Corps Find Success?
"They're just really hot right now," Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon told the Tampa Bay Times after Thursday afternoon's 3rd loss in a row to the Boston Red Sox. "It's almost like they knew what's coming almost. They're on every pitch. They're on the fastball. They're on the breaking ball. They're on the change-up. They're on everything right now. They're really locked in."
Doesn't take a baseball genius to decipher a little bit of hidden meaning in Maddon's comments. But maybe Maddon is on to something. Sure stealing signs has been around since the invention of the game and unless you use a video tape system or other technology that can give you in-game information, Major League Baseball will turn it's eye away from the situation. If you have every notice during Rays game, one of the Rays starters, and usually Rays Bullpen Catcher Scott Cursi will both keep an accurate account of the game stats, type of pitches and their results for future analysis.
This can be used in the future for predictions, but is not plausible for in-game use. Some thought the Rays pitching staff might be showing "tells" or tipping off their pitches during the Boston series. Seems a bit far-fetched when you consider the Rays sent hurlers David Price, Jeremy Hellickson and rookie Matt Moore to the hill in the first 3 contests, and they did not seem to exhibit any visual "tells" in the delivery, arm slot release or facial movements. There are 3 valid reasons the Red Sox might have gotten the upper hand on the Rays this series.
First off, Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine is an astute student of the game who also caught for many years and knows the art of trying to both conceals and transmit false signals to prevent the stealing of signs. A smart Manager would have someone down near the back-end of the dugout watching in at the catcher, possibly seeing similarities, constant familiar movements or even a flash of a painted nail to signal the true intended pitch.
Just as quickly that player could tip his cap, stand up, clap his hands or do any number of audio or visual patterns to signify a certain pitch being thrown to the plate. This is not an illegal activity, but does seem to hide within the large gray area of the unwritten rules of baseball.
A great second indicator that the Boston brood might be fishing for signals is the fact the Red Sox brought in former Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach to be their primary backstop this season. Do not forget, it was this same Red Sox organization that gave @ShopHouse10 his first decent chance and taste of MLB life as a Red Sox prospect. Got to think the Red Sox have grilled and formulated a game plan in advance with information on pitching patterns and possible signal combinations so to get a bit of an edge against this young and talented staff.
This is also not illegal, and is a rather commonplace occurrence after a player leaves one team and joins another. But a catcher knows all the nuances and particulars of a team's signal calling process. Even if the Rays changed their system this Spring, there is still leftover signals, patterns and small tell-tale signs that could trigger an all out discovery or disclosure of a team's battery signals.
Still, Boston could have done their business the hard way and just watched game film from this Spring as these 2 squads played each other 3 times with the Red Sox coming away with wins in all 3 contests. Valentine could have had his off-the field staff tear down game tapes looking for patterns, "tells" or even a system that developed out of the constant movements of the Rays catchers this Spring and possibly into late 2011. He could have done it by dissecting the Rays Spring patterns, taking a slice of Shoppach's past knowledge and sprinkled in a bit of his long history both as a spectator and catcher in the MLB.
Or maybe it is just as simple as Valentine figured out the Rays common "indicator" signal that all 3 of the Rays catchers from Jose Molina, Jose Lobaton to Chris Gimenez might have used when a player was on base. The "indicator" is usually one or two patterned finger or body movements made to try to throw off someone stealing signals, but if discovered, or if the pattern is somehow revealed throughout a contest, it can be a green light to the First and Third Base Coaches to alert hitters to what might be coming.
Even a calculated and synchronized system of random catcher movements and finger motions can be dissected within the scope of the game, possibly making the catcher the one giving up a "tell". Even though it is illegal to videotape the concentrated area of the catcher for possible signal interception, the Centerfield camera always gives a perfect view into the heart of the plate, and signals can be deciphered quickly.
In the end it is a part of the game until you have hard concrete proof to the contrary. Considering Valentine and Shoppach could have brainstormed before the series began and when the indicators might have been discovered, the rest came fast and furious. But you want to think it was just an offense coming alive and no ulterior actions that hindered the Rays pitching staff this series.
But a clear indicator that possibly the system was compromised came to light today as starter James Shields held the Red Sox to a 4-hit shutout to break not only the Rays losing streak, but possibly the tale of the stealing signs. No matter if the Rays got duped by Boston this series and they did figure out the patterns and signals, it just goes to show you that not all information can be tied to a computer, a spreadsheet or even a video. Sometimes the human eye can figure out the game just as quickly and turn it into an advantage. I hope no signs were stolen, but who would fess up if it was true?
Time For The Rays To Act Like Contenders, Not Morgue Meat
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth. Guess that is the only way to describe the scene that played out in front of me and the rest of the Nation after the fifth inning today. There is no other team that I hate seeing the Tampa Bay Rays lose to than this Boston bunch. And losing 2 out of the first 2 to begin the 2012 seasonal series, that just makes my stomach turn, burn and totally feeling like imploding.
I am not going to call anyone out for this loss because it has been 30 minutes and I am suppose to focus on the next day's game now, but there is still some residue on my shoes and it doesn't smell like roses. I tried to drum up the confidence game yesterday in my post by stating we have these types of losses during a long 162-game season, but against a divisional foe, the loss hurts double in my heart and in the standings. Worst part of it all is that this game seemed well in hand, then the mighty hand of something purely evil and nasty plucked the stingers off the Rays one-by-one until it seems our eyes glazed over from disbelief.
These types of losing streaks can be endured, but not when it gives glee and happiness to fan base that truly wishes and prays that the Rays choke on their pride and emphatically drown in their own tears. The scene on the Fenway grass today after the 5th inning seemed more likely to be one played out on a sappy medical drama where the patient comes into the facility in perfect health, has a great prognosis then somehow a severed jugular burst forward and instantly we were in a life or death struggle with no angels in the wings to pluck us from the obvious. The Rays right now look more like morgue meat than contenders, and that has to change…stat!
I so want that last sentence to be untrue, but there are fragments and obscure pieces missing that would make this whole enchilada complete. Some members of the pitching staff seem so at ease and " in the flow", while others seem to be going through the proverbial motions and not delivering up quality or quantity yet this season. It is frustrating when you have seen and felt the possibilities of this 2012 Rays team, then they stumble, fumble and look more like a pre-2007 Rays squad.
But here is where we do our work as fans. It is our job right now to keep the faith, push our chests out and take the insults and sharp criticism of this team's downward turns and stand firm, stand erect, and above all stand united. For if even one of us falters in our belief and hope for this team, the dam could spring a leak and that will lead to a river of deplorable chaos and false propaganda with a Bulls Eye painted on each member of this team.
As the Rays unite as a team, solid in their goals, commitment and belief in themselves as individuals and a collective team, we must also stay the course, throw up the encouraging even in the face of the disenchanting truth. It is time to either bail out the boat and know survival is in sight or look in the distance for the school of media sharks awaiting any wobble or bob from this team and their potential.
GTL Rays Style
I know almost everyone has heard of the phrase GTL made famous now by the MTV series "Jersey Shore". Well considering they did a stint in South Florida a few years ago, I am thinking we should do a small homage to the GTL events that members of the Tampa Bay Rays could have done for today's "off day". The original meaning of course was Gym, Tan and Laundry for the Seaside Heights, New Jersey crew, but I'm thinking the Port Charlotte, Florida regiment has their own versions of this classic phrasing.
Gas, Tan, Lotion: You know a few of the younger and single members of the Rays hit the area beaches since it is Spring Break for college students around the country. Since this region of SW Florida tends to have some of the best beaches in the country, it is only natural students would hit this region not only for the emerald waters and picture-perfect sunsets, but the allure of professional athletes possibly throwing a football or getting some extra tannage on the newly minted white domes.
Grate, Trowel, Luck: Just a few miles up the coast from Port Charlotte is Venice Beach. The reason I mention this is it has an activity at this peaceful beach that is special to this part of Florida, and it can be a great adventure for families or just a group of friends. It is shark tooth hunting, and it is as simple as it sounds. All you do is wade out into the estuary waterways scoop up a shovel load of bottom soil and sift it through a grate/filter system with the remnants and fine-toothed enamel teeth of long gone sharks materialize in the trays. Sure most can be of the small or even tiny variety, but every once in a while you can see a huge tooth of a species that used to not only swam this region, but possibly perished somewhere in land up the Peace or Alafia rivers.
Gig,Troll,Land 'em: Several members of the Rays PR Department today hit the Boca Grande flats and open waters to fish, relax and sue it as their own bonding moment themselves. Just like the Rays squad, these guys will be together over that 180 day stretch and finding common ground, landing a few tasty lunch morsels and getting some Sun on their own newly mowed heads will do wonders come April.
Grip, Tee, Links: Considering so many of the Rays also are pretty good on the golf links, you could easily see the likes of B J Upton, David Price, James Shield, Matt Joyce and even Evan Longoria tee up a few at one of the local golf courses. With a day off, the links can be a great way to just have fun at a leisurely pace, kick back and clown a bit with friends and just enjoy a hot and humid Florida Spring day. Problem is, will these crews allow mulligans?
Grease, Tighten, Loosen: Who knows, maybe Rays skipper Joe Maddon could have gotten a few of his squad to help him do a bit of fix-up on his new '55 Chevy. I remember someone telling me earlier the new ride had some spongy brakes, and this could be an additional bonding moment as Maddon, maybe a few of his staff and a player or two tinkering under the hood of a car most people can fix without a CPU system. I know I would have volunteered for that duty.
I know a majority of the team possibly just slept in later, did errands and adventures with their family, possibly doing some breakfast in one of the quaint and great restaurants in the region before embarking on day trips or even just lounging out enjoying the sights and sounds of their families. This was a needed moment for this team as a day like this can do so much to recharge and energize a team as they begin to enter the stretch run of the Grapefruit League season or as I like to call it Grapefruit, Tangerine and Lemon league. That's my version of Spring GTL.
Hair Today….Gone Tommorrow… for a Great Cause
Some say Rays Manager Joe Maddon has made more than a few headlines for his follicle hair coloring statements over the past few seasons. From his steady head of gray to John Cash black to a more subtle but pronounced medium brown this Spring, Maddon has made his hair fashionable.
On Thursday Maddon's " hair moment" or in fact his "loss of hair moment" will proceed over an event that has seen it's list of participants grow by the hour. Over 26 members of the Rays are set to see their locks fall to the ground and be swept away as a symbolic gesture of support for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Dubbed "Team Rays" on their website, Maddon will be not only leading by example, but following the road set forth by another Tampa Bay sports icon, Tampa Bay Lightning F Vinny Lacavalier.
This is the same organization that Rays starter Wade Davis showed such support for in 2011 as he let a young cancer patient shave his head as he sat in a chair over the Rays dugout after the conclusion of a Sunday game. That was only one participant, and the crowd was amazing. Think of the magnitude knowing over 25 members of the team and the Rays staff will also sit in the chair and have their locks fall to the grass in support of this effort.
Rays participants set to join Maddon in the barber's chair before the Rays Thursday afternoon contest in Port Charlotte include Rays pitchers: Davis, James Shields, Bryan Augenstein, Cesar Ramos. Jake McGee, Alex Cobb, Brandon Gomes, Matt Torra, Albert Suarez, Matt Bush, Dane De La Rosa and Rays rookie sensation Matt Moore.
Not to be outdone by the pitchers', the entire Rays catching corps will also have their time in the leather chair as Jose Molina, Jose Lobaton, Chris Gimenez, Mark Thomas,Stephen Vogt, Robinson Chirinos and follicle-challenged Craig Abernaz will see their hair fly away in the Charlotte Sports Park wind before that days contest. Also making an appearance in the chair will be some of the members of the Rays right-side of their infield: SS Reid Brignac, 3B Jesus Feliciano, INF Elliot Johnson, plus Rays outfield members Matt Joyce, Brandon Guyer and the "Legend" himself, Sam Fuld.
A few well-known figures in the Rays coaching staff will also need more sunscreen this Spring as Third Base Coach Tom Foley and Bench Coach Dave Martinez will also be supporting this great charity. The Rays front office will also have a few hit the chair as Rays Senior VP of Baseball Operations Brian Auld, Sr VP Mark Fernandez, VP of Branding and Fan Experience Darcy Raymond, Sr Director of Corporate Partnerships Aaron Cohn,Manager of Corporate Sales Jake Hornstein and two Directors of Corporate Partnerships, Richard Reeves and Josh Bullock.
I think the paragraph on the pcfcutforacure website under "Team Rays" speaks volumes on why the team is so focused and excited about the event:
"This is about being there for the kids and their families. We want them to know they are not alone. It's a small gesture, but it is our way of showing support for them while gaining empathy for what they are going through. We have a saying posted in our locker room that says 'Fortune favors the bold.' As we go forward with this campaign we are doing so under the flag 'Fortune favors the bald.' As an organization, we are proud to support organizations and institutions like the Pediatric Cancer Foundation (PCF) and the Moffitt Cancer Center."
This is the kind of event that bonds a team. Unified with a common thought and goal, it can be a great starting point of the Rays taking another step not only in their development as a team, but as a great inspiration to other teams around the MLB to follow suit. I commend Maddon and his troops for their commitment, their outstanding community involvement and support, and most of all for donating what some see as a status symbol but they see as only hair and a visual stamp that they support this organization.
If you want to help support this cause with a donation of your own, text CUT to 50555 or go to pcfcutforacure.org. Just as every snip of the scissors is a chance to change a life, every text can also be life-changing for someone.
Rays + Laughter = Pure Magic
Coming into Spring Training, the Tampa Bay Rays have 20 of the 25 members of the 2011 squad back for another chance at the brass ring. That fact by itself is amazing, but considering the youth and talent of this group, that could also be a seasonal occurance for a while. And with that familiarity of the personnel comes a consistency, a confidence and most of all a bond that almost nothing can break.
Humor seems to be the bond of this young squad. From veteran 1B Carlos Pena producing a small masterpiece with resident comedian C Steven Vogt impersonating Rays skipper Joe Maddon to a nationwide acknowledgment of this talented group off the turf by INF Eliot Johnson as he nails ESPN's resident leprechaun Tim Krukjian, humor rules the Rays roost.
From their great road trip ensembles of years past, to their annual Spring talent reveal, this Rays team knows the value of a giggle, belly laugh or even a practical joke. That lends a lot to a young team fighting for an identity. It bonds each member a bit tighter together and with that comes a more refined unity needed over the grueling 162 game schedule.
No matter if it is a joke, a story or even a off-the-cuff impression, the antics this young team does in the dugout, clubhouse or even in public shows they do not take themselves too seriously and know their day job comes with stress, but comic relief is only a conversation away.
Some might not guess, but this humor also keeps peop-le in check. How can we all forget the sunflower seed shower given to Rays P David Price during a live interview in 2011 when fellow hurler James Shields decided Price needed a bit of props/sunflower seeds for the interview process. I still chuckle at the mention of this event because it firmly illustrates the loose vibe in this clubhouse and the players ability to not take themselves so seriously.
Laughter by itself is also a great indicator of the closeness and unity of this Rays squad. For to laugh at yourself or others and take it with a grain of salt is the measure of this team grasping the reality that every win is critical, but sometimes steams has to be let off, and laughing is better than a more votatile alternative.
Joking around both before, during and after the game has been around for as long as players have taken to the diamond. It is a productive way to let off steam, do karma patrol action to players who's follies might be known or personal as well as keep themselves loose and ready for anything. As long as this team stays in this humerous state, I think this team can go as far as their on the field talents take them. But if the laughter tends to cease in the clubhouse and on the field, then it is time to worry about these guys.
E-10, Photographer Throw High and Wide on Rays Spring Photos
If the recent Tampa Bay Rays Team Spring photos is any indication, I am starting to think the Tampa Bay Rays 2012 season is going to be more back to the basic, nothing flashy or disrupting to the status quo of the "Rays Way". Maybe I was anticipating a re-visit or renewal of the grandeur and glamor of the Rays 2010 Spring Team photos that took my breath away, and made you wanted to see more of them.
If the 2012 Team Spring photos are any indication, this season is going to be a bare bones, nose to the grindstone, no huge frills and spills kind of season…not that this is a bad thing, maybe I set my expectations too high this season. But then again, it is Spring and hope has to grow eternal and unbridled.
Sure the 41 photos recently uploaded to the Zimbio webpage by photographer Jonathan Ferrey had some unusual and classic poses within their compositions, but somehow a large glove-full of the Rays possible 2012 roster personnel missed their camera time with the Zimbio photog. At least we know Rays 3B Evan Longoria got a few extra shots. Maybe dating a Playmate does have some photo advantages, but a total of 13 individual photos? Longo is one of the cornerstones of this team's offensive and defensive foundations, but so many other cogs of the machine are missing, lost their possible chance in this annual Rays ritual of Spring.
Sure C Mark Thomas and OF Jeff Salazar who are both Rays Spring Training invitees got their respective mugs/poses on a photo, but missing were a huge slice of the Rays other core players like starter Wade Davis, Rays Bullpen members JP Howell, Brandon Gomes, Joel Peralta, Jake McGee, and newcomers Burke Badenhop and Josh Lueke. Is it even imaginable that each and every one of these players somehow missed the vocal call for photos? Am I the only one who feels it is purely insane that 2011 American League Rookie of the Year Jeremy Hellickson would have, could have somehow missed his 2012 photo chance, or was it a captive selection of players designated by the Zimbio photographer?
I have not even begun to scratch the surface of the possible MLB bolo report put out since the "Legend" Sam Fuld, infielders Jeff Keppinger, Ben Zobrist, and Eliot Johnson must have mis-placed their "memos" possibly on their photo chance. Even more disappointing is that Carlos Pena somehow missed the photo cut…Really?
Want another firm kick in the proverbial teeth, the only catcher featured in the photo shoot was Jose Molina, and that was only for 1 photo. Heck even Reid Brignac got more photos than Molina, and he is not guaranteed a starting slot. I know there is a growing army of female Rays followers who would love to see a recent photo of Robinson "Honey Nut" Chirinos or even Jose Lobaton, but they will have to drive to the Charlotte Sports Park and take their own this Spring.
Maybe I got used to the flash and glamor set forth by those 2010 photos that had every single member of the Rays squad, including the Coaching staff in some sort of pose or hitting posture with the added sun flare somewhere within the photo framing. Maybe I was expecting something grand, a statement by the Rays this season as they start their 15th season.
But there were some positives in this set of photos of the 2012 Rays. We got to actually see what top Rays prospect Hak-Ju Lee will look like in a Rays uniform. We already know Lee can dance, and his bat has some magic in it, but seeing him in the Rays whites definitely makes you eager and hoping for the Rays future shortstop to make some additional magic happen during his minor league season so we can see him in that uniform possibly in September.
Maybe I am nitpicking here a bit, but I have come to expect more, especially after that grand and fabulous 2009 Spring photo package. Heck, even Rays skipper Joe Maddon had a possible glamor shot in 2009 that to this day might be one of the best photos of the Rays newly extended Manager.
I possibly wanted something again to "pop" off the screen of my computer, wished for another set of dynamic photos taken that would get my blood pumping, the sweat beading around my cap and the Rays Republic making photo copies of the team photos for signatures in the future. Not sure if any of these Rays Spring photos will be seen on the sidelines before games in 2012. Certainly doubt it (shudder).
Rays Fan Fest Autograph Times
I promised a few of you I would post the Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest autograph participants and their relative time online as soon as humanly possibly. Well, they came out earlier today and of course I was in the middle of working for a living. So without further ado, here is the tentative autograph time for the Rays players to sign at this years Fan Fest.
Do not forget, if you want to participate in the Exclusive Signing Opportunity ($200-500), you have until midnight tonight to make your purchase for this special event away from the usual hustle and bustle of Fan Fest.
|Table 1
|Table 2
|Table 3
|Table 4
|Table 5
|10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
|Ryan Reid
|Tim Beckham
|Jeff Keppinger
|Ricky Orta
|Kyle Farnsworth
|11:30 – 12:30 p.m.
|Brandon Guyer
|Burke Badenhop
|Robinson Chirinos
|Brandon Gomes
|Matt Mangini
|12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
|J.P. Howell
|Matt Joyce
|Wade Davis
|Sean Rodriguez
|Jose Molina
|1:15 – 1:45 p.m.
|Evan Longoria
|Don Zimmer
|Jeremy Hellickson
|1:45 – 2:30 p.m.
|Chris Archer
|Carlos Peña
|Desmond Jennings
|Alex Cobb
|Matt Moore
|2:30 – 3 p.m.
|B.J. Upton
|James Shields
|David Price
|3. – 4 p.m.
|Luke Scott
|Fernando Rodney
|Cesar Ramos
|Jose Lobaton
|Josh Lueke
|4. – 4:45 p.m.
|Nevin Ashley
|Romulo Sanchez
|Stephen Vogt
|Craig Albernaz
|** Schedule subject to change
2012 Toby Hall & Friends Celebrity Golf Classic
Professional athletes have a special format and platform to help educate and introduce us to charities and organization that are among us that without their support or enlightenment might go unnoticed or suffer financial downfalls and possible extinction. This is one of the many reasons I have chosen to be a part of the annual Toby Hall and Friends Celebrity Golf Classic. Well, that and helping out one of my true baseball friends.
His 2012 event again was overflowing with support from the baseball and sports community of Tampa Bay. From the Tampa Bay Lightning to former and current athletes coming together to help support Hall and The Miracle League, the event was a winner from the arrival of the first golfer. This year the event took on a different feel for me. Hall had announced his official retirement as a player earlier in the year, and now his focus and determination was focused and pin-pointed towards helping those organizations that touched at his heart strings.
I also took on a different face within the classic this year as I was on the opposite end of the camera lens taking photos of some of the golfing pairings, and getting some unseen shots while accompanying Hall and his entourage around the course during the days events. It was great to see former Tampa Bay sports icons like Tampa Bay Bucs RB Mike Alstott, T E Dave Moore, K Martin Gramatica. and the Bucs mega fan Big Nasty made the region's football presence known at the event. Other NFL participants were Kansas City Chiefs TE Anthony Becht and former Jets, Bengals and Bucs OL Matt O'Dwyer.
As usual, the Major League Baseball community both in Tampa Bay and with a bevy of former Rays made the bulk of the events celebrity attendees, each bringing their own spin and special moments to the event. Current members of the Rays showing their support for the former Rays backstop included SP David Price who formed Team Price along with teammates SS Reid Brignac and CF B J Upton. Also attending the event was SP James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, Alex Cobb and RF Matt Joyce who all acted as celebrity golfers in the classic's pairings.
But Rays players were not the only one having fun on the links this day, Rays Third Base Coach Tom Foley, former Pitching Coach Chuck Hernandez, Bench coach Bill Evers, former Rays Hitting Coach Steve Henderson and former Rays OF and current Montgomery Biscuits Coach Ozzie Timmons made their rounds Thursday. Former Rays bat boy and current Toronto Blue Jays P Jesse Litsch was also on hand as well as FSN Sports and Rays Television broadcast man-on-the-move Todd Kalas who came out to support the event plus performed some spontaneous Awards Dinner MC work that inspired the evenings auctions.
Several other former Rays and long time supporters of the classic which included a pair of new Chicago Cubs, LHP Trever Miller and RP Andy Sonnanstine, plus new Indians RP Dan Wheeler who made their annual show of support for their former teammate. Former Rays backstop Gregg Zaun again brought his humor and great vibe to the event along with Washington Nationals OF Jason Michaels who again brought his unique putter and local radio "babe" and original Hooters icon Lynne Austin who I still owe a Bloody Mary. Local NBA icon and restaurant owner Matt Geiger also showed his tall and big presence on the links.
It was a great day on the greens and fairways and I had a great time talking and shooting the breeze with many of the celebrities and amateurs who took to the links. With great weather and great bonding on the golf course, the night's final event brought the whole day to an eventual climax. Along with the raffles and awards presentation, Hall then introduced a group that had touched more than his heart strings to the assembled crowd.
Hall spoke of his recent introduction to another great baseball related group called Buddy Baseball that pairs a volunteer with a special needs player and they bond both on and off the field. His emotional moment touched so many in the crowd, and showed us another great organization to not only keep an eye on, but help develop into the successful model The Miracle League has become around the Tampa Bay area. Hall presented the group with a $ 4,000 check on this night, and with it came a rush of emotions all over the room and with the players and staff.
So many of the works and events that athletes do both in Tampa Bay or around the country do not get their "just desserts" within the local media. I volunteer for these events every Spring not to glamorize the athletes involved, but hope to inspire and promote others within the region to also join the path to helping these organizations have continued success and expansion into other Tampa Bay regions. Knowing that Hall has included the Baseball Buddies group now with The Miracle League charity it is a great moment for special needs kids and adults around the Tampa Bay area to have that unique baseball experience and enjoy the game.
Post Script:
I will be posting all my additional photos of the 2012 Toby Hall & Friends Celebrity Golf Classic on my Flickr page (Rays Renegade) if you might desire to re-post or download a photo for your own.


text:
Twitter has partnered with Komli Media to launch Twitter ad products in Southeast Asia.
In today's announcement, Twitter VP of international revenue Shailesh Rao, says Southeast Asia is one of the company's fastest-growing markets.
"We are seeing significant interest from marketers who want to use our Promoted Products to build their businesses and connect with consumers," Rao says, "and working with Komli, and its management team, gives Twitter a strong partner with a footprint throughout the region."
Komli specializes in digital advertising in the Asia Pacific area. It will manage all Twitter Promoted Products sales in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. Komli also says it plans to offer educational and training programs for marketers in the area to "help develop the regional market for Twitter and its Promoted Products."
Related Topics: Channel: Social Media Marketing | Social Media Marketing | Social Media Marketing: Advertising | Twitter: Advertising

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Leave history alone
As a native of North Carolina, I find the removal of the Confederate flag from the old Capitol to be utterly ridiculous.
First, it was designed to be a temporary display replicating part of the antebellum history of the United States. Whereas I understand that some individuals may still worship the flag as a symbol of white superiority, we should not deny individuals visiting United States historic sites the right and ability to appreciate part of history, regardless of how truly dark it may be.
Kurt Kleier


text:
Getting a brew tonight with friends in Greenbelt? Well, make sure you have a designated driver.
It may be the most popular night to go out with friends—Thanksgiving Eve—but the Greenbelt Police Department, like other police agencies, will be conducting a DUI checkpoint tonight in the 100 block of Crescent Road, according to a police spokesperson.
The checkpoint will be in force from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Following the checkpoint, police will be out patrolling major roadways throughout the city of Greenbelt and looking for drivers under the influence.


text:
By Terri Ferguson Smith / email@example.com
The Meridian Star
Despite the many references to the Meridian Public School District in a Department of Justice lawsuit against several state and local officials, the school district itself has remained out of the line of fire in the investigation and resulting litigation.
Accusing officials of conducting a school to prison pipeline, DOJ filed a lawsuit in October against the city of Meridian, its police department, Lauderdale County and its two youth court judges, as well as the Mississippi Department of Human Services Youth Services Division.
The lawsuit alleges that students in trouble with the judicial system have been deprived of their constitutional rights and have been jailed for violating probation conditions over relatively minor infractions, such as talking back to teachers, flatulence and dress code violations.
The lawsuit mentions that these are students in the Meridian Public School District but the district itself is not named as a defendant.
Dr. Alvin Taylor, superintendent of the Meridian Public School District, said he started making discipline policy changes almost immediately when he began his job in July 2011, months before DOJ started its investigation.
In a recent interview, Taylor said although the school district is not a part of the lawsuit, there are still things he cannot discuss about the district's ongoing talks with DOJ.
The school district is working on compliance through a DOJ consent decree, which is a result of the investigation.
Taylor said he couldn't discuss details of the consent decree and
previous policy changes with regard to discipline.
"They looked at the schools. They see as of July 1, 2011 that we've made drastic changes in the school system. We have been excluded from the lawsuit and the DOJ is working with us," Taylor said. "They want to be a part of the changes that we are making. We're sitting down with them and discussing what direction we're going to continue going."
However, Taylor emphasized that no final decision has been made by the school board.
"Nothing has been resolved, it's still pending litigation," he said.
Without getting into specifics, Taylor said there were a lot of changes made.
"We've changed our discipline policies, our procedures in the district," Taylor said. "When I got here in the summer of 2011, I made a lot of changes during
that period. We basically changed how we did a lot of things — how we handled discipline, how we handled academics, how our administrators handled procedures in their buildings.
"By the time DOJ came in here in November, December last year, they saw all the changes that we had made and they were happy with what we were doing."


text:
Ryder Cup Packages
Perhaps a little underrated compared to events like the Masters and the U.S. Open, the Ryder Cup is a golf tournament unlike any other in its own right. While the concept of an international golf competition is certainly nothing new, the Ryder Cup is not just a lighthearted exhibition. You can bet that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are dead serious about beating Team Europe.
The Ryder Cup is only played every two years and won't be back in the U.S. again until '16, so don't miss your chance to see the Ryder Cup in Scotland. Your 2014 Ryder Cup travel package can include Ryder Cup golf tickets, a hotel room in Scotland and transportation to the course.
Travel Packages for Ryder Cup
Need more than just Ryder Cup tickets? GoTickets also offers travel packages that can include options like hotel stays and transportation to make your Ryder Cup experience hassle free. Check out our Ryder Cup travel packages today!


text:
Second Look Weekend
Jefferson invites all accepted applicants back to its campus for a "Second Look". There are many things to consider when selecting a medical school. It should not only meet your academic needs, but your social needs and lifestyle as well. Come back to learn more about our medical college. You can then evaluate how well you and Jefferson can partner in achieving your goal of becoming a skilled and compassionate physician.
More recruitment information for
undergraduate college students:
– Navigating the Admissions Process
– Jeff Facts
– Second Look Weekend
– Student Voices