Hope . . . isn’t it what being a fan is all about?

In my opinion, Christmas came early this year with the arrival of Stuart Sternberg, Matt Silverman, Andrew Friedman, Gerry Hunsicker and Joe Maddon. The departure of the previous management team was long overdue and as a fan of the Rays, I could feel a great weight lifted off the community’s collective shoulders.  It just proves the theory which states "The sun doesn’t shine on the same dog’s rear end every time."

I have spoken with an employee of the team and she related how different (note: positive) an atmosphere it was under the new regime.  Things are possible now.  What a concept!!  Spreading an aura of positive thinking where the employees are empowered and moving forward toward bringing a championship to the Tampa Bay area is what this management team is all about.  This is the first time in my life as a baseball fan I am a fan of management . . . simply because they have provided hope.

I am firmly behind the team as never before.  It’s exciting to think we have a plan to grow and succeed rather than a plan to save money and line the pockets of Vince Naimoli.  I recognize baseball is a business and Mr. Naimoli was entitled to make as much money as possible; capitalism at it’s best/worst.  However, the fabricated stories of building for the future wore as thin as Naimoli’s wallet was thick.  As Naimoli’s GM, Chuck Lamar had the worst job in baseball.  How he was able to endure the constraints put upon him is beyond my comprehension.  He did a competent job given the tools with which he had to work.

I am glad they aren’t dropping millions on the so-so pitchers out there.  Kazmir, McClung, Townsend and Neimann will develop just in time for a division run in the next few years as we add Delmon Young and BJ Upton to the lineup.  Casey Fossum will fulfill the promise which made him a 1st round draft choice of the Red Sox.  Mark Hendrickson is only 3 years out of the NBA and keeps getting better.  I say keep Baez.  He will keep the bullpen stabilized. Or we can go the route of the Athletics and churn out closers for the benefit of making them trade bait for more prospects.  And why not find a veteran starter at the end of his career who can bring it for an inning.  Dennis Eckersley was a good starting pitcher who became a great closer.  Further evidence of this being a good idea is John Smoltz.  Keep being patient.  We are closer than we have ever been.

I am sorry to see Joe Borowski go.  He brought a presence to the bullpen, something which was sorely needed.  In spite of his fade at the end of the season, he was my most valuable player on the Rays.  He simply came in and, by example, showed the pitchers what needed to be accomplished: throw strikes.  The result was not a surprise to me as the Rays finished over .500 in the second half.

We must be the envy of the league with our outfield. I would submit 4, if not 5 of our guys could start on almost any team in the major leagues. The only weak link, in my opinion (and this is a bombshell), is Carl Crawford.  Maybe it’s youth but his petulant attitude is starting to become a nuisance.  The one thing which will keep him from achieving his potential will be Carl Crawford.  His penchant for swinging at the first pitch drives me berserk.  I understand he didn’t get along with Lee Elia.  Who knows what transpired between them.  Moreover, who cares?  The facts are simple:  Crawford hits almost 30 points higher when he takes the first pitch.  Here is another simple truism:  the more pitches one looks at, the more likely the pitcher will make a mistake.  He needs to get with the program.  Further, in one of the most exciting games in Devil Rays history (the comeback against the Red Sox knocking them out of first place at the end of last season), during the late inning rally, Crawford on was first when a double play ball was hit.  Instead of going in to 2nd base hard in an attempt to disrupt the play, he peeled off into right field. Maybe he had a need to say hi to Trot Nixon.  Who knows?  Who cares?  If he does it again, I will ride his rear end from my left field seat just like I did that night.  He may be a great fantasy player but he plays in the real world.

Here are some hopes:
Gomes keeps up his exciting play
Crawford gets a clue
Baldelli healthy for the year
Burroughs fulfills his promise
Kazmir continues to dazzle
Hall acquires some power
Cantu becomes a quiet star
Huff hits in April
Lugo becomes an All Star
Lee continues to dig them out of the dirt

Finally, one last hope . . . February and spring training get here quickly as I cannot wait to get in the stands for a game.