Highlights
On March 9, 1995, Major League Baseball officially awarded an American League expansion franchise to a Tampa Bay-based ownership group headed by Vince Naimoli. In some ways, that moment has been the greatest in franchise history. First known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the team played its first major-league game on March 31, 1998, an 11-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. In the years since, the franchise has never won more than 70 games in a single season. Following the 2007 season, the team officially changed its name from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Tampa Bay Rays.
But hope may not be unreasonable. In...
But hope may not be unreasonable. In...
On March 9, 1995, Major League Baseball officially awarded an American League expansion franchise to a Tampa Bay-based ownership group headed by Vince Naimoli. In some ways, that moment has been the greatest in franchise history. First known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the team played its first major-league game on March 31, 1998, an 11-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. In the years since, the franchise has never won more than 70 games in a single season. Following the 2007 season, the team officially changed its name from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Tampa Bay Rays.
But hope may not be unreasonable. In late 2005, New York-based financial services whiz Stuart Sternberg became the team's principal owner and installed new upper management, including team president Matt Silverman and general manager Andrew Friedman. In turn, Silverman and Friedman hired a new manager, Joe Maddon. The new owners and management have tried new strategies to lure new fans, including offering free parking at Tropicana Field and by playing a three-game regular-season series in May 2007 at Disney's Wide World of Sport. Though the team's won-loss totals haven't improved, the franchise's minor-league system is rated among baseball's best for talented young players.
But hope may not be unreasonable. In late 2005, New York-based financial services whiz Stuart Sternberg became the team's principal owner and installed new upper management, including team president Matt Silverman and general manager Andrew Friedman. In turn, Silverman and Friedman hired a new manager, Joe Maddon. The new owners and management have tried new strategies to lure new fans, including offering free parking at Tropicana Field and by playing a three-game regular-season series in May 2007 at Disney's Wide World of Sport. Though the team's won-loss totals haven't improved, the franchise's minor-league system is rated among baseball's best for talented young players.
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Q Poll takes on America’s favorite pastime
Central Florida Political Pulse - Orlando SentinelTALLAHASSEE — Quinnipiac, which has released polls on the state's political views for the last two days, released a third poll this morning. This one asks: Who is Florida's favorite baseball team? The answer: The Yankees. According to the poll, 20... -
Hitting lefties key for Orioles rookie Xavier Avery's development
The Baltimore SunThe Orioles open a three-game series against the Royals tonight still clinging to a one-game lead over the Rays in the AL East. I wrote an off-day story on Orioles rookie outfielder Xavier Avery, who has made an immediate impact since his contract was...Tags: Xavier Avery, Kansas City Royals, Buck Showalter, Baltimore Orioles
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Q Poll: Yankees are Floridians' favorite baseball team
TALLAHASSEE – Take me out to…Yankee Stadium?
When Quinnipiac University pollsters asked Floridians to name their most popular baseball team, the biggest plurality -- 20 percent -- named the New York Yankees. The Tampa Bay Rays are next with...Tags: New York Yankees, Sports, College Baseball, Atlanta Braves, Major League Baseball
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Regional Digest: Northwest Catholic Athletes' College Choices Announced
The Hartford CourantNorthwest CatholicAthletes' College Plans The following athletes from Northwest Catholic-West Hartford are going on to college: David Blackwell, Salve Regina (basketball); Lucien Cance, Nichols (football); Anthony Carter, Endicott (football); Rachel...Tags: Basketball, Roman Catholicism, Boston Red Sox, Baseball, Soccer
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Sox turn on power in 11-8 victory over Twins
The best remedies for Philip Humber's problems Thursday night were strong gusts of wind and his teammates' three-homer power surge in the sixth inning. Winds of at least 17 mph set the tone as the White Sox hit five home runs, including three during a...
Tags: Brian Duensing, Gold Glove Awards, Minnesota Twins, Alex Rios, Snoop Dogg
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Maldición de los Marlins atormenta a Pujols
A finales del año pasado, tres meses antes del inicio de la temporada 2012 del béisbol de Grandes Ligas, pronostiqué miserias para Albert Pujols y sus Angelinos de Los Angeles.
Hasta ahora no me he equivocado, y me sorprende lo "sorprendido" que...Tags: Mike Bibby, Sparky Anderson, Bobby Petrino, Memphis Grizzlies, Joe Louis
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Rich Thompson talks about scoring winning run for Tampa Bay Rays
It's a familiar sight to ironPigs fans: Rich Thompson using his speed to win a game. Now, Tampa Bay Rays fans (yes, there apparently are some of them out there) have seen the same thing. Thompson scored the winning run from first base on a B.J. Upton...Tags: Rich Thompson, Tropicana Field, Sam Fuld, Spring Training, B.J. Upton
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Jake Arrieta struggles again as Orioles lose to Red Sox, 6-5
The Baltimore SunIt didn't take long for right-hander Jake Arrieta to retreat to the video room inside the Orioles' clubhouse to go over another tough start Wednesday afternoon. Shortly after the Orioles' 6-5 series-finale loss to the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards,...Tags: Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, Kevin Youkilis, Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia
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Sale does it again with 6-0 victory over Twins
While the White Sox showed improvement Wednesday night in their attempt to solve left-handers, their own Chris Sale continued to demonstrate why he has been as reliable as any lefty starter in the American League. Sale limited the Twins to two hits in...
Tags: Chicago White Sox, Adam Dunn, American League, Matt Moore (baseball), Alex Rios
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Living Here: Famous people, places and things
Hampton Roads is known around the world for its people — as being from here, as a come-here, or for just passing through — as well as places and things. It's known for its Bacon (as in Nathaniel), its ham (as in Smithfield), its presidents...Tags: Entertainment, Nathaniel Bacon, Wars and Interventions, National Football League, Denver Nuggets
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Arrieta's inconsistency continues
The Baltimore SunWhen Jake Arrieta was given the ball to be the Orioles’ Opening Day starter, he talked about how important it would be to have a consistent season, something he really hasn’t had in his young career. Through 10 starts in 2012 –...Tags: New York Yankees, Jake Arrieta, Washington Nationals, Sports, Baseball
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Cubs Game Notes For Wednesday @ Houston
WGN-TV*The Cubs added another solo home run last night, making it 21 of their 30 long balls (70%) being of the solo variety. That is topped only by the Washington Nationals (.714, 30/42), Tampa Bay Rays (.706, 36/51) and Chicago White Sox (.702, 33/47). *...Tags: Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, Bryan LaHair, Wandy Rodriguez
May 25, 2012
| Orlando Sentinel
May 25, 2012
|Story| Baltimore Sun
May 25, 2012
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
May 24, 2012
|Story| Hartford Courant
May 24, 2012
|Story| Chicago Tribune
May 24, 2012
|Column| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
May 24, 2012
|Story| Allentown Morning Call
May 23, 2012
|Story| Baltimore Sun
May 23, 2012
|Story| Chicago Tribune
May 23, 2012
|Story| Hampton Roads Daily Press
May 23, 2012
|Story| Baltimore Sun
May 24, 2012
|Story| WGN-TV
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