Archive for April 11th, 2008

Apr 11

[LIVE BLOGS] Rays Index PSA: Live Blogs Back By Popular Demand

Facebook, RAYSHEADS, The Professor revealed Cork Gaines 2 Comments »

Last week we presented the “Second Annual Rays Index Opening Day Live Blog-A-Balloo“. It was fun, raw, unadulterated, foul-mouthed, emotional, naked, drunken, bliss…No, really…we were naked the whole time…

Originally the plan called for Opening Day to be the only guaranteed Live Blog-A-Ballo, with the option for others later in the year if the Rays were playing any meaningful games. Well, during and after the event, the comments and emails were overwhelmingly positive. And by positive we mean some people threatened physical harm if we don’t keep Live Bloggin’.

So as it goes…contracts are shredded, bribes are accepted and plans are changed. From here on out (or until we change our minds) we now present:

THE RAYS INDEX LIVE BLOG-A-BALOO OF THE WEEK

Each week we will pick one game that we feel will have more interest among RAYSHEADS. We will consider several factors including our own availability, pitching match-ups, weather, requests, and networks with cameramen with an eye for talent.

But there is a catch. The Live Blog-A-Baloo will have two homes.

Some of the Live Blog-A-Baloos will be conducted at the home of our new RAYSHEADS Facebook Group. This will be done for a few reasons:

  1. It will allow for a slightly less formal gathering and more crowd participation, if you are so inclined.
  2. It allows us to bring more elements to the RAYSHEAD Facebook group without comprising the integrity of this site…if there is any.
  3. Live Blog’s might be illegal. Not that it would ever stop us.

So be sure to join the RAYSHEADS FACEBOOK GROUP. And remember, Facebook is open to everybody these days.

But, never fear…We will limit the Facebook Live Blog-A-Baloos to night games, as we are aware that many people can’t access their Facebook accounts while at work. Live Blog-A-Balloos for day contests will be conducted exclusively here at Rays Index.

So be sure to join us each week for THE RAYS INDEX LIVE BLOG-A-BALOO OF THE WEEK, coming soon to a computer near you. We will announce the game of the week every Monday.

And while we are at it, here are some pics of a RAYSHEAD that was brave enough to wear RAYSHEAD gear at Yankee Stadium. That is our good pal David Chalk of Bugs & Cranks (click on thumbnails for larger versions). If you ask us, that dude totally looks like he blogs from his mom’s basement.

Apr 11

[TAMPA BAY] A Shout-Out To All The Tampa Bay Franchises

Tampa Bay Bandits, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Mashup, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Storm Cork Gaines 7 Comments »

Earlier this week, Paul Lukas of UniWatch, posted a graphical mashup created by a reader that incorporated all the sports teams logos for the city of Oakland .

This inspired several other readers to submit their own mashups, including Cleveland, Denver, Philadelphia and Detroit.

Not to be outdone, we decided to make sure that the Tampa Bay area was represented and created a mashup for all the current and former professional franchises that play or played under the “Tampa Bay” banner [Ed. note: Almost all, we don't really acknowledge the Mutiny].

Notes on the mash-up follow the graphic. Click on the image for a slightly larger version…

  • For those not from the Tampa Bay are, the pirate ship is in reference to the legend that Tampa Bay was once invaded by the pirate Jose Gaspar
  • The flags at the top of the masts are the flags of the two cities that border the Bay and have served as homes to Tampa Bay sports teams (Tampa, St. Pete)
  • Each sail is representative of the current and past professional organizations that played under the banner of “Tampa Bay” (Rays, Bucs, Lightning, Storm, Rowdies, Bandits)
  • The skull and cross bones represent the championships won by Tampa Bay franchises in chronological order
  • We really…reaaaalllllllyyyyyy wanted to incorporate Bucco Bruce but could not come up with a good way for doing it
Apr 11

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Wade Davis Strong In Second Start

Evan Longoria Cork Gaines No Comments »

Columbus 1, Durham 0.Ben Hendrickson allowed only 2 hits and 1 unearned run in 5 innings, but was saddled with the loss as the Bulls could manage only 3 singles…2 of those singles came off the bat of Evan Longoria who was 2-3 with a walk and is now up to 5-25 on the year.

Montgomery 2, Carolina 1. Wade Davis was much stronger in his second start, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks in 6 innings. He struck out 6.

Jupiter 6, Vero Beach 4. Josh Butler got knocked around 6 runs in 4.1 innings…John Matulia was 3-5 and Cesar Suarez added 2 hits and is hitting .364 on the young season.

Rome 5, Columbus 4. Jesse Darcy made a spot-start for the Catfish going the first 3 innings, giving up 3 runs…Emeel Salem and Greg Sexton each had 2 hits.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • The LA Times takes a look at Evan Longoria and his recent demotion. A little late, but at least they got this one right. [LA Times]
Apr 11

[THE HANGOVER] Al Reyes Gets Punched Out, Tasered And Arrested For Being A Stupid Drunk

Al Reyes, Carl Crawford, Edwin Jackson, Joe Maddon, Juan Salas, Scott Kazmir, Willy Aybar Cork Gaines 1 Comment »



THE GOOD: We could mention that Aki Iwamura broke out of his mini-slump by getting on base 4 times, or we could mention the diving catch by Carl Crawford or the 3 RBI from 2 lucky off-the-end-of-the-bat hits by Mike DiFelice, or the home run from Eric Hinske that gave the Rays the lead and seemed to ignite the offense…But none of that mattered. “The Good” begins and ends with Edwin Jackson who was just as dominating as his 4-hit shutout in the second half last year. Jackson pitched 8 shutout innings allowing only 2 hits (both singles) and 4 walks. He struck out 6. His performance was a much needed (non-HGH) shot in the buttocks for a pitching staff that is now missing 2 of it’s top 3 starters…By the way, another “Good” is the Orioles were swept yesterday in their double-header and probably did not get into the Tampa area until 3-4am.

THE BAD: We can feel ourselves getting our hopes up about Edwin Jackson. Nobody expects him to pitch this well everytime out, but if Jackson can suddenly develop into a pitcher that gives his team a chance to win most of his starts, the Rays pitching staff will indeed be formidable once everybody is healthy.

THE TELLING: The name on the back of the jersey still said “Jackson”. The number on the back was still “36″.

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

  • Not exactly the DL, but we thinks Al Reyes might miss a couple of games after being tasered and friggin’ arrested early this morning…IDIOT! *banging head on desk*. The damn bullpen is the one thing that has been steady and consistent early on this year…Reyes got his ass really stupid drunk and got himself punched in the nose. He then started spitting blood and swinging his arms and basically acting like a friggin’ lunatic…If we were to put the 25-man roster and coaching staff in order of chances of something like this happening, Al Idiot Reyes would have been near the bottom. Geez! He is like 86 years old! [My Fox Tampa Bay]
  • The Stumblng Tumblr mocks the “confidence” of Rays fans…We just think it is cute that The Stumblng Tumblr won’t let his inability to spell to keep him from writing. [The Stumblng Stumblr]
  • Martin Fenelly writes that Edwin Jackson’s is finally living up to his potential and his early season performances are giving fans and the team hope when it easily could have been lost by all the injuries. [Tampa Tribune]
  • We still are amazed that somebody from The St. Pete Times actually “live blogs” the public debates about the Rays proposed stadium. You can either read our interpretation, or you can follow the link for a play-by-play. [St. Pete Times]
  • Willy Aybar sat out yesterday’s game with the same sore hamstrings that have plagued him since spring training…Also, Scott Kazmir will throw another batting practice session today. [The Heater]
  • Carl Crawford is already closing in on 1,000 hits and Joe Maddon says that C.C. will only get better. [MLB]

“Probably except a few more walks, he’d hit for a higher average,” Maddon said. “Something I used to discuss with Garret Anderson all the time … when you have that many at-bats in the season it’s hard to hit for the highest average you’re capable of doing without taking your walks. If he learns to walk a little more and keeps doing what he’s been doing, he’s going to continue to increase his batting average and run production.”

  • Nothing new on Juan Salas, but Bill Chastain notes that another player in the same situation as Salas had his visa issues resoved. It could be a sign that Salas will be returning to the States soon. [MLB]