Archive for the 'Evan Longoria' Category

Feb 07

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Longo’s Shape, Dirtbag’s Signature, And Ruggiano’s New Home

Evan Longoria, Jason Bartlett, Johnny Damon, Justin Ruggiano Cork Gaines No Comments »

According to Marc Topkin, Evan Longoria will report to camp “10-15 pounds leaner and considerably looser, emphasizing flexibility over strength.” The goal is to avoid injuries that have limited Longoria’s playing time in previous years.

Over course, every year dozens of players show up to camp in the best shape of their lives, or with more muscle, or less muscle. And sometimes it makes a difference and sometimes it doesn’t. So we will just have to wait and see.

Then again, five of those pounds Longoria lost probably came when he lost his mullet in favor of a shaved head.

THE JUNKYARD DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • Evan Longoria will be signing autographs on Sunday night at a mall in Garden City, NY. Seems like he did this last year also, but we couldn’t find the report.
  • Former Rays outfielder Justin Ruggiano has signed a minor league deal with the Astros.
  • Johnny Damon remains on the Yankees radar. [ESPN]
  • Jason Bartlett might end up back in the AL East. [MLBTR]
  • Could the Bucs land one of the Giants’ Super Bowl heroes? [JoeBucsFan]
Feb 06

Evan Longoria Comes To The Defense Of Some Playboy Bunnies

Evan Longoria Cork Gaines 4 Comments »

Evan Longoria got into a bit of a spat with CNBC sports business tweet-aholic Darren Rovell over the weekend, albeit, a bit of a one-sided spat.

Rovell was at the Playboy Super Bowl party and questioned the quality of the bunnies, even including a picture of some of the ladies (seen at right).

This led to a rebuke by Longoria…

@darrenrovell @jaimeedmondson we all get you have 175k [followers] but no need to treat the playmates w disrespect!#getoveryourself

Even Jon Heyman sided with Longoria, questioning whether Rovell was just bitter because “maybe he missed out on a phone number or 2?” Ouch.

Rovell has a history with the Rays, having hosted a “tweet-up” at Tropicana Field last season and even singing the national anthem.

Feb 02

Evan Longoria Spotted In The Wild

Evan Longoria Cork Gaines 6 Comments »

The crew at tonight’s Tampa Bay Lightning Game caught a familiar face in the stands, Evan Longoria. Still hasn’t found his cap. But it is nice to see that he has gone back to the shaved head.

Party on…

 

Feb 01

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Longo’s Regrets, Pat’s Bat, And A New QB For The Bucs?

Evan Longoria, Pat Burrell Cork Gaines 12 Comments »

Evan Longoria says he has never regretted signing his team-friendly contract (via Marc Topkin of TampaBay.com).

“I can honestly say that I’ve never regretted doing it. I can look at myself in the mirror and say that I made the right decision. You never know, who knows, one or two years in I might’ve hurt myself and not been the player that I am today.”

These comments come on the heels of some false rumors that were being spread on Twitter that Longoria was upset and wanted to be traded. We ignored the report because the source was not credible, but some in the local media actually addressed the rumors.

Anyway, our only problem with Longoria’s comments is that the hypothetical no longer applies. We do know that Longoria did not get hurt “one or two years in.”

THE JUNKYARD DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • The Rays season opener against the Yankees will be carried on the MLB Network.
  • Pat Burrell has officially retired. Of course, some in the Bay Area would say he tossed in the towel about three years ago. [USA Today]
  • Would Peyton Manning sign with the Bucs? [JoeBucsFan.com]
Jan 26

If You Want To Guarantee An Evan Longoria Autograph At FanFest, It Will Cost You

Evan Longoria, FanFest Cork Gaines 14 Comments »

For a pretty steep price, you can now guarantee yourself the autograph of your favorite player at FanFest.

The Rays are calling it an “Exclusive Signing Opportunity.” And for $400, yes $400, fans can meet the player of their choice, without waiting in line, and have an object (that the fan provides) autographed. The Rays are only selling 15 of these per player, and it will come with access to the general autograph line.

The list of players available for $400 includes Evan Longoria, David Price, James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore, and Carlos Pena. There is also a second list of nine players that are available for $200.

The good news is that proceeds will go towards the Rays Baseball Foundation, so it is not just a money grab on the part of the Rays.

Jan 17

WATCH: Evan Longoria Will Get You Pumped For The 2012 Season

Evan Longoria, Playoffs? Cork Gaines 6 Comments »

We were going through some of our GIFs from the 2011 season, and we came across game 162. And now we are officially pumped for the 2012 season.

Here is the big blow by Evan Longoria that sent the Rays to the playoffs…

And here is what the scene looked like three pitches before the home run, when the crowd learned that the Orioles had defeated the Red Sox… Read the rest of this entry »

Dec 16

Dwight Howard and Baseball Labor Etiquette

01. Players, Dwight Howard, Evan Longoria, James Shields, Jordi Scrubbings Jordi Scrubbings 3 Comments »

Here is the latest from our correspondent Jordi Scrubbings…

(It’s a slow time for baseball. It’s almost Christmas and the Rays are only making minor moves. This post might only be 40% Rays-related, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.)

Imagine you are a seven year-old boy or girl. Imagine the Orlando Magic are the first professional sports team you ever liked. Imagine your mother or father have taken you to several Magic games and you had the time of your life.

Imagine Dwight Howard is your favorite player. Imagine you have a Dwight Howard jersey or t-shirt and Dwight Howard poster on your wall. You haven’t known an Orlando Magic team without Dwight Howard. He has been there your entire life. He is what got you into the Magic.

Then imagine you woke up one morning and the Magic traded Dwight Howard, perhaps to Los Angeles Lakers, perhaps to the New Jersey Nets, perhaps to the Harlem Globetrotters. It doesn’t matter. Your favorite player is no longer on your favorite team.

Players get traded, get released, and their contracts run out and the sign on other teams. That’s part of sports and every kid has to learn that one day. But what happens to the heart of a child when this conversation occurs:

“Mommy, why is Dwight Howard not on the Magic anymore?”

“He didn’t want to play in Orlando anymore, dear.”

“So, he left?”

“Yes dear, he plays in New Jersey now.”

“So he didn’t like Orlando?”

“I guess not, dear.”

“Why didn’t Dwight like it here, Mommy? I like it here. You and Read the rest of this entry »

Nov 21

Three Rays Receive Votes In AL MVP Voting

Ben Zobrist, Evan Longoria, James Shields Cork Gaines 2 Comments »

Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers won the 2011 American League Most Valuable Player Award receiving 13 of the 28 first-place votes. In all, six different players received a first place vote showing how wide-open the field was.

Three Rays were represented in the voting, with Evan Longoria receiving the most attention with his tenth place finish. He received two fourth place votes and was named on eight different ballots. Ben Zobrist finished 16th, receiving two votes, including one fifth-place vote. And James Shields finished 18th, appearing on six ballots. However, his highest vote was a single ninth place vote.

This was the third time that three Rays received votes in the MVP voting. It is the fourth straight year that Longoria has received votes and the second time in Zobrist’s career.

  • 2011 — Evan Longoria (10th), Ben Zobrist (16th), James Shields (18th)
  • 2010 — Evan Longoria (6th), Carl Crawford (7th), Rafael Soriano (12th)
  • 2009 — Ben Zobrist (8th), Evan Longoria (19th)
  • 2008 — Carlos Pena (9th), Evan Longoria (11th), Jason Bartlett (18th)
  • 2007 — Carlos Pena (9th)
  • 2006 — Carl Crawford (26th)
  • 2005 — Jorge Cantu (27th)
  • 2003 — Aubrey Huff (24th)

Here are the voting results… Read the rest of this entry »

Nov 17

2012 Tampa Bay Rays Trade Value Index

Evan Longoria, Matt Moore, TVI Cork Gaines 14 Comments »

It is time to update the Tampa Bay Rays Trade Value Index* in which we rank the top players in the Rays organization (40-man roster plus top prospects) based on their overall value to the team. The rankings consider a number factors in addition to talent and good looks, such as potential, age, contract and depth of position in the organization.

Notes on how the rankings are compiled and a few specific players can be found after the table…

Notes on the TVI top 50…

Nov 04

Evan Longoria Would Never Use Twitter To Hit On A Hot Girl *Wink*

Evan Longoria Cork Gaines 8 Comments »

Back in July, after the US Women’s Soccer team was eliminated from the World Cup, Evan Longoria sent a message to one of the stars of that team via Twitter. And he didn’t stop there, later sending Morgan a message about her ESPN commercial.

Many suspected that Longoria was hitting on the young, and very attractive soccer star.

Now, Longoria wants to set the record straight. He does not use Twitter as a dating service.

“I tweeted Alex Morgan a couple times [during the Women's World Cup] and everybody on Twitter assumed that you’re trying to hit on somebody. You can’t really give a sincere tweet. If it’s to a girl, [they think] you’re trying to get in their pants…That’s funny to me. Alex, hey, she’s a good looking girl. For me, Twitter is not used as a dating service. I figure it’s more of a way to connect to your fans.”

Got that guys. You see, it was just a coincidence that he picked the most attractive girl on the team. Now get your minds out of the gutter!

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