Jul 13
Good catch by reader Justin, who points out that on Saturday night, the Rays may have worn the wrong cap. For throwback night, the Rays wore the home jerseys from 1998 and 1999, but they wore the “away” cap of 1998.
In 1998, the home caps had a purple bill and in 1999 they switched to a “TB” cap.
Our memory is a little fuzzy on this one, so does anybody recall whether or not the 1998 Devil Rays would have worn the all-black cap at home?
Also of note, we vaguely remember the Devil Rays also wearing a “TB” cap in 1998 similar to the 1999 style, only the “TB” was a little more rainbowy like the front of the jersey. That cap can be seen on Tony Saunders in this baseball card and on several Devil Rays in this image. Was this “TB” cap just a spring training cap, or did the Devil Rays wear those during their inaugural season?
Jul 12
Time to bring back the GBT – The Good, The Bad and The Telling sandwich, where The Bad is nice and lean and the The Telling is ripe.
click above image for boxscore
THE GOOD: Throwback Unis. The hats are still awful. But honestly, the jersey aren’t as bad as we remember. One complaint about the jersey. What were they thinking with the sleeve patch? It is basically the same thing that is on the front of the jersey. Kinda redundant, no?
THE BAD: Devil Raysian. When you think of the Devil Rays, one of the lasting memories is of blown chances. Leads sacrificed by inept bullpens. So it was fitting that on “turn back the clock” night, it was the bullpen, which had been lights-out for 2 months, imploded. In fact, with the score knotted at 2 and a runner on, it was the first pitch by the bullpen that turned into a 2-run home run and the eventual game-winner. Seriously, who did not see that coming?…Joe Maddon. Rule 7.05d specifically says a catcher cannot intentionally touch the ball with his mask. This is well-known among catchers as one of those silly quirky rules. So it was surprising that Joe Maddon (a former catcher) did not know this rule that led to an error (not a balk) being called on Michel Hernandez in the 9th. JoeMa argued so vehemently that he was ejected…David Chalk. Nobody has lamented the exorcism of the Devil more that Chalk. So today must be a day of mourning.
THE TELLING: We know these postgame concerts are popular. But 33,273 for Smashmouth? Seriously? If Smashmouth scheduled a free show at the Fairgrounds, they would be lucky if 2,000 people showed up…The loss ended the Rays 9-game winning streak at The Trop.
SUNBURST PLAYER OF THE GAME: Gabe O’ the Day/Ben Zobrist (see comments). We are giving this one to Gross and Kapler who were a combined 3-4 with an RBI (see comments)
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- Dioner Navarro left the game after getting hit by a foul tip. He went to the hospital for x-rays but was fine. He is not expected to go on the DL. [The Heater]
- Joe Maddon has already set the rotation for after the all-star break. James Shields will start on Friday and will be followed by Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza, David Price and Jeff Niemann. [Rays Report]
May 26
This screengrab came in the 4th inning. It was the first batter after Gabe Gross had just given the Rays a 10-0 lead. Reid Brignac fouled a ball down the right field line…
Yes, that is a guy wearing a retro #33 Jose Canseco “Devil Rays” jersey, showing up on TV. The Indians would go on to score 11 straight runs following this moment in what can only be termed a “Devil Raysian” performance.
Where is Troy Percival to scream at that fan?
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