The Rays have decided to let go hitting coach Steve Henderson and will keep pitching coach Jim Hickey. In addition, the Rays eliminated Todd Greene’s position as quality assurance coach. Many are wondering why the Rays would drop Hendu when the offense set a franchise record for runs scored and [...]
![['TIS THE SEASON] Matt Garza And Jason Bartlett Got Married](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2399/2256305470_dfee133d0a.jpg)
Almost exactly one year after being traded together from the Twins to the Rays, and a couple of weeks after Joe Maddon did the same, Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett got married…Not to each other, that would be illegal in most states. Bartlett married Kelly Chevez on November 15 (picture [...]
![[PITCHING STAFF HANGOVER] Look At Toll Of 2008 On Rays Pitching Staff; Garza Could Take Step Back In ’09](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/3021833649_40a72c202e_o.jpg)
This morning we linked to a story in which we learned that Jim Hickey has ordered the pitching staff to not even touch a baseball until January. Buster Olney references a number of recent teams that made deep October playoff runs and then suffered from a breakdown of the pitching [...]
![[THE HANGOVER] No Serious Talks For Jackson Or Sonnanstine; Many Teams Interested](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/3016243528_bcb147723d_o.jpg)
Online Surveys & Market Research DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA… The AL Rookie of the Year Award will be announced today. Rocco Baldelli spoke to the Providence Journal about this past season (probably the worst year of my entire life, and it ended up being one of the best years), and about [...]
![[THE HANGOVER] Grant Balfour One Of Most Dominating Relievers In History Of Baseball](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2937435305_058cc37cf8_o.jpg)
Click on above images to be taken to full standings, box scores or schedule… How good was The Mad Australian this season? Grant Balfour put up some sick numbers this season. In 58.1 innings, Balfour allowed only 28 hits and 24 walks while striking out 82. He pitched to a [...]
![[MATT GARZA] The Hitchiker’s Guide To Understanding Matt Garza](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2917699660_554343c770_o.png)
We may have figured out why Matt Garza and Dioner Navarro are communicating better these days…Is that a Babel Fish in Garza’s ear? How else would Navi’s logical orations be understood by Garza. Jim Hickey is a pitching genius.
![[THE HANGOVER] Garza 1-Hits The Marlins](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2616072602_0419993207_o.jpg)
THE GOOD: Matt Garza. Nothing we can write will give justice to just how dominating Garza was yesterday. 108 pitches, 76 for strikes. 1 hit, 1 walk. Faced only 1 over the minimum. 7 1-2-3 innings. Garza was strike-one to 19 of 28 batters (68%). On his bad days, that [...]
![[ANDY SONNANSTINE]Sonnanstine No Longer Changing Arm Angles; No Longer Tipping Pitches?](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2459991712_dfa1e7cae1_o.gif)
Ever since Andy Sonnanstine was in the minor leagues posting astronomical strikeout-to-walk ratios, there were always certain tenets that we have held to be true about the right hander that could dominate without a dominating fastball. He throws about 46 different pitches He has impeccable control He can keep batters [...]
![[THE HANGOVER] Grant Balfour Admits Pressure Is Tough On Him](http://res1.blogblog.com/tracker/25315247-1611813405020922939.gif?l=raysindex.blogspot.com)
Tampa Bay Rays (28 days until Opening Day) Yesterday: Tampa Bay Rays 9, Indians 7. The Good: Scott Dohmann retired all 4 batters he faced, including the final out of the 6th inning with the bases loaded…Another errorless game for the Rays who have 21 in the spring. Only 6 [...]
![[THE HANGOVER] Scott Kazmir Plans To Be On The Mound Opening Day](http://res1.blogblog.com/tracker/25315247-8107810821980355908.gif?l=raysindex.blogspot.com)
Tampa Bay Rays (32 days until Opening Day) While Scott Kazmir is still aiming to be ready to take the mound on Opening Day in Baltimore on March 31st, Joe Maddon and Andrew Friedman are taking a much more cautious approach. “I know, with pitchers, there’s a certain prestige that [...]
