Archive for the 'Rocco Baldelli' Category

Mar 07

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Blalock’s Impending Deal, Burrell’s Pipe Dream And The Duke’s Rough Start

Andy Sonnanstine, Hank Blalock, Pat Burrell, Rocco Baldelli, Stuart Sternberg The Professor 1 Comment »

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: Kelly Shoppach. Shoppach showed some of his power with his first home run in a Rays uniform…Dale Thayer. Thayer showed that he can work more than one inning by allowing just 2 baserunners in 2.1 innings.

THE BAD: Andy Sonnanstine. Of the 6 batters The Duke faced, he went to 3-balls 5 times, walking 3. He only survived the inning thanks to a double-play…Wade Davis. Big Dub wasn’t much better, walking 3 of the 9 batters he faced…Tim Beckham. Same ol’ thing as Beckham committed 2 throwing errors.

THE TELLING: The lineup used by Joe Maddon could very well be the same one we see during the season versus lefties, with Ben Zobrist at second, Gabe Kapler in right, Kelly Shoppach behind the plate and BJ Upton batting 7th…Desmond Jennings is expected to play today.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • Jon Heyman is reporting that the Rays are in “serious talks” with Hank Blalock…Blalock hasn’t had a full season with a .350 wOBA since 2004 and in the last 5 years he was worth 2.5 wins. TOTAL. Look for this deal to get done in the next day or two. Look for the contract to be a minor league deal with an option for Blalock to become a free agent if he is not in the majors by a certain date. [Twitter]
  • Pat Burrell wants to play right field. Joe Maddon will let him during spring training (starting today). But the regular season? Yeah, good luck with that Pat. [Rays Report]
  • Marc Topkin reports that Joe Maddon is treating this spring more like he did back in 2008…In the same piece Topkin notes that Rocco Baldelli will get to wear #5 as long as he is working with the minor leaguers. No word on what would happen should he be activated at some point this season. [St. Pete Times]
  • Roger Mooney looks back at the biggest home run in Rays history. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Gary Shelton ranks the top 10 owners of Tampa Bay sports teams. Stuart Sternberg is not #1. [St. Pete Times]
  • Rays Prospects takes a closer look at Jeremy Hellickson’s first appearance with the Rays. [Rays Prospects]
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Mar 04

What Number Would Rocco Baldelli Wear With Rays?

Pat Burrell, Rocco Baldelli The Professor 3 Comments »

Since it was announced that Rocco Baldelli has returned to the Rays, there has been some discussion on Twitter about what number Rocco would* wear if he were to suit up with the Rays this season. You see, Rocco’s customary #5 is unavailable. That now belongs to Pat Burrell.

Thomas Gemkow of Tampa Bay Rays Fan may have stumbled upon the answer, in this Sports Illustrated piece from 2003.

Baldelli is a righthanded-hitting centerfielder, wears number 5 (the number he wore in the minors), has Italian roots on his father’s side and glides through the outfield with the grace of a skater on ice. [Vince] Naimoli, the grandson of an Italian immigrant, even asked Baldelli to wear number 56, in honor of DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak in 1941, during spring training.

So, in spring training before his rookie season, Rocco wore number 56. But that was at the request of Vince Naimoli. Might Rocco return to the only other number he ever wore with the Rays?

Of course, we still think his original #5 can be bought from Burrell. Might only cost him a couple of groupies and a subscription to Highlights magazine.

*Will Rocco wear a number this spring as a minor league instructor?

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Mar 02

Rays Prodigal Son Returns As A Coach, But Rocco Not Ready To Retire

Rocco Baldelli The Professor 8 Comments »

Andrew Friedman announced this morning that Rocco Baldelli has been hired by the Rays to serve as a “special assistant” and will work primarily with minor leaguers.

Baldelii will be a special assistant, working with young players. Said he is “not ready to retire” and has a shoulder issue, but has no set plans to return to field as a player…Baldelli, 28, will be a roving instructor concentrating on outfield and baserunning…“Obviously we’re thrilled to add Rocco and his experience and what he can bring to our young players,” Friedman said. “We think he’ll be a tremendous asset for us. And he looks better in blue.”

Baldelli added about the Rays organization: “I feel like this is my home.” 

Baldelli has an undisclosed shoulder ailment that may require surgery. He could DH at some point this season and Friedman did not rule out the possibility of that happening with the Rays.

Friedman said the deal was not done with the idea of having Baldelli play for the Rays in 2010, but “anything’s possible.”

Rocco hit .253-7-23 in 62 games for the Red Sox this season. There was some speculation that the Yankees were interested in his services earlier this off-season.

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Jan 30

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss A Caveman Discount, One In The Bush And Joyce’s Job To Lose

Ben Zobrist, Johnny Damon, Matt Bush, Matt Joyce, Pat Burrell, Rocco Baldelli The Professor 3 Comments »

hangoverIn an interesting twist to the Johnny Damon situation, Jon Heyman of SI.com says Damon turned down a $6 million offer from the Yankees.

In a last-ditch effort late last week after Damon himself called the team, Cashman, one of baseball’s best dealmakers, tried floating a contract of $6 million with $3 million deferred at no interest (with the promise it would be cleared with team boss Hal Steinbrenner, who was about to return from his honeymoon). But Damon wasn’t moved enough to respond.

So, if Damon couldn’t even respond to the Yankees on a $6 million deal, a team that was obviously his first choice, there is no way the Rays would be able to sign Damon at $4-5 million. The previous consensus was that the Yankees top offer was $2 million.

Then again, maybe Damon would be willing to give the Rays an “Ooooh-I-can-go-Caveman-again discount.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • The Rays signed former top pick Matt Bush. Before people get too excited, keep in mind that no team thought Bush was the top talent in the 2004 draft. San Diego chose Bush, a local kid, because his signing bonus demands were within their budget. [via Mark Topkin on Twitter]
  • Joe Maddon made his strongest statement yet about Matt Joyce: “He knows there’s an opportunity now…[the starting right field job is] pretty much if he wants to go and grab it. It’s right there for him.” This supports our contention that Joyce will be the single biggest factor in determining where Ben Zobrist plays in 2010. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Via meechone of The Fightins, we learn that Pat Burrell won a 1970 454 Chavelle Malibu SS at a recent auction for $60K. [Twitter]
  • PECOTA has updated their 2010 projections with the Rays projected to score 826 runs and allow 712. That translates to 92 wins, which would be third in the AL East, but only one game behind the Red Sox and the Yankees. It is unclear what the standard deviation is for these numbers, but it is safe to assume that the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox are statistically even heading into the 2010 season. [Baseball Prospectus]
  • The Blue Jays may have also expressed interest in Johnny Damon. [Twitter]
  • Once again, don’t count on being able to watch too many Saturday games on TV. [Rays Report]
  • The Rays are looking for a new PA announcer. If any of you apply, we would love to hear if you get a call-back and interview. [Rays Report]
  • Rocco Baldelli’s list of suitors includes the Yankees, Rangers, Mariners and a fourth unidentified team. [Providence Journal]
  • Fanhouse ranks the Rays as the top farm system. [Fanhouse]
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Jan 27

In Rocco’s Own Words

Rocco Baldelli The Professor 4 Comments »

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com brings us Rocco Baldelli’s own words on his love for the game of baseball (thanks Travis). Let’s face it, Rocco will always be our first Devil Ray we ever truly loved. And even if he goes on to play for the Yankees, nothing will ever take away those fond memories. If you read one thing today, read this piece.

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Jan 13

Rocco Baldelli One Step Away From Curing Us Of Our Rocco-Love

Rocco Baldelli The Professor 11 Comments »

hangoverJoel Sherman is just speculating, but it is speculation that makes sense…

The other three free-agent [backup outfielder] possibilities, at the moment, are Rocco Baldelli, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Marcus Thames.

Seeing Rocco sign with and play for the Red Sox was tough, but we could forgive it. Afterall, the Rays essentially cut ties with him and he grew up in Red Sox country. But signing with the Yankees would be tough to swallow.

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Aug 07

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Abreu’s Return, Wild Cards And Waechter’s Moment

Ben Zobrist, Rocco Baldelli, Willy Aybar, Winston Abreu The Professor 3 Comments »

BASEBALL/

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • The Rays resigned Winston Abreu and assigned him to Durham. [The Heater]
  • Sometimes we think you should have to show a driver’s license and and I.Q. card to buy alcohol. [Tampa Tribune]
  • John Romano discusses who The Rayshead Army should be rooting for in the Boston-New York series. [The Point After]
  • Joe Maddon is still aiming to win the division, but Tony Fabrizio says the Rays only hope may be the Wild Card. [Tampa Tribune]
  • With regular playing time, Ben Zobrist says he is more confident and more comfortable playing second base. [St. Pete Times]
  • Several of his teammates discuss how Willy Aybar has been able to remain so effective despite limited playing time. [St. Pete Times]
  • Rays are climbing back up the Power Rankings. [Yahoo! Sports]
  • The top 177 Devil Rays ever, #56-53…Apparently Doug Waechter’s “Devil Ray Moment” was on “Baywatch”. [Bugs and Cranks]
  • Rocco Baldelli talks about his return to the Trop. [Tampa Tribune]
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Aug 06

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss King David’s MoJo, Pena’s Groove And Indifference For Rocco

David Price, Evan Longoria, Rocco Baldelli The Professor 11 Comments »

Red Sox Rays Baseball

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: David Price. Two straight strong starts and he just looks like a different pitcher on the mound now. Something has clicked and King David has found his MoJo. He did give up two home runs. But as last night proved, it is not the home runs that kill you, it is the walks before the home runs. And last night Price walked none…Jason Bartlett. He hit his 9th home run in the 7th and then came back in the 8th and saved a run with an over-the-shoulder catch. If he doesn’t make that catch it is a 1-run game and the inning is still going…Carlos Pena. This is how Pena got his groove back. Everybody should have seen the home run coming after his at bat in the 10th the night before. He didn’t hit last night’s home run any harder. He just got under it a bit more…Pat Burrell. Extra BP paid off and Pat the Bat looked more determined than we remember him being in a Rays uniform.

THE BAD: The Trop. A little surprised how indifferent fans were to Rocco Baldelli’s first game back at the Trop. No boos. No applause. Just complete indifference…Jeff Bennett. Well, that warm and fuzzy feeling from his first outing went away pretty quick. He faced 2 batters and retired neither.

THE TELLING: The Rays are now 3 behind the Red Sox (4 in the loss column) in the Wild Card race…The Rays are now 14-2 in the last 16 against the Red Sox at the Trop…Hit Tracker had Carlos Pena’s home run at only 407 feet, which comes up 59 feet short of the one he hit back in June against the Nationals.

SUNBURST PLAYER OF THE GAME: David Price.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • On a sad note, Dodgers announcer Vin Scully has announced he will retire after next season. I have said this before…The best thing about MLB’s Extra Innings package is that during the summer, I get to fall asleep every night to Vin Scully telling me a bedtime story. [Chicago Tribune]
  • Rob Dibble was on a radio show and was critical of Evan Longoria’s celebration following his walk-off home run on Tuesday night. If it was the 3rd inning, fine. But it was extra-innings against the Rays chief rival. And it wasn’t like he stood at home plate for 10 seconds jumping up and down. And since when is Rob Dibble the voice of all that is “right” in baseball? Rob Dibble is and always will be, a blowhard. [Biscuit Crumbs]
  • Gary Shelton says the Rays are “finally they’re playing like the contender everyone expected them to be.” [St. Pete Times]
  • Joe Henderson says the Rays did exactly what they needed to do to get back in the race. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Marc Lancaster spoke with Carl Crawford about how he feels. In years past, CC would start to break down this time of year. This year is different. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Dan Barbarisi talked to some of the Red Sox about whether the Trop is a tough place to play or if the Rays are just that good. [Providence Journal]
  • The Rays admit they have been warned previously about having bags in the bullpen area. It was one of these bags that cost the Rays a run on Tuesday night. [St. Pete Times]
  • Joe Dillon talks about his role as 25th man on the roster. A role that off limits his action to once a week. [MLB]
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May 01

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Near Perfection For Garza, A Career Night For Hernandez And MVP Chants For Dirtbag

Andy Sonnanstine, Evan Longoria, Matt Garza, Michel Hernandez, Rocco Baldelli The Professor 8 Comments »

Boston Red Sox v Tampa Bay RaysTime 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: The Garza Complex. When he is on, is there a better pitcher in baseball? In fact, when he is on, he is as close to Pedro Martinez in his prime, as you will ever see. mid-90’s with nasty movement and pinpoint control. Unhittable…Dirtbag Cometh. MVP!-MVP!-MVP!…Michel Hernandez. How safe is Shawn Riggans’ job? Hernandez is 6-14 and obviously Matt Garza likes throwing to him.

THE BAD: Timing. What inning did Matt Garza lose his perfect game? That would be the 7th. Now check this headline. And Marc Lancaster does not get a pass for his TweetJinx. We know you guys have a job to do, but would it kill you to dance around the wording a little better?…Jason Bartlett. Barty, who left Wednesday night’s game with a sore hamstring, was in the lineup but was noticeably limping.

THE TELLING: Matt Garza has had a few of these dominating performances with the Rays. We will say it again. If a Rays pitcher is going to throw a no-hitter, it will be Garza. And we will now add that if Garza ever throws a no-hitter, Dioner Navarro will not be behind the plate. Three times now, Garza has taken a 1-hitter or 2-hitter deep into a game. Each time, Navarro was on the bench…Both teams did not arrive in Florida last night until about 4:00am.

SUNBURST PLAYER OF THE GAME: Matt Garza and Evan Longoria. Don’t get used to this, but we couldn’t pull ourselves to not honor Longoria. Besides as big a win as last night deserves two Sunbursts.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe takes a look at the transformation of Matt Garza from the doghouse to bulldog. [Boston Globe]

Garza fights himself sometimes. “When he wakes up in the morning he’s amped up,” said Rays manager Joe Maddon. “So the key is to get him to stick to a game plan. That’s what he did last night.”

  • Red Sox Monster calls last night’s game, the worst loss of the season. [Red Sox Monster]
  • Joey Johnston takes a look at the long road Michel Hernandez took from fleeing Cuba, to the biggest night of his baseball career. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Andy Sonnanstine feels that he is throwing as well as ever, but that he just needs to fight through the struggles. [St. Pete Times]
  • One player that is missing from this series is Rocco Baldelli, who says The Trop was always good to him. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Alden Gonzalez updates the rehabs for Shawn Riggans and Chad Bradford. Bradford is likely to throw batting practice on Sunday. [Rays Plays]
  • John Romano does not see any quick fixes and feels the only thing that will get the Rays out of last place is patience, something the Rays excel at. [St. Pete Times]
  • Around the Majors hands out some hardware for the month of April, giving the AL MVP to Evan Longoria. [Around the Majors]
  • Rays the Stakes provides the reasoning behind the players they chose for the Tampa Bay Rays Trade Pool. [Rays the Stakes]
  • In a slight modification to protocol, the Top 177 Devil Rays ever is now a Friday feature and will include 4 players each week. Up this week are #112-109. It is always fun if you try to name the players before looking at the names. [Bugs and Cranks]
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Apr 21

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Izzy’s Silence, Papa Joe’s Tenure And Rocco’s Latest Setback

Jason Isringhausen, Joe Maddon, Rocco Baldelli The Professor 1 Comment »

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As 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: Off-Day. The Rays probably needed their first off-day of the season. Hell, we were ready to pull an artificial “rain out” ala “Bull Durham” and activate the sprinkler system at Da Trop…Playoffs? According to Baeball Prospectus the Rays still have a 48.9% chance of making the playoffs despite their slow start.

THE BAD: The Rays are still in last place.

THE TELLING: In 2002, the Tampa Bay Bucs won their division and beat a longtime nemesis to reach the Super Bowl. The following season, the Bucs opened the season by beating that same nemesis on the road. sound familiar? The ‘03 Bucs finished 7-9.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • As mentioned earlier, Jason Isringhausen made his 2009 debut with double-A Montgomery. Whether they were intentional or a result of frustration, Izzy has not won the hearts of fans with many of his quotes since joining the Rays. After last night’s game, he chose the silent route preferring not to talk about his performance or his situation. [Montgomery Advertiser]
  • Marc Lancaster talked to Joe Maddon about how and when decisions are made for coaching moves during a game. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Tonight will be Joe Maddon’s 500th game as a Rays manager (although he spent 2 in California for his wife’s graduation). That will give him the longest tenure as a Rays manager, surpassing Larry Rothschild. [St. Pete Times]
  • Joe Smith writes about the importance of the Rays bench. [St. Pete Times]
  • Joe Henderson picks apart the Rays slow start. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Rays Revolutionary has a list of 10 things they would like to see from the Rays on their west coast trip…We would be ecstatic with just #3 and #9. [Rays Revolutionary]
  • Troy Percival is the 117th best Devil Ray of all time. [Bugs and Cranks]
  • The Rays Party checks in with some former Rays. [The Rays Party]
  • Rocco Baldelli suffered his first leg injury with the Red Sox and could be headed to the DL. [Providence Journal]
  • Rays of Light has their week 2 “AL East Roundtable.” [Rays of Light]

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