The most annoying giveaway since the Cow Bell

Red Sox fans if you thought the Cow Bells were obnoxious, wait until you see this weekend's giveaway. The first 10,000 kids 14 and under will receive a Rays Rattle Drum.  This drum is the same one featured in the Karate Kid 2.  Upon getting the drum in my hand, I proceded to go Mr. Miagi with it and learned just how quick the drum can annoy people. My co-worker was ready to pull it out of my hand and stomp it. In fact, I had to go in to a sound proof edit booth just to shoot the video. Otherwise, I risked my life.




The Rays are also giving away a Matt Garza figurine, similar to the Evan Longoria Rookie of the Year that was given out earlier this year. All fans to Saturday night's game will get the figurine and also a chance to see Tito Nieves perform in the Rays 10th post-game concert.

Back to the Garza figurine. I figured that most of you, like me would wonder how authintic it was. So, I've included a close-up of the goatee. You decide. I didn't see any sunflower seeds dripping of the chin.

I couldn't resist having Garza pitch in front of Kazmir's good-bye newpaper ad

Matt Garza, Bring back the hope!

Dear Matt Garza,

Today is rough day to be a Tampa Bay Rays fan.  Last night, your team gave up a 10-0 lead to lose in the bottom of the ninth.  It was a night that was supposed to be a coronation for King David Price. It was a night that the Rays were supposed to finally win in Cleveland.  It was a night that the team was supposed to go over .500 and never look back.  Instead, we watched with you at the implosion that happened on the field.  We watched with you as the team reverted back to the 2007 form we left behind.  We watched as the team, content with its lead, put the game on autopilot.  We watched as Victor Martinez, the man who said teams aren't supposed to try once they're down that much, get the game winning hit.

Now, it's up to you.  You're the ace now.  Scott Kazmir is gone.  David Price isn't ready. And James "Big Game" Shields is giving up big innings.  You're the man this team looks to when it needs redemption.  You're the man with the filthy stuff.  You're the one capable of tossing a no-hitter.  You're the one, we as Rays fans are looking toward to turn around the season.

We know it's still early.  But, a 162 game baseball season can be a fickle beast.  A bad loss like last night can turn into a long losing streak. Guys will hang their head.  Trust is broken.  The clubhouse is splintered.  Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria are great, but they can't put this team on their back the way you can. You need to go out there and re-establish the Tampa Bay Rays we knew from last year.  The team that overcame adversity. The team with swagger. The team with confidence.

Matt, you can do it.  You can raise the Rays Revolution in ways not other player can.  Go out. Put this team on your back and get it done.  It's not over. It starts tonight.  With you.

Sincerely,

Rays Revolutionary

Garza + Panttiere = Entertainment

Matt Garza made his scheduled appearance at the Event to Prevent Town Hall meeting in New York City this afternoon.  Fortunately, I was able to get a full video feed into the 10 Connects newsroom and watch it in its entirety. I posted a story for 10connects.com and was able to work it in today's 4pm show.

Here is a look at some of the clips from today's event:

Rays Round-up: Time to turn it around

From the comfort of home, to the teeth of the beasts of the East.  The Tampa Bay Rays head up to New York for a 2-game set in the new Yankee Stadium, followed by a 3-game weekend series against the Boston Red Sox.  In reality, this is the time the Rays really need to turn the corner. This road trip could mean the difference between participating in the playoffs or watching from home.

Here's today's Round-up. As always, my comments are in italics:

-Times columnist John Romano says Maddon is staying true to the course even though "early" is running out.  Romano talks about the numbers and how tough it's going to be for this team to claw its way out.  I'm not completely buying those numbers because of the weighted schedule. Outside of Boston, the Rays have plenty of games against AL East teams.  Win those and the standings will take care of themselves.  One note, Maddon pointed out that he has to keep in mind that guys like Upton and Nararro aren't even in their prime, yet. They're pre-prime.  Messing with their head too much now could hurt later down the road.

-In case you're headed to Yankees Stadium today, remember not to leave or you won't be allowed back in.  Hundreds of fans couldn't get back in after a rain delay.  They claim they were told the game was rescheduled.  It wasn't. I enjoy anything that makes the Evil Empire look more evil. And denying Yankee fan a chance to watch the game qualifies. On a side note, interesting how the Red Sox own the Yankees the same way we own the Red Sox.

-Matt Garza gets a tough assignment. He gets to sit next to Heroes star Hayden Panttierre during a Town Hall meeting on preventing teen pregnancy.  Garza was invited because he fathered a child in High School. Bristol Palin, the daughter of Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin will also be on the panel.  Anytime I can put a picture of Panttierre on this website, I will do it. Matt Garza, you are a lucky man!

The No-hitter that wasn't: Yankee Karma Edition

The first six innings of the game were dominated by talk of the no-hitter that wasn't. After a rough start, Garza pitched a heck of game only to be overshadowed by A.J. Burnett and his first six innings of no-hit ball. The Rays bats went up against a pitching machine in A.J. Burnett. Maybe tonight's game was a bit of Karma payback for the Rays raising the banner and rubbing the Yankees' faces in it.


After the game, Joe Maddon said he's still happy with the way the team is playing. It was a special night and both starting pitchers had great games.


Here is what I noticed today:

• Credit Dewayne Staats for doing everything he could to jinx A.J. Burnett. He started early in the game talking "no-hitter" this, and "no-hitter" that. He was sending the jinx vibe from the booth.

• Matt Garza keeps form. Outside a tough beginning to the game and a mistake to the red hot Nick Swisher, he kept the Rays in the game.  That's tough when the guy in the other dugout is throwing a no hitter. Garza took momentum from Burnett by striking out Molina to end the top half of the 7th.

• Can't draw it up better than the bottom of the 7th. CC battles to get an opposite field hit to break up the no-no. Longo & Pena follow with base hits. And Pat Burrell delivers something that we didn't see a lot of last year... the sacrifice fly.  Navi's strike-out and Pena's pick-off ended the inning on a lower note.  But, it was still great to see them put it together after 6 innings of getting dominated.
  

• Yankees took advantage of what I considered a questionable ball call by the umpire score a run the same way the Rays did. Gardener should've been rung up on a breaking ball, instead he gets a pass and then gets a hit. Good job by Jeter and Teixeria to get the runner over and sacrifice him in.
  

• I though Joe Girardi had a tough decision in the bottom of the 8th. I thought Burnett was looking tired, but Girardi decided to run him out there versus the bottom of the Rays order. He came through much the way he had all night.

• Gardner the Ray Slayer! I can't believe the night that guy had. For all the talk of Nick Swisher, maybe someone should look at that guy!

• Tip your cap to the Yankees for coming back after an embarrassing loss last night. Their offense picked Burnett up when he wobbled a bit.  Any time you can tack on 4 insurance runs in the eighth inning you're doing something right.

• I hope Wheeler's performance tonight isn't cause for concern. i don't think Howell pitched that bad. But, Wheeler did not look good at all against Gardner and Jeter.
  

It's not your Daddy's AL East anymore!

I know. It's only the first series of the season. But, wasn't there something real satisfying about the way the Rays took it to the Red Sox at Fenway? We're only three games into the season and these guys are already playing like it's the ALCS all over again.  That, my friends, is what winning will do to a franchise.

To be honest, there are still some problems The Rays had some issues knocking runners in. And the bullpen gave a little bit. But, overall two great performances after the Game 1 loss.  The Rays put the Red Sox and their fans on notice that last year wasn't a fluke and any team that wants to win the AL East is going to have to scratch and claw its way all year.

Maddon Quote of the Day on Troy Percival:

 "It doesn't always have to be an oil painting to be successful," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "He's probably amped up, man, and I don't blame him. It's a Fenway moment."

Here are some of the things I noticed in Game 3:

• Matt Garza continued his domination of the Red Sox. The way he handled Dustin Pedroia in the 3rd inning was masterful. He got two called strikes, threw a brushback pitch, then got swinging. Filthy.  Except for Youk, none of the Red Sox had an answer for Garza.

• The Rays have really figured out how to play defense at Fenway Park. One of the reasons they struggled there last year was defensive miscues common at Fenway.  But, over this series, the Rays outfield really looked like they knew what they were doing out there.  Carl Crawford looked more comfortable than he ever has effortlessly playing balls off the wall, throwing out runners at third, and getting good jumps on liners in the gap.  Kaplar and Joyce also played some solid center field for the most part.

• I know Troy Percival makes many people sweat out there, but he got the job done.  A closer is not always going to be pretty. They're not always going to strike out the side. Right now, Percy is the best closer on the roster.  Balfour is needed in his setup roll and I'm not sure Wheeler can handle all the pressure with the game on the line. The Rays and Maddon will have a short leash with Percy once Izzy is completely healthy. Just be patient and celebrate any time Percy gets a save.

• The Baltimore Orioles are next on the schedule.  They're coming off a thumping by the New York Yankees following 2 straight wins.  We'll see the 2009 version of Andy Sonnanstine for the first time along with new #5 starter Jeff Niemann.