Two new Rays become elder statesman for playoff run

As the Rays left St. Petersburg for Seattle, the roster only contained one player older than me: Brian Shouse. Tonight, before they play the Seattle Mariners in game 2 of the 3 game series, the Rays now have 2 more players older than me on the roster: Gregg Zaun and Russ Springer. I'm not saying these guys are old, but Springer was once traded for Jim Abbott, the one-armed pitcher. Zaun has been to the World Series once and that was before the Tampa Bay Devil Rays played their first game.

Both of these guys bring a wealth of big league experience to the team. Both have been many places and have seen many things. Arguably, the biggest thing they bring is veteran leadership to a team who is seemingly lacking in that department. Both guys will undoubtedly tell the Rays young players how hard it is to get to the postseason and how it's even harder to be successful in the post season.

Zaun is very familiar with the AL East as a whole. He's been in the division since 2004, so he knows exactly how to call a game against the Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, and Orioles.  He also provides an improved alternate at catcher as Dioner Navarro continues to struggle.

As for Springer, he's spent most of his time in the National League. He's coming from Oakland 4.10 ERA in 48 games. He's know for his feud with Barry Bonds a few years back.  He hit Bonds rather than let him hit a homer off of him while chasing Hank Aaron. Sounds like he's got a little fire that may do the bullpen some good.

I've been saying that the Rays need some *spark* or *fire* to really get going. Maybe these two guys are just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, we may have seen the last of "The Greatness that is Michel Hernandez" and Joe Dillionaire. Both were DFA'd this afternoon to make room on the roster.

New Rays relief pitcher really hates the Yankees

The Rays today signed righty relief pithcer Jeff Bennett.  The Braves recently released the 29-year-old a non-playing injury.  According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Bennett punched the dugout wall during a June 24th game against the Yankees. He broke bone in his left hand and had to get surgery.  The Braves suspended him and quit paying him. Bennett filed a grievence and MLB said the Braves had to either pay him or allow him to become a free agent.  That's where the Rays found him today... and our good friend Mr. Spock, Joe Nelson finds himself in Durham for the next month or so.

Here's a link to some video of the Rays new pitcher when he spontaneously developed a bloody nose while pitching:

http://www.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=2618054

Here's a look at a blog from the AJC, where they recapped Bennett's night when he broke his finger: Mark Bradley Blog from June 26

I also found this article from after the game. Aparantly, Bennett was in such a rage that he forgot punching the door until he saw the dent and his hand started swelling. He pushed the bone back into place and then pitched another inning. He said he was "ashamed and embarrassed."... At least he's got a high pain tolerence. Maybe he can teach Scott Kazmir a thing or two.

Edwin Who? Welcome to the Matt Joyce fan club

Pictures from: http://twitter.com/thomasmschaefer

A star is born. At least that's the consensus among Rays fans on Twitter last night following the Rays beating of the Kansas City Royals.  Matt Joyce made his home town debut at Tropicana Field a memorable one, going 3 for 4 with 4 RBI's including a massive 2 run homer in the 8th inning to seal the deal for the Rays.  Joyce's night is especially fitting because of all the talk about how good Edwin Jackson is doing for the Detroit Tigers.  If Joyce can keep this up, we won't hear as much about Jackson unless he's pitching against us.

Since we took the time to introduce you to the other "New Rays ," it's only fitting that we give Matt Joyce his introduction:

• Matt Joyce is the first ever Rays player to grow up a Rays fan, so he's right here with us.  He grew up in Riverview and still lives there, attending Armwood High School.
  

• Joyce attended many Rays games as a teen. His favorite player was Fred McGriff.
  

• Earned AL Player of the Week honors last July. He hit .409 with four doubles, four home runs and six RBI's in six games that week.
  

• Joyce has his own website: www.mattjoycebaseball.com .  He has some pictures, some videos, and he even answers some fan questions there.
  

• Matt even saves animals! The Rays media guide says Joyce rescued a tiny black kitten at Comerica Park that was looking for shelter from the rain. He dried the kitten off and got it some milk from the clubhouse.
  

Introducing: The New Rays

Over the last week or so, the Tampa Bay Rays have gone through a roster overhaul. It seems every day the Rays have a new player in uniform.  In past years, that would've meant shedding salaries and looking toward next year.  This year, it's all injuries. I'll be the first to admit, I have only a passing interest in the Rays farm system.  I'm aware of the big names, some of the other players I don't know much about.  So, I want to put on my journalist hat and introduce you to some of the new Rays.

First off, here's a look at the disabled list as it stands today:

Chad Bradford

Scott Kazmir

Troy Percival

Brian Shouse

Shawn Riggans

Jason Bartlett

Akinori Iwamura

Pat Burrell

Fernando Perez

Now, time for the New Rays:

Randy Choate (LHP) - Choate appears in the Rays media guide under Non-Roster Invitees.  The New York Yankees drafted the 33-year-old from Florida State University in 1997 where he played with JD Drew.  He made the Yankees opening day roster in 2001/2002.  Spent time with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers minor league systems before the Rays signed him in December of last year.  

Who he's replacing: Brian Shouse

Interesting Trivia: Made major league debut July 1, 2000 at Tropicana Field as a Yankee.  He faced one batter: Fred McGriff.

Other Interesting Fact: First name is Randol

Jason Isringhausen (RHP) - Probably one of the more well-known of the new Rays. Isringhausen has had a long career saving Major League Baseball games.  With 293 saves, Izzy is 22nd on the all-time save list.  

Izzy began his career as a starter in the New York Mets organization.  Injuries derailed his career as a starter and the Mets eventually traded him to the Oakland A's where he was moved to the bullpen.  He pitched with the A's for a couple of years before signing with the St. Louis Cardinals as a free agent in 2002.   The past couple of years have been off and on for Izzy.  In 2006, he was removed as the Cardinal's closer,  then he was reinstated in 2007 before finally losing his job in May of last year. He left the Cardinals for good in August.  The Rays signed him to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.  It appeared the Rays were using him as a backup plan for Troy Percival.  That came to fruition last week when he was brought up and Percival went on the DL, possibly retiring.

Who he's replacing: Troy Percival

Interesting fact: Izzy makes his off-season home in Tarpon Springs. 

Reid Brignac (SS) - The Rays drafted Brignac in the 2nd round of the 2004 June Draft.  The 23-year-old has worked his way through the Rays minor league system with stops in Princeton, Charleston, SW Michigan, Visalia, Montgomery and Durham.  He made his major league debut on July 3rd last year after Jason Bartlett was placed on the 15-day Disabled list. He played 4 games and made 2 starts.  His season was cut short after a pitch broke his wrist.

Who he's replacing: Akinori Iwamura

Interesting Fact: Brignac spent time this off-season with former major leaguers Eric Young and Will Clark helping at a Little League Prak in Baton Rouge.

Dale Thayer (RHP) - Thayer is getting his first work in the big leagues this year.  The Rays acquired him as the player to be named later in the Russell Branyan deal in 2006.  He spent all of last year with the Durham Bulls going 3-1 with 9 saves and a 2.77 ERA.

Who's he replacing: Technically, Pat Burrell. But in reality he's another arm out of the bullpen to provide middle relief.

Interesting fact: According to the media guide, Thayer wants to be a police officer or fireman when he's finished with baseball.

David Price (LHP) - King David has arrived.  With plenty of fanfare, the Rays ace-in-waiting is now in the rotation.  Price was drafted as the first overall pick in the June 2007 draft and has quickly worked his way through the minor to arrive with the team his first year as a professional.  He did have some memorable moments last year during the Rays run to the world series.  He started one game and pitched in relief during several others.   Probably the biggest of those moments was when he shut the door on the Boston Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS at Tropicana Field. Price is here to stay.

Who he's replacing: Scott Kazmir

Interesting fact: President Barack Obama told Price during a campaign rally at Legends Field last year that he wouldn't hold it against him for eliminating his beloved Chicago White Sox from the playoffs.

Joe Dillon (Utility) - Probably the biggest question mark among the "New Rays."  I had actually never heard of the guy before he was called up yesterday.   Dillon was the player to be named later in the deal that sent Adam Kennedy to the Oakland A's a couple of weeks ago.  for the most part, Dillon is a career minor leaguer. He's played a few games in the bigs the last couple of years for the Florida Marlins and the Milwaukee Brewers.  

Who he's replacing: Jason Bartlett

Interesting fact: Spent the 2006 season with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.  He played 1st, 3rd, and outfield for them.

Some of these guys may be with the team for the long haul, others will disappear rather quickly. For more posts like this, sign up for my RSS feed.  There, you can get my posts delivered right to your RSS reader or you can even get on my e-mail list.