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Two Teams, One Goal, Same Season

Posted by on 11 January 2010, 4:17 pm

From a Yankees fan’s point of view, the Mets and the Rays players should be hungry as ever to get back some respect in baseball.

Commonly, both team’s seemingly share a lack in leadership internally within the players.

That makes David Wrights job very hard with the Mets continuing to fail over the last few seasons. The Mets need everything and everyone to make something go right to get the trend going again.

David Wright finds a way to do his job, even it entails wearing a bigger helmet to get back out on the field. A field where once fans filled every seat and winning was a common theme.

Tampa Bay Rays started becoming dominant in 2006 and by 2008 made it to the World Series. Tropicana Field had become a home for fans.

For the Rays, playing in the AL East with the two power-house teams of the Yankees and Red Sox is no easy feat. As a Yankee fan, the Rays made me shake in 2008 and were the team to beat in 2009.

The question remains to be answered, were the Rays a threat or are the Rays a threat?

Evan Longoria is the player on the Rays who can collaborate with their dynamic manager, Joe Madden to get back to the World Series again.  To a fan, the Rays acting like spoiled brats in 2009 still sulking over their lose to the Phillies.
keep reading….

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The AL East: It Would Be Best To Bring You’re A-Game

Posted by on 4 August 2009, 4:50 am

How many teams are in this race?

For right now three teams; Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

Why is this week so important in the American League East?

The teams are playing within their own division so the wins and losses have more importance. The third place Tampa Bay Rays host the Boston Red Sox for a two game set. Boston is only a half a game behind the first place New York Yankees. The Yanks are up in Toronto for two nights at the Rogers Centre playing two against the Blue Jays.

With the Blue Jays lagging 12 games behind the Yanks there not really competing. Technically there is always a possibility to not be 100% completely out. I guess miracles do exist but for Toronto it does not look very hopeful or likely of the trio above all collapsing literally on their faces.

Toronto does know that beating the Yankees could potentially take their lead in the AL East right from under the boys from the Bronx. It is doubtful that Boston is going to win two at the Trop; as the best bet would be a spilt series.

Why? The answer is because Tampa decisively needs these wins. If Toronto wins just one and the Rays lose both it will put Tampa a half game behind Toronto. These two night games may very well predict where, last years AL Champs’ season’s future will be heading. The duel in Tropicana Field will both be games of tough baseball.

Let’s not forget that the second place Red Sox haven’t been behind their rivals for a few seasons now and it would be nice to head to the Bronx on Thursday in first place. It has been some time since the Red Sox have been in the lead and trust me they want it back. The Red Sox are going into to a four game series in NY and the rivalry is back to the good old days. Boston has the mentality of knowing that the Yanks haven’t beaten them yet this season. Their advantage lies in knowing how badly that fact kills the Yankee players and the Yankee fans probably hate it more. Boston would like nothing better than to fly back up north in first place and show up the Yanks in their own house again.

Tampa will put out all the stops to not let this happen but it sure ain’t for the Yanks sake. Joe Madden and his Rays are too good to be out of the race so “win, win, win” is mandatory theme.

This will bring the heat index up in Canada, as this has got to give the Yankees the hunger. In all truth, the time has come to one-up Boston. The Bombers know this entails coming home still in first. It is vital not to lose momentum.

Here is the perfect quote for the Yankees to live by:

“Whoever is winning at the moment will always seem to be invincible.” – George Orwell

What does each of the competing team need and want to do? Continue reading ‘The AL East: It Would Be Best To Bring You’re A-Game’ »

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Three Quick Thoughts, Five Minutes Before Critical Tampa Series Starts

Posted by on 27 July 2009, 10:54 pm

1. The Tampa Bay Rays seem to be creeping up. It has been a slow process but Joe Madden is making sure his team is in reach. My bet is that this young, talented ball club will pounce and it will happen fast. Lets not forget where the Yankees just were in the standings at the All-Star break. Either team cause their division peers will take the lose as one whole and with Boston still lurking in the middle critical for the Yankees to put themselves ahead.

2. Now the Boston Red Sox are struggling. This is largely due to injuries. As any one familiar with baseball knows that it happens and it is unfortunate but it can kill any hope for a teams future. The Rays just got back two of their best pitchers from last season recently and Evan Longoria‘s bat is heating up.

3. Also keep in mind that Tampa is not the rookie team it was of two seasons ago because the players have gone the distance. Being aware of what it takes to get through this long season. Imagine making it to the World Series only to lose has got to be a huge motivation for these athletes. What a way to start a winning streak then to take down the almighty New York Yankees.

The Yankees need to win this series for mental reasons just as much as where the team will stand in the toughest divisional race in baseball, the American League East.Tampa will attack any weaknesses and the Yanks need to continue to play consistent baseball in which all aspects play a part.

If the team happens to revert back to the pitching doing their jobs but the hitters are stranding runners on base or vice-versa it will be worrisome.

The Yankees need to prove themselves in this series as next week it is Boston and the team needs to go in with the most confidence possible!!

Good Luck and GOOOO YANNNNKKKEEEESSSSS!!!

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The Yankees Owe Someone A HUGHES Thank You!

Posted by on 1 July 2009, 3:39 am

Phil Hughes pumped up and fit.

What a terrific winning streak for the New York Yankees. Necessary, we all know this but I didn’t know that the player I would be blaming it on would be Phil Hughes.

Let’s look at the facts, which is what all sports enthusiasts will be picking apart from here till as long as their team lasts this season. As a “wanna be” sports writer, I do this from the spring training, which is passionate in the eye of the beholder.

The heat is on in AL East pennant race. My worst nightmare and if you have read any of my blog (so Dad) I knew that these guys were coming. The team formally known as the “Devil Rays” finally woke up and that is trouble.

Surely, all those new Tampa fans want that high from last season back. I wonder how filled Tropicana Field was when days were looking grim? Tampa was so daunting to me that I would think that fan base might be mad.

I actually thought that the team might be just off this season but deep down I knew better. TB has so much talent I think Joe Madden could pick out of hat for batting order. The old Devils are so young but age doesn’t play a role if the players are bad but again that is not the case.

I think you get my drift. Just in case, the Tampa Bay Rays are young, talented and hungry to get to a place that my Yankees know all to well.

Just another fact Ray’s won their seventh straight tonight against Toronto and Evan Longoria was not even playing. Yikes. Remember the Rays lights out pitcher from last year? Probably not, as he has been on the disabled list but Scott Kazmir is back. His slider is out of control good. Double – Yikes, Yikes!

Proudly I can say the Yankees are going to make this tough along with Boston and Tampa. Experts, rightly so counted my Yanks out in the beginning of the season but I knew it was all-wrong. This is a three-team battle that will be a fight till the end.

Yankees are right in there and damn good too. I just had no idea as of a month ago that a Hughes reason was due to Phil being moved from a starter to middle. This is just so baby Joba continues as starter.

Isn’t this starting to feel like Joba has become a trophy inscribed with “in your face” on it for Cashman or Girardi? Last year I would have just blamed Hank the Tank but where has baby Stein been this year. Must have done well at the horse track but he went from being a true Steinbrenner too completely non-existent and we all no this guy speaks his mind. Incase you forgot we have owners here is a reminder: Continue reading ‘The Yankees Owe Someone A HUGHES Thank You!’ »

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