Longoria Nears Return

"Evan Longoria's long-awaited return to the Tampa Bay Rays' lineup is now set for Tuesday against Toronto, barring any setbacks, reports Marc Topkin of the St. Pete Times. Longoria, who has been on the disabled list since the first week of the season with a left oblique strain, took batting practice in the cage again Tuesday and will start a short rehab assignment with Double-A Montgomery on Thursday (ESPN)."

Much has been made about the Red Sox turnaround, but the Rays have also been playing a lot better after a very slow start (7-3 in their last 10 games). That's pretty impressive since they have had to do it without Longoria in their lineup. The Rays have the pitching staff to be a very good team, but I still question (even with a health Longoria) if they have the lineup to challenge for the top spots in the AL East.

Evan Longoria To The DL

Well I guess Longoria has more time to buy douche bag Ed Hardy Tees now.

Not only did the Orioles get swept by the Rays they also lost their best player with a strained left oblique. This will most likely be a 3 week ordeal for the Rays which means they will rely on Manny Ramirez and already banged up Johnny Damon.

They are playing the Angels in the next series and I have no idea what to think of them, but I think the only way the Rays can get through this is if their pitching staff lives up to their names.

Felipe Lopez will take Longoria's spot in the line up. Ouch.

This Whole Rays Burglary Thing Gets Interesting

I am sure you guys all saw the story yesterday that the summer home of David Price, Evan Longoria, and Reid Brignac was broken in to. The burglars took a 60 inch HDTV, watches, jewelry, ect. I didn't think much of it, I mean shit happens. Then I read this today...

"But we hadn't heard about a certain "personal item" that belonged to Longoria. Nothing too important, you know, just your average run-of-the-mill ... AK-47 assault rifle. "It's a personal item," Longoria on Monday afternoon, before the Rays game against the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field. "Obviously they're going to say things that are taken. I think everything within the house is personal and we'll just leave it at that (Yahoo)."


Ummm, WTF? There is really no reason ever to have an AK-47. Honestly, lets think about this for a second. What are the reasons to have a gun?

Personal Protection - Well unless Cuba decides to invade Florida, I think he is all set with that much fire power.

Hunting - That's a little aggressive to take down a deer.

I have only come up with one idea. Evan Longoria is the Punisher. It makes sense. I don't really hear too much about what he does in the offseason, and I could totally picture him being a badass. Maybe him and Delonte can hangout and go all Mad Max on the South. Anyways, crazy story and I will not be asking Longoria for an autograph anytime soon.

Evan Longoria Injury Update

"Longoria has not played since September 23 due to a strained left quadriceps. While manager Joe Maddon thinks Longoria will play at some point this weekend against Kansas City, he also will not hesitate to sit out his star third baseman until the playoffs if the injury is not sufficiently healed (ESPN)."

It sounds like he will be back, but injuries are going to play a huge part in these playoffs. The Yankees need Pettitte healthy, the Rangers need Hamilton, and the Rays need Longoria. I hope all of them are able to play, because I hate excuses, and if everyone does play we could be looking at a real good playoffs (even without the Sox in it).

Longoria Rips Rays Fans

"Rays third baseman Evan Longoria ripped his team's lack of fan support Monday night as the Rays sat on the brink of clinching a playoff berth. Only 12,446 turned out to see the Rays' loss to the Orioles. After the game, Longoria brought up the topic of low attendance unprompted. Said the 24-year-old: "It's kind of like, What else do you have to do to draw fans in this place? It's actually embarrassing for us (WEEI)."

Longoria has every right to be upset. The Rays are one of the best teams in baseball, they are young, fast, exciting, and have some of the best pitching in all of baseball yet more fans came out to watch Tyler Seguin's and the rest of the Bruins scrimmage the Islanders. That is just fucking sad. The Rays stadium is a joke, their fan base is a joke, and they really should move and get new owners. Imagine if this team had a payroll to fall back on with all that young talent, they would be unstoppable.

Anyways, it's pretty obvious this Rays team deserves better.

Red Sox 6 Rays 3

Finally the Sox had some success at Tropicana. Last night Buchholz pitched very well letting up 3 runs over 6 innings with 3 Ks. Boston is really going to need him to step up over the final month or so if they want to nail down the Wild Card.

Jason Bay continued his tear as he hit a 2 run double that put the Red Sox ahead 2-0 in the 1st inning. Tampa quickly responded with 2 runs of their own in the same inning, when Longoria (who just kills the Sox) and Zobrist got RBIs. Baldelli hit a HR in the 2nd, but an RBI by Zaun (another Red Sox killer) tied the game. Lowell put the Sox up for good in the 6th with a soc fly, and Boston was able to put the game out of reach in the 7th with 2 runs.

The key to this game was the fact that the Sox were able to get to the Tampa bullpen early in the game. Price was only able to go 5 1/3 innings, and the Rays bullpen is so bad that you just knew the Sox were going to win.

Boston's bullpen on the other hand was fantastic. Wagner pitched another scoreless inning striking out 2. Then Bard and Papelbon closed it out with 2 scoreless innings of their own.

With the win Boston is still just 2 1/2 games up on Texas for the Wild Card spot.

Top 25 Under 25: #8 Evan Longoria

One of the new phenoms of Major League Baseball is the star thirdbaseman for the Tampa Bay Rays Evan Longoria. 24 year old Longoria born 10/07/1985 burst onto the scene in 2008 winning the Rookie of Year Award. In 122 games he hit .272 with 27 HRs and 85 RBIs; not to mention a .963 fielding % at the hot corner. Longoria was certainly a major reason why the Tampa Bay Rays were the AL East, and AL League Champs in 2008; and this was all after coming off a mid-season broken wrist. Now in his second season, Longoria has not slowed down one bit. Apart from a few minor injuries, Longoria is being hailed as one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball. In 126 games thus far, Longoria is matching his statistics from last season posting a .272 BA 25 HR 91 RBIs and 57 walks. Although Longoria had a .189 BA in July '09 he remains the top threat in a potent Rays lineup that includes Carlos Pena, BJ Upton and Carl Crawford. For a 24 year old player to be ranked the #3 best thirdbaseman in the league in just his second season speaks volumes to his ability and his future. Look for Longoria to post these and better numbers year in and year out; no doubt. If your a baseball fan, its hard not to love this guy...and no I don't mean Eva Longoria...no relation. Fuck Tony Parker.

-Beerman Posts

Red Sox 2 Rays 4 (13th)

Boston wasted a gem from Jon Lester last night, but this was a hard fought loss and these types of games happen. Lester left the game with the lead after going 6 innings letting up only 1 run on 3 hits with 10 Ks. The problem was that Garza was just as good letting up 2 runs over his 7 innings, as Boston's offense just not seem to have an answer for him.

The Rays were able to tie it at 2-2 in the 8th when Red Sox killer Evan Longoria hit a bomb off Bard, who had his first tough outing in a long time. The Rays and Red Sox bullpen were able to shut down each other until the 13th inning when once again Evan Longoria hit a bomb, this time off Saito, who you really can't blame as he was forced to pitch 2 innings since the Red Sox are short on relievers and there was really no one left. If the game had gone any longer the Sox were going to bring out Buchholz.

With the loss the Sox are now 1 1/2 games behind the Yankees for 1st place in the AL East, but I think we saw the coming out party for the Rays last night. They have kind of been the sleeping dragon all year, but if Garza can pitch like he did last night, and Kazmir continues to get healthy then this team is going to make this a 3 team race again quickly....

Longoria Drops Out Of All-Star Game

"Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is out of the American League starting lineup for the All-Star game because of an infected right ring finger. He is being replaced in the starting lineup for Tuesday night's game by Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young, who will bat seventh. Chone Figgins of the Anaheim Angels is taking Longoria's place on the AL roster (ESPN)."

I know they needed to add a 3rd baseman, but how pissed is Kinsler right now. He hands down deserves to be in this game and is passed over time and time again. Anyways, this injury isn't anything serious, so not a big deal.

Eva Longoria GQ Mexico Spread

Eva Longoria Sexy GQ Spread

Longoria Joins Team USA

"Third baseman Evan Longoria will be joining Team USA, according to Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman. Longoria will replace injured Chipper Jones on the U.S. roster for the semifinal round of the World Baseball Classic (ESPN)."

I really want to see Team USA with this Baseball Classic. I don't know why, but I am into this. Longoria is sick, and he can only help. USA is going to have some really tough teams to get through if they want to win it all. I am not sure if they can do it. Personally I think Japan is nasty, and they are going to be the toughest team to get through (Venezuela is also nasty). Longoria will not play first, as a lot of people thought he would. The rays came out and said they didn't want him doing that, which I don't understand. I don't know what they are going to do with the roster, since David Wright is also on the team.

Longoria/Soto Win Rookie of the Year

Everyone knew Longoria was going to win AL Rookie of the Year. Actually, if he hadn't of got hurt there was a good shot that he could've won AL MVP. Basically, the kid is a stud. Longoria batted .272 with 27 homers and 85 RBIs, which is damn impressive since he missed over a month with a broken wrist. Tampa is going to be a scary team for a long time, and Longoria will be in the center of that young lineup.

You don't see catchers win many aways, but Soto definitely deserve it. Soto hit .285 with 23 homers, and 86 RBIs. Imagine if the Sox could get production like that from their catcher? Anyways, Soto becomes first catcher to win rookie of the year in either league since Mike Piazza of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1993.

Both of these players deserved their awards, and I think they both will be great players for years to come. Unlike Bobby Crosby, or Huston Street...who won it for the AL in 2004, and 2005.

-BMack

Phillies One Win Away

Talk about encouraging, last nights 10-2 win was exactly what Philly fans wanted to see. Rollins got on base 4 times and is finally hitting the ball like the leagues MVP, Ryan Howard hit 2 homers to left then to right and looked like the leagues leading HR and RBI man.


And then theres Joe Blanton. This cat was an ace last night. When the Phillies picked him up in late July I was skeptical, especially since CC Sabathia and Haren were available. But turns out the Phils are 12-4 when he takes the mound, and last night he played the game of his life. I say played because he closed his eyes and blasted a solo home run to make up for one of the ones he gave up. Ata boy Joe, do your thing.


the Rays simply look out of their swagger that led them here. The media will jump all over the Phillies doing poorly with RISP, but Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria havent gotten a hit yet this WS and the 2 of them combine for 15 Ks. Without those guys swinging well, the team just cant win.

Tonight could be the best night of my sports life. Coming home from the hospital after being born i was wrapped in a phillies blanket, since day 1 i have loved this team. My entire life has been a patient fan and the time is up. Cole pitches tonight and he simply doesnt lose. He's 4-0 in the post season, the only Philly pitcher to ever do that, and tonight he looks to make it 5-0 and lead the Phillies to the..dare i say it..National Championship.


holla

TB Rays Tie the Series

Last night sucked. Instead of drinking merily with some cronies, i was forced to drink slowly and heavily by the Phillies. Yes the Rays won, but more than anything, the Phillies lost. You have to tip your hats to the Rays, they are doing something that Philly cant seem to figure out--scoring people who are in scoring position. Shields pitched well, 3 different times he had a man on third with less than 2 outs...no one ever scored.

Ryan Howard "broke out" of his slump last night but it doesnt really mean much if gets hits with no one on base. And for some reason Carlos Ruiz decided that hes just gonna be the man this World Series. Well i appretiate it Carlos, now whatever your drinkin, let Jimmy and Burrell get a motherfuckin sip.


The Rays are ball players, they're young, but their ball players. they scored runs last night in small ball fashion; two of their runs came on infield groundballs...I respect that. Someone Longoria and Pena are 0-for in the series, but something tells me they were just warming up for Jamie "I'm way too fucking old" Moyer to take the mound.

I'm not very happy today. The teams flew back to Philly late last night, and need to take a day to gather themselves. I am probably going up to Philadelphia tomorrow night to tailgate at the complex and then head to bar to be with local hooligans. i also plan to plaster the last of my DC stickers in the ghetto that is South Philly. for now I'm going to the movies to cool myself. Expect a movie review of 'Pride And Glory' this afternoon.

Rays Win Game 1 (6-4)

Hello World meet Evan Longoria...

That was the story in this game as Longoria belted 2 home runs, and led the Rays to their first postseason win ever. Longoria didn't waste much time as he homered in his first two at bats, and people really have to wonder if he didn't get hurt, he may have won AL MVP. Anyways, the Rays won this game surprisingly by out slugging the White Sox. I would have thought that guys like Griffey, Thome, and Dye would have been the ones hitter HRs, but they combined to go 1-12, as Shields rolled through 6 innings of work. The only inning that he had trouble was in the 3rd when Wise hit a 3-run homer, but Shields bounced right back, and the Rays bullpen looked fantastic going 2 1/2 innings letting up only 1 meaningless run in the 9th. Rays certainly look dangerous, especially with Crawford back on the field. Pena left the game with an eye injury, but I guess it happened at home, and isn't considered serious.

-BMack

Rays Beat Sox 2-1

The game came down to the bottom of the 9th. Masterson was on the hill, Barlett hit a single, then Pena walked, which was very questionable since the Sox would have had 2 strikes on him, but a ball came onto the field and time was called (yet no one seemed to know other than the 3rd base umpire). So, there was a man on 1st and 2nd with no out. Masterson was able to get Longoria to strikeout (3rd time today), but Masterson couldn't keep the momentum as he hit Cliff Floyd with a pitch to load the bases. So, with 1 out and bases loaded Dioner Navarro hit a deep fly ball to center field. Ellsbury new it was too deep to have a chance to throw Barlett out at the plate, so he let it go and the Rays beat the Sox 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th. The Sox now are no longer tied for 1st, and can't do any better than tie the Rays when this series is over (since it ends after tomorrow's game). The Rays have to be pumped to get this win, since they are back into 1st, and they end their slide. It was really a wasted effort by the Sox, as Beckett went 8 innings allowing only 1 run on 3 hits with 7 Ks. So, at least it seems like Beckett is ready for the playoff push. The bad news is that Mike Lowell really looked like he is hurt, and I am beginning to question how much longer he is going to be able to play through this injury (torn labrum). Lowell can barley run to first, and after making a bare handed play in the field, he was grimacing, and limping noticeably. As always we will keep you updated on Mike Lowell's status, as more information becomes available.

-BMack

Rays About To Get Better?

Over the past couple weeks the Sox have worked their way back in the AL East race. They had a chance to take the lead in the division before dropping a couple games to the Rays. The question all season has been whether or not this Rays team was going to have what it takes to string together a good season all year. Tampa is very good, but also very young, and many people thought (myself included) that they would fall off, but today the Rays may have got even better. All-Star rookie Evan Longoria is back, and they have also called up David Price, who might be the most highly touted prospect in the entire MLB. Langoria is obviously going to do what he does, but the addition of Price might be the thing that pushes the Rays over the top.

Here is what the official Minor League Baseball site says about David Price:
"He's got tremendous stuff, with a plus fastball, slider and above-average change up, excellent command of his pitches and the kind of leadership on the mound that screams "future ace." Price has great makeup and is extremely competitive. Add in the fact that this enticing package all comes in a left-hander".

If this guy is what all the scouts are are saying that he is, then the Sox are going to have a tough time taking back the AL East.

-BMack

Crawford/Longoria Land On DL

Yesterday we saw the Rays put Carl Crawford on the DL with a hand injury. Today, the news was no better, as they had to put their All-Star younger Evan Longoria on the DL with a broken right wrist. Crawford I think will be back in time to have an impact on the remainder of the season, but I think Longoria's year may be over. Wrists are hard to come back from (ask Ortiz or Nomar), and there isn't much time left. It is interesting to see all these guys going on the DL. The Sox lost Wakefield, the Yanks lost Joba, the White Sox lost Contreras, and the Rays have now lost Crawford and Longoria...and this all happened within a week. Wow, but I have to say that this really opens the door for the Sox to take the AL East if they can figure out what they are going to do about Wakefield and Buchholz spots in the rotation.

-BMack

Longoria and Hart Final All Star Selections

Rookie Evan Longoria is living up to his expectations batting .280, 16 homeruns and 53 rbis and wasn't even in the big leagues to start the year. Evan not only deserves the rookie of the year award, but a lot of credit for the turn around of the Rays.
Corey Hart has been extremely good for the Brewers hitting .292, with 15 homeruns, and 57 rbis. Before CC went to the Brewers, Hart is the only reason they were able to stay within striking distance.

Longoria Emerges As A.L.’s Top Rookie.

If there was any debate prior to this weekend over who the American League Rookie of the Year would be, the dust has cleared and Evan Longoria is a no-brainer for the award. Even almighty is hitting .275 with 15 homers and 50 RBI’s, he is on pace for a terrific season and has charged the Rays offense to a 52-32 record, good for first place in the A.L. East. Longoria has cut down on the strikeouts and seems to have figured out big league pitching. Over the last 30 days, he has batted .330, driven in 22 runs, and jacked 8 homers. Even if he shits the bed in the second half (which I can’t see happening) his numbers will probably be around .250/20/85, which is not all that bad for a rookie. I think a more reasonable prediction will be along the lines of .270/33/105, and some hardware at the end of the season.

If not for Longoria then the Red Sox would no doubt have back-to-back Rookie of the Year recipients. Jacoby Ellsbury was my lock for this season’s award. Unfortunately, homeruns, RBI’s and slugging percentage are much more appealing then stolen bases. Ellsbury has 35 stolen bases and is on pace for 65-70 depending on his health and second half consistency. He is batting .267 with 5 homers and 24 RBI’s this season.

-Brian B