Tampa Bay Devil Rays Year 2!

[goose]

The Devil Rays suffered a huge loss in a 5-3 win over the Angles.

While sliding into second base on a double, Alex Sanchez strained his right forearm and is out for the rest of the season. The team is unsure if he will be able to play in the playoffs.

Rookie sensation Delmon Young, who will fight for a spot on the big club in spring training, has been called up to take his spot on the roster.He will get probably 3-4 starts in LF in the remaining 9 games while Joey Gathright will take the rest.

The Devil Rays are still 3.5 back with 9 game remaining.The Red Sox magic number is 4.5.

[goose]

The Devil Rays swept the Angels in their 3 games series, pretty much dooming their chances of winning the AL West.They are now 4 games back of Oakland with 5 left to play.

Speaking of the playoffs, news through out the league.

The San Diego Padres clinched the NL West.

and the Minnesota Twins won their 4th straight AL Central Title.

and in the AL East.Depsite winning 4 in a row, the D-Rays were unable to gain any ground as the Red Sox have won 6 in a row.Their magic number to clinch the East is now 2.The Devil Rays are 4 games back with 5 to play.

And Rocco Badelli stole his 122nd base against the Angels.With 5 games left to play he needs more to tie Ricky Henderson and 9 more to become the Single season stolen base King.

[goose]

The Devil Rays won their 5th straight, beating the Indians 7-3. Mark Hendrickson set a new career high by winning his 19th game.He will start the final game of the year against the Orioles to try to with his 20th.His is 19-3.

But the Red Sox also won, their 7th in a row.So their magic number is now just 1 to clinch.

Speaking of which, the Cubs clinched the NL Central.

[goose]

The Red Sox had their 7 game winning streak snapped by the Blue Jays as they lost 4-3.

And the Devil Rays capitalized by winning their 6th, beating the Indians 5-3. they are still alive!

Rocco Baldelli stole his 123rd and 124th base in that game.Brian Badeaux went 2-3 to increase his average to .357 and Delmon Young made his major league debut.He got his first hit in his first AB and went 2-3 with 2 walks and 1 strike out.

[goose]

The D-Rays lost 5-4 to the Indians to finish out their road trip.And at home needing to win to stay alive, they couldn't do it as they lost 3-2 to the Orioles to end their quest for the AL east title.

So the playoffs look like this:

AL West:Athletics

AL Central:Twins

AL East:Red Sox

AL Wildcard:Devil Rays

NL West:Padres

NL Central:Cubs

NL East:Nationals and Mets tied with 2 game left

NL Wildcard:Dodgers

Rocco Baldelli stole his 125th base against the Idians and he stole 3 more against the Orioles in the first game of that series.He now has 128 stolen bases.He needs two to tie and three to pass with 2 games remaining.

[goose]

I;ve covered the minor leaguers that are not getting resigned, now I'm going with the major leaguers I'm not resigning.

Not resigning

C-Tim Laker:Was hot when I brought him up but cooled down significantly and has performed even worse than Hall

3B-Alex Gonzalez:Only hitting .183 and been the most useless player on the team.Definitly not worth the 1.50 M I.m paying him.

Maybe's

1B:Travis Lee:Solid Bench player and good defender.All depends on what he askes.

LF:Alex Sanchez:Very good year(.325) but has been injury prone and Delmon Young could do just as good a job for alot cheaper.May be traded.

RP:Hideo Nomo:Also having a very good year.The only way I resign him is if he takes a HUGE paycut, because Sweeny will do the same for alot cheaper.

Closer:Danny Baez:45 saves and a 2.87 era is a big reason to resign him, but I may have cheaper options.Could also be traded.

[goose]

In the 161st game of the year Baldelli stole his 129th and 130th base to tie Ricky Henderson for the single season record.He will play in the last game of the year and is hoping to steal at least 1 more base.The D-rays won 3-2 in 10 innings.

The Mets won and the Nationals lost, putting the Nationals, who have lost 8 straight, 1 game back.They need to win their final game and the Mets need to lose to force a 1 game playoff.

Also, Mark Hendrickson will pitch and go for his 20th win of the year.

[goose]

The Devil Rays lost their final game of the year, 5-1 against the Orioles, their lone run coming off of an Aubrey Huff homer in the 9th, his 29th of the year. It was Mark Hendrickson's 4th loss of the year.

So not only does Hendrickson not win 20 games, but Baldelli did not break the Stolen base record.He went 0-4 with a strikout and no walks.So he never got the chance.He ended the season tied with Ricky Henerderson at 130.

The Mets clinched the NL East with a win over the Padres.The Nationals lost anyways.Just last week they were 4 games up on the Mets, but lost their final 9 games fo fall out of contention.

Will have an end of the year wrapup later.

[goose]

Year 2 Final Stats

103-59 3.0 Games back of the the Red Sox

Batting Order(BA/HR/RBI/SB)

RF:Rocco Baldelli-.294/7/71/130*

3B:Jorge Cantu-.288/8/94

DH:Aubrey Huff-.322/29/121

1B:Hee-Seop Choi-.323/14/58

LF:Alex Sanchez-.315/3/37/75(15 Day DL, strained forearm)

SS:Julio Lugo -.273/3/55/105

2B:Darren Gossler-.299/10/101

C:Tim Laker-.226/0/20

CF:Carl Crawford-.271/6/53/106

*=Tied Major League Record

Bench

Toby Hall-.258/3/35

Alex S. Gonzalez-.180/1/11

Joey Gathright-.244/1/23/55

Travis Lee-.257/2/25

Brian Badeaux-.286/1/2

Rotation(W-L/ERA/K's/Saves)

1-Mark Hendrickson:19-4/2.13/142

2-Dewon Brazelton:15-8/ 3.01/101

3-Cassey Fossum:11-6/3.07/104

4-Rob Bell:13-11/3.82/100

5-Scott Kazmir:13-7/4.44/91

Bullpen(W-L/ERA/K's/Saves)

LRP:Hideo Nomo:10-5/3.16/49/1

LRP:Tim Stauffer:12-5/3.94/61

MRP:Trever Miller:6-2/2.43/38/1

MRP:Travis Harper:3-5/3.75/33

SU:Lance Carter:4-2/1.44/32/2

Closer:Danny Baez:3-2/2.66/42/48

Finances:

Revenue-$70.10M

Expenses-$75.20M

Income-(-)$5.05M

Bank-$49,000

Payroll-$64.8 Million

Level 1 Seating-20000 capacity:11 sold out games(16275 Average)

Level 1 Lighting Banks

Level 1 Scoreboard

Level 2 Ads and Banners

Level 2 Restaurant

Level 2 HR Celebration

Ice Cream

Pop Corn

Pizza

Peanut

Soda

Finished September at 15-11 and went 1-1 in October.

Well I didn't win the division, but at least I made the playoffs.This team, at least statisticly was better than last years, but I felt like last years team dominated more. I know I will need to at least get some catching help in the offseason, as well as some right handed power, but we'll see what my needs are after the playoffs.I'm planning to increase the payroll to $75 Million.

I plan to use a 3 man rotation in the division series, consisting of Hendrickson, Brazelton, and Fossum.Bell and Kazmir will be put in the bullpen.

League leaders, awards, and the playoff picture are next.

[goose]

League Leaders:

American League:

Avg:Kevil Millar .349

HR:Mark Teixeria 43

RBI:Mark Teixeria 137(Huff 5th)

SB:Rocco Baldelli 130(Crawford 2nd,Lugo 3rd, Sanchez 4th, Gathright 6th)

Runs: Mike Young 130(Baldelli 5th with 118)

Hits:Mike Young 223(Huff T-2nd with 215)

2B:Kevin Millar,Vernon Wells 45

3B:Carl Crawford 28(Sanchez 2nd with 22, Baldelli 3rd with 14)

BB:Ichiro 115

OBP:Rafiel Palmeiro .435

SLG:Kevin Millar .584

ERA: Mark Hendrickson 2.13

WinsMark Hendrickson 19(Brazelton 8th with 15)

Saves:Danny Baez 48

AVG against:Houston Street .207 (Lance Carter 2nd with .219, Hendrickson 4th with .235, Miller 8th with .245)

K's:Johan Santana 221

CG:Mark Hendrickson 9

SHO:Mark Hendrickson 5

IP:Mark Hendrickson 253.1 (Bell 6th with 219)

National League:

AVG:Dustin Mohr .345

HR:Jim Edmonds 40

RBI:Jim Edmonds 126

SB:Juan Pierre 54

Runs:Carlos Beltran 121

Hits:Cezar Izturiz 205

2B:Brad Wilkerson 43

3B:Luis A Gonzalez 12

Walks:Larry Walker 127

OBP:Larry Walker .442

TB:Dustin Mohr 342

SLG:Jim Edmonds .624

ERA:Randy Wolfe 2.41

Wins:Jake Peavy 19

Saves:Matt Guthrie, Geurilla Mota 39

AVG against:Randy Wolfe .208

K's:Ben Sheets 203

CG:Jake Peavy, Livan Hernandez 7

SHO:Josh Beckett 4

IP:Ben Sheets 238

[goose]

Awards:

American League:

MVP:Rocco Baldelli

Cy Young:Mark Hendrickson

Rookie of the Year:Darren Gossler

Roliads Relief Man:Danny Baez

Silver Sluggers:

DH-David Ortiz

C-Jason Varitek

1B:Mark Teixeria

2B:Alfonso Soriano

3B:Alex Rodriguez

SS:Derek Jeter

OF:Rocco Baldelli

OF:Carl Crawford

OF:Manny Rameriz

Gold Gloves:

P-Mike Mussina

C-Ivan Rodriguez

1B:Derin Erstad

2B:Darren Gossler

3B:Eric Chavez

SS:Orlando Cabrera

RF:Ichiro

CF:Vernon Wells

LF:Bobby Kielty

National League

MVP-Carlos Beltran

Cy Young-Jason Schmidt

Rookie of the Year-Ryan Church

Rolaids Relief Man-Matt Guthrie

Sliver Sluggers:

P-Kerry Wood

C-Mike Piazza

1B-Phil Nevin

2B-Ray Durham

3B-Scott Rolen

SS-Cezar Izturis

OF-Carlos Beltran

OF-Bobby Abreu

OF-Brian Giles

Gold Gloves:

P-Josh Fogg

C-Mike Matheny

1B-Adam LaRoche

2B-Luis Castillo

3B-Scott Rolen

SS-Omar Vizquel

LF-Andrew Jones

RF-Mike Cameron

CF-Jim Edmonds

All Star Game MVP:

Ichiro

[goose]

Playoffs:

Not only did the D-Rays make it, but their A and AA teams made it as well, but I will be managing those games only.

ALDS:

Boston

vs

Oakland

Minnesota

vs

Tampa Bay

NLDS:

San Diego

vs

Chicago

New York

vs

Los Angeles

[goose]

The Devil Rays crushed the Twins in game 1 of the ALDS 9-0.Every player had at least 1 hit except for Huff.

Notables:

Cantu:4-5 3 RBI

Choi:2-5 HR

Huff:0-5

Ford:3-4 2 2B

Hendrickson:CGSHO 4 k's

Both the D-Rays A and AA teams also won.

[goose]

The Twins evened the series at 1 game apiece, beating the D-Rays 7-1.

Notables:

Huff:3-4

Jones:2-4 HR 3 RBI

Nomo:1.0 IP 4 ER 1 HR

The AA team also won, they are going for the sweep and the A team is tied at 1-1 games apiece in the 3 game series.

[goose]

Devil Rays took game three 4-2 to take a 2-1 series lead.

Notables:

Lugo 2-3 2 RBI

Gossler: 2-3

The AA team swept their opponent to make it to the next round, and the A team won the decisive game three 5-1 to move on.

[goose]

The D-Rays beat the Twins 6-1, captilalizing on 3 errors, to advance the ALCS.

Notables:

Cantu:1-5 2 RBI

Hall:2-3

Crawford:3-4

The A team lost their first game in a best of 3 series.

The Red Sox swept the Athletics in 3 games to force a rematch of last years ALCS, which Boston won in 7 games.This is their 4th straight ALCS.In the NL the Mets won game 5 to beat the the Dodgers and the Padres won the series over the Cubs in 4 games.

Also Alex Sanchez has come off the DL, which is a hug boost for the D-Rays.Delmon Young has been sent down the AAA.He went 1-4 with a walk and a strikeout in the playoffs.

So the Champioship series are:

Boston

vs

Tampa Bay

New York

vs

San Diego

[goose]

The Devil Rays lost game 1 of the ALCS 6-4 because of a bullpen implosion.

Notables:

Baldelli: 2-3

Gossler:1-4 2 RBI

The Mets also won game 1 against the Padres and the AA team won game 1 in a best of 5 series.

[goose]

The Devil Rays evened the series at a game apiece by winning game two 6-3.Doug Merabelli in 4 pinch hit appearances for the Red Sox is 4-4 with 1 homer and 4 rbi's.

Notables"

Huff:3-4 RBI

Crawford:2-4 2 RBI

Toby Hall is hitting .400 in the playoffs.While Laker has yet to get a hit in 10 ABs.His tenure as a Devil Ray is likely done.

The AA team lost game 2 of their series to even it at a game apiece.

and the A team won game three 2-1 to advance to their championsip round.

So now both minor league teams have made it to their respective championshi rounds.Can the Devil Rays do the same?

[goose]

Game 3 started out very bad for the D-Rays as Cassey Fossum gave up 6 runs in the 1st inning and it looked like the Red Sox would take a 2-1 series lead.But in the bottom of the 1st the D-rays answered back with 5 runs to get right back in it.In the second inning ROY Darren Gossler hit a two run bomb to put Tampa Bay ahead 7-6.Fossum would go 4 2/3rds as the Devil Rays won game 3 by a score of 9-8.

Notables:

Mueller: 3-4 3 RBI (He is batting .611 in the playoffs)

Huff:2-4 RBI

Lugo:2-4 2 RBI

Gossler:1-3 HR 2 RBI

The AA team were shut out in game 3 of their series losing 0-7.They are facing elimination and are hoping to force a game 5.

[goose]

Game 4 was all Devil Rays as they stomped the Red Sox 11-4. They now have a 3-1 series lead and just need one win to make it to the world series.

Notables

Baldelli:4-5 RBI 5 stolen bases(ties a career high)

Lugo:3-5 4 RBI 3 Stolen bases

Cantu:1-4 2 RBI

Bell:8.0 IP 5 hits 1 ER 4 k(only run came off a Ortiz homer)

The AA team won an emotional game four by a score of 6-3.They force a winner-take-all game 5 for the Championship.

[goose]

THE DEVIL RAYS ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!!!

That's the headline in the Tampa Bay Tribune after today.Coming off a dominating win against the Red Sox, the Devil Rays did it again, completely destroying Wade Miller and Bronyson Arroyo 12-1. The D-Rays won the series 4-1 to capture their first AL Pennant.But in this great victory, their was a loss.Aubrey Huff,the D-Rays best all around hitter, suffered a minor MCL strain while legging out a RBI double and will not be able to play in the World Series.This is a HUGE loss for the D-Rays.Choi will take over as the DH while Lee will man first base.

Notables

Ortiz:3-4

Huff:2-2 HR 2B 4 RBI

Choi:3-4 RBI

Sanchez:3-6

Gossler:2-4 3 RBI

Hall:2-5 4 RBI

On the NL side the Mets swept the Padres in games to capture their second consecutive NL Pennant. and the AA team lost game 5 of their championship series 1-6.And the A lost game 1 of their championship series 0-4.

So in the World Series it's:

New York Mets

vs

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

[rolliefingers08]

good stuff.

[goose]

For a team not known for it's offense during the regular season, the Devil Rays have really turned it on the last 4 games, winning game 1 of the World Series 9-2.Despite losing Huff, the Devil Rays haven't missed a beat, and Hee-Seop Choi hit a grand slam in the second.The Devil Rays have outscored their opponents 41-12 in the last 4 games.

Notables

Piazza:2-4 HR

Cameron:2-3 HR

Choi:1-4 Grand Slam

Lugo:2-3 3 RBI

The A team won game 2 of their championship series, to even it at 1 game apiece in a best of 5 series.

[goose]

Tom Glavine came in and completely shut down the D-rays offense, pitching a CGSHO,scattering 7 hits and striking out 2.The D-Rays lost 0-4 and the series is even at 1-1.

Notables:

Wright:1-4 HR 3 RBI

Cantu:2-4

Hall:2-4(batting .400 in the playoffs, second to Huff's .444)

Glavine:9.0 IP 0 R 7 H 1 BB 2 K

The A team won game 3 by a score of 2-1 to take a 2-1 series lead.They need one more win to win the championship!

[goose]

Cassey Fossum turned around and pitched a brilliant game as the D-Rays took game 3 6-1.He had a No hitter going through 5 1/3 and a shutout going through 8 before Miguel Olivio hit a homer.The D-Rays lead the series 2 games to 1.

Notables:

Gossler:3-4 RBI

Hall:2-3 HR 2 RBI(now hitting .424)

Crawford:1-4 2 RBI

Olivio:1-3 HR

Fossum:8.0 IP 3 H 1 R 5 K 1 HR

Also the A team(Oaks) won their final game 7-1 to capture the California League Championship!!! WAY TO GO OAKS!!