Cy-Santana57 Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 Hello, my name is John Peirson, a Sports Reporter for the Tampa Bay Chronicle. I will inform and keep you up to date with what should be a promising 2005 season. First of all, the D-Rays are nearly starting over, hiring a young new manager, Jacob Park. Upon Mr. Parks arrival to his first press conference he had many things to say to eager Tampa Bay fans: "First of all, i will be playing on All-Star with normal sliders and default options. Second off, I WILL be looking for an impact bat to complement the incredible speed this team has been blessed with and worked so hard to get. Third, i will revamp the pitching, even if they are just subtle moves." This has been John Peirson, hoping you follow my breakthrough story of the 2005 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Dynasty... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cy-Santana57 Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 This just in! Mr. Park has released Tampa Bay's 2005 depth chart, he has arranged an overall young and nimble team that should be explosive and fun to watch: Carl Crawford-LF This young man has shown amazing speed in the past and is almost a no-brainer out in left. His skills will continue to grow this year, and he has worked hard for his starting spot. Joey Gathright-CF Another young, amazingly agile outfielder who already shined his skills in spring training, earning himself a spot in center. Rocco Baldelli-RF Although he is a solid contact hitter, Rocco also flashes nice speed, decent fielding, and one solid arm, making him a perfect choice for right field. Jorge Cantu-3B Jorge, being the contact hitter that he is, needs decent speed, but sadly, he doesnt get down the line fast enough. Mix that with problems with managment, and he should be nice trade bait for a more solid bat.Traded The 33 year old Melvin Mora now will play his position. Julio Jugo-SS Yet another sub-30 year old player, Julio brings solid fielding and a powerful and accurate arm to the left side of the infield. Julio, being another contact hitter, has solid speed and should be a threat to the pitcher everytime he gets on. B.J. Upton-2B B.J., being a natural player, agreed to move over to the second base spot. Being another young guy, he might leave the organization with Cantu for a solid hitter. Traded Eric Munson will now Take over B.J.'s 2B duties. Travis Lee-1B A decent first baseman and a subpar hitter, Travis looks to improve his hitting skills this season. Toby Hall-C Toby, being yet another young player, hopes that he can lead this pitching staff to many victories. He is a solid player with an above average arm, and is looking to gun out many runners this year. Aubry Huff-DH Aubry is by far the Rays most solid contact and power hitter. Due to speed constraints, i decided to DH him. Of course, during interleague play, he will start right field, moving Baldelli to center. Being in a tough division, the Devil Rays (no starter over age 29) hope to hold their own against hardened veteran teams like Boston and New York. This has been John Peirson on your Devil Rays report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cy-Santana57 Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 *BLOCKBUSTER TRADE* The Devil Rays put Jorge Cantu and B.J. Upton up for trade to Baltimore. The Rays picked up some experience by grabbing 33 year old Melvin Mora, a solid hitting, solid fielding third baseman. When asked for a comment on this pre-season trade Melvin simply said, "These guys needed some age and a solid bat, and i think ill be a solid addition. I will work my hardest to help this team out, and i am very looking forward to playing opening day with Tampa Bay." This has been John Peirson with your Devil Rays report, enjoy your day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoltinJoeCarter Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 love the name Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pujols_7777 Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 yay! another rays fan...i thought I was the only one on the face of the earth. I like the depth chart, but the Mora trade????? The D-Rays are the team of the future...why swap two young players with superstar upside for (albeit a good) 33-year old 3B past his prime? Kazmir (all hail) and Upton and Cantu are the future of the franchise, man! But, tell me how this deal works out in the dynasty. Perhaps you have some hidden genius that has escaped the Rays management (i.e., an IQ above about 73). -lonely no more, A Rays Fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pujols_7777 Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 yay! another rays fan...i thought I was the only one on the face of the earth. I like the depth chart, but the Mora trade????? The D-Rays are the team of the future...why swap two young players with superstar upside for (albeit a good) 33-year old 3B past his prime? Kazmir (all hail) and Upton and Cantu are the future of the franchise, man! But, tell me how this deal works out in the dynasty. Perhaps you have some hidden genius that has escaped the Rays management (i.e., an IQ above about 73). -lonely no more, A Rays Fan P.S. Try and get Steve Brassard from the Jays. He's a legit 20/20 man waiting to happen. You can then swap Baldelli for someone like Mora--an established major league hitter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demetri Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 My best friend is a Devil Rays fan (we make fun of him for it, but oh well), and I do want to see them succeed. Interesting trade moves - hope they work out. The D-Rays are a hard dynasty to bring up, so good luck! I'll be following :chin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cy-Santana57 Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 MELVIN: MOR(A) THAN A GOOD DEAL! D-RAYS FIGURE OUT BLUEJAY ACE ROY HALLADAY! Left: Mora smacks a 2 run homer in the first. Right: Young gunner Joey Gathright slides into second for a double. Overshadowed by Moras steller first performance as a D-Ray, Scott Kazmir, the starting pitcher, tossed a nearly flawless complete game shutout with 7 hits allowed and 7 k's. When asked for a comment on Mora taking the spotlight, Kazmir simply said, "Im happy for him, i think the Tampa Bay fans are gonna love him for years to come." D-Rays-3, BlueJays-0 Losing Pitcher- Roy Halladay- 8.0IP/5H/3ER Winning Pitcher- Scott Kazmir- 9.0IP/7H/0ER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cy-Santana57 Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 My Trade-ar is bouncing with rumors and the D-Rays seem to be looking into White Sox starting pitcher Orlando Hernandez. If Chicago is to let the deal come through, they want Rays starter Dewon Brazelton and an unnamed minor league player. The media has reported that Brazelton is very unhappy with the orginazation and has no desire to stay. When asked about the trade rumors, Brazelton replied, "These (explitive deleted) dont know who the (explitive deleted) their messing with, these (explitive deleted) better go through with this deal, because i cant stand this (explitive deleted) any more." This has been John Peirson, keeping you updated with the latest Devil Rays news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cy-Santana57 Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 Its a done deal, Hernandez is now a Bluejay and will be suiting up for his start on April 5th He has been with many teams before, hopefully, ending his career as a Devil Ray. The 35 year old starters last stop was Chicago, before being traded for loudmouth Dewon Brazelton and minor leaguer Josh Phelps. Career Stats: 61 Wins, 40 Losses with a 3.96 ERA and 703 K's. This has been John Peirson with your Devil Rays report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kriegz Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 Which Hernandez? Nice job picking up Mora, the trade was pretty even IMO, but it really depends on your roster. I signifigantly raised Cantu on mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cy-Santana57 Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 Extra inning thriller in Tampa, Mora continues to astonish. Left: Vernon Wells hits a 2 run homerun. Right: Melvin Mora hits a 2-run homer, his first of 2. In a hard fought game, the Rays mount a comeback to force an extra innings game. Melvin Mora hit 2 homers, including the bottom of the ninth moonshot to tie the game up at 5 directly after Aubrey Huffs solo blast off of relief pitcher Batista. Unfortunately, Hernandez's heroic 9 inning 5 run start, which left his arm nearly dead, wasnt enough to squeek past the Jays. When questioned on why he didnt let the manager take him out, Hernandez said, "I couldnt go out allowing 5 runs that early, if i was going to take the heat for my poor performance, i was going to go the distance. I was just trying to make things right with these Tampa Bay fans." The game winning run was scored on a slow ground ball to center in the top of the tenth. D-Rays-5, BlueJays-6 Hitting Notables: M.Mora-2-4, 2HRs, 3RBIs A.Huff-3-4, HR, 2RBIs V.Wells-3-5, HR, 2RBIs S.Hillenbrand-3-5, 2RBIs Winning Pitcher- M.Batista- 2.0IP/2H/2ER/2HR Losing Pitcher- J.Borowski- 1.0IP/2H/1ER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cy-Santana57 Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 Orlando Hernandez, and about Mora, i know Cantu would become a great player, but i needed an older player, who already is great. My starting lineup had no one over 29 years old, so theres the possibility that this could become one of the best teams ever, but i just dont want to wait. I think Gathright is the future, so im playing him as much as i can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cy-Santana57 Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 Fossum Electric through 8, Baez closes the door for his first save as Rays take 2 of 3 Rocco Baldelli pulls a line drive for his second hit of the game Roccos modern life, leading the Rays to a 1-0 victory with his homer in the first inning, "Well, he hung one badly, i took notice, and bombed it. Im glad ive found my power swing this year." Park should be happy with the work his pitchers are putting in, Fossum went 8 innings of 3 hit ball with 6 Ks. Hitting Notables: R.Baldelli-2-3, HR, 1RBI D-Rays-1, BlueJays-0 Winning Pitcher- C.Fossum- (1-0)/8.0IP/3H/6Ks/0ER Losing Pitcher- J.Towers- (0-1)/8.0IP/4H/5Ks/1ER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cy-Santana57 Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 Notable hitters after Series #1 Melvin Mora(TB)-.400 Average/3 Homeruns/4 Hits/5 RBIs Vinny Castilla(WAS)- .667 Average/3 Homeruns/6 Hits/9 RBIs Rocco Baldelli(TB)-.400 Average/2 Homeruns/4 Hits/2 RBIs I will be updating the top three league leaders in homers after every series. This has been John Peirson, you have a good day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cy-Santana57 Posted August 13, 2005 Author Share Posted August 13, 2005 Runs are hard to come by as the Rays are no-hit through 6 and both teams flash some leather. Left: Raul Mondesi makes an absolutely stunning catch. Right: Joey Gathright showcases his blazing speed and robs a basehit. Eric Munson hit the game winning double in the 8th inning, scoring Joey Gathright from 1st base in a near disaster by the Devil Rays, being shut down for the better half of 7 innings. When asked why he sent Gathright home, 3rd base coach Tom Foley simply said, "High risk, high reward. If you think about it, you would never score a run, if you didnt take risks." Hitting Notables: J.Lugo-1-3, 1HR, 2RBIs E.Munson-1-3, GW Double in 8th, 1RBI E.Durazo-1-3, HR, 1RBI D-Rays-4, Atheletics-1 Winning Pitcher-D. Waechter-9.0IP/9H/1ER/4Ks Losing Pitcher-J.Blanton-7.0IP/3H/2ER/5Ks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cy-Santana57 Posted August 13, 2005 Author Share Posted August 13, 2005 Heartbroken, once again in Tampa. Left: Julio Lugo makes a beautiful diving stop in the Rays losing effort. Right: Joey Gathright showcases his brilliant speed and stretches a single to a double. Perhaps the manager left him in too long, or perhaps it was the Rays inability to hit Knuckleballer Sparks. Whatever it was, there was blame everywhere in the Devil Rays locker room after the game. Carl Crawford, who was the Rays' best hitter of the day, took the position of leader after the game, rallying the troops and boosting ego. Hitting Notables: C.Crawford-2-4 E.Durazo-3-4 Atheletics-2, D-Rays-0 Winning Pitcher-R.Rincon(1-0)- 2IP/1H/0ER/1K Losing Pitcher-M.Hendrickson(0-1)- 10IP/9H/2ER/6Ks Save-O.Dotel(2 SV) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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