Tag: Evan Longoria (Page 4 of 4)

MLB Playoffs Quick Reads

– Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that the Cubs are a tragedy of errors right now.

– Chris DeLuca of the Times notes that the Cubs aren’t the only ones in a slump – manager Lou Piniella is, too.

– Joey Johnston of the Tampa Tribune gushes over Rays’ rookie Evan Longoria’s cool after the third basemen hit two home runs in Game 1 of ALDS against the White Sox.

– Todd Zolecki of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes that Phils manager Charlie Manuel has succeeded with juggling the club’s lineup so far against the Brewers in the NLDS.

– John Romano of the St. Petersburg Times likes the fire that Rays’ RP Grant Balfour shows, but also writes how the young pitcher invites trouble along with his success.

– Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer waxes poetically about Shane Victorino, the “little Philly” who came up with a huge grand slam against Brewers’ ace CC Sabathia in Game 2 of the NLDS.

Rays fans have a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell.

Grant BalfourFor the past couple years, no prop has ever been more annoying than those obnoxious “thunder sticks” that Los Angeles Angels fans used during the 2002 World Series.

Until now.

During Game 1 of the Rays-White Sox ALDS (a 6-4 TB win), the home crowd in Tampa actually broke out cowbells…and used them the entire game. Nothing is more soothing during exciting MLB playoff game than to hear the constant ding of a freaking cowbell. Glad to see Rays fans actually knew where Tropicana Field was after leaving the place largely deserted during the regular season as the club won its first ever AL East Division title.

Regardless of how annoying the cowbells were, the game was exciting and it’s nice to see a young franchise win their first postseason game. Rookie Evan Longoria (3-3, 2 HRs, 3 runs, 3 RBI) is a stud and James Shields deserves a lot of credit for going almost seven innings after it appeared that he wasn’t going to make it past the third or fourth. The two teams even provided a little fireworks when Rays’ relief pitcher Grant Balfour and Sox infielder Orlando Cabrera started throwing profanities at each other during a heated at bat in the seventh inning. Balfour eventually got the best of the matchup, striking out Cabrera to end the inning with the bases loaded.

Tampa has a built a nice team over the years and true Rays fans deserve to finally see a winner. They also apparently have a fever. And the only prescription is…

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