Article about Madden from Yahoo. I hope you guys enjoy.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Ah3ip4Qv80n4Ibc6aRAT1lE5nYcB?slug=ge-raysrule081908&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 Some quotes from the article

“I’m not backing off on this one because I’m going to get fined on that, so screw ‘em. But I’m telling you, that’s the kind of call that can cost you a pennant right there.”

“It’s much easier to watch on the field than on TV,” said Maddon, who after being ejected in the sixth inning joined baseball’s living Buddha, Don Zimmer, in the back of the Rays’ clubhouse.

This was the Rays’ 35th come-from-behind victory and the eighth in games they’ve trailed after seven innings.

Maddon introduced a slogan for that in spring training: 9=8. Play nine innings a night, every night, and you wind up being one of the eight teams playing in October.

Poll

Do you agree on what Madden did?

• Yes
• No
• I don't know

  47 votes | Results

For the first time ever we are in a situation where September call-ups are going to be used to help the MLB team instead of just getting some young guys some playing time. That brings the question of who do we call up? Here is a list of guys who could potentially be call-up, Ill give my thoughts what does everyone else think?

 

Guys already on the 40 man

 

Juan Salas- I know he is already in the majors but I am throwing him in here because I would assume he would be sent down for a day or 2 depending on when Percival comes back.

My guess: 100% chance of being called up

Kurt Birkins- forgotten about lefty who has a 6.75 ERA down in Durham. Has some MLB experience but isnt that good.

My guess: 60% chance of being called up. The only reason it is that high is because we will only have 2 other lefties in the pen and it never hurts having an extra arm.

James Houser- Injured

Jeff Niemann- Niemann was a big name tossed around at the trade deadline and has really good stuff and is a mlb ready starter. He does have a history of injury problems and is only completing his 2nd full pro season.

My Guess: 25% chance of being called up. I think Niemann is a starter and isnt really built to work out of the pen, I also think he would benefit from being shut down a little bit earlier after the minor league playoffs.

David Price- I dont know if there is anything I can say people dont already know, he has struggled in his first 2 AAA starts with command which could be a problem.

My guess: 30%- The front office may get pressured into calling him out but I think the smart move would be to let him finish the year in Durham and shut him down after that. While he could be a bit of help to the pen, I think he will benefit more from getting an extra couple starts in the AAA playoffs.

J.K. Ryu- injured

Mitch Talbot- Insert man crush warning here, Talbot has been extremely solid of late. He has gone 8-1 in his last 10 starts and has allowed just 6 runs in his last 7. Talbot would be my choice to get the spot start in the DH against Baltimore late September and could be successful out of the pen.

My guess: 75%- not sure the FO is as high as I am on him.

John Jaso- Jaso has been a stud since being called up to Durham, .856 OPS and has been solid behind the plate. He would be the easier of the 2 catchers for the Rays to call up being on the 40.

My guess: 35%, not that I don't like Jaso, I just think the FO will go with the veteran Difeliece.

Joel Guzman- .713 OPS but plays a solid defense and has been playing some SS of late along with 3B and 1B. He has tremendous power but that is about the extent of his offensive prowess.

My guess: 75% A right handed power bat, wouldn't hurt right?

Elliot Johnson- most versatile guy possibly in the whole system. I talked to him earlier in the year and he mentioned that he was even the emergency catcher during his time with the big league club at the beginning of the season. He isnt the most talented but has good speed and plays good defense.

My guess: 100%, perfect type of player to call up, can play everywhere on the diamond, switch hitter with good speed.

Fernando Perez- one of the more interesting options, before the season or even a month and a half ago I would say no way he gets called up but he continues to play solid defense and .748 OPS + 40 SB isn't bad either. Could get called up for his defense and speed.

My guess: 50% Really not even sure what I would do much less what the FO will do.

Jonny Gomes- AAA Jonny not much better than MLB Jonny 12-52 (does have 2 HR)

My guess: 40%, I would guess that Gomes, Perez, and Guzman all wont get called up but 2 will, Jonny could be the man left out.

 

Guys not on the 40 Man.

Dan Johnson- Johnson has been playing a lot of 3B leading a lot of people to believe that this is leading to a September call-up. Im not sure why the Rays would try him out there if that wasnt the case given he most likely wont be on the team next year.

My guess: 90%, he should get the call, my guess Ryu goes to 60 man DL

Mike Difelice- Veteran catcher, isnt going to bring much to the table other than experience but that he has. Difelice was a member of the original Devil Rays

My Guess: 65%, He isnt as good as Jaso but I think they go with the veteran.

Dale Thayer- A lot of people keep throwing this name out there and I am a big fan of his 2.39 ERA in 48 innings.

My guess: 5%. Like I said I am a Thayer fan but I dont see us taking someone off the 40 man to add a guy who would maybe only make it 1 or 2 games and that would only be in mop up duty. Thayer should get his chance next spring to make the roster.

Chris Richard- Richard has been the MVP for the Bulls this season (.914 OPS) IMO and can play 1B or corner outfield. Will most likely have the same problem as Thayer

My guess: 10%, A little higher than Thayer but snot by much, I dont really see the Rays making room on the 40 man for a guy who isnt going to play much

 

 

This was kinda long but it is nice to have September call-ups really mean something and I for one am excited.

 

Prices Released

The Rays recently released postseason seating and pricing information, and have offered postseason packages up to their season ticket holders.  While there are no guarantees in life or in baseball (One Game at a Time, Good Lord Willing), proper budgeting and planning is essential for most fans to ensure they aren't left out in the cold.  With that in mind, here are the prices for 2008 Rays Postseason tickets (per game, per seat):

Seat Location              DS                   LCS                 WS

Home Plate Club       295                     350                    500

Whitney Bank Club   175                     200                    350

Fieldside Box            135                     150                    225

Lower Infield Box        82                    95                     225

Lower Box                    65                    75                    225

Press Level                 55                      65                    225

Baseline Box               45                      55                    175

Loge Box                      45                    55                    175

Outfield                         25                    30                    150

Upper Deck                  20                     25                    100

A few notes:

- I did not include season ticket holder pricing, as this is info is already available.

- In the event there is a tie-breaker playoff, that pricing will be the same as prime game pricing.

- It is very apparent at first glance that when it comes to World Series tickets, it is the middle-class fan that gets hit the hardest with price mark-ups.  A Home Plate Club ticket doubles in price, while an outfield World Series seat goes for over 9X that of a regular season seat.

- It is also interesting that a World Series press box seat goes for the exact same price as a fieldside box seat, when in the regular season, these tickets are nowhere near equivalent in price.

So how many games will I have to pay for?

To be honest, I'm not really sure.  I do know that in order for season ticket holders to ensure themselves seats for all playoff games, they must buy an 11 game package, which represents the maximum # of playoff games that could theoretically be played at the Trop.  However, even if you don't have a season ticket package, chances are that if you want to pay retail, you are probably going to have to purchase some games in advance, hope that they are played, and wait on a refund if they are not.

Assuming that the Rays get home field advantage and play every possible playoff game at the Trop, it would cost $560 per seat to go to every game and sit in the upper deck, or $895 to do the same in the outfield.  However, as I will show, such an unlikely scenario will never play out, no matter how good this team is.

Below is the # of postseason games that each team has hosted over the past 2 years, along with how much it would have cost (in today's prices) to see every game from the upper deck or outfield (per seat):

Year	Team	LDS	LCS	WS	TOTAL	UD	OF
2007	Boston	2	4	2	8	340	470
2007	Colorado	1	2	2	5	270	385
2007	Cleveland	2	3	0	5	115	140
2007	Arizona	2	2	0	4	90	110
2007	LA Angels	1	0	0	1	20	25
2007	NY Yankees	1	0	0	1	20	25
2007	CHI Cubs	1	0	0	1	20	25
2007	PHI Phillies	2	0	0	2	40	50
2006	St. Louis	2	3	3	8	415	590
2006	Detroit	2	2	2	6	290	410
2006	NY Mets	2	2	0	4	90	110
2006	Oakland	1	2	0	3	70	85
2006	NY Yankees	2	0	0	2	40	50
2006	San Diego	2	0	0	2	40	50
2006	Minnesota	2	0	0	2	40	50
2006	LA Dodgers	1	0	0	1	20	25

- Since most of us don't sit by ourselves, you probably need to double that figure for each of them to get an accurate picture.

- It's also worth noting that these figures don't include Ticketmaster service charges.  I'm not too sure what they will be, but I will assume they're looking forward to the possibility of a field day.

- Since the advent of the divisional format, the closest any teams have come to hosting 11 games are the '97 Indians and '01 Diamondbacks, which each hosted nine games.

Final Notes:

- Even if we are lucky enough to see playoff games, my guess is that many fans will not be lucky enough to get tickets at retail, and will have to purchase them at well above face value.  Given how much they are already selling for on Stubhub, the $150 '09 deposit with guaranteed seats doesn't look so bad.

- There is a time value component to money that shoppers often ignore.  Most buyers will likely have to charge the tickets on a credit card, and pay interest on them while wait for a refund for unplayed games (of which there will certainly be some).  Even if they pay cash, there is an opportunity cost at play, and they would still have to forego the chance at putting the cash in the bank and drawing interest.  These costs are far from insignificant, and should be considered before purchasing.

- While most teams host 4 or fewer playoff games, if you want to guarantee yourself the chance at seats throughout the postseason, it is probably wise to start budgeting for the unlikely.

- 'Problems' like these = priceless

We're big Rays fans -- we've been going to games since my 9-year-old was a baby and his dad had to change diapers in the stands because there were no changing tables in the men's rooms (thank you Matt Silverman & Co for fixing that!). We're thrilled that the Rays (who I used to refer to as the best minor league team in major league baseball) have thrived under Coach Maddon. And we appreciate what a wonderful baseball team this franchise has evolved into -- it's really just terrific!

So when my son asked -- why is Coach Maddon saying 9=8? I explained that Coach Maddon says that 9 guys playing hard all season results in them being one of the 8 teams in the post-season -- and my son says -- we're in the AL, mom -- shouldn't that be 10=8? Counting the DH?

Well, I was stumped -- is there something obvious I'm missing?

 

Although I'm sick of hearing about this with the team winning, ironically, Larry Stone of the Seattle Times has come up with the answer to B.J.'s initials.

 

Larry Stone's MLB power rankings

Last week's ranking in parentheses

	Team
1	Angels (1)	Remember when the absence of Lackey and Escobar was going to ruin Angels?
2	Cubs (3)	85 percent of the world works for a living, and the rest lose to the Cubs
3	Tampa Bay (2)	Apparently, the "B.J." in Upton's name stands for Barely Jogs

I like how we have been building a fan base...

I loved the "LET"S GO RAYS" chant  against the Mariners and appreciate the RAYS' BLUE that showed up in Texas....

It may have been a season long road trip, but the end result: RAYS WIN & the home team's venue was covered in DOGGY DOO-DOO.

Who'd thunk it?

In September... who do you think the "rest" of America will be pulling for?....

I have a feeling that they will... "Feel the Heat.. Rays"

What a season for the whole country to enjoy!

or do you think this is  the most important series left in the season

 

 

the angels being the team with the best record in baseball have now lost topnight to the rays and i think the rays need to keep these opening inning bursts going.

 

i believe these 2 teams will meet again...in late october as a matter of fact'

 

 

al championship....these two teams are insane right now it just depends on homefield and injuries...but again go rays

The Ryleigh Russo Ultimate Weekend Package Drawing

All proceeds will benefit The Ryleigh Russo Fund, supporting her fight against Leukemia.

One lucky winner will receive the following Prize Package including:

Friday August 29, 2008

Begin your weekend by checking into The TradeWinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach for 3 nights beginning Friday 8/29 and departing on Monday 9/1.
*Kenny Chesney Poets & Pirates Tour. Ford Amphitheatre, - 2 tickets (Concert starts at 7:30pm)

*Dinner at Outback Steakhouse - $75 gift certificate

Saturday August 30, 2008

* Round of Golf for four at the St. Petersburg Country Club

* Lunch or Dinner at Ferg’s Sports Bar - $50 gift certificate

* Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles

Suite including 16 tickets, 3 parking passes, in-house food & soft drinks

Sunday August 31, 2008

* Mediterranean Market Brunch for 2, Marchand's Bar & Grill, Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club

Plus

*USF Bulls vs. Kansas, Sept. 12, 2008 – 2 football tickets, club section

*One year supply of Florida's finest, Working Cow Homemade Ice Cream

* Wine Package - 4 bottles Francis Coppola Merlot, 4 bottles Napa Cellars Chardonnay



Prize Package Valued over $4,000.00


Suggested Minimum Donation $5.00

Each $5 donation equals one entry. There is no limit on the number of entries per person.

The last date to enter is August 25, 2008 at 12:00 AM EST.

The winner will be selected on August 27, 2008 via YouTube.

The Official Drawing will feature Ryleigh picking the winning ticket.

All proceeds will benefit The Ryleigh Russo Fund, supporting her fight against Leukemia.

With Joe Maddon calling for 4 against Josh Hamilton, he becomes only the 6th player in MLB history to be intentionally passed with the bases juiced.

With two outs in the 9th inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 28, 1998, Bonds became only the fifth player in baseball history to be given an intentional walk with the bases loaded. Nap Lajoie (1901), Del Bissonette (1928) and Bill Nicholson (1944) were three others in the 20th Century who received that rare honor; however Abner Dalrymple was the first to receive one in 1881.[31] Bonds finished 8th in the MVP voting.[32]

What was everyone else's reaction to the intentional pass. I was able to discuss this with a few Tribe mates who were in awe over Maddons decision. My take on everyone's opinion was from the movie Top Gun in which   Hollywood said to Maverick in their aerial simulation room , "gutsyiest move I've ever seen, man."

As for me watching the game, how did I feel and react? Last night I was biting at my lip, pacing in my recliner, and asking myself, what the hell is Joe doing? Here's what I found: Joe knows stats, Joe knows tendancies, Joe's not afraid to make the bazaar move of the season. This is Joe's team, he manages without fear or hesitation. After cursing the screen screaming, don't walk the winning run to the plate, Wheeler steps in K's Byrd, and I'm sitting back saying, good move Joe, good move.

 

 

Maddon is taking a lot of heat for the bases loaded intentional walk to Josh Hamilton, and to be honest, it is statistically difficult to support the move, as pointed out by several on this forum.  Chances are you’re better off pitching to Hamilton.  Maddon no doubt knew that too.  That’s why it hasn’t been done in the AL since 1901, and it took Barry Bonds to inspire the move in the NL in 1998.

 

Yet I support the thinking behind the decision.  It was a gamble, but a logical one—and I would have supported it even if it didn’t work.  The key here is to think like a manager of people, not numbers.  Let’s say that Balfour pitches to Hamilton, and he hits a grand slam (an admittedly unlikely outcome).  Obviously demoralizing, and even though the game is only tied, the momentum would have shifted—maybe for good.   Similarly, if Hamilton doubles or some other negative outcome, Balfour is pulled, and the momentum has still shifted.  Balfour is demoralized for blowing it in his role.  And if the Rays lose, everybody blames the pitching staff for failing—and right at the end of an otherwise very successful road trip. A lot of hard work down the drain.

 

What Maddon actually did was to take the responsibility for winning or losing the game on his own shoulders.  If the move works (which it did), then no harm no foul.  Maddon looks goofy, but the Rays win.  And if it doesn’t work?  Maddon is vilified in the press, and becomes the lighting rod for criticism.  Not his players.  He knows he can handle the media storm better than his players and feels comfortable with that.  But in the pennant drive, he needs to keep his untested players from folding.

 

And that, I suspect, figured greatly into what he was doing.

 

It’s the kind of move you’d only expect from someone with a career background in player development, who’s thinking a few steps ahead to get the most from his players in the long run.