Joe takes shot at Red Sox, Red Sox Nation responds

by Aaron Giddens

One of the more interesting quotes of this past weekend was Joe Maddon's response to a question that would the Rays follow the Red Sox lead and ban beer in the clubhouse. In response, Joe replied:

"We're not the Boston Red Sox," ... "I've said it a hundred times, for me at the end of the day, I'd much prefer our players making good decisions, and if you're of legal age, and the game is over, and you've sweated and lost a bunch of pounds and you want to sit down and have a beer, I see nothing wrong with that."

VIDEO: Pena on being 'home'

by Aaron Giddens

Carlos Pena arrived at Rays Spring Training camp today and had this to say to the media.

NEWS CAP: Spring Training 2012 underway!

by Aaron Giddens

Courtesy: MLB

Welcome to the first "News Cap" where I will pool information around the Majors and not just the Rays that I find interesting.

Rays arrive in Port Charlotte

Spring Training is underway down in Port Charlotte, though only pitchers and catchers have the mandatory reporting right now, they have been joined by a few members of the infield and out field crew. Reports say Longo arrived in Port Charlotte this afternoon. It's spring training, the Grapefruit League is working right now. The start to the forthcoming 2012 season is upon us.

PHOTO: Joe Maddon circa 2005

by Aaron Giddens

While I was browsing the internet today, I found this article from when Joe was announced to be the next manager of the Rays from 2005. The article is fine, but what I find interesting is the photo of Joe. I had to double take, squint and several other things to figure out that "hey, that's Joe in an Angels uni". Can you believe it? Look for yourself.




What do you think?

Joe Maddon staying in Tampa Bay through 2015

by Aaron Giddens

Joe Maddon ~ Courtesy: Flickr

The big news of the day on Wednesday was the official formal announcement of the three year contract extension of Joe Maddon. Who could not like this deal? Joe brought us winning baseball, he brought us two AL East crowns, one AL crown and a Wild Card berth. I can't express enough how good a deal this is for the two parties involved.

But let's look at the stats.

VIDEO: MLB.com's 2012 Rays Spring Training preview

by Aaron Giddens

This spring training preview comes courtesy of MLB.com.

CONTEST: Win a player signed Rays hat!! #RaysFlashChant

by @MandaGator

If you're reading this chances are you are VERY aware that the Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest (#RaysFF) is only one week away! This is when the Rays give back to fans, make themselves accessible, share tales of their experiences and generally make merry with fans all while raising money for community projects! Chances also are, you Tweet the #Rays, making you part of the #RaysTwitFam.

The Rays have planned a vast amount of activities to celebrate US, the fans! So shouldn't we do the polite thing and give them a big THANK YOU back during the event?? How could we go about doing so in a manner that doesn't interfere with our places in autograph lines or watching the kiddies running bases?

Football is done, America is ready for her past time!

by Aaron Giddens

Courtesy: Flickr

A few weeks ago, we started getting pumped for Spring Training. Well the rest of the sporting world has joined us, the Super Bowl is over, football season is over and it is now time for America's past time to take the limelight.

So let us put away our cheesehead gear. Let us put away our swords, sabres and cannon fire. Let us give the Lambeau Leap a much needed summer break. Let us put away the pigskin and trade it for 34 inch wooden sticks. Let's trade those for white leather and red stitches.

It's time for baseball, in just 2 short weeks pitchers and catchers report to Port Charlotte.

POLL: Dan Johnson's departure

by Aaron Giddens

Over the past two days, we have posted two articles which have presented polar opposite arguments on whether Dan Johnson's time with the Rays should be honored or just let go.

First, if you haven't read them, read them first before continuing here:

• "Farewell, Great Pumpkin!" by Aaron Giddens


• "Cheers To Dan Johnson" by @MandaGator

Now, that you've read them, it's up to you, the reader to decide who you agree with. Vote below.

Cheers To Dan Johnson

by @MandaGator

Courtesy: ATS Sports Blog

So the Chicago White Sox signed former Rays 1st baseman Dan Johnson. We all know of Dan the Man's two shots heard 'round the American League East. The infamous shots that came three years and a few roller coaster rides apart...

In 2008 he was picked up cheap as a free agent (only in professional sports is under 1/2 million considered cheap), hit decently for the Durham Bulls and got "the call" on September 8th. Fresh off the plane to Boston, DanJo hit the first of two home runs for which he will be remembered. Then he disappeared.

Farewell, Great Pumpkin!

by Aaron Giddens

Courtesy: SBNation

Dan Johnson. "Ray for life" as Brian Anderson put it. He has two of the biggest home runs in Tampa Bay Rays history. But the news of the day is Dan Johnson heading north to the south side of Chicago for the 2012 season. Today, the Great Pumpkin signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox. With that signing on the dotted line, Dan Johnson's time in Tampa Bay is done.

Even though his time is over, let us not forget what he meant to the team with those two home runs.