Rays Memorabilia

Finishing strong, Rays get win No. 81

Rays clinch non-losing season with 81st victory

ST. PETERSBURG — There will not be a postseason in Tampa Bay, but there will not be a losing record, either.

The Tampa Bay Rays did take a step back after their magical run to the World Series in 2008, but they didn’t slide back into their sorry past.

Tuesday’s 3-1 win against the free-falling Baltimore Orioles in front of 10,349, the smallest home crowd of the season, guaranteed that.

It was win No. 81 for the Rays. They need one victory in their final five games to clinch only the second winning season in their 12-year history.

“That’s we want to do,” left fielder Carl Crawford said. “We want to at least finish on a positive note and have a winning record. Two winning years in a row with this organization never happened, so that’s good for us as we continue to move forward as an organization.”

Click here to read the full article – By ROGER MOONEY of Bradenton.com

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Sports Memorabilia
and other Tampa Bay Devil Rays Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for popular Tampa Bay Devil Rays players.

Evan Longoria Autographs and Memorabilia

Scott Kazmir Autographs and Memorabilia

Evan Longoria Autographs and Memorabilia

September 30, 2009 Posted by rsanrel | Evan Longoria, MLB, Rays Memorabilia, Rays News, Rays Stuff, Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay Rays | Baseball, major league baseball, MLB, Rays, Rays Autographs, Rays baseball, Rays Memorabilia, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Rays baseball, Tampa Bay Rays Memorabilia | No Comments Yet

Burrell frustrated by Rays’ recent woes

Pat Burrell allowed Monday that the he let the frustrations accrued during the past 11 games to finally boil over in the Rays’ second game of their doubleheader with the Red Sox on Sunday.

Burrell was sent to the plate to pinch-hit in the eighth inning and tried to check his swing with two strikes, but was called out by home-plate umpire Lance Barksdale. Burrell argued that he had checked his swing, which prompted Barksdale to quickly eject Burrell.

“I was dead wrong, I knew I was out, I swung,” Burrell said.

Burrell is mired in a 1-for-19 stretch during the road trip that has seen the Rays lose all seven games they have played to move their losing streak to 11 before defeating the Orioles, 8-4, on Monday night in Baltimore.

Click here to read the full article – By Bill Chastain of MLB.com

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Sports Memorabilia
and other Tampa Bay Devil Rays Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Pat Burrell.

Pat Burrell Memorabilia

September 15, 2009 Posted by GameSetMatch | MLB, Pat Burrell, Rays Memorabilia, Rays News, Tampa Bay Rays | Baseball, MLB, Pat Burrell, pat burrell memorabilia, Rays, Rays baseball, Rays Memorabilia, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Rays Memorabilia | No Comments Yet

Niemann’s come long way since debut

On one hand, Jeff Niemann’s first trip to Baltimore this season wasn’t a precursor for things to come, while on the other, it personified why the 6-foot-9, 280-pound right-hander is a leading candidate for American League Rookie of the Year.

Niemann had just won a Spring Training battle with Jason Hammell to be the fifth starter in the Rays’ rotation and he wanted to go out and make a strong impression in his first start to validate the Rays’ faith in him. Instead he got off to the worst of all possible starts. The first seven Orioles hitters reached base safely as Niemann surrendered five first-inning runs, including a grand slam to Melvin Mora.

Click here to read the full article – By Bill Chastain of MLB.com

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Sports Memorabilia
and other Tampa Bay Devil Rays Autographs
Below are links to memorabilia available for Jeff Niemann.


Jeff Niemann Autographed Memorabilia

September 15, 2009 Posted by GameSetMatch | Jeff Niemann, MLB, Rays Memorabilia, Rays News, Tampa Bay Rays | Baseball, Jeff Niemann, jeff niemann memorabilia, MLB, Rays, Rays baseball, Rays Memorabilia, Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Rays Memorabilia | No Comments Yet

Only thing Crawford hasn’t stolen: Attention

Carl Crawford used to joke with reporters that where attention was concerned, he held a position under the radar and would remain there until one day he would just explode.

For years, Crawford labored in semi-obscurity for the Rays. While the franchise struggled, Crawford tirelessly carved out a name for himself. And while ESPN never seemed to show his daily highlights, including his speedy stealing on the bases, his peers recognized what unique talents the native of Houston brought to the game.

“Carl is definitely one of the most underrated players in the game,” Angels outfielder Torii Hunter said. “That’s probably because of the market he’s in, where he’s played. This guy has five tools. He’s a tremendous athlete. He can beat you in so many ways — with power, average, steals, his glove, his arm.

Click here to read the full article – By Bill Chastain of MLB.com

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Sports Memorabilia
and other Tampa Bay Devil Rays Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Carl Crawford.


Carl Crawford Memorabilia

September 2, 2009 Posted by GameSetMatch | Carl Crawford, MLB, Rays Memorabilia, Rays News, Tampa Bay Rays | Baseball, Carl Crawford, Carl Crawford Memorabilia, MLB, Rays, Rays Memorabilia, Tampa, Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Rays Memorabilia | No Comments Yet

Garza aiming for strong September

In Matt Garza’s previous start in Detroit on Friday, he had to deal with the swirling rumors of an impending trade involving teammate Scott Kazmir, who was dealt to Anaheim after the game. On Wednesday, he’ll have to pitch around another mental obstacle: the calendar.

Garza has struggled in his career pitching in September, and Wednesday’s start against Boston will be his first in the month in 2009. It’s not a welcoming prospect for a pitcher currently going through a season-long winless drought.

Garza is 4-7 with a 5.07 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP in 15 starts in September in his career, his worst numbers for any month. And with Garza on pace to log more innings that he has ever before, the potential of fatigue for the 25-year-old right-hander looms.

Click here to read the full article – By Zach Schonbrun of MLB.com

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Sports Memorabilia
and other Tampa Bay Devil Rays Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Matt Garza.


Matt Garza Memorabilia

September 2, 2009 Posted by GameSetMatch | MLB, Matt Garza, Rays Memorabilia, Rays News, Tampa Bay Rays | Baseball, Matt Garza, Matt Garza Memorabilia, MLB, Rays, Rays Memorabilia, Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Rays Memorabilia | No Comments Yet

Pena having a powerful but odd year

Carlos Pena currently owns one of the odder distinctions for a Major League hitter: The Rays first baseman has 37 home runs and 35 singles.

“It’s almost like, ‘How do you do that?’” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “It’s pretty impressive in a way.”

According to Dave Haller of the Rays’ public relations staff, only two players in Major League history have hit as many home runs as singles while hitting a minimum of 30 home runs. Mark McGwire did it four times and Barry Bonds did it once.

Click here to read the full article – By Bill Chastain of MLB.com

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Sports Memorabilia
and other Tampa Bay Devil Rays Autographs
Below are links to memorabilia available for Carlos Pena.