Batting Cleanup

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Tue, 21 May 2013 10:23:43 -0400

electricwarriors: The Rays have a Merengue band performing in...

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:09:55 -0400

The Rays have a Merengue band performing in the clubhouse today and they have, naturally, suspended plantains in the air. (via Marc Topkin)

“Because why not” seems to be the Rays’ motto this season.

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Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:58:56 -0400

heavens2betsy: Happy Birthday Chipper Jones!

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:25:07 -0400

heavens2betsy:

Happy Birthday Chipper Jones!

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Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:14:58 -0400

raysbaseball: Meet Cliff…. oh boy

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:13:48 -0400

raysbaseball:

Meet Cliff…. oh boy

There's no doubt about it: the Rays have fun

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:40:49 -0400

The Tampa Bay team is quirky, perhaps a bit dorky, but certainly they’re always smiling.

It’s hard not to when you have an unconventional coach like Joe Maddon, “man-child” players like David Price, and a closer who shoots an imaginary bow-and-arrow after each save. The quirkiness extends outside of the team, as well. The Rays promotions have included a “Zim-Bear” (truly terrifying), a Joe Maddon gnome, and a DJ Kitty puppet. Another furry friend of the team, Astro the French bulldog, is arguably more famous than his owner, and he’s already had a few promotions to his name.

Yet, this season all the fun comes back to the clubhouse. Tampa Bay’s themed road trips have become well-known throughout the league now. Last season they set up a disco ball in the locker room. This season—only a few weeks in—there has been an abundance of random acts of fun (as I like to call it).

Let’s take a little survey of what’s occurred in the Rays clubhouse over the past week. This season there has been:

a DJ
a magician
a cockatoo
and now a penguin
I’m probably missing something…

Now, some may find these things to be utterly ridiculous, but is that necessarily a bad thing? Others might say it’s distracting to the team and the goal of winning because isn’t that what we’re all here for?

Coming from someone who watches this team every day, I would argue that professional players know what the goal is: winning. We get it. They get it. It’s a business.

However, baseball is also supposed to be fun. I think the Rays and Joe Maddon are just trying to remind themselves and the fans of that aspect. The fun can easily get lost in statistics, analysis, contracts, trades, etc. The Rays always fight until the very end (several notable games in the past have proved this), and I think a part of that comes from the fun atmosphere that is instilled in the clubhouse. They respect each other, they respect the game, and they know that each day is another opportunity.

Each day also brings another random act of fun, and that’s something to look forward to. That’s something that keeps the players coming back with their heads held high.

azul3104: Jackie Robinson Day: April 15

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:52:58 -0400

azul3104:

Jackie Robinson Day: April 15

What's the answer to life, the universe, and everything?

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:51:57 -0400

bleacherbummed:

42

BATTING WAINO: Adam Wainwright hit 3-3 with 2 RBI today. This...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 18:52:00 -0400

BATTING WAINO: Adam Wainwright hit 3-3 with 2 RBI today.

This badass pitched a complete game shutout while striking out 12.

I just saw 42!

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:46:00 -0400

With Jena, and I almost cried twenty times. Heartwarming and heartbreaking. Everyone go see it!

MLB 2013 48/∞ The Tampa Bay Rays held their first...

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:23:37 -0400

MLB 2013 48/∞

The Tampa Bay Rays held their first themed-road trip this week. Heading to Boston, they sported these varsity Letterman jackets. Pretty snazzy!

usatodaysports: Baseball fan, American hero....

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:21:10 -0400

usatodaysports:

Baseball fan, American hero. (via @CrawfishBoxes)

isoldmysoultosports: Still my favorite play in all of sports

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:20:36 -0400

isoldmysoultosports:

Still my favorite play in all of sports

Brothers Upton leading the Braves: BJ with the homer to tie in...

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 12:49:03 -0400

Brothers Upton leading the Braves: BJ with the homer to tie in the 9th and Justin follows with the walk-off

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Sun, 07 Apr 2013 12:48:46 -0400

isoldmysoultosports: Walk off in Tampa.

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 23:19:37 -0400

isoldmysoultosports:

Walk off in Tampa.

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Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:20:17 -0400

WALK-OFF HR MATT JOYCE!

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:09:27 -0400

Rays win! Rays Win! Rays Win!

nosebleedhooligans: Justin Upton celebrates a two-run jack by...

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:06:07 -0400

nosebleedhooligans:

Justin Upton celebrates a two-run jack by dancing on Roy Halladay’s grave. It was a dark and rainy night …