Manager Joe Maddon

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays (from St. Petersburg, Fl.) started play in 1998 and have finished above last place only twice, first in 2004 and again this year. Before this year they were known for ugly uniforms, an uglier stadium, and a lack of both fans and wins. But these aren't your 20th century Devil Rays. Let's get to know the 2008 Rays. Unlike perennial AL East powerhouses New York and Boston, Tampa assembled their winning team through the draft and by trading older, expensive players for...Read Full Story

56-year old Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon never played in the major leagues. He's a former minor league catcher, who never advanced higher than A ball, where he played for four seasons. In his four seasons, he never had more than 180 at bats. Maddon however, is a career baseball man and did spend 31 years in the Angels organization. In 2004, Maddon was a finalist for the Boston Red Sox managerial job, but that ultimately went to Terry Francona. His signature thick-rimmed glasses have...Read Full Story

ST. PETERSBURG , Florida ( Reuters ) - The Tampa Bay Rays replaced fatigued designated hitter Rocco Baldelli with Willy Aybar for the remainder of their American League Division Series with the Texas Rangers , the Rays said on Thursday. The Rays made the move before Thursday's game two with the Rangers. Texas won the opener 5-1 on Wednesday with Baldelli going hitless in three at-bats. The Rays needed Major League Baseball 's permission to activate Aybar for Baldelli, who began cramping in...Read Full Story

Stay away from my window.  Stay away from my back door too.  Disconnect the telephone line.  Relax baby and draw that blind.  Tonight’s the night.  -Rod Stewart Public Service Announcements:   Ok, here we go!  You want answers?  You think you’re entitled?  You want answers?  Like my main man Carnac the Magnificent always says, “May a nearsighted sand flea suck syrup off your short stack.”  I’m not usually one for predictions.  I’m no Usutu , but all the cool kids are doing it.  Will the...Read Full Story

Barry Bonds' services are comparable to a Mexican dentist: the practice may be shady, but the price just may be good enough to take. Of course, no offense to Mexican denists. Barry Bonds holds the record for most homeruns in the history of the MLB , but it's not enough to negate his viability as a bullseye for controversy. It's why most organizations aren't keen to ransack their surplus of dough to pick up a steroid-laced, injury-prone maverick. So, where's he going to turn up next year if he...Read Full Story