The Rays cinderella story

The Tampa Devil Rays have never had a post-season birth in the history of their franchise.  The team began in 1998, and has often had the worst record in the MLB.
   
The Rays had a payroll of 27 million in 2007, the same season they were the absolute worst team in the MLB, to 43 million for the 2008 season.
   
Not much of the lineup has changed from the two seasons. That is what is so astonishing about their 2008 performance.         Same basic lineup, but more money turned them into a powerhouse with the acquisition of a few additional players.  For those of you not familiar with baseball, the Rays play in the American League East Division; often touted as the toughest in the MLB. Teams like the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees play in this division.

Usually baseball rivalry week, Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN, or any other Boston/NY Game gained national media attention in the past.     The 2008 season, however, was much different. This doubted team from the Sunshine State was the team pouncing on Boston and pouring it to the Yanks. Wait, who didn’t pour it to the Yanks this year? The Yanks sucked this year and I laughed about it.
   
The Rays, even with their 2008 star studded performance, were not very fan worthy. The stadium was often completely empty. They shut out the Red Sox and the Blue Jays in the same week and still didn’t sell out.
   
Wrigley will sell out on a Tuesday afternoon when the team is 24 games out of first place! I just could not believe that folks in Tampa Bay could care less about possibly the best team in the American League. The bench clearing, all-out mayhem that occurred June 5th with the Red Sox still did not give the Rays much attention. The Internet pre-sale of Tampa Bay post-season tickets did nevertheless, obviously draw major fan-fare, and sold out within hours.
   
You always have to root for the underdog in any event. However, the Rays aren’t the underdogs! They are a real force to be reasoned with. They have proven they can consistently beat some of the best teams in the American League. They are a great team. Best of luck to ya Rays. Hope you win the ALCS.

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