Congratulations to old friends Willie Aybar, Dionar Navarro, Edwin Jackson and almost old friend David Price as they do what our Dodgers were unable to do.
I'm almost as excited about seeing the Rays make the World Series as I would be if it was the Dodgers. For the first time since the RedSox won their first World Series this NL fan will be rooting for the AL.
Truly this is baseball's greatest story this decade. In a few years I'll probably be tired of the Rays riches, but for right now David slaying Goliath is a story I can get behind.
0 recs | 8 comments
Don't you mean the Mike Scioscia/Joe Madden managed Halo/Rays?
Did the Dodger Rays (jackson, navarro, aybar, etc.) win or did the Dodger Sox lose (drew, cora, lugo)?? The difference in tampa this year has been the development of the rays young players under the guidance of the likes of their manager, and hands down Manager of the Year winner, Joe Maddon. Doyer fans no doubt will probably not know that Maddon is a Scioscia disciple, (being aggressive, unafraid, chemistry and likeability, team being greater than the sum of their parts, going first to third, etc.) having served with him as his bench coach (2002) prior to becoming the rays manager.
SoCalCMH - October 20, 2008
Joe Maddon
seems to be his own man and other then the aggressive base running I see little resemblence to the Angels and Rays. As Joey points out, Maddon doesn’t employ little ball.
The Dodgers developed Jackson, Aybar, and to a small extent Navarro. Only Cora was developed by the Dodgers. Plus they still have Ruggiano, Pedroza, and Tiffany in the farm system from when we were shoveling them as many prospects as we could for their worthless PVL.
Besides all that I’ve been a Rays backer back when Josh Hamilton was the next phenom. It has been no secret around here if you’ve read my stuff that the Rays are my 2nd favorite team and have been long before they developed a year earlier then expectations.
Phil Gurnee - October 20, 2008
The Rays lead the league in not sac bunting...
I dont think Maddon has taken much from the Angels.
“(being aggressive, unafraid, chemistry and likeability, team being greater than the sum of their parts, going first to third, etc.)”
Do baseball teams really need their manager to tell them to be those things? The 1st 3 are intangible & cant be measured. And going 1st to 3rd is something you learn in little league.
Joey Joe - October 20, 2008
Ex-Dodgers
Those three names are all having success elsewhere (I believe) for different reasons:
1. Jackson has given up on too early. He was destined to be a late bloomer based on his past, but we weren’t patient enough. Moral of the story: If a guy throws an easy 95 and isn’t a total head case, stick with him as far as you can go.
2. Navarro was a victim of the illusion of depth. It shouldn’t matter is you have Babe Ruth ahead of you on the depth chart, talent is talent. We got rid of him far too cheaply; he should have been a polished trade chip, not expendable.
3. Aybar. I believe Aybar was one of those players who needed a change of scenario. Even though I followed him since he was a top prospect with power-hitting promise (albeit in a weak Dodger system), I feel least disappointed with seeing him prosper.
kinbote - October 20, 2008
I enjoy watching them all prosper
Sad really but for me Dodger prospects are like ducklings. I watched them grow and no matter where they fly off to I root for them unless I never thought much of them as a prospect. Since I spent time waxing about Aybar’s and Jackson’s future back when they were still in the nest I certainly hope they get a ring.
Phil Gurnee - October 20, 2008
Prospects
Where have you gone Ricardo Rodriguez? ;)
For me, Aybar fits into the category of Dodger prospects I first followed closely, along with Chen, Kuo, & Guzman.
Tragically, Konerko was the first prospect I remember falling head over heels for.
kinbote - October 20, 2008
chen!
wongy - October 20, 2008
I can’t say I find this World Series too interesting. I don’t like watching relatively recent expansion teams (within last 15 years) in the World Series, and I’m indifferent towards the Phillies. Even if I hated one of these teams, I might watch, rooting for them to lose, but I really don’t care this time around. Yea, it’s nice and all what the Rays have done, but in the end, I just don’t care about that team. I guess I’ll root for the Phillies, since the only thing I hate more than expansion teams going to the World Series is winning it.
Tango and Cash - October 20, 2008
Phillies/Rays
is not the high profile match up that Total Bull**** , I mean TBS or even Fox had hoped for so the people for those networks are going to have ED for a while but it should be a good series. Both teams are similar in that they are scrappy, hard-nosed teams with good speed and excellent bullpens. The Phillies have more power but the Rays have better starting pitching.
Chzburger Jones - October 21, 2008
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