January 2011
Batting Cleanup: A Baseball Blog: Rocco Baldelli's new role with the Rays →
battingcleanup.tumblr.com
Rocco Baldelli has officially retired. He said he knew he needed to after the Rays’ first game of the ALDS, when they took Baldelli off the roster and put Willy Aybar back on.
“I pretty much made the decision that day that I wasn’t going to play anymore,” Baldelli said. “I don’t think it was…
Rays switching to AstroTurf for 2011 →
mlb.fanhouse.com
The Rays have played on synthetic turf since their inaugural season of 1998. The new “AstroTurf 3D60H” with in-fill systems and latest technology will allow for a better playing surface…finally.
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Tampa's 2011 Projected Lineup
LF Johnny Damon
1B Ben Zobrist
3B Evan Longoria
DH Manny Ramirez
RF Matt Joyce
CF BJ Upton
C John Jaso
2B Sean Rodriguez
SS Reid BrignacCertainly not a big time 1 through 9, but certainly enough to ensure that the Rays will be a pain in the ass for other A.L. East teams. As is the case with any team, injuries could take a toll, but I would imagine the Rays will be big time players in the July trade deadline, willing to deal anyone other than Longoria, Zobrist, & Brignac.
“I am very excited to join an organization that has a very good chance to keep winning. And I love the opportunity to win in my home state, the team I will root for when my playing days are over. My family and I have been hoping for this for a while.”
—Damon, on joining the Rays.
