an unwritten law
While it is most certainly bracket season, the MLB regular season is just on the horizon and I wanted to share an interesting story I read, as well as perform a small experiment.
The Tampa Bay franchise, formerly known as the Devil Rays, has officially changed its name to the Rays. The intention, or one of them, was to illicit thoughts of the Florida sunshine as opposed to the sea creature. I'm not sure how that will help them, but they apparently are quite serious about it.
As reported by ESPN's Buster Olney, team president Matt Silverman has begun issuing $1 fines to those who slip up and lapse into their old habits of "name-calling". So far, the team has raised approximately $100 to be donated to the team's official charity, collected from players, management, friends, and interestingly the media.
Tampa fans are asked to report instances of media across the country using the old moniker rather than the official one, and Silverman is sending out citations to them. Of course it is largely in good fun.
Now, I am curious about this. How big has my small blog become? To find out, I feel I'm going to have to make myself a fifth-rate criminal.
Now, the earlier mention of the name in this blog doesn't apply, because Silverman says that historical references are acceptable use of the old name. So I'm going to have to do this right. It's a perfect chance to talk about a team that several of us on the Herald staff believe will be greatly improved this year.
Seriously, if you are a Yankees or Red Sox fan, don't sleep on this team. Aside from the sad news about Rocco Baldelli's degenerative muscle disease, it has been a good offseason for Tampa. Good young pitcher James Shields could give a 1-2 punch to the rotation when coupled with Scot Kazmir, should Kaz remain healthy. The team's lineup is much improved, and management made a wise decision to turn off the Barry Bonds free agency trail.
A playoff spot seems unlikely with the competition in the division and across the American League, but if things go right this will be the first time the Devil Rays... excuse me, the Rays, enter the land of winning teams.
Now, Mr. Silverman, if you're really listening, I will be expecting my citation. Send it care of
The Herald
1 Herald Sq.
New Britain, CT, 06051
The Tampa Bay franchise, formerly known as the Devil Rays, has officially changed its name to the Rays. The intention, or one of them, was to illicit thoughts of the Florida sunshine as opposed to the sea creature. I'm not sure how that will help them, but they apparently are quite serious about it.
As reported by ESPN's Buster Olney, team president Matt Silverman has begun issuing $1 fines to those who slip up and lapse into their old habits of "name-calling". So far, the team has raised approximately $100 to be donated to the team's official charity, collected from players, management, friends, and interestingly the media.
Tampa fans are asked to report instances of media across the country using the old moniker rather than the official one, and Silverman is sending out citations to them. Of course it is largely in good fun.
Now, I am curious about this. How big has my small blog become? To find out, I feel I'm going to have to make myself a fifth-rate criminal.
Now, the earlier mention of the name in this blog doesn't apply, because Silverman says that historical references are acceptable use of the old name. So I'm going to have to do this right. It's a perfect chance to talk about a team that several of us on the Herald staff believe will be greatly improved this year.
Seriously, if you are a Yankees or Red Sox fan, don't sleep on this team. Aside from the sad news about Rocco Baldelli's degenerative muscle disease, it has been a good offseason for Tampa. Good young pitcher James Shields could give a 1-2 punch to the rotation when coupled with Scot Kazmir, should Kaz remain healthy. The team's lineup is much improved, and management made a wise decision to turn off the Barry Bonds free agency trail.
A playoff spot seems unlikely with the competition in the division and across the American League, but if things go right this will be the first time the Devil Rays... excuse me, the Rays, enter the land of winning teams.
Now, Mr. Silverman, if you're really listening, I will be expecting my citation. Send it care of
The Herald
1 Herald Sq.
New Britain, CT, 06051
posted by Ryan Pipke at
4:06 AM
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