Tampa Bay Rays In Contention

The Tampa Bay Rays are in contention for first place in the American League Eastern Division. The Rays, the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox are all hovering within one game of the top of the standings. James Shields is on fire, named AL Player of the Week after his complete game shut-out of the Red Sox on Sunday. Being in contention is a pretty unusual situation for the Rays, who have won more than 70 games only once in their 10 years. In fact, since their start-up in 1997, they have finished last in the division every year except 2004, when they finished fourth. They are the only Major League team never to play in the play-offs.

By the way, my sister asked me about the team’s name. Originally known as the Devil Rays, or D-Rays, the name was shortened to the Rays last November. Wikipedia quotes Stuart Sternberg describing the newly-named Rays as “A Beacon that radiates throughout Tampa Bay and across the entire state of Florida.”

Tags: Tampa Bay Rays