CENTER FIELD :: Close.

« Top 5 Reasons To Vote For The All-Stars | Main | Gameday Open Thread: Yankees 7/3 »

Close.

As my Dad always said: close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Almost holding on to a 3-run lead? Doesn't count.
Almost hitting for the cycle? Doesn't count.
Almost getting 3 outs, instead of earning 3 runs? Doesn't count.
Almost coming from behind to win the ballgame in the 9th? Doesn't count.
Almost keeping the Rays from sweeping? Doesn't count.

Somebody needs to post a giant, posterboard-sized calendar on the wall of the visitor's clubhouse tonight in the Bronx to remind the guys that we've officially entered July, and there's no more June swoon allowed. (I'm looking at you, BA/OBP of certain members of the lineup... and you, majority of the bullpen.)

Oh, and one more observation...

Almost winning with class and walking away with dignity? Doesn't count.

Comments (9)

[ Jennie ] says:
on July 3, 2008 1:16 PM

They played our song??? THEY PLAYED OUR SONG????????? Now I think I hate them more than the Skankees!!!!!

[ Erin ] says:
on July 3, 2008 1:35 PM

With the way the Rays fans treat each out you would think the pitcher was throwing a no hitter or it was a playoff game.

[ gretchen0720 ] says:
on July 3, 2008 1:52 PM

They played Sweet Caroline in April too.... and also back in 2006, which was around the beginning of the downward spiral that year....

[ Huck8467 ] says:
on July 3, 2008 2:02 PM

Hey Erin...it's the same way with Navarro. He pumps that fist for every out they get. No class at all. They are thugs..they really are. And to play Sweet Caroline just proves how cocky they are right now. Enjoy it Rays. It won't last. Hell, I guess now I have to root for the Yankees when they play these idiots. Wow. How things change.

[ Erin ] says:
on July 3, 2008 2:15 PM

Do they only play Sweet Caroline when they play the Sox?

Huck at this point I'm not to sure who I hate more Rays fans or Yankee fans.

[ Texas Gal ] says:
on July 3, 2008 2:23 PM

I wouldn't go so far as to call the Rays "thugs" - although i do hate Carl Crawford with the fire of a thousand suns - but they are definitely cocky.

They should be, though - they went from cellar dweller to #1 on top of the Sox and Yanks in on short half-season.

[ jules ] says:
on July 3, 2008 3:44 PM

Texy, you have a good point, but the Sweet Caroline was a rub. However, I can't believe that MDC and Hansen sucked so badly last night. We came home to a 4-1 lead, just in time to see the melt down.

[ Piney61 ] says:
on July 3, 2008 6:13 PM

This'll get me some ish thrown at me, but the Rays this year remind me of the 2003 Red Sox. They have that same attitude that they did which was the whole "Screw everybody but us" feel. I think just the years of being at the bottom have finally got to them and they're going off. I'm glad for a baseball standpoint, but my main thing with them is to at least act somewhat like you've been there before. I mean I'm not asking the Rays ak...though I wouldn't sleep with him. nd their fans to be docile and little wimps, but keep in mind the magnitude of the games. It's early July.

And show some semblance of class, please? Just like not playing Sweet Caroline to rub it in. You won, that's awesome for you guys, but don't put salt in the wound because you do that then shit is going to fly. Rubbing it is only okay if(and BOTH these scenarios must be there) 1) they deserve it and 2) It's a late season/playoff game. That is all.

Also the as much as teh whole "Horseshoes and Hand Grenades" thing is true, you got to at least hand it to the guys who DID show up this past series adn did well. Like Wakefield, Masterson(okay to an extent), Pedroia, Dice, Moss, Lowell, Lopez(to an extent). They did some good and tried to make it a game.

I'm seriously considering writing a sort of "New Fan's Guide to Baseball" handbook. Just to give a sort of just a book on how to not be an asshat, to learn your stuff, and to just well...educate. I'm all for new baseball fans, but know your shit, okay?

[ Karen ] says:
on July 3, 2008 10:22 PM

Yeah, I heard the Sweet Caroline, cause it was on the tv here, since it was Tampa. I couldn't believe they did that. At first I thought I was hearing things. That was so wrong. I think someone should have hit them for that.

online