THE HANGOVER Peter Gammons Predicts 30+ Home Runs For Evan Longoria In 2008

Team USA 5, Japan 1.
Evan Longoria had a 2-run double in the 8th that put the game out of reach. He finished 1-4. Justin Ruggiano also went 1-4.

Team USA 12, Spain 2.
Evan Longoria went 2-4 and hit his second home run of the World Cup, a 2-run shot. Justin Ruggiano went 1-3.

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

• Hidden behind the password-wall of ESPN Insider is the latest Peter Gamons article. In the article he has high praise for Evan Longoria. [ESPN]

Three different baseball people insisted that Tampa Bay rookie third baseman Evan Longoria will hit more than 30 homers next year based on what they saw in the Arizona Fall League.

• Carlos Pena took home some more offseason hardware. This time it is the AL Silver Slugger award for being the top hitting first baseman in the AL. [Bottom 9]
• The Devil Rays have contacted free agent catcher Michael Barrett. This just in…The Rays would like to have a veteran catcher on the roster, which means they will be contacting all available veteran free agent catchers. [Fox Sports]
• The Brewers are trying to acquire Carl Crawford looking at the left fielder as the player that can put them over the top. Not surprisingly, the Rays are not interested in anything the Brew Crew is offering so they are trying to get a third team involved. [Mykenk’s Blog]
  
• Rays of Light has started a 9-part series entitled “Offseason Ideas”. They have #1 and #2 up, addressing whether or not to trade Rocco Baldelli, and signing Cesar Izturis to play shortstop in 2008. [Rays of Light]
• Delmon Young should have won a Gold Glove? One blogger thinks so. Young did not deserve a gold glove, even if they got rid of the ridiculous practice in which the outfield gold gloves are given to three outfielders regardless of outfield position, which often leads to three center fielders taking home the award. Young has one of the best arms in baseball, but his defense is below average at best. He plays too deep, takes bad angles and often looks uncomfortable. [Thunder Matt’s Saloon]
• If I ever go into politics, I am hiring David Chalk as my campaign manager. [Bugs & Cranks]
• And remember…if you are not happy about the Rays changing their name and would like to see sites such as RI or Bugs & Cranks continue using the moniker “Devil Rays”, go to THIS POST and leave a comment saying so.[Bugs & Cranks]

Also Known As The 2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays

When we heard that Bugs & Cranks put together a list of players (from the last 24 years) and titled the post “Worst.Team.Ever” we admit we were skeptical. There have been a lot of terrible players in the last two decades, and surely they would overlook some obvious choices. Of course our second thought was they could just title the post “The 2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays”. But when we saw that the ace of the staff was Dewon Brazelton we were instantly sold. Has there ever been a more overrated, under-performing, pile of poo? We seriously doubt it.

Nowadays Brazelton does not anger us anymore. We laughed when hebecame the Padres problem for a short period of time and posted a 12.00 ERA in two starts before being demoted. And of course we receive much joy from his 0-4 record and 7.11 ERA in 4 starts for the Royals AAA team. So we eagerly read what Bugs & Cranks had to say about the former Devil Ray. Surely it would brighten our day…

While Brazelton’s less than mediocre record alone would earn him a place in this rotation from hell, it’s the additional facts that cement his position at the top of the list. The third overall selection from the 2001 Draft, Brazelton was picked before fellow first-rounders Mark Teixeira and former Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby, as well as current All-Star and MVP Candidate Grady Sizemore and San Diego pitcher Chris Young, both of whom went in the third round. Mix in some serious behavioural issues while with the Devils Rays and you can understand why Tampa’s 2005 Opening Day starter gets the call on this band of miscreants.

Excuse us for a moment. We need to go sit in the corner and cry.

Worst.Team.Ever.[Bugs & Cranks]