Wednesday, 4 a.m.
Time is a liar.
Time allows you to dream, to believe in a better day. But it has always been that way for the teams of Tampa Bay. They have always been ridiculously young, wide-eyed and hopeful. They have fooled you with their potential.
But potential can be like ripe fruit, and it can rot on the vine if it isn't surrounded by other players with ability. A team needs more than youth, more than potential.
Still, potential beats not having any, doesn't it?
So here we go. The top 25 Tampa Bay pro athletes at age 25 years or younger.
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1 Andrei Vasilevskiy, goaltender, Lighting: He's just 25, but he's already the franchise's leader in wins at goalie. He's also the reigning Vezina winner.
2. Chris Godwin, receiver, Bucs: He's having a breakout season with 70 catches for 1,071 yards. If he doesn't make the Pro Bowl, lawyers should be involved.
3. Brayden Point, forward, Lightning: He's off to a slow start because of surgery, but he's the Bolts' finest two-way player.
4. Vita Vea, defensive tackle, Bucs: A fine penetrating defensive lineman with star power.
5. James Winston, quarterback, Bucs: He's a polarizing player who has too many turnovers, but the Bucs' don't win if he doesn't play well
5. Willie Adames, shortstop, Rays: He has star power in the field, and surprising pop at the plate.
6. Austin Meadows, outfield, Rays: He made the all-star game last year and was a dependable offensive player for the Rays.
7. Anthony Cerilli, forward, Lightning: One of the leading Lightning players as far as effort.
8. Jamel Dean, cornerback, Bucs: His coverage skills might drive him up this list.
9. Ronald Jones, running back, Bucs: He's been 10 times the back this season than he was as a rookie.
10.Tyler Glasnow, pitcher, Rays: He'd rank higher if he didn't miss most of last season due to injury
11. Carlton Davis, cornerback, Bucs.
12. Mikhail Sergachev, defenseman, Lightning.
13. Jordan Whitehead, safety, Bucs
14. Brandon Lowe, 2B, Rays
15. Matheiu Joseph, forward, Lightning
16 Matthew Gay, kicker, Bucs
17 Peyton Barber, running back, Bucs
18. O.J. Howard, tight end, Bucs
19 Colin Poche, pichet, Rays
20. Brendan McKay, pitcher, Rays
21. Erik Cernak, defenseman, Lightning
22. Bradley Pinion, punter, Bucs
23. Mike Edwards, S, Bucs
24 M.J. Stewart, S. Bucs
25. Jack Cichy, LB, Bucs