general

Lightning’s Vasilevskiy shines in his return

December 14, 2018 general

Friday, 4 a.m. For a month, he watched. For a month, he waited. For a month, he was on the outside, not quite a player, not quite a goaltender. He was in an athlete’s phantom zone, somewhere between being a goalie of the past and a goalie of the future. Then came Thursday night. And, […]

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Rays hope Diaz can replace Bauers in their lineup

December 14, 2018 general

Friday, 3 a.m. If you were doubly disappointed by the Tampa Bay Rays’ trade of Jake Bauers Thursday afternoon,the reason is simple. They traded both Jake Bauers. They traded Jake the symbol, the kid who was on the front line of the youth movement that is supposed to be the start of Tampa Bay’s next […]

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Who has the edge when the Bucs play Jackson?

December 14, 2018 general

Friday, 2 a.m. Sometimes, it’s hard to determine just which team has the edge in a matchup. Take Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson, for instance. On one hand, he is a rookie, and most NFL defenses eat rookies alive. He doesn’t throw very well, carrying just a 79.9 rating. That would prevent him from taking […]

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Stopping Jackson is a different challenge for Bucs

December 13, 2018 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. For the most part, the Tampa Bay Bucs have struggled enough when opposing quarterbacks play quarterback. They drop back, comfortable in the pocket. They slice and they dice, and the hardest thing is to figure out just which wide receiver is the most open. Most of them have had ridiculous quarterback ratings […]

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Rays add a starting pitcher to their lineup

December 13, 2018 general

Thursday, 3 a.m. A day after they gave up on their new stadium, the Tampa Bay Rays found something new to build upon. A starting rotation. The Rays signed 35-year-old right-handed pitcher Charlie Morton to a two-year, $30 million contract. The talk had been that the Rays wanted a big bat, but instead looked to […]

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Rays strike out in latest stadium efforts

December 12, 2018 general

Wednesday, 4 a.m. It feels like the final out. It feels like it’s time to turn out the lights and head for the parking lot. It feels like it’s time to shake your head and roll your eyes. In a game that is all about getting home, it is time for the rest of us […]

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Looking back at the Bucs’ loss to the Saints

December 11, 2018 general

Tuesday, 4 a.m. 5 Observations 1. It’s cursed. The goalposts have demons. The kicking tee has banshees. Blame it on the ghost of Mirro Roder, but I’ve seen all the lousy kicking I can stand. 2. While we’re at it, why not sprinkle a little holy water around the quarterback room, the offensive guards, the […]

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Stamkos’ hat trick lifts Lightning past Rangers

December 11, 2018 general

Tuesday, 3 a.m. Too often, Steven Stamkos appears to live in the past tense. Too often, fans talk of him, and shake their heads, and talk about the skills he has lost because of his injuries. Too often, Stamkos is an afterthought when the discussion turns to the great players having great moments. Then a […]

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Saints slam the door on Bucs’ ‘dangerous offense’

December 10, 2018 general

Monday, 4 a.m. Evidently, the Bucs stop here. Now, too. The high-flying offense of the Tampa Bay Bucs, No. 1 in the NFL for most of the season, ground to a halt Sunday afternoon. For most of the season, they have been the high-flying Wallendas, an offense built on highlights and sizzle. They didn’t always […]

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Random Thoughts: A vote for Bonds and Clemens, reluctantly

December 9, 2018 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. I haven’t boiled down the players in the voting for the baseball Hall of Fame, but I would vote for Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens reluctantly. Not because they deserve it, but because baseball fans deserve a complete Hall of Fame. It isn’t sainthood. — I’d also lean in favor of the […]

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