general

‘Dad … was playing football worth the price?’

July 12, 2017 general

Chidi Ahanotu played defensive end for the Tampa Bay Bucs for 8 1/2 seasons, then played for four other NFL teams before finishing his career back in Tampa. Ahanotu had 46 1/2 sacks in his career,including a 10-sack season in 1997. He was the Bucs’ Franchise Player in 1999.l Now, he lends his thoughts to […]

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Johnson’s contract was another big play by Vinik

July 12, 2017 general

Wednesday, 2 a.m. Good for Tyler Johnson. The little forward got a big payday. Johnson, when healthy, is a good deal for the Bolts.He has vision, and he has energy, and he has perspective. True, to last through this contract, he has to have some bounceback to him after two seasons in which he has […]

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The likables: So far, these Rays have been enjoyable

July 11, 2017 general

Tuesday, 4 a.m. The bullpen travels with its own gasoline. Any time a lead feels too safe, too secure, it is able to pour it over the scoreboard and start a bonfire. No one in a Rays’ uniform has ever given up more home runs than Jake Odorizzi’s current pace. When you erase Wilson Alvarez […]

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Remember him? Miller powers Rays to victory

July 10, 2017 general

Monday, 4 a.m. The forgotten man of the Tampa Bay Rays gave fans something to remember Sunday afternoon. Brad Miller, yesterday’s hero, hit a two-run homer to dead centerfield to enable the Rays to come from behind and beat the Boston Red Sox, 5-3. The Rays returned to four games over .500, their best mark […]

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Random Thoughts: Buffalo could have billed Trump

July 9, 2017 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. Next time you want to blame Donald Trump for something (and there will be opportunity), blame Terry and Kim Pegula. In 2014, they outbid Trump to buy the Buffalo Bills. If they hadn’t, Trump would be just Tyrod Taylor’s headache. – No owner wants to see one of his players on the […]

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Cobb’s gem leads Rays in a 1-0 victory over Sox

July 9, 2017 general

Sunday, 3 a.m. On a day like this, it isn’t that hard to see the Tampa Bay Rays making a run at the post-season. Really, it isn’t. A year ago, such a statement would make observers roll their eyes and shake their heads. But after the Rays’ 1-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox, all […]

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Ask Gary: Remembering the great stadiums

July 8, 2017 general

(Each week, the readers take over GarySheltonsports.com and play Ask Gary. They send in a question, or a couple, on Thursday night or Friday morning and we all talk about the world of sports.  Think of it as a radio show where you don’t have to be on hold. Join us and ask a question, make a comment […]

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Odorizzi struggles in Rays’ loss to Red Sox

July 8, 2017 general

Saturday, 1 a.m. Not long ago, he was the Tampa Bay Rays’ best pitcher. Now, two games short of the All-Star break, Jake Odorizzi may be struggling to remain in the Rays’ rotation. Odorizzi was hammered again Friday night in an 8-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox. Odorizzi pitched only four and one-third innings, […]

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Who would make a Rays’ Ring of Honor?

July 7, 2017 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. The thought occurred to me the other night when Evan Longoria walked toward the plate. How many times, I wondered, had Longo made that journey in his life? How many steps had he taken? And how far had he come? And, as fractured as the history of the Rays might be, how […]

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Buffalo breaks loose in Rays’ win over Red Sox

July 7, 2017 general

Friday, 2 p.m. It is no longer simply the place where Mallex Smith (or Kevin Kiermaier) runs. It isn’t the park where Logan Morrison slams, or where Chris Archer whiffs. It isn’t just the place where Corey Dickerson sprays, or where Evan Longoria grinds. As of now, it is also the place where the Buffalo […]

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