general

Was judge’s admonishment of Strong simply grandstanding?

May 5, 2017 general

Friday, 5 a.m. There is a stand, and it is grand. There is a pulpit, and she is a bully. There is judgment, and there is a rush to it. So why not climb up on a horse that is high and rattle the best available saber in the direction of Charlie Strong. Sometimes, there […]

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Beckham has another big game as Rays mash Marlins

May 5, 2017 general

Friday, 4 a.m. Bad news for the Tim Beckham critics out there. He was very good again on Thursday night. Beckham, the often-criticized shortstop of the Tampa Bay Rays, continued to provide an argument against the skeptics. He hit home runs in his first two at-bats against the Miami Marlins to lead a 5-1 victory […]

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Rough times return for Rays’ reliever Austin Pruitt

May 4, 2017 general

Wednesday, 3 a.m. The efficient streak of relief performances by the Rays’ Austin Pruitt came to a crashing end Thursday night. The Rays, finally at home after eight straight games on the road, held a two-run lead going into the sixth inning Wednesday night when Pruitt gave up seven straight hits. The Marlins scored five […]

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Can Bucs’ Howard turn into the new Jimmie Giles?

May 3, 2017 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. Sometime early in his career, perhaps the first time he sets foot in Raymond James Stadium, O.J. Howard is sure to look toward the sky. It’s an impressive stadium, one that Howard surely remembers from his national championship game against Clemson. But it will be quieter this time, and there will be […]

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The real winner? It’s the MLS, which can now add Tampa Bay

May 3, 2017 general

Wednesday, 5 a.m. The real winner, you might say, was soccer. The real winner, you could add, was St. Petersburg. The real winners, you might note, were the boisterous, singing, fun-loving fans of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. But if you get down to it, if you really examine who won when voters made an overwhelming […]

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Cobb grits one out for Rays against Miami

May 3, 2017 general

Wednesday, 4 a.m. His fastball still isn’t back. His change-up still needs work. But the competitor in Alex Cobb? That’s back. Cobb refused to miss his start, or to depart early from it, because of a finger blister Tuesday night. Instead, he gritted it out and threw six shutout innings in a 3-1 victory. Cobb […]

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Beckham’s two-run double lifts Rays over Miami

May 2, 2017 general

Tuesday, 4 a.m. He still isn’t Buster Posey, okay? If that is your barometer to judge Tim Beckham, then he will never make you happy. But more and more, Beckham has become a solid major leaguer. More and more, he is showing that he could make a difference. It is fair to say that Beckham […]

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Finally, the Bucs could field a frightening offense

May 1, 2017 general

Monday, 4 a.m. In the beginning, the Bucs’ offense wasn’t much. It began with a three-yard run off right guard. In all the years since, that stands as one of the breakaway plays. After five straight runs, it perfected the incomplete pass. It finished the day by being shutout and and making only eight first […]

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Once again, Colome fails to finish for the Rays

May 1, 2017 general

Monday, 3 a.m. Once again, Alex Colome failed to close the door. The Toronto Blue Jays got to Colome Sunday, and as a result won their first set of back-to-backs of the year. It was the second blown save of the year for Colome. The Blue Jays rallied to win 3-1. Tampa Bay had taken […]

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Bottom line question: Are the Bucs better than a year ago?

April 30, 2017 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. The burning question is this: Are the Bucs a better football team? You can cheer the guys they drafted. You can lament the guys who got away. You can shake your head and ask about the offensive line or an edge rusher or a backup quarterback. But in the end, it comes […]

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