Exclusive Rays coverage by Gary Shelton Sports

Rays’ offense shackled by the Yankees’ Sabathia

April 5, 2017 Baseball

Wednesday, 4 a.m. Now, of course, we panic. This is what we do in the face of reality. We run in circles and scream that the sky is falling. Our eyes bulge and our blood pressures rise, and we let ourselves believe that we will never score again. All fun has been canceled. Because this […]

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Rays make fans reconsider after bashing Yankees

April 3, 2017 general

Monday, 4 a.m. The result was impressive enough, and it’s hard to blame the Rays – or their fans – for enjoying the moment. After all, when a team drubs an opponent that finished 16 games ahead of it a year ago, that’s cause for celebrating. When a team wins its first Opening Day in […]

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Rays prepare to open another baseball season

April 2, 2017 general

Sunday, 3 a.m. Opening Day is when you open the gift packages. Sometimes, to be honest, it isn’t what you wanted. Opening Day is when Wilson Alvarez starts for the Rays. And the pitch is a ball. It is 1998, and the Rays lose to the Detroit Tigers. They never had a chance. Opening Day […]

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Rays’ fans search for a reason to believe

March 29, 2017 general

Wednesday, 6 a.m. I believe in the glove. I believe in Kevin Kiermaier, climbing the wall, flashing leather. I believe in his legs, and his heart. I believe that if anyone can chase down a fly ball, it is Kiermaier. I believe in the professionalism. I believe that on his way from this drill to […]

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Would another losing season doom Cash?

March 27, 2017 general

Friday, 4 a.m. There are a lot of things wrong with the Tampa Bay Rays that are not his fault. With Kevin Cash, the conversation starts there. His team’s pitching was subpar. The hitting wasn’t very good. The defense was shaky. The baserunning was an adventure. The roster was bleeding. The bullpen was overused. The […]

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Ask Gary: Should Sternberg show more urgency for a stadium?

March 25, 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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Bauers’ spring play making Rays’ decision harder

March 19, 2017 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. With every swing of the bat, Jake Bauers seems to be changing minds. Bauers, the team’s No. 4 prospect, hit another home run Saturday to continue a nice spring. At this point, Bauers has a shot at making the club. If not, he could be an early-season callup. Bauers has hit two […]

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Ask Gary: Is there room for Longo and Kiermaier?

March 18, 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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Rays invest wisely in extending Kevin Kiermaier

March 16, 2017 Baseball

Thursday, 4 a.m. When it gets to core of it, here is all you need to know about Kevin Kiermaier. By and large, none of us mind one cent of the Outlaw’s big heist. We are jealous brood by nature. We read about the monopoly money contracts that are being passed out, and we shake […]

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Ask Gary: Why isn’t Tampa Bay’s PGA event better?

March 11, 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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