Ramos leaves no doubt that he’s an all-star

July 11, 2018 general

Wednesday, 4 a.m. Someone should tell Wilson Ramos he can relax. He’s made the team. Okay? Ramos, the Rays’ all-star catcher,  was at it again on Tuesday night. Once again, he led the Rays to a victory, 5-2 over Detroit. Ramos hit his second home run in two nights. His 14 home runs have tied […]

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Nice drawings, but who’s going to pay for stadium?

July 11, 2018 general

Wednesday, 3 a.m. Say this for the Rays’ proposed new stadium: It’s as shiny as a bag of dimes. On the other hand, the question of where  those dimes comes from remain unanswered. This, as they say, is the easy part. Ever since the Rays focused on the site in Ybor City for its new […]

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Rays survive up-and-down game against Tigers

July 10, 2018 general

Tuesday, 4 a.m. For most of the season, they have been subject to the rises and falls of baseball There are days when you swear the Rays are better than they have played, that they could indeed muster a charge at the second wild-card berth. Then there are the days when the bats turn invisible, […]

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Eovaldi dazzles for Rays in win over Mets

July 9, 2018 general

Monday, 4 a.m. With every pitch he threw, with every batter he retired, Nathan Eovaldi sent the Rays’ front office a message. Do not trade me. Darn it. How much clearer could the signal be? If the phone rings, do not answer. If someone sends a text, do not respond. For all the whispers about […]

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The case for — and against — Snell as an all-star

July 9, 2018 general

Monday, 3 a.m. First, you light the torches. Later, you can gather the pitchforks. Yeah, it’s time to storm the castle all right. Blake Snell has been left off of the American League all-star team, and there is rage to be expressed. Grrr. And all that. But if you look a little more closely, the […]

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Random Thoughts: Pushing for Leaf over Manning

July 8, 2018 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. Instead of a gonzo journalist, perhaps Hunter S. Thompson should have been known as a bozo journalist. It came to light this week that Thompson endorsed Ryan Leaf over Peyton Manning in 1998 draft, largely because Leaf “looked strong” and the Colts lacked a good offensive line. Thompson asked “What do you […]

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Snell shines again in his 12th win for Rays

July 8, 2018 general

Sunday, 3 a.m. Is this what an All-Star looks like? Perhaps. More and more, Blake Snell looks the part. The lanky left-hander left the game (after 7 1/3 innings) with a shutout intact for the fifth time this season. He is now 12-4 on the season after Saturday’s 3-0 victory over the New York Mets. […]

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Ask Gary: Who should the Rays keep, trade?

July 7, 2018 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, […]

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Bautista turns back the clock in slamming Rays

July 7, 2018 general

Saturday, 3 a.m. In twilight, you might think there isn’t much to fear from Jose Bautista anymore. He is 37 now, and his skill set is dwindling. Too many nights, he looks like an aged version of himself as he finishes out the string. Then comes a night such as Friday night. And once again, […]

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Is Winston the problem child for Tampa Bay?

July 6, 2018 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. Buffalo had O.J. Simpson. New England had Aaron Hernandez. St. Louis had Lawrence Phillips. Bad guys can happen anywhere to any team in any town. A team screens players, and it talks to them, and it talks to their teammates. And still, trouble gets past the gate. Content beyond this point is […]

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