Through The Fence Baseball

Can recent trades define the Rays ‘character?’

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -With two significant trades just before Christmas, the character and identity of the Tampa Bay Rays ...
Through The Fence Baseball

Winter meetings notebook; few results but meaningful communication

The recently concluded baseball winter meetings opened in relative silence and closed the same way. Except for titillating ...
Through The Fence Baseball

At the Winter Meetings; Is Dominic Keegan an answer?

The revolving door behind the plate for the Tampa Bay Rays continues to spin at a rather prodigious and staggering pace. Since Mike Zunino was the Rays’ everyday catcher from 2019 to 2022, the quest ...
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Where have you gone, Rimp Lanier?

A story in Strike Two, the second book by former umpire Ron Luciano and David Fisher, piqued my interest. In it, another former umpire, John McSherry, told of his promotion to the major leagues. He ...
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Has Erik Neander change his approach?

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 05: Shane McClanahan #18 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 05, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by ...
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Is there ‘life’ after Steinbrenner?

TAMPA, Fla. – Since the major league season began about a month and a half ago, attention and focus has been on the diamond. Rightfully so, and the impact players have on the game. Yet, lurking under ...
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Use of Torpedo bat generates interest

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: Austin Wells #28 of the New York Yankees hits a home run on a torpedo bat in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on March 29, 2025 in New ...
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Which team has the strongest rotation?

Sep 12, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson (52) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe ...
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Where does Taj Bradley fit in the Tampa Bay Rays’ rotation?

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla – Beginning with remarks at the end of last season, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash told listeners the Rays’ 2025 starting rotation held great potential. Here’s a player with whom the ...
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With Jonny DeLuca in Center, Have the Rays addressed an important need?

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – During the recent off-season, Erik Neander, the Tampa Bay Rays’ president of baseball operation, held a critical need close to the vest. In his review of the 2024 season last ...
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For the Tampa Bay Rays, a new season with renewed optimism

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Here at the start of spring training, challenges tend to be minimized and issues less acute. As major league baseball teams open camp this week, “optimism” appears to be the ...
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Beyond the Trop, what does the future hold for the Tampa Bay Rays?

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – While the vast majority of attention this off-season has been placed on Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays still have a baseball season to prepare. With pitchers and catchers ...