Sticks and stones can break my bones but your still a KLOWNNNNNNNNNNNN

And just for the record I dont buy into everything that Joe does I get just as frustrated as any of you but one thing I know he does know how to manage and a WS will be in the future for the Ray's and Joe will lead them to it. Now get back in your little car with the rest of your Klown friends and drive away.

What ev!!!!

The fact is that the Rays have had success over the past 4 seasons if one wants to count winning records and playoff appearances as being successful. But the fact is also that the last two seasons were huge disappointments once the playoffs began. (I would even throw the WS performance against the Phillies in that category as many of you know.) In 2010 the Rays had the best record in the AL (after winning the best division in baseball) and came into the playoffs last season as the hottest team in baseball with all the momentum...and not even a series win to show for it either year.

To be fair, the whole season has to be looked at. Yes, much of the criticism of Maddon is bordering on ridiculous, like the whole Zimmer-psycho Martinez thing that I read about...but being critical of the Rays performances in the playoffs is very fair. If one does not see the shortcomings in the playoffs then those people are being just as blind to the facts as the posters who want to blame Maddon for everything negative that happens.

"Lelly"- Scott

Thanks Tom...

I will be posting on here more often now the the season is almost here. I like to post about the games and the news of the team once the season begins.

As many on here know me personally and already know, this last August I decided to stop teaching and coaching and to take a job as the director of not for profit organization. I have been very busy since the end of summer getting started in the new position. I have really not had a lot of free time during the week and when I do on weekends, I like to spend time with family and friends. But things have calmed down now and I am really looking forward to this season!

"Lelly"- Scott

Would it have been better to go deeper in the post season or to win the WS in 2008? Of course it would have!.......

However, when you look over the body of work this team has done since 2008, rebuilding a bullpen every year, losing top notch players every year, rebuilding with "under the radar" players and a small payroll, as a Rays fan you cannot be disappointed with what they have accomplished since 2008.......Three of the past four years David has slain Goliath and made it to the post season, when with one exception, 2010, no one thought they could overcome the player losses, being ahead of the two "big money" teams and working with such a small payroll and a lack of fan interest (the fan interest thing promoted by the talking heads and writers)......

The simple fact is that Joe is not perfect he has made his mistakes, but overall, he has done a fantastic job with this franchise and the best is yet to come.......What we have seen from the Rays thus far is just the tip of the iceberg!

I am going to come right out and say it...the Rays will win the East this season...and then we will see what happens in the playoffs.

The Red Sox have their issues, namely the entire pitching staff, their age, and Bobby Valentine as the manager.

The Yankees, to me, have not improved and have actually lost a little in players like Posada and even Burnett. They do have Sabathia and Nova...and then a bunch of question marks after that...Kuroda and Pineda, Hughes who had a dead arm...then who...Freddy Garcia? The Yankees oufield is even suspect in two of the three spots and Jeter and pAy-Rod are not getting any younger. When was the last time that pAy-Rod went through an entire season without being injured? It's amazing what happens to him when he's off the 'roids.

It should be interesting...I hope that it is just the tip of the iceberg!

"Lelly"- Scott

Art, I agree with your one statement that Joe is not perfect! If you left it at that it would be the smartest thought to come from you in quite some time!

Nobody is perfect, or haven't you realized that yet? As for being the best manager in the game today, I'll take the word of other managers, players, GM's and people in the game rather than what your biased mind thinks......They know a he ll of a lot more than you, or I or anyone on these boards know!

I just read an article today that some of the Red Sox players are not buying into how Valentine wants to run things in 2012....I guess the inmates still want to run the asylum.......I honestly see the Red Sox as a third or fourth place team in 2012.....They have a LOT of question marks both on the field and off!......As for the Yankees, they cannot be dismissed, but I just don't see them being a huge, major threat in 2012 and it is the Rays season to go for it all and take it!

Unless, of course, Joe takes it from them once again?

Or, at least until they fold in the "playoffs" first round again...as has become the norm. 'Course that's on Joe anyway, so it's a moot point. The "little team that could," doesn't, when it counts. A lack of professionalism is the root cause, and that too, is on Maddon.

Yeah pajama and cowboy hat road trips don't get it done come playoff time! A little seriousness wouldn't hurt every now and again! Joe's m.o. is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory!

Say What?....Burma Shave

Casey you keep repeating yourself, did you move to the greater Carrollwood are or something?

Foley I might when the Rays move to Channelside..Burma Shave

OK I'm done ,The Season is here and from now on I won't feed the animals of negatism..Time to let them talk to themselves..From now on its Rays Baseball..(90-95 wins or bust)

I smell a converted Red Sox/Yankees fan

Suggestion............Stop bending over and sniffing and perhaps the smell will vanish? I was thinking about hitting my Klowwnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn Key!

I'm with you Casey, from now talk with people who know baseball, understand baseball and are REAL Rays fans, not negative nellies who have no clue!

Art, I think you mean that you will only talk with Joe fans? That's what you appear to be? I am a Ray's fan and, as such, question the decisions of our coach from time to time!