From the bottom of the hill to the top of the mountain?

Question

Last year the Tampa Bay Rays finished the season with a record of 66-96 and a .407 winning percentage which was dead last in MLB. Right now the Rays are 81-51 and a .614 winning percentage which puts them right at the top with the best record in MLB. And, the Rays have been able to maintain their lead over the Red Sox and Yankees with both Crawford and Longoria on the shelf with injuries during the past month. How great an accomplishment is this amazing turn around from one year to the next?

Answer 1

It's really great. It's been a long time coming and I am excited. But I would like to see this next year as well, at least another winning season at the least. People buried the Rays during the seven game losing streak saying they would fade away. People buried them after losing Longo and CC. But people forgot they had a bench and people forgot pitching is what has carried them to one win away from a winning season for the first time in franchise history. And honestly I thought if any part of the team would bury them it would be the back of the rotation, but they continue to amaze me. I am very proud of them! I just hope now BJ Upton gets his act together and not ruin this great season with lackluster play on the field. That's something this team does not need, a guy who thinks he is a gift from the baseball gods. There are more people on the team a lot more intrical to the success this season than him.

Answer 2

It's a great accomplishment for them and they will make it to the World Series, but lose to the Cubs in 5 games.

Answer 3

It is a great accomplishment indeed. People seem to still be waiting for them to falter, but I am not sure that it will happen. This is a lot like the Detroit Tigers from 2 seasons ago in that the great feat has been accomplished without breaking the bank in the Free-agent market. The success has been realized with the perfect mix of youth and experience. It will be interesting to see if they can continue in this fashion in future seasons.

It would be great to see them continue into the playoffs a bit. It would also be great to see some actually fans show up and support them. They are ranked 26th in attendance...that is EMBARRASSING for the best team in baseball.

Answer 4

The 1991 Twins and Braves both actually went from worst to first and were the two teams in the 1991 World Series.

The Rays remind me of the 1969 Mets, very similar to what happened in 1969.

Answer 5

The Rays are playing great baseball. They are at the top of the AL, but they don't have the best record in baseball. It's great to see a different team at the top of the AL East.

Cubs 84-50

Rays 81-51

The Rays did sweep the Cubs earlier in the year and it pains me to say that.

Answer 6

This would have to rate as the greatest turnaround in baseball in my lifetime.  As impressed as I am by this, I am equally UNIMPRESSED with the lack of fans that are going to the games.  C'mon.  Support your team!  If you can't do it, allow this franchise to move to an area where they will be appreciated.

Answer 7

A couple of things....

First, as remarkable a turn around as the team has shown, they haven't won anything yet.

Second,  It would not be the first time a team went worst to first, though it would still be an historic achievement.

Answer 8

It's outstanding.

As a fantasy freak, I've long been a follower of Tampa and their farm system.

The rule was simple, draft their power/speed combos and never touch their pitching.  Tampa and Texas pitching, you can never have enough.  :)

But this year has been different and I believe that is the make or break for Tampa.

Kazmir, legit 15-18 win guy,

Shields faltered last year after a tremendous start and this year has paced himself better.

Most people (myself included) thought that trading a first year Delmon Young in the off season was nuts.  Barlett has been a good source of defense and speed and Garza, particularly against the Jays, has had some great moments.

Sonnastine, Jackson to round out the 5 have both had great years and the revival of Percival, despite being on the DL 3x this year, still has fairly good #'s.

Then comes the coup d'gras.  Losing Crawford and Longoria and NOT FALLING APART.

Both Red Sox fans and Yankee fans alike were saying 'ok, here's our break' and it didn't happen.  It helped that Crawford was having an off year anyway, so his absence wasn't as traumatic as it would have been as a .300-20-80-50 guy.

Answer 9

I think its totally awesome I mean I'm happy for Crawford and some of the veterans on that ball club who have given them so much and look good things happen to good people especially Crawford. good for the rays and for the most part good for baseball u know with steroid issues and everything else going on look I'm A Dodgers/Angels Fan But d**n it I'm rooting for the Rays.

Answer 10

Outstanding accomplishment. I read somewhere that the last team to actually do this was WAY back in 1890 by the Louisville Colonels.

In the second article here you can find my source:http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/st...

Answer 11

This is one of those things no one thought could happen. Unless you are a real fan, and believe me there aren't enough of us. I've followed the Rays for the last few years. Just to touch on the subject, attendence isnt quite as bad as its made out to be. Yes they do rank 26 out of 30, but a lot of the games are during the week, and some people just cant make it to them. If you look carefully, they have had more sellouts this year alone than the last 10 years combined. Which means they are improving in that area. There is just not enough people who believe in them yet. Everybody keeps saying they will get beat by the Angles, or the Cubs. They are 6-3 against the Angels this year, and 5-1 at the Trop.  If they make it to the World series they will play in Tampa Bay, because of AL winning all-stars, which will make a big difference. They do have one of they best records in baseball at home. They have swept the Cubs, Angles, and Red Sox 2xs there already, and still play a series with the Twins next month. Longoria will be back soon, Crawford (who was getting very hot in July) possibly will return late Sept./ early Oct., and if they bring up David Price, whoever they vs will have a tough time knocking them off. Everybody needs to quit doubting they are good enough, and support them. They are the best team in baseball even if they aren't record wise! They aren't going anywhere! Unless they make a trip to the WS. Go Rays!!!!!