A year ago, Carl Crawford was stuck on the disabled list waiting to see whether he would even return for any part of the regular season after surgery on his right hand.


Today, Tampa Bay’s All-Star outfielder would be the first one to tell you about the difference a year makes.

Crawford, a legitimate American League Most Valuable Player candidate, joins teammates Evan Longoria and Jason Bartlett as the Rays’ three candidates for this year’s Hank Aaron Award. Fans can vote starting Wednesday on which player they think should be the finalist for their club.

Click here to read the full article – By Zach Schonbrun of MLB.com

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It’s still only a few months into his rookie season, yet so much has changed for Jeff Niemann since the last time he took the mound in Seattle.

It was late April and a milestone of sorts for the 26-year-old right-hander: his first win of what has been a remarkable first full season. Few thought at the time he’d be the leading American League Rookie of the Year candidate and the Rays’ leader in wins by August.

He’s blossomed from a fringe Spring Training hanger-on into a bona fide rotation stabilizer for Tampa Bay this season, first on the team in wins (10) and ERA (3.65) and third in innings pitched (114 1/3). And Rays manager Joe Maddon has noticed a definitive difference in his demeanor over the past two months.

Click here to read the full article – By Zach Schonbrun of MLB.com

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Oddly enough, Kazmir considered that a good thing. In some small form, it signified, to Kazmir at least, his resurrection as a power pitcher. Instead of throwing 89-90 mph, a disappointing pattern that had developed over the past year because of injuries, he was popping the radar guns in Kansas City at 94-95 mph. And Kazmir’s muscles had about had it.

Click here to read the full article – By Jesse Temple of MLB.com

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Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who was elected as a starter by the fans, pulled out of the game late Saturday night due to a family issue. Needing a replacement, Rays manager Joe Maddon, who will manage the AL team, selected Pena to take Pedroia’s place.

Click here to read the full article – By Bill Chastain of MLB.com

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Pena leads the AL with 24 homers and will take part in the Home Run Derby leading to the game in St. Louis. Pena’s addition means all four of Tampa Bay’s starting infielders will be on the team.

Click here to read the full article – From ESPN.com News Services

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The AL squad already contains four Rays position players in Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford, Jason Bartlett and Ben Zobrist. Should Pena be elected, the Rays would have their entire infield represented on the team. Zobrist has been the team’s regular second baseman ever since Akinori Iwamura went on the disabled list earlier in the season.

“That would be really cool to have our whole infield,” Pena said.

Click here to read the full article – By Bill Chastain of MLB.com

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But, reflecting the speed and power required for such a feat, they did so in fewer games, 77, than any team. And with 100 homers and 118 steals, they could achieve more history. They’re on a pace for 210 homers and 248 steals. Only the 1996 Rockies finished with at least 200 of each.

Click here to read the full article – By Marc Topkin of St. Petersberg Times

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“Of course it meant more to me to have a big night against the Phillies. When I hit that two-run homer in the second, I could barely keep from laughing. Only problem was that I couldn’t decide who to look at first, Charlie Manuel or Ruben Amaro. And then that third RBI in the eighth, man was that sweet. They didn’t want me back? I guess I showed them.” That’s not the way the modern baseball player conducts himself, of course. So Burrell’s actual comments after he played a big part in helping his new team, the Rays, defeat his old team, the Phillies, last night at Tropicana Field were far more vanilla.

Article by Paul Hagen Daily News Sports Writer on June 25, 2009
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Upton went 12-for-28 (.429) in the six games he played during the week, with three doubles and a pair of home runs. He also stole two bases for a season total of 26, third in the Majors behind teammate Carl Crawford (36) and Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury (29). In Sunday’s 10-6 Interleague victory over the Mets, Upton finished a triple short of the cycle for the second time in the week. He had also fallen short in Tuesday’s game against the Rockies in Denver.

Article by Tom Singer of MLB.com on June 22, 2009
Click here for full article

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Sports Memorabilia
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Below are links to memorabilia available for BJ Upton.