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Behind enemy lines

Email|Link|Comments (23) Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff October 14, 2008 12:59 PM

Our look at what others are saying about the Red Sox-Rays matchup.

The Tampa Tribune's Joe Henderson praises the Rays' dynamic B.J. Upton, who is having a Manny Ramirez-like postseason . . . and who also overcame some other Manny-ish issues during the regular season.

His three-run homer in the third Monday off Jon Lester was a rocket. That's about as hard as a human can hit a ball. It totally turned the game, and perhaps the series, around.
It's especially significant considering Upton's problems over the summer. We all know what happened – he was benched, fans booed, he struggled at the plate. A lot of the criticism was deserved.

Given the way Upton is playing right now -- he has five homers this postseason -- it's a credit to both the player and Rays manager Joe Maddon for the way they handled his problems earlier this year . . . though a Sox fan probably wishes right about now that Upton had been suspended for, oh, rest of the season.

After reading this whopper of an opening from Trib columnist Martin Fennelly . . .

Day became night and Game 3 became history at silent Fenway Park. A full moon appeared. At this time of year, there's name for such a full moon. It's called a Hunter's Moon.
And the hunters were out in force. They wore Rays uniforms.

. . . the Cliche Police were sure he'd refer to Upton's homer as a moonshot. No such luck, but he did offer this fun tidbit on Evan Longoria's blast in the decisive third inning:

Longoria, being Evan Almighty, naturally gets bonus points for hitting his homer directly to a Rays season ticket-holder - who was wearing a Longoria jersey. And it was the guy's birthday. Sure, why not?
"That was something, wasn't it?" Longoria said with a grin.

They're so young, so unaware, so immune, like kids hitting rocks over a pond. Child's play.

Funny, when we here at EB think of child's play, we think of this. And he coaches the Bucs, not the Rays.

Elsewhere: CNNSI's Tom Verducci says rest has been the key for the Rays against the weary Sox . . . ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says the Rays are "brimming with talent, confident in their ability, [and] unfazed by pressure . . . Finally, Yahoo! has the Inside Edge scouting report on Game 4. We believe it says something about Tim Wakefield throwing a knuckleball.

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23 comments so far...

The crowd should get excited tonight. Trot Nixon throws the first pitch.

Posted by Trevor October 14, 08 01:56 PM

No comments eh! Yep watching those moon shots then taken to the shed and spanked in your own park. See youz guys tonight

Posted by jazzitt October 14, 08 02:29 PM

Martin Fennelly may be the best columnist left in your dying industry. Who the hell are YOU to make judgments about his writing style, you smarmy twerp?

Posted by Dale Mabry October 14, 08 03:37 PM

the Rays are better than the Sox, simple as that. If the sox come back to win this series I would consider it a choke job by the Rays.

I bet if the rays were like the sox the season, they would have traded BJ Upton because of character issues. The Rays instead suspended him and didn't use his play as an excuse for their loses. Well the Rays aren't blinded by 2 championships gotten by choke jobs (Yankees in '04 and Indians '07).
C'mon Sox i am rooting for you, get another Championship via a Ray's choke job.

Posted by ProvMan October 14, 08 03:48 PM

Atleast Boston fans knew where the park was before six months ago. Just curious if it is still comfy on the Rays bandwagon or if it is all filled up by now.

Posted by Truck October 14, 08 03:50 PM

Oooooo, I Rays troll!

There's something ya don't see everyday. It must be their one fan : (

Posted by Troll-Busters October 14, 08 04:17 PM

Wow. Extra Based thou seem to be a bit of a homer, no? The Rays are playing incredible baseball and I seem to recall the same cliche-laden copy coming from the writers of The Globe.

Posted by Sam October 14, 08 04:25 PM

Cant wait to hear the crickets chirping on this blog when the RedSox win this series against the tampax bay rays..glad ur rooting for us provman you moron.. you can type so you exceed my expectations for a rays fan

Posted by stix October 14, 08 05:02 PM

Puhleezzz...Bandwagon? A Bosox fan giving a lecture on bandwagons?!
As if the Red Sox were always wonderful and Fenway always full.
If the Rays can close the deal and actually get into the World Series in their 11th year of existence...with a bargain basement payroll...in the toughest division in MLB...EVERYONE should jump on this bandwagon!
The Rays are Seabicuit version 2008! After they complete the demolition of the Red Sox I certainly hope that all of Red Sox Nation get on the Rays wagon for the Series.

Posted by Rays Fan October 14, 08 05:12 PM

Rays fan (very creative name by the way)
While i admit there are some bandwagon fans for the red sox.Sox fans historically have been the most passionate, knowledgeable and loyal fans, especially for a team that went 86 years without a championship (pior to our recent succes), so save your puhleezs. Secondly the rays are primed while we are scuffling with our injuries, beckett, lowell, papi (clearly bothered by the wrist). If becket is healthy we win this series in 5 or 6 games tops. Without him itll take 7.

PS. I know yall rays are new to this playoff thing, but you have to win 4 games.

Posted by gary October 14, 08 06:21 PM

The Rays are a tremendous club and remind me of the 67 Red Sox...I am rooting against them and hope our Sox repeat...BUT, if they beat the Carmine I am certainly rooting for this club...they would be a fine representative of the Junior League...and they'll win against either National League entry.

And don't patronize Rays' fans...they're having a great time and the Trop was a wonderful place this past weekend...the Rays' organization did a fine job and made EVERYONE feel welcome and happy. They are to be commended!

Posted by Richard Walega October 14, 08 07:44 PM

Ok Gary, Boston fans are the most passionate, knowledgable and loyal...right.
And there was never a time when you could walk up to Fenway and buy a ticket for a cheap seat and walk right in...
And none of those replays from days of old will show tons of empty seats in Fenway...
And Boston is the only team playing through injuries...
And Gary is a much more original name than Rays Fan...
I get it you're great and everyone else sucks - typical a-hole Boston fan. Unsurpassed in all of sport, except perhaps for a Yankee fan...we might have a tie!
And don't school me on the playoffs...you can't get to the fourth win without getting the second, and this year Boston may not get over that hurdle.

Posted by Rays Fan October 14, 08 07:46 PM

Ya know what, I've been a Sox fan since 67. They are my team, win or lose. Way better when they win - but if they can't make it (and they still may they've done it before) but if it turns out its the Rays year , so be it. The Rays have had a great year, been a terrific team to watch. We'll be back next year healthier and hungrier. You don't have to be such smug morons insulting each other to support your team. But what do I know I'm old and have class.

Posted by prncss October 14, 08 09:15 PM

Hey Troll-Buster, Speaking of only having one fan, I think that's all that's left now in Fenway. Tampa Bay would like to know how it's ass tastes?

Posted by Sweet Caroline October 14, 08 10:42 PM

no prncss you are a smug moron also. yes big popup just struck out and you are getting nationally televised spanking at home...again. I have a new Sweet Caroline line for you too.

Sweeet Caroline...another Rays win feels so good!! SO GOOD SO GOOD.

later jazzitt

Posted by jazzitt October 14, 08 10:56 PM

NIght night soxy fans. Bwaaaaaaah. Boy I loved being at the trop on saturday seeing those faces of the Sox fans. ONly wish I could be there to see those clowns booing their own team. Great fans....uh yeah right...Fenway was cleared out by the 6th.

Sox....so overrated.

Posted by Raysfan October 14, 08 11:03 PM

this team sucks! boston red sux is far more fitting. please get out the hangman's noose for all of them (maybe spare Bay, the only worthy player). LEARN HOW TO PITCH...LEARN HOW TO HIT!!!!!!

Posted by priots October 14, 08 11:12 PM

raysfan...first season above .500. you probably should keep your mouth shut. Tampa was nothing more than Sox fans until August of this season. Should change your name to raysfairweatherfan, don't you think.

actually, the more I think about it, there are no rays fans. this must be a yankee fan trying to piss sox fans off. that's the only posible answer, considering the only fans in Tampa are Sox fans.

Posted by priots October 14, 08 11:22 PM

Hey Gary, I suppose that this is the point where you declare that the Red Sox have got the Rays right where they want them.
Yeah, tomorrow the Rays players will be relaxing in Beantown - all smug and overconfident.
I mean it's not like the Red Sox haven't come back from this situation before.
I fact, it looks like a lock...I'd bet the ranch on it - if I were you.
GO RAYS!! STEP ON THEIR THROAT!! COME BACK TO TAMPA WITH THE PENNANT!! NEXT STOP THE WORLD SERIES!! THE BEST SPORTS STORY OF 2008 - GO RAYS GO!!

Posted by Rays Fan October 14, 08 11:44 PM

"Secondly the rays are primed while we are scuffling with our injuries, beckett, lowell, papi (clearly bothered by the wrist). If becket is healthy we win this series in 5 or 6 games tops. Without him itll take 7."

Love how injuries are the chic excuse now, completely ignoring that the team that missed Crawford, Kazmir, Longoria, Percival, Pena and others for large portions of the season STILL finished in FIRST.

Injuries my codlings - you were already putting aside cash for Series tickets regardless of who you were missing for this series. Just one more game and you and Dan "OMG we're gonna win it all after just one game" Shaughnessy can get back to crying over Tom Brady.

Posted by Ted Williams Frosty October 15, 08 12:48 AM

As a original Rays season ticket holder, only a few can imagine our true bliss so far. 11 years of sub .500 ball is hard to swallow but the beer sure was nice and cold. The biggest turn around in baseball history and so far pretty solid in the post season. The kids are all right. Not here to brag but the feeling is pretty nice I must admit. Even if the Rays lose Thursday I feel confident that they will bring it home. Thanks for a some what rivalry Boston , I think we grew from it. At least we will keep it in the A.L. East...

Posted by DaHoodGoneWild.com October 15, 08 12:58 AM

Priots - wrong again broken rubber...
I've been a season ticket holder since Day One - behind home plate, section 101, row V, seats 11 & 12. Stop by and visit me this weekend - oh wait, they won't let a dirt bag like you into my section of the stadium.
And do you ever wonder why so many Boston and NY fans live in the Tampa area?
Could it be because Boston and NY are such God Awful places to live?

Posted by Rays Fan October 15, 08 12:59 AM

Hey 'priots' is that short for 'Patriots' yes another good patsy loss for you Sunday and a national primetime baseball butt whipping for your viewing displeasure again. First of all dip spit he is a Tampa Bay fan and second so am I but as it seems usual for you to assume without merit or any facts. Next your teams butt was kicked in here July (actually swept) I was there all three games. Also rattled your Papelbum in the bullpen (he loved my version of the sweep his stinky pinky Sox routine).

The real deal has been going on since spring training moron and took hold in May. Where were you as usual (determined from your own idiot response) shows just how far up your head is to be wrong...again. Yes I will explain to you moron that your notice in August was too late because your team was where...not in first place looking up at who...the RAYS. The Sox nation had a nice 7 days at home in the last week of the season take care of business. But you had to welcome your regular buddies the Yankees for your last regular meeting. We clinched on that first day. Result...another Sox nation nationally televised butt whooping. Remember patsy fan what that score was...I'll refresh 19 - 8. This how it is: plan drawn up spring training, set in May, dished in June and served cold in July...routine Sox nation nationally televised butt whippings.

As usual you do not know your baseball and cry when you lose to the point of bringing up old news that you have had others read to you written by your clueless Boston writers. All you can do is keep bringing up the same bull spit with no facts let alone even have a clue where our team plays ball here in St. Pete (that's where the Rays play imbecile). And if you do come here myself and others are not fair weather fans but ones that will be in your grill. Be warned RAY Country invasion has commenced.

This team and I are not going away and you can't handle it. Your own team and manager noticed this team in 2007. When asked what team your Sox said they would not like to see in 07 post season - no you still don't get it - The RAYS. Your manager, Lowell and others said it on your other news network ESPN. Your own team acknowledges they have not won anything this year and they acknowledge the only thing won was the Ray's AL East crown. I aint saying its over because its not but your boyz got spanked again on national tv with Stephen King reading a novel by the 8th inning - yikes!! Look just get yourself a Samuel Adams and dial 1-900-boo-hooo

Sweeet Caroline...another Rays win feels so good!! SO GOOD SO GOOD SO GOOD.

later jazzitt

Posted by jazzitt October 15, 08 02:52 AM