MLB Fastball 06.06.08: Fighting For Respect
Posted by Neil Borenstein on 06.06.2008
In one day, the Tampa Bay Rays were reminded of where they once were, where they are now and where they hope to be. After drafting first overall in the first-year player draft, they brawled with the team currently occupying the first place spot in the AL East they have a realistic opportunity of sitting in for the first time in the team’s 11-year existence. In the newest edition of MLB Fastball, Neil Borenstein chimes in with his thoughts on the Rays’ busy Thursday.
Fighting For Respect
Rays Proving They're For Real
Photo Credit: Yahoo! Sports/AP Photo
On the same day the Tampa Bay Rays show the kind of team they used to be with the first overall pick in the first-year player draft, they also put on display the team they've become and hope to be courtesy of a rumble with the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox.
In the afternoon, the Rays became the first team to score back-to-back first overall selections, harkening back to the not so distant past of when the Rays were a continual disappointment in the basement of the American League. Last year, they drafted starting pitcher out of Vanderbilt, David Price, who is expected to be called up at some point later this year to add some talent to the Rays' starting rotation. At around 2 p.m. Thursday, Tampa Bay added to its array of young talent by taking a terrific five-tool prospect in the shortstop out of Griffin (Ga.) High School, Tim Beckham.
When Beckham will hit the Majors is not entirely known, though he would like it to be within in the next two to three years. He has already signed a letter of intent to play at USC, and should probably follow through with that opportunity for at least one season before heading into the ranks of pro ball. But time will tell when this bona fide offensive and defensive talent will enter the league and take his place as the Rays' shortstop of the future.
The Rays' themselves are no longer looking toward the future, though. That's because the time is now for them to make their impact in the MLB. Ever since entering the league in 1998, Tampa Bay has been a perennial disappointment. They only placed higher than fifth in the AL East during one campaign, and that was a fourth place showing in 2004 ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays. Otherwise, there was never a necessity to worry about the Rays.
That is until this year. Ever since the start of the season, the Rays have made a stand that the team you used to know is no more. Instead, they sport a terrific group of pitchers and batters that exemplify not only great talent, but heart and determination, as well.
That heart and determination was tested in the Rays' most recent series against the Red Sox. But in the largest brawl of the 2008 season, the Rays refused to be disrespected in the one season they might actually have a shot at shutting up all their critics.
It was the bottom of the second inning and Rays' starting pitcher James Shields had redemption on his mind. During the teams' previous meeting on Wednesday night, Coco Crisp made an enemy out of himself, sliding with a fist to second baseman Akinori Iwamura's groin area. Crisp did that as retaliation for what he perceived to be dirty play on the part of Jason Bartlett on a previous Crisp stolen base attempt earlier in the game. Fast forward to Thursday, and Shields had Crisp at the plate with the trouble he caused just one night earlier fresh on the right-hander's mind.
And so, he pelted Crisp in the thigh. In his mind, Shields was sick of being bullied and thus defended his team as called for by baseball's unspoken rules of conduct, even acknowledging the toss at Crisp was intentional. To Crisp, it didn't matter the reason. With emotions running high and a hit-by-pitch in just the second inning, Crisp wasn't trying to rationalize. So, he charged the mound. And it was on.
Now, here's the first shot Shields took at Crisp as he charged the mound:
Photo Credit: Yahoo! Sports/AP Photo
Had that landed, oh boy! But alas, it didn't. And Crisp managed to land a soft shot back at Shields before the benches cleared and Johnny Gomes essentially steamrolled everybody to take his swipes at the opposition.
There's no question that this is the brawl of the year so far. And it's going to take a lot for this brouhaha to be surpassed. Suspensions will surely be handed out. In fact, it's safe to assume Shields is going to miss something in the range of two starts. Crisp will see some time off, too. As should Gomes. And probably Carl Crawford.
The bottom line to all of this, however, is that the Red Sox and Rays now have legitimate heat that should continue to show in their next series on June 30-July 2. More specifically, the Rays are no longer a team to be pushed around. And I don't anticipate too many fireworks like we saw on Thursday in their next set of games. But there will certainly be a heightened intensity in the newest AL East rivalry between the division's current leaders and a team looking to put 10 years of failure behind them in pursuit of the first place spot nobody believed they could achieve this season.
Thursday's brawl just provides them more motivation to keep fighting for their respect. After all, they were reminded earlier in the day of why they need to do so. For as much fun as I'm sure it's been, the Rays don't want to be in a spot to draft first overall for a long time.
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