Tag Archives: Rays

Watch: Trayce Thompson hits a home run that doesn’t land.

Posted on by
Reply

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Dodgers left fielder Trayce Thompson has a career-high four runs batted in today against the Tampa Bay Rays. But that’s not what you will remember about his breakout game.

Thompson did something only six people have done in the history of Tropicana Field, which opened in 1998: He hit a home run that never landed.

There are four rings of catwalks above the field at The Trop. Hit the deepest two, and you’ve got a home run. Hit the other two, and you’ve got confusion. Thompson got all of this Matt Moore fastball in the second inning:

Trayce Thompson Dodgers

The estimated distance? Less than expected.

Andrew Friedman: Tampa Bay ‘will always be a meaningful part of my life.’

Posted on by
Reply

Andrew Friedman press conference
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Andrew Friedman doesn’t often have press conferences, not in Los Angeles, and especially not on the road. But he made an exception today when the Dodgers visited the team he helped turn from an also-ran into a World Series contender.

Friedman, an executive in the Tampa Bay Rays’ front office from 2004-13, reminisced about his time here earlier today:

Kiké Hernandez leads off, will DH for Dodgers in Tampa Bay.

Posted on by
Reply

Fourth American League park in the books. #Rays #Dodgers #roadtrip

A photo posted by J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) on


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Kiké Hernandez will be the Dodgers’ designated hitter for the opener of their two-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Hernandez is leading off against left-hander Matt Moore. Joc Pederson is starting in center field — just like Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said last week — and shortstop Corey Seager is getting the day off in favor of Charlie Culberson. Pederson and Adrian Gonzalez are the only left-handers in the lineup for the 4 p.m. (PT) interleague game.

Here are the full lineups for both teams:

Continue reading “Kiké Hernandez leads off, will DH for Dodgers in Tampa Bay.” »

Dodgers hire Andrew Friedman: The view from Tampa Bay.

Posted on by
Reply

Andrew Friedman

The Dodgers named Andrew Friedman their President, Baseball Operations on Tuesday. (Associated Press photo)


The Dodgers’ poaching of Andrew Friedman from the Tampa Bay Rays’ front office produced a predictable ripple effect in Florida. Call it somewhere between a minor tsunami and a major tidal wave.

How big is losing Friedman to the Rays? “It’s a huge loss,” said the man who’s replacing Friedman, Matt Silverman. Silverman also called the announcement “difficult and emotional.”

Tampa Tribune columnist Martin Fennelly writes that owner Stuart Sternberg — not Friedman, not manager Joe Maddon — is the linchpin to the Rays’ small-market success. Yet another local scribe called Friedman “the Rays’ MVP.”

Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times compiled a list of Friedman’s best and worst transactions as the Rays’ GM.

Dodgers reliever J.P. Howell reflects fondly on his time in Tampa Bay.

Posted on by
Reply
J.P. Howell

Dodgers reliever J.P. Howell pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2006-12. (Getty Images)

When J.P. Howell was traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2006, he was a “failing starter” making the major league minimum. When he left as free agent to sign with the Dodgers before this season, he was a southpaw specialist pitching out of the bullpen and making $2.85 million.

So there really are no sore feelings toward the Rays, the Dodgers’ opponent this weekend.
Continue reading “Dodgers reliever J.P. Howell reflects fondly on his time in Tampa Bay.” »