Hello Tampa Bay Devil Rays

In the aftermath of one of the worst losses in franchise history, we are joining the cause over at Rays Index in no longer referring to this team as the Rays until they begin playing like the Rays.

They are now (or always have been) the Devil Rays.

Tonight’s game is a true example of past Devil Ray teams. The offense scores a lot of runs early on only to watch them disappear by terrible, terrible relief pitching. All too many times during the 2006 and 2007 campaigns we saw such atrocities, which forced us to stop watching as soon as the starting pitcher was pulled just to save us the agony of witnessing such terrible pitching.

It isn’t only tonight’s game that has us doing this, it has been a season long trend, for instance the slow start in April.

Now, while the Devil Rays have played much better in May, they still haven’t put it all together to make a serious run. Like last week when the Devil Rays took three of four from the Indians only to turn around and drop three of four to a last place Oakland team. Dan Wheeler has a habit of giving up important runs and enough has already been said about Troy Percival.

Do we think the Devil Rays can shed the Devil? Absolutely. But until they prove it, they will be known as the Devil Rays.

Disclaimer: we hereby refuse to pay any fines inflicted.