Rays fans are happier today than they were a year ago at this time. Currently, the Rays are 84-54 and two games behind the Yankees following New York's come-from-behind, 3-2 victory on Wednesday afternoon. One year ago today -- on the morning of Sept. 8, 2009 -- the Rays were 72-66 and 16 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East and 7 1/2 games behind the Red Sox for the wild card. Here's a comparison to last year.

Sept. 8, 2009
TEAM           RECORD      GB
Yankees         89-50         --
Red Sox         79-58          9
Rays              72-66     16.5
Blue Jays        61-76        27
Orioles           56-81        32

Sept. 8, 2010
TEAM          RECORD     GB
Yankees         87-53       --
Rays              84-54        2
Red Sox        77-62      9.5
Blue Jays       72-66       14
Orioles          53-87    33.5