Sox INF Alex Cora has his own theory on the Rays' turnaround: "Just watching them: No more ugly green uniforms. And the other thing, no more devil in the name, so that has helped them out," he said, pointing skyward. … ESPN analyst Orel Hershiser, right,said he has been impressed with the Rays, as much for their athleticism as the way they play: "It's like watching the Angels sometimes." … The Rays are expecting/hoping Evan Longoria will be named AL Rookie of the Month for May. … Rays president Matt Silverman said the blizzard of national exposure they've received is "beyond the point of oversaturation." … With the Sox headed to New York and the Rays following them to Yankee Stadium, Hank Steinbrenner popped off to the AP and said the Yankees' next couple of series are "going to be pivotal." … Capt. Keith Colburn of the Deadliest Catch show on Discovery Channel threw out the ceremonial first pitch. … Alan Nero, the agent who reps Rays manager Joe Maddon and 2B Akinori Iwamura, was on the field the past two nights for "customary customer relations." … Upper deck tickets, which sell for $14, were being scalped for $40 Wednesday afternoon.
What they're saying …
Gordon Edes, writing in the Boston Globe: "The devil is gone in these Rays, and so is the sympathy. And given the way the Rays pushed the Sox to the limit again (Tuesday) night, those Sox fans planning to attend tonight's series finale are advised to bring along a stiff upper lip."
Bill Madden, writing in the New York Daily News: "On the field, (the Yankees are) just a tired old ballclub, seemingly staggering into the All-Star break, 71/2 games behind the youthful and resurgent $43-million Tampa Bay Rays. Who'd have ever thought that?"
What you're saying …
This is what happens when the team is good (great, in this case). It's not the Trop, or St. Pete, or gas prices, or the visiting team. PUT A WINNING TEAM ON THE FIELD AND THE BAY AREA WILL SUPPORT IT. — Post on The Heater blog at tampabay.com.
'Til they meet again …
At Fenway, Sept. 8-9-10
At Tropicana Field, Sept. 15-16-17
Compiled by Marc Topkin and Dave Scheiber, Times staff writers
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