  |
|||
|
|
|
||
|
Posted by James Lincoln Ray May 19, 2008 |
For a decade now, the Tampa Bay Rays have been the worst team in baseball. Since they came into the American League as an expansion team in 1998, the Rays have finsihed in dead last every year in the American League East Division. In five of their ten seasons, they have finsihed with the worst record in baseball. They have never won more than 69 games in any season.
Which is what makes their 1998 season all the more impressive. Through the first month and a half of the season, the Rays are 25-19, the best record they have ever had this late in the season. They are getting good outings from their starting pitchers, timely hitting from their young offensive stars, and a surprising year from their 38-year old closer, Troy Percival.
On the flip side, the Yankees, who have reached the playoff each of the past thirteen seasons, are in dead last place. They can't get a starter to go more than 3 or 4 innings, they have the third worst ERA in the American League, and their best young star, Robinson Cano, is barely hitting above the Mendoza Line.
Can this continue?