Fuzzy Bear
04-05-2003, 03:09 PM
I saw the Rays win their opener, then come back to tie the Red Sox, before losing.
They haven't won since the opener, but I saw some signs. Some good, some bad.
I saw Rey Ordonez get three hits and hit a clutch HR, then make an outstanding play at SS to save a run.
I also saw Al Martin come to the plate for the Rays. :rolleyes:
What I was thinking of as I watched this was the players that had their biggest years for Lou Pinella in the past, for teams that won big for him.
It SEEMS like a lot of guys that were overrated prospects, not bound for glory, had their best years with Lou.
The 1990 Reds were and unexpected (and underrated) World Championship team. They were powered, in no small part, by Billy Hatcher and Glenn Braggs. Both of whom had their best years ever for Pinella.
The 2001 M's had Bret Boone and Mike Cameron having mega-years for Pinella. Both had played for numerous managers, and neither had reached the level of play they did under Lou.
The Rays have a number of "overrated underachievers" that Pinella appears to have had some success with in the past. Rey Ordonez and Ben Grieve come to mind. Damion Easley may be another, although I tend to view him as a victim of shifting circumstances (going from Tiger Stadium to Comerica Park).
Does Lou have a special talent of coaxing career years out of a certain type of player? Or am I seeing something that isn't there, in my hopes that the Rays can approach .500?
They haven't won since the opener, but I saw some signs. Some good, some bad.
I saw Rey Ordonez get three hits and hit a clutch HR, then make an outstanding play at SS to save a run.
I also saw Al Martin come to the plate for the Rays. :rolleyes:
What I was thinking of as I watched this was the players that had their biggest years for Lou Pinella in the past, for teams that won big for him.
It SEEMS like a lot of guys that were overrated prospects, not bound for glory, had their best years with Lou.
The 1990 Reds were and unexpected (and underrated) World Championship team. They were powered, in no small part, by Billy Hatcher and Glenn Braggs. Both of whom had their best years ever for Pinella.
The 2001 M's had Bret Boone and Mike Cameron having mega-years for Pinella. Both had played for numerous managers, and neither had reached the level of play they did under Lou.
The Rays have a number of "overrated underachievers" that Pinella appears to have had some success with in the past. Rey Ordonez and Ben Grieve come to mind. Damion Easley may be another, although I tend to view him as a victim of shifting circumstances (going from Tiger Stadium to Comerica Park).
Does Lou have a special talent of coaxing career years out of a certain type of player? Or am I seeing something that isn't there, in my hopes that the Rays can approach .500?