* Hands down, the best sign–with the best impact–at last Sunday’s Rays-Orioles game had to be: “What would DeJesus Do?” This was a reference to Rays’ outfielder David DeJesus. Well, what DeJesus did was to lead off the Rays’ 3-1 win with a home run.
* An eminently catchable ball hit a Trop catwalk in that same game and gave Baltimore a 9th inning run. And in such a close game during the stretch run for a playoff spot, it could have cost the Rays a lot more. Ultimately, however, it will. Catwalk baseball is unacceptable. Ground-rule gimmicks, while not deal-breakers, will factor into relocation–either to Tampa or out of the Tampa Bay market.
* It’s still hard to accept, even though economics mandated the move: Vinny Lacavalier doesn’t play for the Tampa Bay Lightning any more. But we hear he’s been well received by his new team, the Philadelphia Flyers. Of course, he’s been well received. He’s Vinny: a class guy, a community asset and a very good hockey player. But Philadelphia? With its mutant fans? In the same conference as the Lightning? That still rankles.