My contention is that for the most part, Rivals.com does a pretty good job with their evaluations, but the will inevitably miss on a few guys. It's nearly impossible to not miss based on their being hundreds of thousands of high school football players out there.
Here's a portion of the explanation from Rivals.com's own site regarding how Rivals ranks players.
Players are also ranked on their quality with a star ranking. A five-star prospect is considered to be one of the nation's top 25-30 players, four star is a top 250-300 or so player, three-stars is a top 750 level player, two stars means the player is a mid-major prospect and one star means the player is not ranked.
The ranking system ranks prospects on a numerical scale from 6.1 - 4.9.
- 6.1 Franchise Player; considered one of the elite prospects in the country, generally among the nation's top 25 players overall; deemed to have excellent pro potential; high-major prospect
- 6.0-5.8 All-American Candidate; high-major prospect; considered one of the nation's top 300 prospects; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team
- 5.7-5.5 All-Region Selection; considered among the region's top prospects and among the top 750 or so prospects in the country; high-to-mid-major prospect; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team
- 5.4-5.0 Division I prospect; considered a mid-major prospect; deemed to have limited pro potential but definite Division I prospect; may be more of a role player
- 4.9 Sleeper; no Rivals.com expert knew much, if anything, about this player; a prospect that only a college coach really knew about
With those guidelines in mind, let's take a look at the 2008 All-American and All-Big 12 teams with kudos and thanks to HuskersIllustrated.com's Mike Matya who compiled the list and the stars. I added the Rivals rankings.
First-team All-Americans [AP, ESPN and Rivals]
| QB Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) | 3 star | 5.7 rating |
| RB Shonn Greene (Iowa) | 2 star | 5.0 rating |
| RB Javon Ringer (Michigan State) | 3 star | 5.7 rating |
| RB Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma State) | 3 star | 5.6 rating |
| WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech) | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| WR Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State) | 4 star | 6.0 rating |
| OT Andre Smith (Alabama) | 5 star | 6.1 rating |
| OT Michael Oher (Ole Miss) | 4 star | 6.0 rating |
| OG Duke Robinson (Oklahoma) | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| OG Herman Johnson (LSU) | 4 star | 6.0 rating |
| OG Seth Olsen (Iowa) | 3 star | 5.5 rating |
| C Antoine Caldwell (Alabama) | 3 star | 5.5 rating |
| C Alex Mack (California) | 2 star | 5.3 rating |
| TE Chase Coffman (Missouri) | 3 star | 5.6 rating |
| TE Jermaine Gresham (Oklahoma) | 4 star | 6.0 rating |
| AP Jeremy Maclin (Missouri) | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| AP Percy Harvin (Florida) | 5 star | 6.1 rating (No 1 WR; No. 1 in Rivals100) |
| DE Aaron Maybin (Penn State) | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| DE Brian Orakpo (Texas) | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| DE Jerry Hughes (TCU) | 2 star | 5.3 rating |
| DT Terrence Cody (Alabama) | 3 star | not rated |
| DT Peria Jerry (Ole Miss) | 3 star | 5.5 rating |
| DT Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma) | 5 star | 6.1 rating (No 1 DT; No. 4 in Rivals100) |
| LB James Laurinaitis (Ohio State) | 3 star | 5.5 rating |
| LB Rey Maualuga (USC) | 5 star | 6.1 rating |
| LB Brandon Spikes (Florida) | 5 star | 6.1 rating (No 2 OLB; No. 13 in Rivals100) |
| LB Mark Herzlich (Boston College) | 3 star | 5.6 rating |
| CB Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest) | 3 star | 5.5 rating |
| CB Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State) | 3 star | 5.5 rating |
| CB D.J. Moore (Vanderbilt) | 3 star | 5.5 rating |
| S Taylor Mays (USC) | 5 star | 6.1 rating (No 2 ATH; No. 16 in Rivals100) |
| S Eric Berry (Tennessee) | 5 star | 6.1 rating (No 1 CB; No. 3 in Rivals100) |
| S Rashad Johnson (Alabama) | unranked walkon not rated | |
| K Louie Sakoda (Utah) | 2 star | not rated |
| P Kevin Huber (Cincinnati) | unranked walkon not rated | |
| PR Brandon James (Florida) | 3 star | 5.5 rating |
| KR Mardy Gilyard (Cincinnati) | 2 star | 4.9 rating |
| Totals: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ranking | Count | Percentage |
| 6.1 | 7 | 18.9% |
| 6.0-5.8 | 9 | 24.3% |
| 5.7-5.5 | 13 | 35.1% |
| 5.4-5.0 | 3 | 8.1% |
| 4.9 | 1 | 2.7% |
| unranked | 4 | 10.8% |
First-team All-Big 12 [AP, ESPN and Big 12 coaches]
| QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma | 3 star | 5.7 rating |
| QB Colt McCoy, Texas | 3 star | 5.6 rating |
| RB Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State | 3 star | 5.6 rating |
| RB DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma | 4 star | 6.0 rating |
| FB Matt Clapp, Oklahoma | 3 star | 5.7 rating |
| WR Michael Crabtree Texas Tech | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State | 4 star | 6.0 rating |
| AP Jeremy Maclin, Missouri | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| TE Chase Coffman, Missouri | 3 star | 5.6 rating |
| TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma | 4 star | 6.0 rating |
| OG Duke Robinson, Oklahoma | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| OL Jason Smith, Baylor | 2 star | 5.0 rating |
| OL Rylan Reed, Texas Tech | unrated walkon | |
| OL Russell Okung, Oklahoma State | 3 star | 5.6 rating |
| OL Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| OL Trent Williams, Oklahoma | 3 star | 5.7 rating |
| OL Adam Ulatoski, Texas | 3 star | 5.7 rating |
| C Jon Cooper, Oklahoma | 3 star | 5.7 rating |
| DL Brian Orakpo, Texas | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| DL Brandon Williams, Texas Tech | 2 star | 5.4 rating |
| DL Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska | 4 star | 5.6 rating |
| DL Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| DL Ziggy Hood, Missouri | unrated walkon | |
| DL Gerald McCoy | 5 star | 6.1 rating (No 1 DT; No. 4 in Rivals100) |
| DL Roy Miller, Texas | 4 star | 6.0 rating |
| LB Joe Pawelek, Baylor | 2 star | 5.2 rating |
| LB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri | 2 star | 5.2 rating |
| LB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| LB James Holt, Kansas | 2 star | 5.2 rating |
| LB Sergio Kindle, Texas | 5 star | 6.1 rating (No 1 ILB; No. 5 in Rivals100) |
| DB Darcel McBath, Texas Tech | 3 star | 5.6 rating |
| DB Darrell Stuckey, Kansas | 3 star | 5.5 rating |
| DB Lendy Holmes, Oklahoma | 4 star | 5.8 rating |
| DB Daniel Charbonnet, Texas Tech | 3 star | 5.3 rating |
| DB Jordan Lake, Baylor | 2 star | 5.1 rating |
| DB William Moore, Missouri | 3 star | 5.5 rating |
| DB Nic Harris, Oklahoma | 4 star | 5.9 rating |
| K Jeff Wolfert, Missouri | unrated walkon | |
| P Justin Brantley, Texas A&M | 2 star | 5.3 rating |
| KR Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State | 4 star | 5.9 rating |
| PR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State | 4 star | 6.0 rating |
| Totals: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ranking | Count | Percentage |
| 6.1 | 2 | 4.9% |
| 6.0-5.8 | 15 | 36.6% |
| 5.7-5.5 | 13 | 31.7% |
| 5.4-5.0 | 8 | 19.5% |
| 4.9 | 0 | 0% |
| unranked | 3 | 7.3% |
What does all of this mean for Nebraska's 2009 recruiting class? Who knows, but it appears that there are many 3 and 4 stars in the 5.5
Here are the star
| QB Cody Green | 4 stars | 5.8 rating |
| LB Chris Williams | 4 stars | 5.8 rating |
| DB Dijon Washington | 4 stars | 5.8 rating |
| RB Rex Burkhead | 4 stars | 5.8 rating |
| OL Jeremiah Sirles | 3 stars | 5.7 rating |
| LB Earnest Norman | 3 stars | 5.7 rating |
| DB Andrew Green | 3 stars | 5.7 rating |
| DB DeAndre Byrd | 3 stars | 5.6 rating |
| TE J.T. Kerr | 3 stars | 5.6 rating |
| WR Brandon Kinnie | 3 stars | 5.6 rating |
| DT Thaddeus Randle | 3 stars | 5.6 rating |
| OL Nick Ash | 3 stars | 5.6 rating |
| OL Jesse Coffey | 3 stars | 5.6 rating |
| DE Kevin Young | 3 stars | 5.6 rating |
| LB Shawn Bodtmann | 3 stars | 5.6 rating |
| DB Lazarri Middleton | 3 stars | 5.6 rating |
| ATH Taylor Martinez | 3 stars | 5.6 rating |
| DB Dejon Gomes | 3 stars | 5.6 rating |
| OL Brent Qvale | 3 stars | 5.5 rating |
| DT Cole Pensick | 3 stars | 5.5 rating |
| RB Dontrayevous Robinson | 3 stars | 5.5 rating |
| RB C.J. Zimmerer | 2 stars | 5.4 rating |
| Totals: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ranking | Count | Percentage |
| 6.1 | 0 | 0% |
| 6.0-5.8 | 4 | 18.2% |
| 5.7-5.5 | 17 | 77.3% |
| 5.4-5.0 | 1 | 4.5% |
| 4.9 | 0 | 0% |
| unranked | 0 | 0% |
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all
Friday, December 5, 2008
SP Times: Jarvis Giles still set to announce Tuesday
Giles to make announcement Tuesday
from Blog: High School Sports
Tampabay.com - St. Petersburg Times
by Times Editor
Gaither running back Jarvis Giles told the Times this afternoon he will make his college announcement Tuesday at noon.
Giles -- who committed to Tennessee in the summer but decommitted when the Vols announced coach Phil Fulmer was not returning -- has his schools narrowed down to South Carolina, Nebraska and Tennessee.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier visited Gaither during school Thursday to visit Giles and speak to senior tight end Justin Lattimore. Spurrier is expected to make an in-home visit with Giles Thursday evening.
On Friday, Tennessee will make its final in-person pitch to their former committment with an apparent Rocky Top hard-court press. Giles said new head coach Lane Kiffin, along with new assistant coach David Reaves -- who recruited Giles for the Gamecocks -- and Stan Drayton, a Tampa native and apparent holdover from Fulmer's staff who recruited Giles for the Vols, will all visit.
On Sunday, Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini is expected to drop by. Giles just returned from an official visit to Nebraska over the weekend.
Then it's decision time for Giles.
-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA
from Blog: High School Sports
Tampabay.com - St. Petersburg Times
by Times Editor
Gaither running back Jarvis Giles told the Times this afternoon he will make his college announcement Tuesday at noon.
Giles -- who committed to Tennessee in the summer but decommitted when the Vols announced coach Phil Fulmer was not returning -- has his schools narrowed down to South Carolina, Nebraska and Tennessee.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier visited Gaither during school Thursday to visit Giles and speak to senior tight end Justin Lattimore. Spurrier is expected to make an in-home visit with Giles Thursday evening.
On Friday, Tennessee will make its final in-person pitch to their former committment with an apparent Rocky Top hard-court press. Giles said new head coach Lane Kiffin, along with new assistant coach David Reaves -- who recruited Giles for the Gamecocks -- and Stan Drayton, a Tampa native and apparent holdover from Fulmer's staff who recruited Giles for the Vols, will all visit.
On Sunday, Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini is expected to drop by. Giles just returned from an official visit to Nebraska over the weekend.
Then it's decision time for Giles.
-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Pelini's staff turning it up in high schools
With the regular season completed and a Gator Bowl berth on the near horizon, NU's coaching staff has been hitting the road for in-home and in-school visits. All indications are that they are getting there early and making a strong impression.
On Day One, they were in the homes of ...
Committed linebacker Chris Williams (6-1/220/4-stars) of Abilene (Texas)
Defensive tackle Latu Heimuli (6-3/296/4-stars) of Salt Lake City (Utah) was the first player that head coach Bo Pelini visited.
Running backs coach Tim Beck was in the Tampa Bay area visiting Tampa Plant high school's Orson Charles' (6-3/230/4-stars) mother.
On the other coast in California were defensive coordinator Carl Pelini and defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders. They were in the school of Long Beach Poly DB Lazarri Middleton (6-1/190/unrated).
Carl Pelini also visited linebacker Eric Martin (6-2/215/4-stars) of Moreno Valley (Calif.). He's taking his SAT this weekend so he can begin official visits after that.
Defensive end Sean Stanley (6-2/250/4-stars) of Gaithersburg (Md.) who is committed to Penn State but visited Lincoln recently is also on the list. Coach John Papuchis is scheduled to visit him Thursday and head coach Pelini is planning to visit next Wednesday. That Pelini visit could be canceled if Stanley likes what he sees on his official visit to Penn State this weekend.
There are others in process which have not been reported yet. Suffice it to say that the NU staff is not only hitting the trail hard, but they are also turning over rocks to find top prospects (see Middleton) that other schools have yet to approach.
This class is shaping up to be very strong!
On Day One, they were in the homes of ...
Committed linebacker Chris Williams (6-1/220/4-stars) of Abilene (Texas)
"Yes, coach (Barney) Cotton came to our house and it went real good. We was just hung out and talked a little about football and everything. He was just getting to know my mom better and giving her some facts about Lincoln because that's where I'm going to be living."
Defensive tackle Latu Heimuli (6-3/296/4-stars) of Salt Lake City (Utah) was the first player that head coach Bo Pelini visited.
"It was really good," Heimuli's father said. "He was just pointing out the needs of the football team and the academic stuff – how they check on all the freshman to make sure they're off to a good start, and make sure everybody is going class… so it was really good – as far as my point of view.
Running backs coach Tim Beck was in the Tampa Bay area visiting Tampa Plant high school's Orson Charles' (6-3/230/4-stars) mother.
“Yes sir, a couple schools have been here. The first one to talk to my mom (on Monday) was coach Tim Beck. I didn’t get to talk to him too much, but my mom said it went good. I also saw Purdue at my practice.”
On the other coast in California were defensive coordinator Carl Pelini and defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders. They were in the school of Long Beach Poly DB Lazarri Middleton (6-1/190/unrated).
“Nebraska and SMU are my leaders, and I’m really interested in Nebraska right now. After I come back from SMU, in some short time frame I’ll make my decision. Yes, I could easily choose Nebraska before I visit them.”
Middleton only sports offers from SMU and Idaho State along with NU at this point, however schools like Kansas State, UCLA, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M are actively recruiting him and likely to offer. NU seems to have beaten everyone to the punch on this one!
Carl Pelini also visited linebacker Eric Martin (6-2/215/4-stars) of Moreno Valley (Calif.). He's taking his SAT this weekend so he can begin official visits after that.
"Hopefully, Nebraska will be my first one, and then Arizona, and maybe Washington. It's all about what I could do my first year there - if I'd have to red shirt or if I'd have a chance to play early. I'm looking to see how many of their linebackers are seniors. I'd like the chance to play my freshman year. That would be nice."
Defensive end Sean Stanley (6-2/250/4-stars) of Gaithersburg (Md.) who is committed to Penn State but visited Lincoln recently is also on the list. Coach John Papuchis is scheduled to visit him Thursday and head coach Pelini is planning to visit next Wednesday. That Pelini visit could be canceled if Stanley likes what he sees on his official visit to Penn State this weekend.
"It just depends on my visit," Stanley said. "If I go and I'm sure Penn State is the right choice, then I'm going to Penn State. If there is any doubt, I'll tell coach Pelini to come out and maybe take another trip back to each school."
There are others in process which have not been reported yet. Suffice it to say that the NU staff is not only hitting the trail hard, but they are also turning over rocks to find top prospects (see Middleton) that other schools have yet to approach.
This class is shaping up to be very strong!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Here's to the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays
American League Champions!
No, that team in the World Series was not the same team we saw from May through the ALCS. I leave the Major League season frustrated, disappointed and totally 100% PROUD of my team!
Here's what they're saying...
St. Pete Times:
Rays miracle season over, but its effects will last - http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article881466.ece#comments
World Series: Remember the Tampa Bay Rays' good times - http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article881459.ece
Rays have less time to prepare for next season after World Series run - http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article881410.ece
Tampa Tribune:
Dream Ends, But It Was a Summer to Remember - http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct/30/na-bell-tolls-for-rays-bell-tolls-for-rays/
Maddon Never Wavered - http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct/29/300044/w1-maddon-never-wavered/sports-rays/
Rays Come Up Short On Game's Biggest Stage - http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct/30/300033/w1-rays-come-up-short-on-games-biggest-stage/sports-rays/
No, that team in the World Series was not the same team we saw from May through the ALCS. I leave the Major League season frustrated, disappointed and totally 100% PROUD of my team!
Here's what they're saying...
St. Pete Times:
Rays miracle season over, but its effects will last - http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article881466.ece#comments
World Series: Remember the Tampa Bay Rays' good times - http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article881459.ece
Rays have less time to prepare for next season after World Series run - http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article881410.ece
Tampa Tribune:
Dream Ends, But It Was a Summer to Remember - http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct/30/na-bell-tolls-for-rays-bell-tolls-for-rays/
Maddon Never Wavered - http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct/29/300044/w1-maddon-never-wavered/sports-rays/
Rays Come Up Short On Game's Biggest Stage - http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct/30/300033/w1-rays-come-up-short-on-games-biggest-stage/sports-rays/
Monday, October 20, 2008
It's cold in the deep, deep south
Adolf Hitler and Ted Bundy are looking for winter coats and ice skates! Hell has officially frozen over!
As improbable… As unbelievable… As preposterous as it sounds, the Tampa Bay Rays (yes THOSE Rays!) are going to the World Series!
In a sign of what they’ve become to the Tampa Bay Area, during the Bucs Sunday night game in Raymond James Stadium against Seattle a Warrick Dunn 1-yard run was greeted by the fans in the stadium with wild cheers.
Was it because Dunn scored a TD or gained a first down? Nope! It was because fans had been made aware (via the scoreboard, their blackberries, Rays’ radio broadcasts and their in-stands neighbors) that the Rays had just tied the game on Carlos Pena’s first-to-home dash in the fifth inning. Chants of “Let’s Go Rays” could be heard on the Buc’s radio broadcast!
For the first ten years of their existence the Rays were an exercise in futility. They finished in last place nine (!) times in those ten years – including 2006 and 2007 – and never finished higher than fourth.
Their team record for wins coming into this season was 70 – SEVENTY(!) – in 2004.
Lofty goals for this season among long-time fans included finishing at or above .500 and finishing third in the AL East.
Now they’ve gone from worst to first – Wild Card qualifier, AL East Champs, ALDS winners and now American League Champions!
And how sweet was it that Rocco Baldelli – after all that he’s been through physically and emotionally the last few years – was the guy who delivered the game winning RBI??
The last team to go from worst record in MLB to the World Series? The 1991 Atlanta Braves. Sure, those Braves lost the Series – possibly the best World Series in history – to the (also worst-to-first) Minnesota Twins. However, that year jump-started a run of 14 straight playoff appearances for the Braves.
Can the Rays follow that Braves example? In today’s AL East, it will be very difficult. The Yankees and Red Sox spend money like the federal government and the Blue Jays are not far behind.
Still, there are similarities to those early-90’s Atlanta teams that are unmistakable. It starts with pitching.
Atlanta had Glavine, Smoltz and Avery who were home-grown. Tampa Bay has Shields, Sonnanstine and Price.
Atlanta traded for Maddux – Tampa Bay traded for Kazmir and Garza.
Neither team has a bullpen that they can count on in the playoffs, especially at the closer spot. Atlanta struggled through guys like Alejandro Pena, Mark Wohlers and John Rocker. The Rays have had Troy Percival (past his prime) and Dan Wheeler.
On the bench, the Braves had (have) Bobby Cox who had been in the game for decades and had finally found the right place for his managerial style. The Rays have Joe Maddon who spent decades with the Angels organization before finally getting his shot to manage – he hasn’t disappointed.
There are a lot of similarities.
The Rays accomplished this championship with the second-lowest payroll in MLB - $44 million.
The good news for Rays’ fans is that many of the young stars on this team are locked up for a few years already. Here’s a great article from MLB.com’s Jim Molony regarding how the team was built. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081006&content_id=3600016&vkey=news_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb&partnerId=rss_tb
Rays players and the year their contract ends (includes club option years)
As improbable… As unbelievable… As preposterous as it sounds, the Tampa Bay Rays (yes THOSE Rays!) are going to the World Series!
In a sign of what they’ve become to the Tampa Bay Area, during the Bucs Sunday night game in Raymond James Stadium against Seattle a Warrick Dunn 1-yard run was greeted by the fans in the stadium with wild cheers.
Was it because Dunn scored a TD or gained a first down? Nope! It was because fans had been made aware (via the scoreboard, their blackberries, Rays’ radio broadcasts and their in-stands neighbors) that the Rays had just tied the game on Carlos Pena’s first-to-home dash in the fifth inning. Chants of “Let’s Go Rays” could be heard on the Buc’s radio broadcast!
For the first ten years of their existence the Rays were an exercise in futility. They finished in last place nine (!) times in those ten years – including 2006 and 2007 – and never finished higher than fourth.
Their team record for wins coming into this season was 70 – SEVENTY(!) – in 2004.
Lofty goals for this season among long-time fans included finishing at or above .500 and finishing third in the AL East.
Now they’ve gone from worst to first – Wild Card qualifier, AL East Champs, ALDS winners and now American League Champions!
And how sweet was it that Rocco Baldelli – after all that he’s been through physically and emotionally the last few years – was the guy who delivered the game winning RBI??
The last team to go from worst record in MLB to the World Series? The 1991 Atlanta Braves. Sure, those Braves lost the Series – possibly the best World Series in history – to the (also worst-to-first) Minnesota Twins. However, that year jump-started a run of 14 straight playoff appearances for the Braves.
Can the Rays follow that Braves example? In today’s AL East, it will be very difficult. The Yankees and Red Sox spend money like the federal government and the Blue Jays are not far behind.
Still, there are similarities to those early-90’s Atlanta teams that are unmistakable. It starts with pitching.
Atlanta had Glavine, Smoltz and Avery who were home-grown. Tampa Bay has Shields, Sonnanstine and Price.
Atlanta traded for Maddux – Tampa Bay traded for Kazmir and Garza.
Neither team has a bullpen that they can count on in the playoffs, especially at the closer spot. Atlanta struggled through guys like Alejandro Pena, Mark Wohlers and John Rocker. The Rays have had Troy Percival (past his prime) and Dan Wheeler.
On the bench, the Braves had (have) Bobby Cox who had been in the game for decades and had finally found the right place for his managerial style. The Rays have Joe Maddon who spent decades with the Angels organization before finally getting his shot to manage – he hasn’t disappointed.
There are a lot of similarities.
The Rays accomplished this championship with the second-lowest payroll in MLB - $44 million.
The good news for Rays’ fans is that many of the young stars on this team are locked up for a few years already. Here’s a great article from MLB.com’s Jim Molony regarding how the team was built. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081006&content_id=3600016&vkey=news_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb&partnerId=rss_tb
Rays players and the year their contract ends (includes club option years)
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 |
| Bradford | Pena | Wheeler | Kazmir | Shields | Longoria |
| Floyd | Crawford | Baldelli | Price | ||
| Miller | Iwamura | ||||
| Niemann |
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