The man responsible for the destruction of the Tampa Bay Rays’ payroll last off season ($41.9 mil down from $71.9 mil in 2010) isn’t pleased with his business model:

“We replicated last year and our numbers were down,” Tampa Bay owner Stuart Sternberg said. “The (television) ratings were down. The rubber has got to hit the road at some point. We’re four years into winning. We’re getting to the point where we don’t control our own destiny. This is untenable as a model.”

Ah, poor baby. I have a feeling executives at Fortune 500 companies who salary dumped laid off thousands of employees over the past couple years didn’t expect revenue to magically soar.

“When I came in here in ’05 and ’06, I saw the stars, and I was confident that we could put a winning product on the field — and I was told by you guys and others that all we needed was a winning team,” said Sternberg, who assumed principle control of the franchise in 2005. “Well, we won. We won. We won. And we won. And it didn’t do it.”

You own a baseball franchise in an area populated by people who are not interested in baseball. You play in a division with the two most popular teams in the league. You have a demented view on what “winning” is (four years of winning? winning what?) You dump some of your most entertaining players. Half of your state’s population hits the early bird special and falls asleep by the 3rd inning. And it’s widely accepted that if baseball will ever get in touch with reality and CONTRACT, that both Florida franchises should be the two to go.

Oh, and your most popular fan is Dicky V. And you’re NOT making money!?

What a shock.

According to NESN’s Heidi Watney, Manny Ramirez has notified MLB of his intent to retire today. Watney also stated that Ramirez had apparently run into some complications with MLBs drug policy this week.

For a sure fire Hall Of Famer (and by ‘sure fire’ I’ll admit I operate under the assumption that eventually the soapbox HOF voters will let in ‘roiders. And we can all admit his game is HOF worthy), the last 2+ years have been a pathetic way to go out. Sulking in Boston, mashing in LA. Failing a drug test, sulking in LA. Traded to Chicago, not hitting in Chicago. Headed to Tampa, failing a drug test in Tampa.

Manny went 1-17 for the Rays this year.

The beauty of baseball, there is always something interesting or surprising, and usually something that has never been done or seen. Whether its 4 no-hitters before the All-Star break, or an umpire blowing the call on final out of a would-be perfect game, baseball always manages to play out in an entertaining fashion one way or the other. I’m only doing pitchers here, and those who are “youngins” are all in their 2nd full seasons. If I included Jimenez and Johnson then I’d have a list of about 15-20, not cool. I also left out Strausburger because I’m lazy and he didn’t have the innings. Definitely all great stories though.

Youngins:

Jaime Garcia(STL)- 8-4 with a 2.17 ERA, 3rd best in all of baseball.

David Price(TB)- Tied for 3rd in wins with a 12-4 record and 7th best 2.42 ERA.

Mat Latos(SD)- 10-4 with a 2.45 ERA, good for 8th behind Price.

Honorable Mention:

Trevor Cahill(OAK)- 9-3 with a 2.94 ERA    Kris Madlen(ATL)- 6-1 with a 3.19 ERA, and hasn’t lost since April 9th.

Vets:

Jamie Moyer(PHI)- 47 years old in his 24th season, Moyer has had two complete games, one being a shout-out against division leader Atlanta. He has been the 2nd best starter behind Doc with a 9-8 record, 4.51 ERA, and a 1.08 WHIP.

Arthur Rhodes(CIN)- 40 years of age playing in his 19th season and first All-Star game, Sir Arthur Lee Rhodes is one of many good stories involving the Reds this year. As a middle reliever he has gone 3-3 with a 1.54 ERA, only giving up runs(6) in 3 of his 41 appearances. He is also sporting the shiniest rocks known to man.

-Most likely some if not all of these guys’ numbers will take a turn for the worse. Will it be the youngins lack of experience and possible fatigue down the stretch, or will the wily vets finally succumb to ancientness?

Oh how the times have changed in the blink of an eye for the D Rays (my semi protest to them dropping the ‘Devil’ from their name).  Not that they really ever had the rest of the AL East by the throat, but an early sizeable lead is gone.  Long gone. 

The Yankees have been streaking, as the almighty A Bomber is getting hot.  And it doesn’t hurt their overall talent resembles an all star team in itself – hell, some of those guys have to start playing consistently.  That leaves the Rays and the Red Sox to keep up.  And right now there ain’t a sign in the world that is telling me the Rays are going to re group after this tilting binge they’ve been on.  Girl on girl reverse cowgirl BJ Upton’s trot out to a gap shot in left center a couple days ago was laughable.  Or was it his “I thought the left fielder had it” excuse that was a joke?  I picked the Rays to win the wild card, but that pick isn’t looking good right now. 

On to the Sox – whose injuries might be the only thing keeping hope for the Rays.  In recent weeks they’ve lit up the likes of Ubaldo Jimenez, Tim Lincecum, Roy Halladay, and Dan Haren, answering a number of questions about their offense.  Now that Pedroia and Victor Martinez are done for the near future, those questions come back and it puts the momentum the Sox have gained over the last couple months in jeopardy.  It’s even worse timing sincey they play the Rays 5 times in the next couple weeks.  As much as it pains me to say it, I’d rather see the Sox take 4 of those and put the Rays out of their misery. 

Something has to give with this baseball season.  The Mariners suck.  Nobody is putting up gawdy numbers.  The Strasburg flame has burned out rather quick.  The Rangers and Padres are good…?  For the first time in forever I’m not even close to excited about the middle to end of the baseball season.  

Anyone excited about the rest of the summer for baseball?  Or should we start breaking down how corners need to squat on routes, how Peyton Manning can make every throw, and the chemistry of the Ducks O line?