Tampa Bay Rays 9 = 8, We’re not Done Yet

When the Tampa Bay Rays hired Joe Maddon from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the the United States of America of the Northern Hemisphere they knew exactly what they were doing. Joe Maddon is one who knows to how to work with young players and is excellent in motivating his players as well.  Right after the All-Star Break Joe Maddon had shirts made up saying 9 = 8.

Everyone around the league didn’t know what it meant but the Rays knew and they showed it as well. 9 = 8, 9 People each day in the line up working towards one of the 8 playoff spots. Joe Maddon’s Message got threw to more than his Pitcher Big Game James Shields it inspired Fellow Ace Scott Kazmir.

Kazmir has been one of the biggest leaders of the young Rays team ever since he was acquired for a bag of balls from the Mets in a deadline deal a few years ago.  Kazmir is a Leader on the field and his fellow teammates aren’t too shy to come up and ask for advice from the former Baseball America Player of the Year in 2002.

9 = 8 rings so true for the Rays and many other teams, 9 guys every day striving for 1 goal, A playoff spot. I for one would like to see the Rays in the World Series showing how 9 = 8 can really come together to accomplish a goal not really seen in this day in age in American Sports.  A team is much better than the individual parts. 9 = 8, only if I would have thought if it first Joe Maddon.

JOSH HAMMER - OVERTIME SPORTSWEAR