About Face

People across the country are starting to hear about the Tampa Bay Rays. Last night, they clinched a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history.

I've known about the Rays for a long time. I lived about 6 blocks from their stadium. I could almost smell the futility from my apartment.

Last season, new ownership took over the in St. Petersburg. Gone was stingy old Vince Namoli. He treated the fans with contempt and milked the franchise to line his own pockets, refusing to spend any money to put a competitive team on the field. Gone was the Devil from their name, and this season, gone are their losing ways.

If you haven't followed baseball in St. Petersburg, it's hard to comprehend what a turnaround this season represents. It's not just a one-season about face…a two year worst to first story. It's an entire franchise history turned on its head.

This is a team that never before had a winning season. A team that people said would NEVER compete in the AL East with the Yankees and Red Sox. A team that for several years looked more like an AAA farm club than a real MLB organization.

But today is a new day in Tampa Bay. The Rays will play baseball in October! They even have a legit shot to win the AL East outright.

So congrats to Tampa Bay. I can't wait to watch my Rays in the playoffs!