Rays of hope, words of wisdom
The Tampa Bay Rays arrived in town in a tremendous funk. They've lost 11 straight games in a slump that has erudite manager Joe Maddon quoting Winston Churchill to put the thing in proper perspective.
"When you're going through hell,'' he said before tonight's game, "keep going."
The Rays responded by opening up with a run off David Hernandez in the first tonight, but the Orioles pinned a four-spot on Tampa starter David Price in the bottom of the inning, which had to have Maddon searching his memory bank for some other British wisdom.
How about this from 19th century British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli: "There is no education like adversity."
That would probably apply to both teams right now. The Rays quickly responded with three more runs off Hernandez in the top of the second inning and took the lead on a fourth-inning homer by B.J. Upton.
Which, for some reason, reminds me of a quote from American humorist/philosopher Mark Twain: "By trying, we can easily learn to endure adversity. Another man's, I mean."






> 
Comments
LOL!!!! BASSED!
Posted by: Terry | September 14, 2009 8:38 PM
Orioles baseball right here
Posted by: Two Bagger | September 14, 2009 8:40 PM
When rhapsodizing on adversity, please don't forget the bard (Shakespeare) ... "Sweet are the uses of adversity, which like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in its head ... "
Posted by: Thomas Paine | September 14, 2009 9:03 PM
Against my better judgment, daring to be hopeful about the young guys, ending my TV banishment of the O's imposed after the Sherrill trade--I dared turn on the game tonight. Courtesy of the Baffling, Bumbling, Boneheaded Mr. Bass, I saw the ugliest half inning of baseball since the Red Sox and their obnoxious fans occupied Camden Yards. The TV is now off. Who can watch such pug-ugly baseball? The TV is now off. The MASNochism network has been put to bed. Orioles tragic is back. I am not
Posted by: rockvillejake | September 14, 2009 9:15 PM
Wow Pete , qoutation from Churchill , Disraeli . Commentors qouting Shakspeare .
A few weeks ago in your buddy Kevin Ecks wrestling blog we were qouting Nietzche .
....... what does it all mean ? :)
Posted by: the artist formerly known asjack in hebron | September 14, 2009 9:37 PM
Well said, Rockvillejake! McPhail is like P.T.Barnum. Just keep feedin' em baloney like the Wieters hoopla as a powerhitting dynamo,or the other stream of talent coming from the minors. This club is power deficient, badly coached and can't run the bases! Remember, the guts of this team is almost in place and the O's are still mired in last. I'll give you Tillman and Matusz and they are bonafide, but this is a doubles-hitting collection of AAA talent. Please don't insult us with more fairy tales from Sarasota next spring! There is no "Wait 'til next year" in Crabtown!
Posted by: Ed Miller Port st. Lucie | September 14, 2009 9:48 PM
Watching "bad baseball" is better than having no baseball at all to watch....wise up...lucky fans...
Posted by: jongermany | September 14, 2009 10:27 PM
"jongermany " - No , watching "bad football" is better than having no football at all to watch .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | September 14, 2009 10:30 PM
jongermany
Angelos loves people who think like you.
Posted by: James S | September 14, 2009 11:33 PM
If McPhail & Angelos don't get it right this time...I'll call United Van Lines!
Posted by: jack | September 15, 2009 11:18 AM
I cant wait for this team to move to Portland.
Posted by: Greg | September 15, 2009 11:55 AM
Isn't Disraeli also the origin of the quote about statistics that is often mis-attributed to Twain?
..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Yes. "There are three kinds of lies...lies, damned lies and statistics."
Posted by: John Boy | September 15, 2009 12:01 PM
needed here
Posted by: Davide | October 3, 2009 9:33 AM
needed here
Posted by: Davide | October 3, 2009 9:34 AM
needed here
Posted by: Davide | October 3, 2009 9:35 AM