John Romano
@romano_tbtimes
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Recovering metro columnist now writing sports for the Tampa Bay Times; also suffer from a substantial music addiction.
St. Petersburg
Joined April 2012
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Derek Jeter had 11,195 ABs, 3,465 hits and 260 home runs. He hit one grand slam in his career.
#Rays
Brett Phillips, who has 19 career homers, just hit his third grand slam in 2 weeks. Gotta love baseball, man.
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#Rays
plan for Montreal already appears near death. St Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman says he told team he would not grant permission for talks with Montreal. Rays have use agreement with St Pete until 2027.
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The
#Rays
put rookie reliever Kevin Kelly in a
@bakermayfield
jersey and play NFL theme music with smoke machine as he makes his entrance from the dugout for Sunday’s final home pregame.
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Zack Greinke once complained the atmosphere at the Trop did not feel like a baseball game. He's helped improve the atmosphere dramatically in Game 3 against the
#Rays
.
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#Rays
player rep Tyler Glasnow says players are “very unified” heading into Saturday’s negotiations with owners.
#MLBlockout
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On a truly shitty morning, this gives me hope.
Genesee County Sheriff (Flint, Michigan) Chris Swanson put down his helmet and baton and asked protesters how he could help.
The protesters chanted "walk with us" so the Sheriff joined — and walked alongside the protesters in solidarity.
Leadership.🌎❤️
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NFL Films always gets amazing footage.
Tom Brady telling Julian Edelman he’s leaving.
I’m dead...😂🤣😭💀💀
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Wander Franco made the mistake of parking in team president Erik Neander’s spot. Manager Kevin Cash did not let the sin go unnoticed. He had Franco’s car moved into CF where it was a prime target during batting practice. Alas, no one took aim and the vehicle escaped unharmed.
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A Yucatán newspaper reports
#Rays
OF Randy Arozarena has been released after a 48-hour hold. His attorney said a judge determined there was not enough evidence to pursue charges after a custody dispute involving his young daughter and her mother.
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The Athletic reported
#Rays
are talking to buyers or investors, including some that could move the team. Owner Stu Sternberg responds: “I expect we will build a ballpark in Tampa Bay that will keep the Rays here for generations to come. I also plan on remaining the Rays owner.”
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If you knew Don Banks, your heart is as tortured as mine this morning. If you didn’t, consider reading this and learning what the world has lost.
@peter_king
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Spring training is back in St. Pete! The Rays will have most of their home spring games at Tropicana Field due to hurricane damage in Port Charlotte. Workouts will begin at Disney World sports complex before moving MLB ops to the Trop. Ticket info will be available in January.
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If you didn’t spend all of your money on the Margot T-shirt ...
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Animosity toward the Astros is certainly not new (h/t
@AsteriskTour
) but it does seem cosmic at this particular moment.
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PLEASE, somebody tell TBS’ Brian Anderson that every stop in the dirt is not “incredible” and that you don’t have to describe every fly ball as “lazy”.
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Three plate appearances into the season, Francisco Mejia is batting 1.000 with 4 RBI.
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Brilliant might be too strong of a word but, damn, this was inspired.
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To the surprise of no one,
#Rays
manager Kevin Cash says LHP Shane McClanahan will be the Opening Day starter. McClanahan was 10-6 as a rookie with a 3.43 ERA.
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From what I saw law enforcement did a great job in Gainesville. A well-planned, large contingent of polite and friendly cops
#SpencerAtUF
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Ryan Yarbrough has a minor groin injury and will go on the IL as a precautionary move. As Jeff Passan reported, Tommy Romero will be called up for
#Rays
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Sweet moment.
#Rays
and Indians both come out on the field to salute/applaud Carlos Carrasco as he makes his first appearance since leukemia diagnosis. He tips his cap to both benches.
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#Rays
RHP Tyler Glasnow, who is rehabbing after having Tommy John surgery in August, had arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right ankle on Friday. The team expects him to resume his throwing program in 2-3 weeks.
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Fret not
@Sugar_ShaneM
Verlander gave up 5 runs in the 1st inning in the 2012 ASG and Clemens gave up 6 runs (3 earned) in 2004.
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So here's the flip side to all of those caught-stealing attempts by the
#Rays
... With two outs and no one on, Randy Arozarena singles, steals second and scores on Harold Ramirez's bloop single to RF. Arozarena is now tied for third in the AL with 23 steals.
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So the
#Rays
have seen a 30 percent increase in attendance. Could just be the result of a hot start. Or increased ticket options. Or MLB rules to speed up the game. Or is it a sign that St Pete is growing as an MLB market?
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In consecutive days,
#Rays
throw:
3-hit shutout
1-hit shutout
3-hit shutout
Opponents held to an .081 batting average over the 3 games.
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On the heels of Shane Baz’s minor elbow surgery, the
#Rays
have scratched Luis Patino from today’s scheduled start. His arm didn’t feel quite right yesterday. He’s going to throw BP on Wednesday. No panic yet but stay tuned.
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The only reliable thing about the
#Rays
bullpen is its complete unreliability. They now have 10 blown saves in the last 26 games. That is not easy to do.
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Brandon Lowe with a long HR (437 feet, 109.3 exit velocity) and Rays are up 4-0.
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Gerrit Cole had given up 7 runs in his first 7 starts, covering 46.2 innings. The
#Rays
just put up 6 runs in 5-plus innings. Cole’s ERA jumped from 1.35 to 2.09.
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Brett Phillips coming thru with his pre-game promise to point to
@TBTimes_Rays
in the pressbox if he hit a home run. (He did it in Boston too after the grand slam and Topkin missed it.)
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So if I’m understanding the strategy here, it’s like saying everyone already knows DUI is dangerous so we’re not going to talk about it anymore. Instead, we’re going to emphasize the best routes to a hospital after you’ve been involved in a DUI crash.
Finally, the goal is to help people who are sick NOW, whether they’re vaccinated or unvaccinated, we want to give them the best chance to survive & alleviate pressure on hospitals. Truly cannot believe any elected official of any political persuasion is complaining about this 🤦♀️
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Have you heard anything about homeowner’s insurance or flood insurance from “folks across Florida?” Because that seems to be a far more pressing issue and yet I haven’t seen many breathless tweets about that.
With summer travel picking up, I'm hearing about passport delays from folks across Florida.
This is an unacceptable failure from a government that should be focused on serving American taxpayers and their needs, and I'm getting to the bottom of it.
Read more ⬇️
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Not a good look for
#Rays
Siri today. Slow out of the box on a triple that could have been an inside-the-park HR. Dropped a Freeman drive near the wall. Now misses a line drive for a two-base error with score tied 10-10.
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Harold Ramirez's third hit of the day puts the
#Rays
back on top 3-2. Ramirez is now hitting .338, which would lead the AL, but he doesn't have enough ABs to qualify and he probably won't reach the required 502 plate appearances after missing a month with a broken thumb.
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Totally genuine moment. Willy Adames is a delightful person/player/teammate.
The kid in Willy Adames came out after he met Derek Jeter 🥹
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Wander Franco with his third three-hit game in the first four games of the season
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Kevin Cash is so much smarter than I am.
Springer, Altuve, Brantley and Bregman are 5-for-8 against Snell tonight. I wouldn't let him pitch the fifth.
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For everyone who complains about Kevin Kiermaier's .220 batting average? Yeah, look at
#Rays
CF this inning.
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Tyler Glasnow said last week's arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle was cleaning up a problem that had been lingering since he suffered a high ankle sprain in 2015. He decided to get it taken care of now while still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
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Because I know you’re wondering:
#Rays
have started the postseason hitting .079 with 15 strikeouts in 38 at-bats. On the plus side, they have 2 walks!!!
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#Rays
expected to trade pitching prospect Matt Liberatore to the Cardinals, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Rays are expected to receive an MLB player in return. Trade could be announced later tonight.
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The
#Rays
have a tentative lineup for Friday’s spring opener against the BoSox in Fort Myers with Mazza as the first pitcher:
Walls SS
J. Lowe CF
Brujan 3B
Mejia C
Aranda 2B
Boldt RF
Mastrobuoni LF
Gray 1B
Quiroz DH
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Kevin Cash said Baz’s elbow locked up on him at home one night after a bullpen session and an MRI showed the loose body plain as day.
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Aaron Boone is a clown. Regularly tries to embarrass umpires but doesn’t have the same high standards for all the underperforming millionaires in his clubhouse.
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Tell me if you've heard this one before: Rays bullpen blows the lead in the ninth. Pagan gives up homer to James McCann with two outs. 1-1 game
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Kevin Cash was asked about this. He didn’t say much, which is all you probably need to know.
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New league. New team. New quarterback. Same ol’ Tampa Bay. Vipers have two INTs in first half of XFL debut.
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Not sure I understand this move. Rasmussen is throwing well, could give you 5-6 innings of relief. If
#Rays
lose, this is arguably a worse move than taking out Snell in the WS.
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The
#Rays
have signed RHP reliever Jason Adam. To make room on the 40-man, they moved Tyler Glasnow to the 60-day IL. Adam has pitched with KC, Toronto and ChC. He missed a chunk of 2021 after breaking his left ankle while shagging fly balls during BP.
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#Rays
cutting ties with Hunter Renfroe and Brian O’Grady. Both players DFA’d to make room on the 40 man roster for OF Josh Lowe, RHP Drew Strotman and INF Taylor Walls.
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The umps said the ball was past Paredes and that is true. But the reason Paredes missed a simple grounder is because a linebacker was barreling down on him. Interference can be called if a runner gets in the way prior to the play being made. And France distracted Paredes.
A scary moment in Seattle, as Isaac Paredes and Ty France collide near third base.
Paredes left the game under his own power.
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In case you’re not watching,
#Rays
Taj Bradley has started the game at Oakland with six consecutive strikeouts.
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Ryan Yarbrough has a 2.11 ERA with 25 Ks in 21.2 innings in his last four appearances for the
#Rays
.
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Tyler Glasnow report card: Threw 50 pitches, 62% for strikes. (He was 66% strikes in 2021). Threw 50% fastballs, 30% sliders, 20% curveballs. Average fastball velocity of 98.0 mph (he was 97.3 in 2021). Only six swing-and-miss, which is a little low for him. Solid comeback.
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Day drinking is never a good look. Franco hit the HR, not Paredes.
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After horrible loss to Saints, Todd Bowles orders the
#Bucs
logo removed from Raymond James Stadium. (Just kidding, they’re getting ready for the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday.)
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Shane McClanahan goes 7 IP for the third time in last 5 starts. Retires last 15 batters he faced. At 96 pitches, his day is likely done.
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Gutsy (or reckless) move by Brandon Hyde to use his best reliever in a game the Orioles are losing to
#Rays
4-3. You might want to use Cano Fri/Sat/Sunday too in this series.
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Pete Townsend with one of my favorite quotes ever on Eddie Van Halen: “That incredible virtuosity combined with that beautiful grin allows me to forgive him for letting David Lee Roth stand in front of him.”
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Question for
#Rays
execs: if Tampa Bay lacks the population center to be a full-time MLB market why am I always getting stuck in #%@$ing traffic jams?
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Fitting that a franchise that has revolutionized MLB with its analytical approach should be chronicled by
@TBTimes_Rays
who has been the model of exemplary beat writing nationwide for decades. Congrats, Marc.
On Monday,
@TBTimes_Sports
longtime Rays beat reporter Marc Topkin will be inducted into the Sports Club of Tampa Bay Hall of Fame, alongside venerable Rays radio tandem Andy Freed and Dave Wills.
@TBTimes_Rays
@andybfreed
#Rays
#RaysUp
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Some 1-0 games are thrilling. This one between
#Rays
-Rangers is half-over and is deathly dull.
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Willy Adames playfully does the Arozarena arms folded pose after a second inning homer. Arozarena responds with a wave from leftfield.
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Kevin Kiermaier with a 2B down the line off Corey Kluber during live BP.
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Wander Franco makes the mistake of parking in the spot reserved for the team president. Manager Kevin Cash made him pay.
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Francisco Mejia would have definitely swung.
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#Rays
have confirmed top prospect Wander Franco is on his way back to the U.S. for precautionary tests after an arm injury.
@jonmorosi
first reported Franco being out of the lineup since Friday with a winter ball team.
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So through three games (admittedly against the Orioles), the
#Rays
starters had 13 IP with 2 runs, 10 hits and 15 Ks.
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The
#Rays
agreed to terms with all five arbitration-eligible players before today’s deadline. Tyler Glasnow ($2.05 million), Hunter Renfroe ($3.3), Oliver Drake (1.025) and Daniel Robertson (1.025) all signed one-year deals. Chaz Roe signed Thursday. Salary figures per ESPN.
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And when the Rays made the playoffs in 2013 they were last in MLB in attendance.
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Official distance on Garcia home run is 438 feet. Seems waaaaay short.
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Whoa. That's a devastating line.
"I've turned in my ballot. I voted for Andrew Gillum," said
@DavidJollyFL
. "The reason is simple: it's because I've served with Ron DeSantis."
#FLGov
@NewsbySmiley
@TB_Times
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Already getting angry emails and texts about this. Apparently, I'm a shill, a hater and an idiot. I promise you, I am no more than two of those things.
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