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This Test Could Be Extremely Tough To Pass

The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Devil Rays' Evan Longoria, center, and Jason Bartlett, left, watch from the dugout during the baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle.

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By MARTIN FENNELLY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 12, 2008

Updated:

Monday was an off day for your first-place Rays.

An extremely off day.

One of Evan Longoria's dreamy wrists, the one plunked by a pitch Thursday, has a non-displaced fracture. He's on the disabled list, likely to miss at least three weeks, but maybe more.

Oh, and turns out Carl Crawford might need surgery to repair the tendon problem in his hand. If it's surgery, he could be done for the season.

It feels as if destiny just took a 1-2 to the solar plexus.

It feels as if Cinderella just came out to go to the dance and found her carriage up on blocks.

Rays fans are searching the heavens and Rays management is searching the waiver wire.

The team that has beaten the odds just took a beating. The team that loves a challenge just got its biggest.

"Obviously it's a tough situation," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said.

Smelling salts, anyone?

Another Bat Is Needed

There will be time for second guessing about the Rays not making deal at the trade deadline - in fact, there will be time later in this column.

Things were coming together for Joe Maddon's impossible dreamers. They were doing exactly what they needed to do.

They followed up a 5-1 homestand by taking three of four in Seattle, against just the kind of team you need to take three of four from, if not four of four.

The Yankees are on the ropes, seemingly ready to fall.

The Red Sox are wobbling themselves.

Now this.

Two of the Rays' most productive hitters - and fielders - shelved.

Crawford was just beginning to show serious signs of finishing strong.

Longoria? He has been the best player on this team. He was a lock for rookie of the year, possesses a beyond-his-years presence in any storm, and is this club's one menacing right-handed bat.

Now this.

All this bad news the day after Rocco Baldelli made it back.

High to low, just like that.

The Rays can't realistically count on Rocco every day.

Think this team isn't kicking itself slightly more than slightly over not managing to take Xavier Nady or Jason Bay off the Pirates' hands?

Think this team isn't going to search for someone to fill the void? We just checked - David Price can't hit.

If you're thinking Adam Dunn, too late.

If you're thinking Barry Bonds, stop.

Losing two big bodies isn't worth selling your soul.

Sign Bonds? I'd finish third first.

But any other name - including old local Gary Sheffield - has to be considered, and fast.

Heart Can't Be Questioned

The Rays play the Angels next week before three at the White Sox.

The Angels have the best record in baseball. Next week's series in St. Pete was shaping up as a statement series. The Rays have already swept the Angels at the Trop, back in May.

Now this.

Having two stars inspected on the same day by a hand specialist, well, raise your hand if you think that's good news.

This team has passed every test this season.

And, as Friedman reminded everyone Monday, the men who've done the test passing haven't always been the headliners.

"We haven't gotten here on the back of any one player," he said.

Yes, they've passed every test.

But none of them were like this.

Think about those 12 games in September against the Red Sox and Yankees, then picture them without Crawford, or Longoria, or both.

This team has so much heart.

Don't count these Rays out just yet.

But keep those smelling salts handy.

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