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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 24, 2008

How Long Will Rays Baby Upton?

How much longer will the Rays keep babying B.J. Upton's lack of effort before shipping him out of town? I'm sure Elijah Dukes and Delmon Young needed the same treatment to realize baseball is a team sport that requires play at the highest level every night.

Here is a major-leaguer with a world of talent, but he shows no heart or hustle. Joe Maddon has realized a little damage control now will help the Rays in future games.

Rocco Baldelli was diving and running down balls in his first game in nearly a year-and-a-half. I can't wait until he is patrolling center field again.

JUNIOR FIGUEROA

via e-mail

For $2,543 A Game, B.J. Should Hustle

According to USA Today, B.J. Upton's annual salary is $412,100. That's $2,543.83 a game. For that kind of money, he ought to hustle his butt off and surely know how many outs there are when he comes up to bat.

Can't he read the scoreboard? What does he think about in the dugout? Certainly not his team! Either get rid of him or suspend him without pay for two weeks!

ED PRANGE

Tampa

Cracking Down On Upton, Part 3

B.J. Upton should be ashamed of himself for the lack of respect he has for the game of baseball. Failure to always hustle is a cardinal sin in the sports world. This young athlete must understand this to be accepted to the fullest. The Rays have many talented young players in their system who would love to be where this hot dog is today.

JOE VOSKERICHIAN

Tampa

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