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Rays World Series Roster

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 21, 2008

No. Name	Pos.	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	Age
16 Willy Aybar	IF	S-R	5-11	200	25
DH against lefties, also a durable infielder as evidenced by stint subbing for Evan Longoria, scored two of Rays' three runs in Game 7 of ALCS
5 Rocco Baldelli	OF-DH	R-R	6-4	200	27
Still can't play every day due to mysterious fatigue symptoms, but two ALCS hits were big ones - three-run homer, RBI single
50 Grant Balfour	RP	R-R	6-2	192	30
Struggled in ALCS after brilliant first round and memorable showdown with White Sox's Orlando Cabrera; must rediscover control
8 Jason Bartlett	SS	R-R	6-0	185	28
Errors in last two ALCS games uncharacteristic for defensive whiz acquired in offsesason Delmon Young trade
53 Chad Bradford	RP	R-R	6-5	205	34
The only Rays acquisition before the trade deadline, submariner has surrendered one run in 22 career playoff games
13 Carl Crawford	LF	L-L	6-2	215	27
Led Rays with 10 hits against Boston; still getting feel for his swing after stint on the DL
15 Cliff Floyd	DH	L-R	6-4	230	35
Rays' emotional rock back in World Series 11 years after Marlins' improbably first title
22 Matt Garza	SP	R-R	6-4	205	24
MVP of ALCS has established his big-game credentials, but probably won't get a start until Game 3
26 Gabe Gross	OF	L-R	6-3	220	28
A woeful 1-for-16 in playoffs but a reliable defender in right field and clutch in late-game plate situations in regular season
41 Michel Hernandez	C	R-R	6-0	215	30
On roster because Shawn Riggans isn't ready to return, but doesn't figure to get off the bench barring an injury to Dioner Navarro
39 J.P. Howell	RP	L-L	6-0	175	25
Team MVP in the eyes of some, could get more multiple-inning looks against balanced Phils lineup
1 Akinori Iwamura	2B	R-R	5-9	176	29
Leadoff man, who forced the final out that gave Rays the AL pennant, could be more important in non-DH games
36 Edwin Jackson	RP	R-R	6-3	210	25
Team leader in regular-season wins, pitched well enough in two ALCS relief appearances to get a look
19 Scott Kazmir	SP	L-L	6-0	190	24
Came up huge on road in Game 5, will look to set the tone in World Series at Tropicana Field
3 Evan Longoria	3B	R-R	6-2	210	22
Third pick overall in 2006 draft; eight RBIs in ALCS tied rookie record for any playoff series
57 Trever Miller	RP	R-L	6-3	200	35
Limited usage so far; Price's emergence could keep it that way, but extremely tough against lefties
30 Dioner Navarro	C	S-R	5-9	205	24
Switch-hitter who has improved all-around game immensely; struggled at plate after hot Division Series, will look to rebound
23 Carlos Pena	1B	L-L	6-2	215	30
Reached base in 40 percent of ALCS plate appearances; vocal leader and one of the faces of franchise
38 Fernando Perez	OF	S-R	6-1	195	25
Didn't get a hit but scored two big runs against Red Sox; could be invaluable as pinch-runner and late-game outfield substitution
14 David Price	RP	L-L	6-6	225	23
Top pick overall in 2007 draft out of Vanderbilt; breathtaking Game 7 performance should lead to larger role
33 James Shields	SP	R-R	6-4	215	26
Two quality starts netted two losses against Boston in Games 1 and 6 thanks mostly to erratic bats
21 Andy Sonnanstine	SP	L-R	6-3	185	25
A change of pace from rotation's flamethrowers; came up big in sole ALCS start, just as he had in first round
2 B.J. Upton	CF	R-R	6-3	185	24
Building national reputation perhaps moreso than any teammate; four homers, 11 RBIs led Rays' offensive attack vs. Red Sox
35 Dan Wheeler	RP	R-R	6-3	22	30
Shaky at times in second round, remains likely choice to close, along with Price, based on situation
18 Ben Zobrist	IF-OF	S-R	6-3	196	27
All-around backup who looked more comfortable at the plate as the season went on; should see more action in games in Philly

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