Joe Maddon and his glasses lead Tampa Bay to playoffs

It’s all about those glasses. These aren’t rose-colored glasses or Drew Carey glasses. They are just plain old Joe Maddon glasses. But these glasses have a story. They (and Maddon, I guess) have led Tampa Bay to the top spot in the American League East – ahead of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

Before we get into this story of the Rays and their amazing run this season, I have to say that Maddon’s glasses are very similar to Lisa Loeb’s.

Now back to baseball. Tampa Bay has a magic number! Sure, this organization is used to having a number associated with their team, but it’s usually an elimination number and that usually popped up back in June or July. But this team, this season has a magic number and that number is 10. The Rays are that much closer to their first ever appearance in the playoffs. And the organization should thank the glasses. Not just any glasses, but the Joe Maddon’s glasses.

Maddon is a no-doubter for manager of the year in AL. Heck, give him an ESPY. Maybe he should get the Clemente Award too. Sure, he’s not eligible since that award is for players that have a positive influence on the community, but look what Maddon has done! His team is bringing fans to Tropicana Field. That’s not an easy thing to do in Florida.

Tampa Bay has been a surprise this season because of several reasons, but mainly because they are young and a small-market club. The Rays are without a player that is a household name in most areas of the country. This team isn’t flashy. They don’t overpower you. But what they do well is play hard – all game. They also have had outstanding pitching and timely hitting to bring them all the way to this point – which is 90 wins and sitting at the top of the AL East standings.

This young team, managed by Maddon, is sure to be party crashers when the 2008 postseason rolls around in a couple of weeks. And it’s all because of those glasses.

Image: Newscom