Tampa Bay Sports Blog

Carl Crawford’s legs are back. CC has looked like the Carl of old so far this season and yesterday he put an exclamation point on it. It was nice to see the singles turning into doubles and triples yesterday as he pretended he was back in High School or something. Six steals in a game is impressive and it was icing on the cake that he blew by Ellsbury for the league lead in the process. My only problem with all the steals was seeing how many fastballs Evan looked at in allowing CC to do it.

Speaking of Evan, was anyone else as happy as I was when Evan gave the fans hell for screwing with that foul ball? When that fat idiot realized what he did he looked so pathetic and stupid that I almost felt bad for him. You can’t be that ignorant and Longoria had no problem letting him (and the other moron that tried to get the ball) know what jackasses they were. It got even more scary when Ellsbury sent that ball to the warning track. I thought he got it.

Finally I will get on Upton. I have decided that I will not let go of this. Upton is pissing me off to no end and it’s time for all the fans to let him and the team know. Someone needs to kick his ass and let him know that these games count also. He looks worse than ever right now and there shouldn’t be any more excuses made for him. He rarely swings and when he does he looks like he’s swinging a broomstick at a golf ball. It is ugly. I’m sure the Upton apologists and ass kissers will put some stupid graph or chart up to show that he is smart and only swinging at certain pitches and he’s still drawing walks, blah, blah blah. He is too talented to be this useless. He is batting .162 with 14 walks and 26 strikeouts so far. Outstanding!

Technorati Tags: BJ Upton, Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria, Jacoby Ellsbury, Tampa Bay Rays

• Full Name:Carl Demonte Crawford
• Birthplace: Houston, TX
• Born: 08/05/1981
• Position: LF
• Bats/Throws: L/L
• Years Pro: 7
• How Acquired: 2nd round draft pick (52nd overall) in 1999

What we know: Crawford was a multi-sport star at Jefferson Davis High School in Houston where he played football, basketball and baseball. He was also a member of the swim team in high school. Crawford turned down a basketball scholarship to play point guard for UCLA and a football scholarship to play quarterback for Nebraska to play baseball for the Devil Rays.

Crawford is a two time All-Star (‘04 and ‘07) who has led the American League in stolen bases four times and is one of the best defensive left fielders in the game today due to his tremendous speed. Crawford is also the Rays all time leader in At Bats, Plate Appearances, Runs, Hits, Strikeouts, Stolen Bases, Triples and Singles. He has won many awards over the years with the organization and is the longest tenured player with the team now. Crawford is also one of only eight players in baseball history to accumulate 1,000 hits and 250 stolen bases before the age of 27.

What we think: Carl has essentially been the face of the franchise since he’s been here and will continue to be while sharing the spotlight with others. Crawford had a down year in 2008 as he had his lowest output in SB’s and batting average since his rookie campaign. Although ‘08 was a down year he made it back from injuries to help the Rays through their dramatic playoff run and into their first World Series. Crawford is a talented player but I don’t think we’re going to see the power output we all have thought we would see out of Carl until he learns some plate discipline, but it’s hard to pick on a guy who produces what he has over the years for this team.

Picture courtesy of Dennis Adair on Flickr.

For stats click here.

Technorati Tags: Carl Crawford, Jefferson Davis High School, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Tampa Bay Rays, UCLA Bruins, World Series