2004: Carl Crawford

Carl Crawford stole a career high 59 bases in 2004. (Credit: USA Today Sports)

In his second full season with the Devil Rays, Carl Crawford stole fans’ hearts with his offensive dominance and speed on the base paths. Hitting .296, Crawford led the Devil Rays in hits, 185, and runs, 104, for the season. Although he only notched 11 home runs and 55 RBIs in 2004, Crawford’s 19 triples gave him the most in the American League. But the highlight of 2004 for the speedy lefty batter was stealing a total of 59 bases, earning him not only the top spot in stolen bases in the American League but also marking a career high record for Crawford. With a fielding percentage of .996, a WAR of 4.6, and an appearance in the 2004 All-Star game, the left fielder undoubtedly deserved the BBWAA’s team MVP award. The combination of Crawford’s arm in left field and plate discipline, along with other top performers like Aubrey Huff, helped the D-Rays finish in 2004 with a 70-91 record. It was the first season Tampa Bay ever finished in fourth place, instead of last place, in the AL East, while the 70 wins represented a franchise-best as wel.

2005: Jorge Cantu

Jorge Cantu’s breakout season in Tampa Bay peaked as he set a team record of hitting 117 runs. (Credit: SI.com)

After signing with the Devil Rays out of Mexico in 1998, Jorge Cantu’s first full season in the majors was 2005, and what a season it was. Cantu finished the season hitting .286 with a .497 slugging percentage, belting 28 home runs among his 171 hits and setting a team record (since broken by Carlos Pena) by driving in 117 runs. Cantu also set a D-Rays record for the most multi-homer games with four. Dividing majority of his time between second and third base, Cantu supplemented his offensive efforts by bolstering the D-Rays’ defense after the sudden retirement of All-Star second baseman Roberto Alomar during spring training. Although Tampa Bay finished with a record of 67-95 in 2005, Cantu’s solid performance behind the plate could be witnessed during the D-Rays’ hot streak following the All-Star break, when they won 12 out of 16 games. Cantu’s breakout season made him an easy choice for the team MVP vote.

2006: Carl Crawford

Although 2004 was an eventful season for the left fielder, Crawford’s career reached new heights in 2006. Hitting a career high .305 with 18 homers, Crawford became the second player to ever increase his batting average and homerun totals in five straight seasons after the Cardinals’ Rogers Hornsby was the first player to do so from 1918-1922, as reported by MLB.com’s Bill Chastain. History likes to repeat itself, and Crawford led the American League in stolen bases, 58, and triples, 16, that season just like he did in 2004. But the team MVP was not the only award Crawford won during his powerful season, as he also earned his first Fielding Bible Award for his work in left field. Leading the American League in put outs in left field with 302, as well as a fielding percentage of .990, Crawford’s dynamic defense earned him a much deserved honor. Crawford would go on to win Fielding Bible Awards in 2008 and 2009 as well as he combined his impressive speed and hitting ability with incredible defense on his way to becoming one of the best players the Rays have ever seen.

“I knew with the struggles I was having, it would never get better for me. I just didn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. It puts you in kind of a depression stage. You just don’t see a way out.”

Things could not have been worse for Crawford in Boston, and while the Red Sox have found a way to get their franchise back together to an extent, it was certainly the best thing for Crawford that he got out when he did. His situation was getting any better, but luckily he did find a way to escape the darkness, albeit as a throw-in with Adrian Gonzalez in the blockbuster, and now everything is hopefully going to change for him. Crawford said that he feels “like the player he once was” once again, and best of luck to him as he tries to get back to that.

Apparently Wil Myers‘ talent is accessible to the blind- the Rays didn’t even have to see him to understand how special he is, at least according to Joe Maddon.

“I didn’t get to see him [hit]; I was over there on the other field, but when he hit the ball, I thought it was thunder,” smiled Maddon, bringing the familiar twinkle to his eye.

Myers has special talent, and it will be only a matter time before he brings that to the major leagues. When will that be happening? Myers doesn’t know, but he’s going to do everything he can to make it happen as soon as possible.

“As a player I feel like I’m Major League ready, but that’s not up for me to decide,” Myers said. “It’s up to the front office. Right now I just want to go out and prove what I can do.”

From Aubrey Huff to Carl Crawford to B.J. Upton, the Rays have been able to find for themselves quite a few star outfielders. Wil Myers is next in line and we can’t wait to see when that will fall into place at the major league level.

Carl Crawford made history when he stole six bases in a single game in 2009. Credit: bleacherreport.com

The game began with trusty right-hander James Shields taking the mound for Tampa Bay against the Red Sox, who gave Shields an eventful first inning. With the bases loaded, Shields gave up a single to Boston’s J.D. Drew, allowing Dustin Pedroia to score. However, Shields was able to escape the inning by striking out the next batter, Jason Bay. Carl Crawford began his legendary day in the bottom of the first inning by drawing a walk from Boston’s Brad Penny. With Evan Longoria at bat, Crawford stole second base but soon advanced to third base off of a throwing error to second base. Crawford went on to score off Carlos Pena’s double.

In the bottom of the third inning, Crawford dazzled again as he singled to shortstop and then stole second base as Carlos Pena was at bat. The fourth inning was painless for Shields as he struck out Drew and Bay, inspiring Tampa Bay’s offense to stay productive. Ben Zobrist led off the bottom of the inning by drawing a walk from Penny, eventually scoring off of Jason Bartlett’s single. Akinori Iwamura scored in the next play, followed by Michel Hernandez stealing second base.

However, Crawford stole the spotlight in the fifth inning while stealing second base with Evan Longoria at bat then stealing third base as Pat Burrell stood at the plate. James Shields stayed strong on the mound during the next two innings, even striking out Boston’s Kevin Youkilis and Jason Veritek.

Boston’s pitching was cracking under the pressure as Manny Delcarmen replaced Brad Penny in the seventh inning. Crawford continued his base-stealing quest when he stole second base, followed by a single hit by Longoria. Delcarmen loaded the bases when he hit Pena with a pitch, only to hit Burrell with a pitch in the following play, allowing Crawford to score. Hunter Jones relieved Delcarmen and stopped further damage from ensuing by striking out Ben Zobrist.

The eighth inning witnessed more action on the base paths as Dustin Pedroia stole second base with David Ortiz at bat. With Pedroia on base, Tampa Bay reliever J.P. Howell gave up a two run homerun to Youkilis, followed by Drew’s single.

Crawford’s performance in the bottom of the eighth inning led him to tie a major league record as he stole second base, making it his sixth steal of the game. Prior to Crawford’s steal, Barlett stole third base and would score a run off of Crawford’s single.

During the game, Crawford had no idea that he was racking up steals to tie the record. Even when fans cheered as the Rays posted a message on the scoreboard after his sixth steal, Crawford missed the scoreboard’s message and thought the fans were just excited about the play. The St. Petersburg Times reported that Crawford did not find out about tying the record until his television interview after the game with reporter Todd Kalas.

“I wish I had known during the game,” Crawford told the Times. “I probably would have broken it. At least I would have tried.”

Three other players have stolen six bases in a single game: Otis Nixon in 1991, Eric Young in 1996, and Eddie Collins, who accomplished the feat twice in the 1912 season. The record for most bases stolen in a single game is seven, held by George Gore of the Chicago White Stockings in 1881 and Billy Hamilton of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1894.

Crawford stole sixty bases in 2009, which is the most he has stolen in a single season during his career. But, fans got to witness Crawford at his one of his finest hours as he stole six bases in a single afternoon under the lights of Tropicana Field.