Rays Notes: Joyce, Ex-Rays, TV Rating

After a series of downers, here’s a very positive tweet from Matt Joyce.

I’m baaaaaaack!! Driving home from Daytona now, see u guys on the field tomorrow!
— Matthew Joyce (@sweetswingin20) July 17, 2012

Simply put, the Rays desperately need offense. Matt Joyce is the best bat they have not named Evan Longoria and he’s been out since June. They hope that having a healthy Joyce in the lineup can ignite their offense. It’s frustrating to get great pitching and consistently lose games. Hopefully Joyce can help change that. A couple of ex-Rays gave some nice comments about their time with the Rays.

Johnny Damon on facing #Rays here: "I miss not being here everday, I'm not going to sugar coat it at all."
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) July 16, 2012

Casey Kotchman said he got "spoiled" last year playing for hometown team, "absolutely" open to future return to #Rays: "You never know."
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) July 16, 2012

It seems like every ex-Rays player has glowing things to say and it’s always good to hear. And finally, especially for all of you who think that the Rays have no fans, look at this Marc Topkin tweet.

#Rays TV ratings up 58.1 pct from this point 2011, 3rd largest increase in MLB (behind #Rangers, #Dodgers)
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 16, 2012

Now imagine how much it would go up if the Rays were actually playing well!