* Media guide review: Tampa Bay Rays

May 26, 2009

When you consider that theTampa Bay Rays have only been around since 1998, it’s pretty impressive that they can publish a media guide that’s almost as big (488 pages) as that of the Dodgers (509) and even bigger than the Pirates’ (372), two teams that have been around for more than 100 years.

Cover: The Rays celebrate the 2008 season as AL pennant winners, superimposed on the William Harridge Award.  C

The first main section is a proud recap of the post-season. Unfortunately, there are no photos; in fact, that condition plagues the guide. C-

The front office, coaching staff and 40-man players’ sections are all pretty standard: B-

Year-by-Year Review: the usual stats and facts. This includes career and single season stuff, award winners and league leaders; a complete roster of Rays’ players, managers, and coaches; players by uniform number. C

Opponents:  B

Player development: Here’s a thought: why not take the extra minute and photograph each player without a hat, rather than cut off the top of his head because you don’t want to show the logo. The pictures are small enough. D

Layout, design, and “intangibles”: Extremely whitebread, bordering on a souvenir journal you might find at a fundraising dinner. C

I realize that the Rays, more than most teams, operate on a tight budget, but show some pride, man. Overall Grade: C-

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Tagged as: media guide, Tampa Bay Rays

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