The pleasant surprise of the season as it nears the Memorial Day mark is the Tampa Bay Rays. The perennial joke of the AL East was 22-16, and a half-game behind the first-place Boston Red Sox as of Tuesday.
Dropping the “Devil” from the team name could have something to do with the miraculous turnaround, but the more likely reasons are two of the game’s best young black players.
Two-time All-Star Carl Crawford has smacked three home runs with 23 RBI and 12 stolen bases and a .305 batting average.
Granted, Crawford has been an All-Star in past seasons because each team must have a representative. But this year he is earning a possible All-Star roster slot.
Earlier this season, the 26-year-old left fielder became just the eighth active player to record his 1,000th hit at age 26 or younger; this list includes Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and the aforementioned Pujols.
“We feel like we’re gonna win every game right now,” Crawford told reporters last week after his late-inning home run propelled the Rays to a weekend sweep of the Anaheim Angels.
“We know that’s not possible. But at least we're confident enough that when the time comes, we feel like we’re gonna make it happen.”
His teammate B.J. Upton is definitely making things happen with his bat and glove.
Upton has three home runs, 25 RBI and stolen bases while hitting. 297. He has also turned in several defensive gems to protect Rays' victories.
Upton’s father, Manny, starred in baseball and football at Norfolk State University, and his mother, Yvonne, was a softball player and teaches physical education at Hickory High School in the Chesapeake, Va. area. When school is out, they often attend games in Tampa.
It’s a shame this family’s story is not covered more nationally. Of course, LeBron James cursing at his mother during a NBA playoff fracas is more interesting to the American public. Go figure.
Edwin Jackson, one of few African-American starting pitchers in the Majors, has also quietly put together a solid season for the surging Rays. While his record was 2-3 before Tuesday’s start against the New York Yankees, his 4.0 ERA is actually decent in the powerhouse American League. Jackson tossed eight scoreless innings, scattering six hits against the Blue Jays on May 8. He has been deadly against right-handed batters, holding them to a .195 batting average with 22 strikeouts.
Also, Cliff Floyd has returned from the disabled list to hit two home runs and drive in three runs his first week back. His .368 batting average will tumble down, but he has been tough on the Cardinals over the years and this weekend could be no different is Redbird hurlers are not careful.
“I've been on teams, in seasons, when you waited until the last possible second to go to the park,” Floyd told the Tampa Tribune. “Right now? You want to shower and shave at noon. You're ready to go. What’s next?”
Well, reality could be next for the Rays.
After tonight’s game with the Yankees, the Rays are in St. Louis for a three-game series. They then fly to Oakland for three games beginning Monday night. The long flight will make for a long week.
But for now, the Rays are all smiles. And playing the best baseball in franchise history.
But I'm going to ride this wave as long as it lasts anyway. 
Sorry SD, Your Yankees lost too.
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