Interview with Matt Joyce

In December 10, 2008, Joyce was traded by the Detroit tigers for Edwin Jackson, then the Tampa Bay Rays pitcher. In 2009 he played as the opening day starter for the team but his stint in the games was short and he found himself back in the minors for the rest of the year. Playing with the Durham Bulls that year he managed a 400 plus, give or take, slugging percentage plus completing 35 doubles.

Following his practice sessions with the minors, on June 24, 2010, Joyce was once more included in the line-up of the Tampa Bay Rays. He made a good showing that year with an 8th-inning grand slam on a pinch-hit. That was in the playoff with the Minnesota Twins. This was followed by another grand slam. This time, it was during the game where Matt Garza completed a no-hitter flattening out their opponent, the Detroit Tigers.

James recalls that there seemed to have grown an understanding between him and Garza and that both had just wanted to let the opponents run off the bases so that Garza could finish the game off clean.

Joyce was born at Tampa Bay and grew up at Seffner. His high schools days were spent at Armwood High School. When he graduated he began practicing and perfecting his baseball style with the North Brandon Little League.

Talking about his current team, Joyce feels fortunate for the chance to play near his hometown. Seeing former friends among the spectators is nothing new to him anymore as he has had numerous opportunities of reviving old friendships that way. Playing around their hometown is not a privilege that is granted to every player, according to Joyce. He is having, however, some problems with the unending requests for free tickets to games, which situation worsens when top ranking teams come to play with them.

He talks about his adjustment to his schedule as a major league player. Although he himself can cope with daily practices and having to spend much of his time practicing with the team, it will be a little while, he thinks, before his family and circle of friends get used to not seeing him around when they want to spend time with him.

The young athletes who want to become baseball pros, he says, should be prepared to work very hard and to make the sacrifices that are needed to reach their goal.

Tampa Bay Rays lose because of Trop's low roof

A dome run proved to be lucky for the Minnesota Twins in their game on August 5, 2010. Before that, the score had been an even 6-6 between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Twins. Jason Kubel was the one who hit that high ball which flew right up to the highest catwalk on the roof and came rebounding back, not to the pitchers position, but behind it. Two homes were scored by the Twins.

Fans who feel bad about what happened, as well as concerned, non-biased folks are of the opinion that the roof of the Tropicana Fields should really be reconstructed and made higher. Over a hundred balls have hit the many catwalks on it since it was made. Last year, a ball also hit the highest catwalk but was luckily caught by pitcher Jose Mijares as it landed.