Rocco Baldelli is a class act

by mlbnotebook on Jan 24, 2009 10:20 AM EST Comment 11 comments

former Tampa Bay outfielder Rocco Baldelli wants Rays fans to know how much he appreciated their support over the past nine years.

Baldelli, who played in the World Series after missing most of last season because of a mitochondrial disorder that causes fatigue, took out a half-page ad in the St. Petersburg Times to express his gratitude this week.

"Nine years ago you welcomed me into your community. You greeted me as a name and embraced me as a person, and I leave you now as a friend," the sixth player selected in the 2000 amateur draft said in the handwritten ad, which appeared in Wednesday’s editions.

"Giving thanks is a difficult thing to do as I have crossed paths with so many extraordinary people, but I will try."

Baldelli is a class act. I know other players have done this in the past, but I cannot remember one in particular.

Tampa should be happy for this gesture. Hell, they are the ones who had no interest in Baldelli, yet he still loves 'em.

Baldelli is a class act. I know other players have done this in the past, but I cannot remember one in particular.

Tampa should be happy for this gesture. Hell, they are the ones who had no interest in Baldelli, yet he still loves 'em.

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Yes, lots and lots of players have done this. I seem to remember Pedro doing it after he had signed with the Mets, and I may be totally off base, but I think Drew Bledsoe did as well.

Doesn’t take anything away from the fact that it is a classy gesture, though. It takes money out of his pocket which he hadn’t have to give up to express gratitude which he did not have to show.

I’m rooting for this guy big time, I can’t wait for the Rocco Baldelli era to get underway!

www.southshoresox.com

by SouthShoreSox on Jan 24, 2009 4:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I believe Johnny Damon did the same when he went over to the dark side

It didn’t do much good, though.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jan 24, 2009 5:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Indeed he did.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Jan 26, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't realize that this was news worthy.

If I had, I would have posted it after seeing that day.

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 24, 2009 7:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Edgardo Alfonzo

He did the same thing when he left the Mets to sign with the Giants.

by Eric Simon on Jan 25, 2009 2:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Anagrams

Check out Dustin Pedoria’s name as an anagrams “I auditioned porns”…and more- http://morehardball.blogspot.com/2009/01/arm-sag-anagrams.html

We Should Be GM's @ http://pabaseball.blogspot.com
More Hardball @ http://morehardball.blogspot.com

by GMCarson on Jan 26, 2009 7:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Dustin’s been anagrammed before round these parts.

Also previously reported: Daisuke Matsuzaka is “A USA kamikaze stud”. I felt this was unfairly ignored at the time. People can be so cruel.

"no1 has time to read your long comments, are you writing a book?"

by britsoxfan on Jan 26, 2009 8:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I've got to say

“I auditioned porns” is pretty frickin hilarious.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jan 26, 2009 8:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah, credit where it’s due. I like a smutty anagram as much as the next man.

"no1 has time to read your long comments, are you writing a book?"

by britsoxfan on Jan 26, 2009 8:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good guys

I like you guys, you’ve got a good sense of humor. Much appreciated.

We Should Be GM's @ http://pabaseball.blogspot.com
More Hardball @ http://morehardball.blogspot.com

by GMCarson on Jan 26, 2009 11:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

As a Rays fan I wanted Rocco Back for the price tag that you guys paid for him

He would have easily fit into our payroll. But I am not sure that he would have held enough defensive value for us. They got Matt Joyce and Fernando Perez I am not sure the roster room was available for them to take a chance like in years past. I got a chance to see Rocco play when he was on Rehab last year with the Vero Beach Rays. I saw him bat a few times and I never thought he would make it back. I thought he was done for as an MLB player. I will admit I was wrong and I was a little verklempt when he hit his first homer when he came back last year against the White Sox.

I wish Rocco all the best even if he is a Red Sock now. Looking forward to the nail biting games again this year. Although if Rocco wins a game for you guys against us I might end up changing his middle name to the same name that Aubrey Huff has around here lol.

by PewterPirate55 on Jan 28, 2009 5:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs