Carl Crawford News: Pro Sports Daily

Report of Carl Crawford wanting out of Tampa Bay is false

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November 15

St. Petersburg Times

"With trade rumors already circulating about All-Star leftfielder Carl Crawford, now there's an apparently false, unattributed report from the NY Baseball Digest that suggests Crawford wants out of Tampa Bay. The NY Baseball Digest report, citing an unnamed source, stated that Crawford is upset with the Rays over picking up his 2010 option and allegedly backing out of an agreement to negotiate his potential long-term deal. The report just doesn't seem to have any merit, as it doesn't match up with what both sides have been saying all along (and as recently as this week). Crawford's agent, Brian Peters, said earlier this week that they were still looking forward to working on a ..."

Crawford unlikely to agree to a long-term contract with the Tampa Bay Rays

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November 12

St. Petersburg Times

columnist John Romano

"The early reports certainly sound promising. The Rays would like to talk to Carl Crawford about another long-term contract, and Crawford seems willing to listen to what the team has to say. So it would seem the franchise's all-time leader in most every significant offensive category has a chance to become one of those iconic players who comes up through the farm system and spends the better part of a career in one uniform. It all sounds grand except for one tiny detail. It will probably never happen. It isn't that I doubt the sincerity of either side in wanting to get a deal done. It's just that circumstances will likely get in the way. Some of it is practical. Crawford already signed away ..."

Rays pick up 2010 option on Crawford

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November 10

Tampa Tribune

"To the surprise of no one, the Rays on Monday exercised their $10 million option on All-Star left fielder Carl Crawford's contract for 2010. Now comes the hard part. Can the club lock up its most tenured and decorated player before he begins a season after which he could become a highly sought free agent? "Carl's a big part of what we have accomplished and what we will accomplish," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said Monday. "Obviously, the question everyone wants to know is, what does the future mean? I don't think anyone can answer that. "Both sides are very interested, which is a great starting point. ... It's safe to assume that at some point, we will have conversations ..."

Rays exercise Carl Crawford's $10 million option

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November 10

St. Petersburg Times

"The Rays' decision Monday to lock up All-Star leftfielder Carl Crawford for 2010 by picking up his $10 million option was an easy one. Crawford, 28, the Rays' all-time leader in hits, games, RBIs and steals, is coming off arguably the best of his eight seasons. The tough part will be whether Tampa Bay can sign him to a long-term deal - which he has said he's open to - or face the possibility that a face of the franchise could be a free agent in 2011 (unless the Rays trade him before). Executive vice president Andrew Friedman said both Crawford and the Rays are "very interested" in discussing a long-term deal that would "keep Carl in a Rays uniform for as long as possible," but he ..."

Mets not interested in Lackey or Bradley; Holliday tops their list

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October 26

SI.com

(scroll down)

"The Mets don't seem inclined to pursue top free-agent pitcher John Lackey, who will surely shoot for a $100 million-plus contract in light of A.J. Burnett's $82.5 million deal. They do want to add a solid starting pitcher (they may try a do-over on Randy Wolf), but their big-ticket target is most likely going to be a left fielder. Matt Holliday is believed to top their list, though Jason Bay will certainly suffice. Bobby Abreu is another top free-agent outfielder, while Carl Crawford could be available in trade. The Mets have no interest in taking on Milton Bradley's problems."

Crawford wears shoes proudly

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September 24

Tampa Tribune

"When Ken Griffey Jr. made his major-league debut in 1989, Carl Crawford was a 7-year-old growing up in Houston who was soon to have a new idol. Crawford remembers when Nike released the first line of Griffey signature shoes in the mid-1990s. Everyone wanted them. "I was a teenager when they started making them, and you would do anything to have Griffey shoes at the time," he said. So it is with a certain amount of reverence that, each day when Crawford gets ready to head out on the field, he ties on a personalized pair of Griffey's exclusive Swingman shoes with "CC13" emblazoned on the heel. "To have my own model is just unreal," Crawford said. "I never thought I'd see that." Only a ..."

Rays' Carl Crawford upset, says umpires are repeatedly missing calls

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September 21

St. Petersburg Times

"LF Carl Crawford isn't one to typically blow up at an umpire over an apparent missed call on the basepaths. The four-time AL stolen base champion may give a look of disbelief or disappointment, but he respects the game and usually leaves it at that. But Crawford was frustrated enough after Sunday's game to voice his displeasure. He feels many recent calls have gone against him on stolen-base attempts when replays showed he was safe. He wondered if it might be because he always slides feet first, and umpires may not be in the right position to see it."

Crawford to umps: Watch closer

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September 21

Tampa Tribune

"Although he didn't complain at the time, LF Carl Crawford vented some frustration about getting called out when trying to steal third base in the seventh inning Sunday. TV replays appeared to show that though Blue Jays C Rod Barajas made a strong throw to third, Crawford slid in under Edwin Encarnacion's tag, and third base umpire Damien Beal missed the call. "Yeah, I've been looking safe a lot lately, man," Crawford said after Tampa Bay's 3-1 victory. "For some reason, I've just been getting called out. I don't know what it is. I'm a speed guy. Common sense will tell you to watch the play closely, because it's going to be a close play." "I don't know if it's because I slide feet first or ..."

Carl Crawford steals his career-high 59th base

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September 19

St. Petersburg Times

"There was a time earlier this season when LF Carl Crawford was on such a stolen-base tear, he was asked if he could reach the century mark. Though Crawford won't complete that feat, largely due to opponents focusing on him more, he was just as happy to reach No. 59 Friday, tying his career high set in 2004. He stole 25 in an injury-plagued 2008: "I'm just so happy to be healthy again and be able to run again. It just feels good." Crawford, having arguably his best season, is finishing strong, including tying his season high with four hits Friday. In the past five games, he's hitting .500 with four multi-hit games."

Tampa Bay's Crawford travelling in fast lane

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September 19

Toronto Sun

columnist Bob Elliott

"The most disruptive base runner in the American League. "Carl Crawford," said Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston. "I think we should just cut him off at the pass when he gets on ... throw the ball to third." The Tampa Bay Rays left fielder comes with baggage. Despite his speed he doesn't want to hit leadoff. Yet, once into the batter's box or on base he packs light, quick as a bunny 'wabbit' as Elmer Fudd used to say. He has a career high 59 stolen bases, three behind Jacoby Ellsbury of the Boston Red Sox for the AL lead. "The toughest guy for me to throw out might have been Juan Pierre when he was with Colorado or Ichiro Suzuki," catcher Rod Barajas said. "Crawford would be there with ..."

Back tightness slows Crawford

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August 25

Tampa Tribune

"Carl Crawford didn't know exactly when he hurt his back Monday night, but when he couldn't catch up to a ball hit to left field by Aaron Hill in the second inning, he knew something was definitely wrong. "I felt that's a ball I normally catch," Crawford said. He finished the inning in the field but didn't return for the bottom of the third because of what he described as tightness "all across my lower back." Manager Joe Maddon said the Rays don't believe the problem is serious but Crawford likely won't play today. That in itself is newsworthy, as Crawford has started all but four of the Rays' 124 games this season and played in all but two. The All-Star admitted to being concerned about ..."

Carl Crawford to miss at least one more game with back injury

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August 25

St. Petersburg Times

"All-Star LF Carl Crawford wants to believe he'll be out only another day or so, but never before having the back stiffness that forced him from Monday's game, he admitted he wasn't sure what to think. "I just know I've never had this problem before, and whenever you go through something for the first time it always scares you a little bit and you want to be as careful as possible," said Crawford, moving gingerly in the clubhouse. Manager Joe Maddon said the Rays "don't believe it's anything serious" but expects Crawford to be out at least tonight and be re-evaluated Wednesday. Crawford wasn't sure when it happened - he was on base in the first and awkwardly reversed direction - but felt it ..."

Longoria leads four Rays All-Stars

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July 5

MLB.com

"Evan Longoria will be the starting third baseman for the American League in this summer's All-Star Game in St. Louis. And while Longoria will be the Rays' only starter, he will have several teammates to keep him company as Ben Zobrist was a manager's selection, while Jason Bartlett and Carl Crawford were selected via the players' balloting. The 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game takes place July 14 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis and will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national ..."

Crawford's power surge lifting Rays

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June 5

Tampa Tribune

"Rays left fielder Carl Crawford, seeking his fifth American League stolen-base title in seven seasons, is obviously known for his speed. But power? It's there. And it can happen in waves. Crawford got the Rays started with a seventh-inning solo home run that traveled 405 feet into the right-field stands and chased starter Gil Meche. It pumped life into Tropicana Field, cut the deficit in half and set up B.J. Upton for the go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth during Thursday's 3-2 victory against the Kansas City Royals. The Rays went 5-1 on the homestand - and Crawford homered in three of those games. "He's got power," Upton said. "I don't think a lot of people respect it. He can put a lot ..."

Crawford says he shouldn't be out of Tampa Bay Rays lineup long

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May 14

St. Petersburg Times

"Tampa Bay Rays LF Carl Crawford doesn't expect to miss much time after leaving Wednesday's game with a bruised right shoulder. "I hope to back in the lineup soon,'' Crawford said. "I don't think it should be anything that's going to keep me out for a long time or anything like that.'' Manager Joe Maddon said: "There did not seem to be anything drastically wrong. We'll know more tomorrow.'' He was hurt making a diving catch of Aubrey Huff's line drive in the fourth. "On that dive I twisted it in a weird way and I guess I tweaked something in there a little bit and it was a little sore,'' he said."

Crawford exits game with sore shoulder

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May 14

MLB.com

"Carl Crawford had to leave Wednesday night's game with the Orioles due to a bruised right shoulder. The Rays left-fielder's status is listed as day-to-day. Crawford injured himself while making a diving catch of Aubrey Huff's sinking liner for the third out of the fourth inning. He batted in the fifth, but Ben Zobrist came into the game to replace him in the bottom of the fifth."

Trouble was afoot

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May 4

Boston Globe

"One easily could dwell on the deficiencies the Red Sox had in holding runners yesterday. Specifically the high leg kicks of Brad Penny, Manny Delcarmen, and Ramon Ramirez, or at least the lack of a slide step by the righthanders to keep runners honest. One could dwell on the unfortunate day of catcher Jason Varitek, even though the majority of the eight steals by the Rays in yesterday's 5-3 Tampa Bay win were off the pitchers. To do that would be taking away from an extraordinary performance by Carl Crawford, who went 6 for 6 in steals and became one of four major leaguers to steal a half-dozen in one game. He now shares the record with Eric Young, Otis Nixon, and Eddie Collins, who did it ..."

Red Sox facing speed limit

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May 4

Boston Herald

"It's possible that, even as you read this, Carl Crawford is going into a pop-up slide and stealing another base against the Red Sox. Crawford started running against the Sox in the first inning yesterday and seemingly never stopped, tying a major league record with six steals. With two other swipes - one each by catcher Michel Hernandez and shortstop Jason Bartlett - the Tampa Bay Rays stole a total of eight bases, the most by an American League team since 1998 and the most against a Red Sox team since July 9, 1915. The numbers, the Red Sox indicated after their 5-3 loss, were somewhat skewed. They noted that two of the steals of third - by Crawford in the fifth and Bartlett in the eighth ..."

Tampa Bay Rays' Carl Crawford puts on a basestealing clinic

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May 4

St. Petersburg Times

"Leftfielder Carl Crawford may not have initially realized he tied a modern major-league record with six steals Sunday afternoon. But both the Red Sox and Rays had some pretty good ideas how Crawford completed the feat. Rays manager Joe Maddon said with Crawford's approach at the plate "the best I've ever seen it," he's on base a lot and is more comfortable. Evan Longoria talked about Crawford's "unbelievable" first two steps. The Red Sox said they played a role, either with a bad throw or indifference. But manager Terry Francona put it simply: "To throw him out, you've got to be perfect." Crawford is 17-for-17 on the season. Catcher Jason Varitek blamed Crawford's first steal on his ..."

Carl Crawford ties stolen base record

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May 4

St. Petersburg Times

"Carl Crawford's legs, and the major-league record-tying six bases he stole with them, were the hot topic in Sunday's 5-3 victory. But it was the other things the Rays did - how they moved runners, scored runs and got outs - in taking the third of four games from the Red Sox, and winning their first series since opening week, that has them confident they're - finally - off and running. "It definitely was a big series for us," Crawford said. "Hopefully, it's the start of something." What the Rays accomplished was important, in terms of improving their record (11-15) and increasing their confidence, while reminding the Red Sox - as if a 5-2 mark against them weren't enough - that they're ..."

Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays bringing the stolen base back in style

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May 4

St. Petersburg Times

"The base was stolen, the crowd was cheering, the teammate was offering congratulations. And the fastest man on the field was slow to pick up on the significance of it all. Carl Crawford had his back to the Tropicana Field scoreboard after stealing second base in the eighth inning Sunday and had no idea it was flashing a message that he had just tied a modern major-league record with six stolen bases in a game. So he wondered why the fans down the first-base line were offering a standing ovation as he came off the field at the end of the inning, and he paid no attention when B.J. Upton gave him a quick, congratulatory greeting in front of the Rays dugout. It wasn't until the game had ..."

Carl Crawford is determined to put his career back on track

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March 17

St. Petersburg Times

columnist John Romano

"Tucked in the back of one of his new books, Bill James contemplates the odds of baseball immortality. He considers the recent production and age of today's best players, then calculates their chances of reaching 3,000 hits. Derek Jeter, for instance, is 34 and has more than 2,500 hits. James figures he has a 93 percent shot at 3,000. Ken Griffey has almost 2,700 hits but is 38, and so his chancesto 30 percent. I bring this up only because Carl Crawford's early success gives him an obvious place in this discussion. At 27, and with 1,111 hits, the book puts Crawford's chances to reach 3,000 at 15 percent. That's better than, say, Carlos Beltran or Chase Utley, but it is a significantfrom a ..."

Carl Crawford: Raring To Run

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February 27

Tampa Tribune

"Rays left fielder Carl Crawford knew from the start last season that things weren't right. He had never felt pain like that. It affected his speed and robbed his power. "I was hurting bad from the first day of spring training. I never had to go through anything like that," he said. "I don't think a lot of people realize what I went through because I didn't talk about it, but last year was the worst." He had a bad ankle. His hamstring throbbed. A finger injury cost him seven weeks down the stretch, and he returned just in time for the playoffs. Even then, Manager Joe Maddon dropped him to the middle of the lineup because Crawford couldn't use his speed to the max. That was then. But as ..."

After hand surgery, Crawford gets high five

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October 15

Boston Globe

"After Tampa Bay was shut out by Daisuke Matsuzaka in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, David Ortiz seemed to detect something different in the way the youthful AL East champs looked last Friday night, suggesting the Rays appeared a bit frightened. Perhaps a bit out of their element in their first postseason appearance. "I saw faces different tonight than what I saw in the regular season," Ortiz said at the time. Well, who's looking scared now? It isn't Tampa Bay. Or, for that matter, Carl Crawford. The upstart Rays, who went from worst to first to win the East, pushed the reigning world champions to the brink of elimination last night with a 13-4 annihilation. The Rays ..."

Carl Crawford has Tampa Bay Rays on brink

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October 15

Boston Herald

"The Tampa Bay Rays opened the season as 75-1 longshots to reach the World Series. Those odds have shrunk considerably in recent days. The once-floundering franchise is one win away from completing an incredible journey from the outhouse to the penthouse. Thanks to a 5-for-5 effort from Carl Crawford, five RBI from Willy Aybar and another solid pitching effort from Andy Sonnanstine, the Rays took a commanding 3-1 lead in the ALCS with a 13-4 rout of the Red Sox in Game 4 last night at Fenway Park. “You watch the whole thing unfold and it’s very unusual to be able to do that here,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “They are so good and they are the defending champs, and we have had so much ..."

Crawford hoping for quick return to Rays

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September 23

St. Petersburg Times

"The black bat in LF Carl Crawford's locker after Monday's game was more than symbolic. Crawford's surgically repaired right hand is feeling so much better, and he is so eager to play again, that today he will take his first official swings in the first step of what he hopes is an accelerated return for the playoffs. "I hope they like what they see," Crawford said. "I hope I don't have any setbacks. As of right now, I feel like I can swing the bat pretty aggressively. I hope something good comes out of this. … I might not be able to sleep tonight." Crawford sought out manager Joe Maddon before Monday's game in an effort to expedite his return and after consultation with head athletic ..."

Crawford Trying To Get Back Soon

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August 21

Tampa Tribune

"Injured LF Carl Crawford showed up at Tropicana Field on Wednesday for the first time since undergoing surgery last week on his right middle knuckle. While no firm timetable has been established for a return to the lineup - Tampa Bay executive vice president Andrew Friedman said early indications are the final series of the year might be a best-case scenario - Crawford said he isn't viewing the setback as season-ending. "I'm going to try my best to get back as soon as possible," said Crawford, who wore a soft splint on his right hand. "I don't know how the rehab is going to go, I don't know how it's going to heal, but I'm definitely hoping for the best and I'm going to do what I can to get ..."

Rays' Crawford may be out for season with hand injury

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August 12

St. Petersburg Times

"The Rays should know more today about the right hand injury that will sideline star leftfielder Carl Crawford for at least two weeks and possibly require season-ending surgery, and that could say a lot about their chances to continue winning and reach the playoffs. Crawford felt a "pop" in his right hand during his final at-bat on Saturday, and his middle finger began to lock up due to what the Rays say is "tendon subluxation," a problem with the tendon being out of its normal groove. After being examined by Mariners medical director Dr. Edward Khalfayn, Crawford said Sunday morning he could be out six to eight weeks and might need surgery that could prevent him from returning this ..."

First Crawford, Now Longoria

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August 12

Tampa Tribune

"The Rays didn't play a game Monday, but they may have suffered their biggest setback of the season. A second look at third baseman Evan Longoria's sore right wrist revealed a non-displaced fracture that was mistaken for an old injury in the initial X-rays taken after he was hit by a pitch Thursday night. Rather than returning to the lineup tonight in Oakland as he had predicted Sunday, Longoria was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 8. He likely will miss about three weeks, according to Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman. Making matters worse, the Rays could determine by today that Carl Crawford needs to undergo surgery to repair the tendon problem in his ..."

Saturday: Crawford triples his way out of slump

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July 28

St. Petersburg Times

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Hamstring keeps Rays' Crawford out of starting lineup

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June 4

St. Petersburg Times

"LF Carl Crawford was a surprise scratch from Tuesday's starting lineup when it was revealed he underwent an MRI in Alabama on his sore right hamstring/knee. The scan revealed nothing serious, and the All-Star flew to Boston in time to pinch hit in the eighth. He's slated to start tonight, but with what he labeled a "strain on the back of my leg," Crawford likely will have to play through pain for a little while."

Crawford Gets Positive Report On Sore Knee

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June 4

Tampa Tribune

"Rays LF Carl Crawford made a side trip to Birmingham, Ala., on his way to Boston on Tuesday to have his sore right knee evaluated by team medical director James Andrews. After an MRI revealed no serious damage, Andrews declared Crawford capable of playing. The two-time All-Star flew on to Boston in the afternoon and was in uniform for the game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park."

Crawford Says Hamilton's Success 'Refreshing To See'

May 26

Tampa Tribune

"Tampa Bay LF Carl Crawford and Texas Rangers OF Josh Hamilton are forever linked in Rays history as the franchise's top two picks in the 1999 draft. Hamilton, the No. 1 overall pick, is set to play today against the Rays for the first time since he was selected by the Cubs and traded to the Reds in the 2006 Rule 5 draft. It will be Hamilton's first game as a major-leaguer at Tropicana Field. Crawford, the Rays' second-round pick in '99, is glad to see Hamilton, 27, excel after an offseason trade sent him to Texas."

Rays give Crawford 'much-needed' rest

May 22

St. Petersburg Times

"Not that you could tell by watching him play, but LF Carl Crawford needed a break. As the only Ray to play in each of the first 46 games, Crawford was eager for a day off, and he and manager Joe Maddon worked it out so he'd get two, sitting out Wednesday's matinee and having today's scheduled off-day. "Much-needed," Crawford said."

Crawford Finally Gets A Rest

May 22

Tampa Tribune

"Two days might not be enough to make up for the wear and tear on LF Carl Crawford's legs through the first eight weeks of the season, but it's better than no rest at all. For the first time in 47 games this season, Crawford's name was not in the Rays' starting lineup Wednesday. He had started 45 games in left field and one, May 8 at Toronto, as the DH. By having Crawford sit Wednesday, Manager Joe Maddon hoped to maximize his rest with an off day for the team today."