Regular Season Ends

The Tampa Bay Seminoles regular season ended today as they beat Durham on the road. Tampa Bay won a record setting 92nd game in the process. The play off picture is now set and Tampa Bay will be taking on Ottawa in the first round of the play offs. Ottawa struggled to win their division and finished under .500 but the Seminoles are not taking their opponent lightly. Pat Brantley was asked and said "Ottawa played us tough during the regular season and in the play offs records mean nothing. The only records that count for anything are those in the series." The first round schedule has yet to be released but the first game will take place in Ottawa and either Sammy Campos or Bernie Alvarez appear to be the likely starters.

Of Note:

Ben Neal - Finished the 16-5 and is in the running for his first Cy Young Award. Neal is not the hands on favorite to win the award but said this "After finishing last season 8-10 with the Dukes I'm glad to be able to come to Tampa and turn it around and even be considered for the Award is reward enough." As fans may remember the front office was so impressed with Neal's efforts this season they gave him a contract extension and consider Neal a solid part of the future.

Willie Sodowsky - Came off the DL today even though he is listed as day to day. The front office is holding out hope that while he may not play in the first round of the play offs, he may be avialable in the second round assuming the Seminoles make it that far. Sodowsky is scheduled to be a free agent after this season and even though he prefers to stay and the front office would like him to stay his recovery will directly affect his contract status.

Erik Lawrence - was moved to the bull pen for the first round of the play offs. When asked about the move Lawrence said "I'll do what is best for the team and of late I haven't played especially well." The front office also noted that Ottawa is pitching 20 points higher against lefties than righties and Lawrence in his last outing completely imploded so they feel giving him some bullpen duty will help rebuild his confidence.

Pat Brantley - In his first full season with Tampa Brantley finished the season with 30 HRs and 119 RBIs. Last season Brantley was bounced between 3 teams and finished with an impressive 27 HRs and 100 RBIs. Brantely credited his ability to stay with the same team all season to his improved numbers. Brantley is arbitration eligible again this coming season and the front office said that will work hard to get a long term deal done but if not then the following season will get a long term contract completed with Brantely. "Pat Brantley is too valuable a player to not sign term but this coming offseason may not be the right time to do it. We have some contracts we need to get off the books and when we do that will give us a lot of flexibility to sign key players to long term contracts."