A Tale of Two Cities

Things are changing in Tampa Bay ? new name, new players, new outlook.

The Tampa Bay Rays ? the organization dropped “Devil” in the offseason ? finally are seeing their young talent on display. The Rays have never had a winning season in the franchise?s 10-year history.

The most important trait in rebuilding, Huff, a former Ray now with the Orioles, said, is patience.

“You?re going to have a lot of young guys and a lot of mistakes. You just can?t, as fans, get frustrated with that,” he said. “This organization has a direction now. You just have to be patient with it and stick with it. That?s exactly what Tampa has done for the last five years. And you can see with the team and the talent they have over there now, it?s starting to show. It?s a long process, unfortunately, but at the end, look at Tampa. They?re starting to pay dividends over there with their talent.”

But the question for the Orioles is: Can Baltimore stick to the same philosophy?

The Orioles, who have posted 10 straight losing seasons, are trying to rebuild like Tampa instead of signing high-priced, free-agent veterans to blend with inexperienced players promoted from the farm system.

Meantime, Tampa Bay has bided its time, becoming baseball?s punch line as it waited for its youngsters to develop into stars.

“We?re really starting to feel like a team,” Tampa Bay first baseman Eric Hinske said. “Everybody?s into it, and one through 25, we?ve got a good squad over here.”

The Orioles found out just how good the Rays were on Opening Day, as Tampa Bay won, 6-2. The teams will play tonight at 7:05 at Camden Yards before concluding the three-game series on Thursday night at the same time.

“I think they have great hitters,” Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie said. “One through nine they?re very tough. This year, they?re one year better.”

The biggest issue in Tampa Bay has been pitching. The Rays used 24 pitchers last season, with eight of them making starts. On Monday, they were without their best pitcher: ace left-hander Scott Kazmir. But when he returns, they?ll have a starting rotation of Kazmir, Opening Day starter James Shields, offseason trade acquisition Matt Garza and 2007 first-round pick David Price ? all of whom are under 30.

The Orioles, however, are trying to fill their minor leagues with prospects just as Tampa Bay did. Still, even after releasing long-time outfielder Jay Gibbons, the Orioles have nine players with at least seven seasons of major league experience.

“I think we have a chance to go out and prove a lot of people wrong,” Millar said. “We?ve got some good players in here,” Millar said. “We?ll play as hard as we can. We?ll be behind the eight-ball at times this year, but that won?t stop us from going out there and winning a baseball game every night.”