The Rays had a good reason for celebrating their playoff berth 10 days after actually clinching
There was nothing special about the Tampa Bay Rays’ win over the Boston Red Sox Wednesday. Nothing other than it completed a two-game sweep and kept them in slim contention for the AL East title behind the Baltimore Orioles, who have a magic number of one. But you wouldn’t have known it if you stepped inside the visitor’s locker room at Fenway Park after the win.
The Rays were celebrating like they had just clinched a playoff berth, with plastic everywhere, goggles over their eyes and champagne flying everywhere. The thing is, their playoff fate had already been determined 10 days prior.
So, why were they celebrating? Because they didn’t get a chance to on the day they clinched, and they weren’t going to let the season end without enjoying the fruits of their labor in a year they’ll finish as a top-two seed in the American League.
"We've accomplished a lot this year… Not everyone gets the opportunity to celebrate, so whenever you can do it, you gotta take full advantage and do it… Even if it's a little late."
-Tyler Glasnow pic.twitter.com/rQcyfcbM3b
— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) September 28, 2023
At 97-62, the Rays are one of the best teams in baseball, but they actually clinched a playoff berth on a day they lost to the Orioles. Both teams clinched that day thanks to the Texas Rangers’ loss to the Cleveland Guardians that day.
Baltimore held locker room festivities after the win for their first postseason berth in seven years, but it would have been awkward for Tampa to celebrate after losing, so they waited. Wednesday was the perfect time to finally let loose because the team is off Thursday.
"What these guys have accomplished deserves to be celebrated."
Kevin Cash discusses the decision to celebrate tonight following their two-game sweep over Boston. pic.twitter.com/HXTW1jwLv6
— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) September 28, 2023
This season has been trying, but we're not gonna go without recognizing what we've accomplished.
97 wins and we're not done yet. pic.twitter.com/dxywZhWYz6
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 28, 2023
“What these guys accomplished deserves to be celebrated,” manager Kevin Cash said. He’s right.