As my gift to our readers and to all the children of the world, I proudly offer the All-Time Greatest Devil Rays Virtual Advent Calendar (completely updated for 2009)….
Every day up till Christmas we will reveal another of the Top 25 Greatest Devil Rays Of All-Time*, and on Christmas Morning, we will unveil the Greatest Devil Ray Of All — The Devil Ray Baby Jesus….
The 20th Greatest Devil Ray Ever is….
John Flaherty (1998-2002)
(Last year’s rank: 17th)
- Hit the first double in Devil Rays history
- 10 sac flies in 1999 is a Devil Rays single-season record, and ranked 3rd in the AL
- 471 games ranks 7th on Devil Rays career list
- 422 hits ranks 8th on Devil Rays career list
- 82 doubles ranks 8th on Devil Rays career list
- 196 RBI ranks 9th on Devil Rays career list
- Starting catcher in the Devil Rays first game (went 2-for-4)
- Only position player to stay on the roster throughout the franchise’s first five seasons
There have only been 19 Devil Rays greater than John Flaherty. There are only 19 more days until Christmas. Tune in tomorrow as we reveal the 19th Greatest Devil Ray Ever.
Previously on All-Time Greatest Devil Rays Advent Calendar 2009….
Day 1: #25 Mark Hendrickson
Day 2: #24 Ben “Zorilla” Zobrist
Day 3: #23 Joe Kennedy
Day 4: #22 Tanyon Sturtze
Day 5: #21 Rolando Arrojo
*Rankings based on player’s entire Devil Ray careers through 2009 and regardless of position. Special thanks to Robotto Clemente for tweaking last year’s formula and crunching the numbers.
