No wonder Joe Maddon willed his Rays to the AL East title.

   The Rays owned the top home record in baseball.

   In Game One, the Rays take "advantage" of homefield advantage.

   I've covered every major sporting event Tampa Bay has had or been involved in over the last 20 years.

   The atmosphere around the Trop was electric.

   It rivaled Buccaneer playoff games.  Only the Lightning's Game 7 win in the Stanley Cup Finals had more juice.

   I can only imagine a Game 7 of the World Series at the Trop.  Don't forget that Scott Kazmir was the American League's winning pitcher in the All-Star game.  Evan Longoria provided a key RBI.  So, it is only appropriate that the Rays are able to use the American League's homefield advantage with that All-Star victory.

  Al Keck