When the Bucs won the Super Bowl...I was ecstatic but exhausted.

   When the Lightning won the Stanley Cup, I was thrilled but spent.

   When the Rays lost the World Series in 5 games, I was ready for the season to end.

   How about this, let's give the Rays a week off and then let's start spring training.

   This team had me by mid-May.

   All the incredible finishes.

   All the crazy storylines.

   This team was truly crestfallen in their clubhouse tonight.  But not just because the World Series.  These guys were truly upset they couldn't face another battle as a team.

   There were hugs, tears and goodbyes in the clubhouse.

   I'm sure everybody didn't always get along.  But I have no doubt that everybody has each other's back.

   I can't wait to see what Andres Friedman does over the offseason.

   I can't wait to see where the Rays find a closer.

   I can't wait to see Kazmir, Shields, Garza, Price and Sonnanstine evolve in one nasty starting rotation.

   I can't wait to see how Evan Longoria handles his second season.  If there's anybody mature enough to handle a "sophomore slump" it is Longoria.

   I can't wait to see if this is the true BJ Upton.  Were his regular season ups and downs because of a bad shoulder?

  I hope the Rays find a way to keep Cliff Floyd.  It was a pleasure talking baseball with him.

  I've never seen players like Aybar, Hinske, Gross and Zobrist embrace their roles.

  I've never seen a more gutsy home run than Rocco's rip in the 7th inning.  And could it have been more fitting that it came from him?

  The offseason is just a few hours old.  And its been long enough.  Let's "feel the heat!"

  Al Keck