Now that the Rays season is over, I’ve seen and read about all the great accomplishments that led to their magical season.  What I haven’t seen or read is what Closer Troy Percival meant to this team. 

   Percival was a leader in the clubhouse.  During the regular season he had 28 saves and two wins.  Without Percival, the Rays likely would not have won the AL EAST.  But somehow, he’s been buried in the euphoria that followed in the post-season.  As he watched from his California home, the Rays busted into the national spotlight.  Injuries got the best of this veteran.  Nothing hurts more than to have to sit back and watch because your body won’t cooperate. 

   I, for one, would like to thank Troy Percival for his time with the Rays.  If he is to leave this game for good, he went out with class, he went out as one of the all-time closer’s in major league history, and he went out as one of the team’s true MVP’s.  I do hope, when the AL EAST banner is raised at Tropicana Field next season, Troy Percival is there in person to be a part of it.  He deserves that moment.  He earned that moment more than any of you will know.

Tom Korun