Rays Nation Exclusive: Interview with AAA INF Vince Belnome

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Opening Week for Tampa Bay Rays Baseball

Hello Rays Nation hope you all had a great opening week. I know I did! I got the opportunity to go to Opening day and to go the Wil Myers bobblehead night. The opportunity to see my favorite player Mr. David Price pitch twice was honestly an honor. Rays pitching and hitting was very good both games and we got the W against the Blue Jays and Rangers, respectively.

The Rays right now sit in first place with a record of 4-3. We have scored 31 runs in these 7 games. So far we are just 1-0 in one run games which in this game is really important. So far the Rays lead the league in OBP with a .357. The Rays fielding is doing awesome so far as well. One error through 7 games and they lead the league in putouts with 189. The Rays pitching has a .211 BAA and an ERA of 2.57 which is very solid. Players wise, Matt Joyce has a .412 Batting Average leads the team in RBIs with 5. David Price leads the team in strikeouts through 7 games with 12. Just note these are all early stats but I am stating them because it’s just the beginning there’s many amazing things to come. 

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

The Rays spring training was also a success. Many players made a name for themselves and one player I am really happy he did was Outfielder Brandon Guyer. He played his heart out during the spring and got rewarded with an Outfielder spot. His base running skills, bat and defense are going to come in handy for Joe Maddon throughout the season. The Rays ended up in first place in the Grapefruit League standings with a record of 16-7 and a winning percentage of .696. Longo, Moore and Sands led the team with 3 Home Runs and not a surprise, David Price led the team with 20 strikeouts. Overall the team got much needed readiness for a season that we all have exciting expectations for.
I got the much appreciated opportunity to interview Mr. Vince Belnome that got called up for a game this week for when Sean Rodriguez had to be on a paternity leave for his newborn baby. Congratulations to Sean by the way. 

Rays interview with INF Vince Belnome

1.) Describe the expectations you had for spring training coming in

-“I expected to compete and learn a lot. I figured I would be back in AAA but ya never know”

2.) What blew you away from spring training like something you learned, a teammate’s talent?

-“Playing vs. all these guys you watch on tv that are the best players in the game. It was very humbling.”

3.) How was it playing for Joe Maddon?

-“Joe is awesome very laid back and just asks that you play hard! Great to play for”


4.) What are the things you really want to improve on this season?

-“Want to improve my defensive side and base running part of my game.. But you can always improve on everything”

5.) Funniest teammate in spring training? And a joke if you want to say
“Kevin Kiermaier is one of the funniest people I know.. Always in a good mood and that boy just makes me laugh”

6.) Someone you think is a stud but no one recognizes him enough

-“Again Kevin probably because there’s a difference in being drafted in the later rounds and you have to succeed at everything to advance!”

Getting to know Vince Belnome

1.) Favorite movie and actor?

-“Movie- Tombstone & Actor- Clint Eastwood”

2.) Favorite music artist right now and of all time?

-“Now- Brantley Gilbert”

-“All time- Hank Williams Jr”

3.) Childhood favorite baseball player?

-“Derek Jeter”

4.) What has motivated you to become what you are today and want to be later on?

-“My family, friends, and beautiful fiancé and being able to provide for her.. It’s been my dream since I was young and it keeps me motivated” 


Again I appreciate you looking through my blog. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment on here. You can give me a follow on my Rays twitter account for daily updates about our beloved squad. @RaysNation_
Have a good one and Go Rays!

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