Astros-Phillies World Series has some Tampa Bay ties

Rays baseball communications manager Craig Vanderkam was chosen by Major League Baseball to join the World Series PR staff based on his high quality work researching and providing interesting, relevant, occasionally clever and always helpful notes and nuggets before and after games.

But familiarity also may have been a factor.

When the Astros and Phillies start play on Friday night in Houston, there will be Rays connections, and a few Tampa Bay locals, all over Minute Maid Park, from the executive suites down to the dugouts and on the field.

Generally managing

Both general managers, Houston’s James Click and Philadelphia’s Sam Fuld, are former Rays.

Fuld was more visible during his time in Tampa Bay, flying around the outfield and the bases from 2011-13, endearing himself to fans with his hard-charging style of play and earning the nickname “Super Sam;” the Rays even held a cape giveaway in his honor. He finished his playing career in 2015 with Oakland, then joined the Phillies in 2017 in a hybrid coaching/front office role and was promoted to general manager after Dave Dombrowski took over as president of baseball operations in December 2020.

Click spent 14-plus years with the Rays, joining them in 2005 as an intern to help new baseball operations chief Andrew Friedman build a database and working his way to vice president of operations by 2017. The Astros hired him in February 2020 to replace Jeff Luhnow, who was fired as a result of the sign-stealing scandal.

Next level

Both teams also have assistant general managers with Rays ties.

Houston’s Andrew Ball spent 2014-16 with Tampa Bay in baseball operations and pro scouting, then went to the Angels until November 2021 and finally the Astros.

Philadelphia’s Ani Kilambi spent 2015-21 with Tampa Bay in research and development followed by decision science before going to Philadelphia in November 2021. Another Phillies assistant GM is Jorge Velandia, who played briefly with the Rays in 2007. Other former Rays staffers with the Phillies include Dana Parks (assistant director, player development) and Patrick Trainor (minor-league strength and conditioning coordinator).

Getting some relief

Former Rays are in both bullpens.

Ryne Stanek was known for his flowing blond hair and success as an opener for the Rays in 2018-19 before being traded to the Marlins. He left there after a rough 2020 season to sign with the Astros and has been a key piece in their bullpen since (although he only has pitched twice so far in the postseason).

The Rays in December 2020 finally gave up on waiting for lefty Jose Alvarado to become more consistent, sending him to the Phillies in a three-team deal (in which the Dodgers got lefty Garrett Cleavinger, who the Rays coincidentally traded for on Aug. 1)

Alvarado has had his ups and downs this past season, but shortly after returning in June from a brief Triple-A demotion has been dominant in 34 2/3 innings over 39 games with a 1.30 ERA, 61 strikeouts vs. 10 walks, and a 3-1 record, two saves, one blown save and 17 holds.

Also in the Phillies pen is Andrew Bellatti, who came up with the Rays in 2015 after dealing with the legal issues, including jail time, from being the driver in a car accident that killed the other driver. He then bounced through the minors and independent leagues, and also dealt with elbow issues that eventually led to Tommy John surgery, for most of six years before resurfacing briefly with the Marlins in 2021. But the Phillies saw something, and he has become a key weapon against right-handers.

Coaching them up

When the Phillies fired Joe Girardi in June and promoted Rob Thomson to be interim manager, they needed a new bench coach. That was Mike Calitri, who had been working as their quality assurance coach. Calitri, 44, started in pro ball with the Rays in 2009 as their advance scouting coordinator, then went to the Indians as a pro scout in 2013 and the Phillies in 2018.

The Tampa two

Two of the Astros’ top homegrown players call Tampa their hometown. Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., he of the career 2.77 postseason ERA, was the 41st overall pick in 2012 out of Jesuit High. And outfielder Kyle Tucker, he of the back-to-back 30-homer seasons, was the No. 5 overall pick in 2015 from Plant High.

Hey, remember him? And him?

The Rays have a couple former Astros in reliever Brooks Raley, who they signed as a free agent after he spent 2020-21 with Houston, and outfielder Jose Siri, who they got in trade Aug. 1. Plus third base coach Rodney Linares spent 21 years as a coach and manager in their minor-league system. Manager Kevin Cash played for Houston for part of the 2010 season.

The Rays have former Phillies outfielder Roman Quinn on their roster, but, of more importance, got their top position player prospect. Curtis Mead was acquired from the Phillies in a seemingly minor November 2019 trade for lefty Christopher Sanchez, who has pitched in 22 games for Philadelphia. There are some former Rays on the team’s broadcast crews as well: Philadelphia has Kevin Stocker, Houston has Geoff Blum and Todd Kalas (whose dad, Harry, was a longtime Phillies broadcaster).

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