Used to be, a trip inside the Rays clubhouse was a leisurely excurison. You had your pick of basically anyone you wanted to speak with.

Not any more.

Veteran scribes and observers of the passing scene couldn’t recall a time when the Rays clubhouse was more crowded than it was before Tuesday’s game with the Red Sox. The combination of the Boston media market and a big series with first place in the AL East on the line has brought out many national reporters, many of whom are checking out the Rays’ Cinderella season. The CBS Sports web site is represented, as is ESPN with the venerable Peter Gammons, who was roaming the Rays’ dressing quarters beforehand in advance of tonight’s nationally televised game. Yahoo! Sports checked in with a nice story by Gordon Eads on Rocco Baldelli.

Everyone was crowding for whatever space they could get.

“I’ve never seen this clubhouse as crowded as it was today,” Rays public relations man Chris Costello said.

There also was amped-up local coverage from the Boston media, including this interesting take from the Globe’s Nick Cafardo comparing the Rays to the 1967 miracle Red Sox.

In case you’re curious, baseball allows accredited writers into the clubhouse until one hour before game time. Players are generally relaxed and most will take the time to chat, with one exception. It’s against the code to speak with that day’s starting pitcher before the game. Just one of those baseball things.

If the Rays do make to the post-season, scenes like this will become commonplace. Get used to it.