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Roger Mooney

Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.

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Upton talks about playing last game with Rays

Posted Oct 3, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Oct 3, 2012 at 06:40 PM

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG B.J. Upton said today was the first time he thought about his career as a Tampa Bay Ray coming to an end.

A free agent after the season, which ends tonight, Upton is expected to sign for big bucks with a team that can pay.

Here are some of his thoughts:

On if he thought much about this day during the season:
“No. My main thing’s been winning, man. That’s all we’ve been worrying about. I haven’t had the time to really think about it, so this is probably the first day I actually really, really thought about it.”

On the possibility of leaving the organization, that drafted him second overall in the 2002 draft:
“It’s all I’ve known. I’ve been here almost 10 years. I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m really getting myself into. I guess we’ll see what happens. I’m sure I’ll have to make some adjustments.”

On the possibility of resigning with the Rays:
“I don’t know, man. It’s not up to me. I guess we’ll see what teams are out there, who’s interested. If it is the Rays, great. But if they don’t give me that opportunity, obviously I have to make the decision on what’s best for me.”

On how he wants to be remembered by fans:
“That’s a tough question. I’ve had so many ups and downs here, obviously people are going to have their own opinions. The guys that I played with over the years they know what I’m about. Maybe you should asked some of them and see what they say.”

On the yearly roster turnover on the Rays roster:
“That’s how they’ve done it over the years. I don’t know if that’s how they have to do it. This team can be good for a long time. I really could. Unfortunately things are done a little different over here. We don’t know who’s going to go where. I guess we’ll see.”