OAKLAND, California - In the middle of the visiting clubhouse at Oakland Coliseum grew the puddle of beer, a foot or so in diameter and a couple inches deep. The smoke had cleared on the Tampa Bay Rays' American League wild-card game victory over the Oakland A's but not on their celebration, which was perfumed with cigar clouds. Every team in their position - low payroll, awful stadium, apathetic fan base, minimal recognition, entire Pringles can on their shoulder - appreciates a moment like the one in which the Rays reveled. Not every team includes a player who will rain dance in a beer puddle.
How the Rays, the team with the smallest payroll in baseball, aren't just surviving but thriving
