Tom Jones doles out gifts to the Tampa Bay sports sceneTom Jones, Times Sports Columnist December 24, 2015 11:39am
Jeff VinikGood morning. Happy holidays. Merry Christmas. • As you open your presents this morning, and drink your eggnog and watch A Christmas Story over and over, think about how lucky little Ralphie was to get that official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle! • Now let's think about our sports stars and personalities and what we can get them this Christmas Day.Steven StamkosNice luggage for that move to Toronto. Kidding! I think. Maybe not. … Long underwear? Flip flops? A touque? Golf clubs? Ear muffs? Sun screen? Rays season tickets? Blue Jays? … Okay, I have no idea what to get Stamkos because he, his agent or Steve Yzerman won't tell us.Evan LongoriaA time machine to take him back to find his bat from 2009.Lovie SmithA secondary that doesn't include retreads from his Chicago Bears days. In other words, a real secondary.Jason LichtHis turn on the clock and the highest-rated player on his draft board being a pass rusher.Willie TaggartA thank-you note (with an apology) from all the Bulls fans who wanted him fired after USF's 1-3 start. Sorry, USF fans, you have a good football coach. Like it or not.Chris ArcherOne extra run a game.Ben BishopOne extra goal a game.Jameis WinstonTo follow up his sensational rookie season with a quiet and boring offseason. Here, Jameis, play Xbox for the next, oh, six months.Matt SilvermanAn owner who gives him a couple of extra bucks to play with.Stuart SternbergA couple of extra bucks.Jon CooperHealth to his kids. And when we say "kids,'' we mean the Triplets.Florida coach Jim McElwainSomething nice from the Quarterback Store.FSU coach Jimbo FisherHe'll have what Jim McElwain is having.Victor HedmanA new mantle to someday display the Norris Trophy.Mark RichtA supportive fan base … for the first time in his career.Gerald McCoyA thick skin to ignore all the nincompoops in town who still think this guy isn't an elite player.Kevin CashA sudden case of dyslexia so he can backward read all the front-office charts on when to pull starting pitchers.Doug MartinA pen, a truckload of dough and a permanent locker at One Buc Place.Dick VitaleAnother 10 years sitting courtside calling games on ESPN. And the energy to keep up his fight against pediatric cancer. And, you know, you could help him by donating at DickVitaleOnline.com.Kwon AlexanderStay away from the energy drinks by getting all hopped on this case of Mountain Dew.Jose FernandezBeing in a different NCAA regional from UConn. In other words, a Final Four appearance.Jeff VinikWhat do you get for a guy who has everything?Orlando AntiguaWhat do you get for a guy who needs everything?Joe MaddonSorry, Rays fans, but this really is a Good Joe who deserves to win a World Series with the Cubs. Hey, they're gonna win one someday. Wouldn't you like to see one of our guys do it?Tampa Bay sports fansA new Rays stadium. … Another Lightning Cup run. … A new Rays stadium. … A Bucs playoff spot. … A new Rays stadium. ... Sorry, but they really want a new Rays stadium. St. Pete. Tampa. We don't care where. As long as it's not in Montreal. Please. Pretty please. We promise we won't put our eye out!
