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In 2008 (Madden's third year, Longoria's first) the Rays suddenly got good, and they've stayed competitive and good in a very tough division. They made the postseason 4 out of 6 years. However, they made it to the World Series that first year, and sometimes I think that set a highly visible association that is belied by their record since then. Since 2008 they have not made it back to the World Series. They have not even made it back to the LCS, and they lost all their three League Division series. Don't get me wrong. I admire the heck out of Madden and that franchise. But if we're using them as a template, one could argue that the template leaves us competitive but a perennial second fiddle to the Big Boys.