After defying expectations with an American League-best 98 regular-season wins, sweeping the New York Yankees and besting Cleveland, the Tampa Bay Rays endured an all-too familiar World Series finish.
The Milwaukee Brewers polished off a four-games-to-one victory over the Rays in Major League Baseball's championship showcase on Wednesday, leaving manager Kevin Cash "crushed" but grateful for the latest ride.
"It's a special group," he said of the Rays. "They're banged up and hurting right now, but just grateful for the way they carried themselves all season long, winning a bunch of games. It's as close knit of a group as I've ever been around."
After dropping the first three games to the Brewers the Rays rallied in extra innings in game four to stay alive.
With the season still on the line on Wednesday pitching ace Drew Rasmussen took the ball on just three days' rest.
"We knew it was a big ask," Cash said. "But appreciate Drew Rasmussen so much for taking the ball, wanting the ball and going out and doing what he did."
Rasmussen allowed just one run over four innings, but the worn-out relief corps couldn't keep the Brewers in check.
In addition, the Rays scored just 12 runs over the five games, going eight-for-39 at the plate with runners in scoring position.
"Milwaukee Brewers pitching, it's as simple as that," Cash said of what caused the Rays' struggles at the plate.
Some Rays players stayed in the dugout to watch as the Brewers celebrated the first World Series title in franchise history.
"If it's something that you log in the back of your mind that, you know, you want to experience that, we want to experience that real soon here in the coming seasons," Cash said. "If it's better for that person or that individual that chose to sit and watch it, I can appreciate that."
The Rays remain without a World Series title, having also come up short in 2008 and 2020. But even in the midst of the disappointment Cash said he was excited by the idea of what a returning core of Rays players could do next season.
"Speaking of the guys who contributed to this postseason run, it's very easy to be excited, remain excited about the quality of players and people that we have coming," he said.