"We don't win last year without him playing shortstop, period," manager Joe Maddon said. "It's pretty simple -- it just doesn't happen."

Rather than focus on any statistical measures, the Rays say Bartlett is the type of player who has to be seen on an everyday basis to be appreciated.

"You can't always go to a number," first baseman Carlos Pena said. "I go on plays made. And he changes the game. Instead of a base hit, it's an out. Instead of a double, it's a single.

"Things like that are huge for the success of the team, and with his defense, he contributes in such a substantial way. So he's crucial to our success."

Or as infield coach Tom Foley said: "It's not just his defense. He had some big clutch hits, some key stolen bases, he runs the bases great. You've got to see a player like that. He's not going to put up the big home run or RBI numbers, he's not going to be in the paper all the time going 4-for-5 or with a hitting streak. But the feeling from the coaching staff and the rest of the players is that when he's out there, we're a damn good team."

The Rays were certainly a better team when he was, posting with a 78-47 record when Bartlett started and 19-18 when he didn't.

"Calming," Foley said of Bartlett's effect on the team. "You basically know when the ball's hit, it's an out."