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Tampa Bay makes a statement

Three BaggerThree Bagger1,000+ posts
This is one talented ballclub with Longoria as their rock. Boston may have the fight of their life just to make the playoffs this year. Six stolen bases against the Yankees. They remind me of those Angel teams that ran all over the place constantly putting pressure on the defense. Also Upton and Pena haven't even gotten hot yet. Crawford, Zobrist, Longoria and that starting pitching with Price looking like the stud we thought he'd be--they are going to be there until the end. Of course its a marathon and not a sprint but the American League East should have some great games the rest of the year.
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C ctandc500+ posts
While I definitely agree that the Rays are rolling right now. However to count ANY team out of the post-season, much less Boston, with 120 games yet to be played...that's just silly.

Yankees have a ton of tired, hurt players already.

Boston is over .500 (barely) without two of it's starting 9...(Elsbury and Cameron).

Ortiz is just starting to hit...it's going to be a long interesting season.
TurnTwoNetTurnTwoNet100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by smalltownmom:
It's great to be a Ray fan right now. We have had partial season tickets the past three years (21 games),and been following them since the beginning. I had that feeling around July 4th in 2008 we would be in the playoffs. This year is even more compelling. They are such fun to watch. Go Rays!




I also have a partial plan, but a bit different since I'm in VA...if I can get to a game near wherever I happen to be, I go...

Over the years, starting with their first regular season game, I've caught the Rays in Tampa several times as well as on the road against the Os, Nats, Marlins, Indians, Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox and Phillies.

It is WAY early, but they're doing quite well and I hope they continue through the season...I sure hope that I can catch some of their games this year too!

Go Rays!
floridafanfloridafan5,000+ posts
The fan base has to begin to grow sometime. It would be unlikely to see a fan base grow with year after year of losing seasons. It is pretty much par for the course that you need the local team to be competitive or better yet win, in order to grow your fan base.

It is a great testament to the team’s success that folks are now calling themselves Ray fans.

I, of course am an original Ray's fan being from the Tampa Bay area when the team was formed. I even cheer for them over my beloved hometown Yankees, I grew up on Staten Island. Although it is tough to do that...
Last edited by floridafan
WklinkWklink500+ posts
I hate to say it but Tampa also has problem of having a large portion of their population being originally from areas other than mid to southern Florida.

All the retirees that come into the area have loyalties to other teams and clubs and that makes it harder for them to warm to the Rays. My dad lives in Punta Gorda, about two hours south of Tampa and is a life long Cubs fan. The team will have to do consistantly well to get these fans to change allegance.

That may be finally happening.
bballmanbballman10,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Wklink:
I hate to say it but Tampa also has problem of having a large portion of their population being originally from areas other than mid to southern Florida.

All the retirees that come into the area have loyalties to other teams and clubs and that makes it harder for them to warm to the Rays. My dad lives in Punta Gorda, about two hours south of Tampa and is a life long Cubs fan. The team will have to do consistantly well to get these fans to change allegance.

That may be finally happening.


Wklink, my dad lives right down there as well. Right between Port Charolette and Punta Gorda in Arcadia. I agree with you that many people are from elsewhere. My dad does follow the Rays though because he has met Longoria and several others playing golf at his club. They are a talented group.
Three BaggerThree Bagger1,000+ posts
Tampa Bay may not falter as they are young with a lot of flexibility in Zobrist and strong young starting pitching. Yet they also had a taste of the pressure baseball two years ago and so are not totally without experience. Health issues could get Boston and cause problems for NY later in the year as NY is relying on a several guys that are starting to get long in the tooth. But I still feel the wild card will come out of this division as well.

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