IMHO, Baseball is a sport best watched in person, not on TV.
When I was a Kid growing up in Detroit, I spent a lot of time at the old Tiger Stadium, watching the Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers always had awesome deals on seats in the Centerfield Bleachers. LOL, they had a name for us Fans who sat in these seats. We were called “Bleacher Creatures”!
Of course, once the game started, we simply moved to better seats! Back then, no one checked your tickets, like they do now.
Was at my first Rays game on Friday’s season opener. Traveled from out of town to see it. Had a blast. That Randy Arozarena is quite the athlete. My favorite player is Ji Man Choi. The crowd loved him. Chants of “Ji Man Choi” filled the stadium. I’m glad I went!
The Rays are a tough team to crack. Year after year, known players develop and leave and yet, year after year, the Rays remain relevant.
I have a hard time getting into baseball at first. I’ll catch a game or two and get more excited going into the playoffs.
I don’t think the stadium is as bad as it’s made publicly. It’s quirky, but it’s also air-conditioned! Ever been to a MLB day game in an open-air stadium in summer?
cut the season in half. Do We really need to play 164 games to find out the top 4 teams in each league? You could technically loose every game in June and still make the playoffs – TECHNICALLY. There is something wrong with that.
I’m pretty much done with the Rays. Sternberg insults the fans’ intelligence when he attempted to promote a two-city solution. There is no plan in place for a new stadium and there is no question the team is going to move. It’s only a matter of time the Rays are gone which at this point is less than 5 years. I will not devote any extra energy to following or supporting that team. I’ll always have a rooting interest. If I’m at a bar and the Rays are playing anyone I’ll want the Rays to win but as far as following the team in any capacity I’m done.
Even though I still watch and support always, the biggest reason no one wants to commit to the team long term (no matter how good we are and have been lately), is because we don’t know if the Owners even want to be here….w/ that whole Montreal Ex-Rays shenanigan.
And there’s no excuse now because we have had a very consistent and good team w/ a great Manager, Coaches, Players and Farm System
We know the Glazers and Viniks of the world are committed to keeping the Bucs and Lightning here long-term. Just my opinion and what I gather from talking Rays w/ people. They really did offend some people and made people question the long-term future w/ the whole Montreal thing and all the excuses under the sun to not find a new ballpark in the Tampa Bay Area.
All that being said I have many great memories at the Trop including Game 162. I never had an issue with the Trop as a stadium but the location was always problematic for the team.
Watched all three games and really enjoyed it! They have a great roster. Should be another great year. Definitely helps me deal with the withdrawal I go through during the football off-season. Football will always be my number one love but the 5 month season is way to short. Once we are done with the NFL draft the Rays will help me get to September. Go Bucs! Go Rays!
I agree with what DRome said…except perhaps for the location part.
It’s right off a freaking Interstate with easy access and egress from the parking.
It’s a 30 minute drive from downtown Tampa! I get that the poor folks who blew their money on the cluster f north of Tampa have a struggle…but put it on Dale Mabry and help them and you’ve just hosed all the fans south of the bridge.
It’s NOT the location and as DRome points out it’s NOT the stadium. When it’s empty it’s a big dungeon. No alternative like enjoying the sights and fresh air of Tampa Bay…too hot here…but when the Trop is full it freaking ROCKS!!!
The Trop full has a huge advantage sound wise! It’s comfortable. I’ve seen games from seats all over the field and one game from a private suite.
But I grew up going to Crosley Field and Riverfront Stadium. Crosley field had ambience…Riverfront and it’s replacement…seen two games..The Great American Park are sterile.
Since ownership came in from day one TRASHING the stadium in their GREED for us to buy THEM a new stadium!
If you look up “Carpetbagger”…Northerners who moved to the South after the war, supposedly in an effort to get rich or acquire political power.”
They illustrate this definition with the quintessential Carpetbagger. A picture of Stu Sternberg! OK the last sentence is a snarky wish not reality.
Absolutely. I don’t understand how real sports fans don’t support the teams in their hometown. Makes no sense to me. Congrats to the RAYS on an opening weekend sweep!
April 11th, 2022 at 9:55 am
Pretty sad results, so far.
April 11th, 2022 at 9:59 am
Wander Franco is worth the price of admission alone….these are The Wander Years
I watch everything Rays/Bucs/Lightning that I possibly can (Football and our Bucs first and foremost though)
April 11th, 2022 at 10:21 am
IMHO, Baseball is a sport best watched in person, not on TV.
When I was a Kid growing up in Detroit, I spent a lot of time at the old Tiger Stadium, watching the Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers always had awesome deals on seats in the Centerfield Bleachers. LOL, they had a name for us Fans who sat in these seats. We were called “Bleacher Creatures”!
Of course, once the game started, we simply moved to better seats! Back then, no one checked your tickets, like they do now.
April 11th, 2022 at 10:30 am
Ill probably go to some games this year
April 11th, 2022 at 10:49 am
Yeah, I like the rays, might go to a game or two and will watch them if they are on or in the postseason, but Bucs and Bolts are my favorites.
April 11th, 2022 at 10:50 am
Does not help that IDK if the team will be here in 5 to 10 years….
April 11th, 2022 at 11:04 am
Baseball is the best thing for insomnia. Boy does it suck especially on TV.
April 11th, 2022 at 11:18 am
Love the team the Rays have put together. Lot’s of great players. I still enjoy watching the games.
April 11th, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Was at my first Rays game on Friday’s season opener. Traveled from out of town to see it. Had a blast. That Randy Arozarena is quite the athlete. My favorite player is Ji Man Choi. The crowd loved him. Chants of “Ji Man Choi” filled the stadium. I’m glad I went!
April 11th, 2022 at 12:00 pm
I wanna be sedated.
April 11th, 2022 at 12:02 pm
I did watch all of the Marlin highlights of their first series against the giants. 1-2 Let’s Go! Marlins!
Oh yeah, sorry the Rays, um well, No.
Go Bucs!
April 11th, 2022 at 12:08 pm
I gave up on the Rays when their pr dept made the ridiculous BT statement.
April 11th, 2022 at 12:13 pm
The Rays are a tough team to crack. Year after year, known players develop and leave and yet, year after year, the Rays remain relevant.
I have a hard time getting into baseball at first. I’ll catch a game or two and get more excited going into the playoffs.
I don’t think the stadium is as bad as it’s made publicly. It’s quirky, but it’s also air-conditioned! Ever been to a MLB day game in an open-air stadium in summer?
April 11th, 2022 at 12:18 pm
cut the season in half. Do We really need to play 164 games to find out the top 4 teams in each league? You could technically loose every game in June and still make the playoffs – TECHNICALLY. There is something wrong with that.
April 11th, 2022 at 12:21 pm
I’m pretty much done with the Rays. Sternberg insults the fans’ intelligence when he attempted to promote a two-city solution. There is no plan in place for a new stadium and there is no question the team is going to move. It’s only a matter of time the Rays are gone which at this point is less than 5 years. I will not devote any extra energy to following or supporting that team. I’ll always have a rooting interest. If I’m at a bar and the Rays are playing anyone I’ll want the Rays to win but as far as following the team in any capacity I’m done.
April 11th, 2022 at 12:25 pm
Even though I still watch and support always, the biggest reason no one wants to commit to the team long term (no matter how good we are and have been lately), is because we don’t know if the Owners even want to be here….w/ that whole Montreal Ex-Rays shenanigan.
And there’s no excuse now because we have had a very consistent and good team w/ a great Manager, Coaches, Players and Farm System
We know the Glazers and Viniks of the world are committed to keeping the Bucs and Lightning here long-term. Just my opinion and what I gather from talking Rays w/ people. They really did offend some people and made people question the long-term future w/ the whole Montreal thing and all the excuses under the sun to not find a new ballpark in the Tampa Bay Area.
April 11th, 2022 at 12:25 pm
All that being said I have many great memories at the Trop including Game 162. I never had an issue with the Trop as a stadium but the location was always problematic for the team.
April 11th, 2022 at 12:31 pm
Watched all three games and really enjoyed it! They have a great roster. Should be another great year. Definitely helps me deal with the withdrawal I go through during the football off-season. Football will always be my number one love but the 5 month season is way to short. Once we are done with the NFL draft the Rays will help me get to September. Go Bucs! Go Rays!
April 11th, 2022 at 3:40 pm
Who are the Rays?
April 11th, 2022 at 4:32 pm
All 3.
April 11th, 2022 at 5:18 pm
I agree with what DRome said…except perhaps for the location part.
It’s right off a freaking Interstate with easy access and egress from the parking.
It’s a 30 minute drive from downtown Tampa! I get that the poor folks who blew their money on the cluster f north of Tampa have a struggle…but put it on Dale Mabry and help them and you’ve just hosed all the fans south of the bridge.
It’s NOT the location and as DRome points out it’s NOT the stadium. When it’s empty it’s a big dungeon. No alternative like enjoying the sights and fresh air of Tampa Bay…too hot here…but when the Trop is full it freaking ROCKS!!!
The Trop full has a huge advantage sound wise! It’s comfortable. I’ve seen games from seats all over the field and one game from a private suite.
But I grew up going to Crosley Field and Riverfront Stadium. Crosley field had ambience…Riverfront and it’s replacement…seen two games..The Great American Park are sterile.
Since ownership came in from day one TRASHING the stadium in their GREED for us to buy THEM a new stadium!
If you look up “Carpetbagger”…Northerners who moved to the South after the war, supposedly in an effort to get rich or acquire political power.”
They illustrate this definition with the quintessential Carpetbagger. A picture of Stu Sternberg! OK the last sentence is a snarky wish not reality.
April 11th, 2022 at 6:34 pm
Love baseball, but that Montreal thing was a step too far for me. New ownership or I’m out.
April 11th, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Hey San Francisco, play your home games in Oakland. Is what you are saying to TAMPA baseball fan with the current stadium location.
April 11th, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Absolutely. I don’t understand how real sports fans don’t support the teams in their hometown. Makes no sense to me. Congrats to the RAYS on an opening weekend sweep!
And let’s go Bolts!!