12/21/24
September 29, 2010
If you give it, will they come? Rays to hand out 20,000 free tickets: In response to the bad press created by Monday night's comments from David Price and Evan Longoria, the Tampa Bay Rays just announced that they'll be giving away 20,000 tickets — free, gratis, no charge — to Wednesday night's game against the Orioles at Tropicana Field.
It's all around embarrassing for Tampa. The fans in Tampa should be ashamed of the lack of support they have shown this team. I've defended Tampa as a baseball town before, but the lack of fan attendance has just gotten so bad, that I can't anymore.
posted by bperk at 11:15 AM on September 29, 2010
This giveaway sends a pretty bad message about fan support in Tampa. They have 20,000 seats to give away with less than a week left during a freakin' pennant race?
Technically, the pennant race isn't that big of a deal as they have secured a playoff spot as of last night.
This is the down side of the wild card set up.
Nevertheless, they drew less than 20,000 people on Monday night's game, when they had a chance to clinch a playoff spot. That is pathetic.
posted by grum@work at 12:01 PM on September 29, 2010
They still have the issue of home field and who they play in the first round.
posted by rcade at 12:17 PM on September 29, 2010
Who do I send my address to in Tampa to receive World Series freebies?
posted by cixelsyd at 12:27 PM on September 29, 2010
I think this is a more inflammatory statement then the remarks made by Evan Longoria and David Price about fan attendance. The fact that you have 20,000 tickets to give away free that doesn't impact your regular attendance is a sad commentary on Tampa Bay.
I think its time that MLB consider moving the team to a better market, one that will show appreciation for a hard working successful team.
posted by irunfromclones at 12:39 PM on September 29, 2010
Don't the people who supported the team and bought tickets to that game feel like chumps? Do they get refunds?
posted by tahoemoj at 12:52 PM on September 29, 2010
They still have the issue of home field and who they play in the first round.
Based on the way teams have played out the string in years past and the high degree of randomness of postseason play, it appears to me that most managers/teams do not take the home field and match-up considerations particularly seriously.
posted by holden at 01:02 PM on September 29, 2010
Hopefully this isn't one of those situations where the Rays get no support all year, start making a impressive playoff run, then we have to endure sites of stadiums full of rabid Rays fans with rally or monkeys are some similar, annoying novelty.
posted by dyams at 01:09 PM on September 29, 2010
The team is going to be gutted during the off-season, so this is the last chance fans will have to see this group of players.
posted by bperk at 01:12 PM on September 29, 2010
Don't the people who supported the team and bought tickets to that game feel like chumps? Do they get refunds?
I'm sure that all both of the Rays season ticket holders are really supportive of the giveaway.
posted by Howard_T at 01:14 PM on September 29, 2010
Hopefully this isn't one of those situations where the Rays get no support all year, start making a impressive playoff run, then we have to endure sites of stadiums full of rabid Rays fans with rally or monkeys are some similar, annoying novelty.
The Rays have a rally cat.
posted by NoMich at 02:04 PM on September 29, 2010
This is a pretty smart idea considering that the Rays will still make money from the people that receive free tickets due to the concession stands and team merchandise.
I still find it sad that they lack the fan support that a winning ball club should garner.
But hey, then again we are talking about Tampa, the home of retirees.
posted by BornIcon at 02:05 PM on September 29, 2010
The team is going to be gutted during the off-season, so this is the last chance fans will have to see this group of players.
Free Agents: Crawford, Pena, Soriano, Balfour, Kapler, Choate
Arbitration: Bartlett, Garza, Upton, Navarro, Howell, Cormier
Crawford is probably going to leave on a big deal with a big market team.
Pena is having a TERRIBLE year, so he won't be in too much demand.
Soriano and Balfour are interchangeable. If you can sign one, you don't need the other, so let Soriano go and keep Balfour as your new closer.
Bartlett came back to earth this year, so I can see where Brignac could slide into his spot if Bartlett asks for too much money in arbitration. In any case, Bartlett only made $4million, so his arb value won't be outrageous.
They'll pay whatever it takes to keep Garza, so he's not going anywhere.
Upton is a nice player to have, but I can't see arb being TOO expensive for a .757 OPS player with numerous attitude issues.
The rest of those free agents and arb players are not that important.
I think they'll be okay.
posted by grum@work at 02:22 PM on September 29, 2010
Especially if you look at the people they can bring up to replace some of the free agents. Don't they have a stud outfielder and starter waiting in the wings?
posted by yerfatma at 02:42 PM on September 29, 2010
Tampa's biggest off-season problems rest with the Yankees. They have been NY's chief rival in the American League for the past few years, expect the Yankees to stick to their practice of spending freely to weaken their competition and better their own chance of success.
posted by cixelsyd at 02:53 PM on September 29, 2010
I can't tell you how hard I just laughed at the two DJ Kitty videos linked to by NoMich above. Although it was fitting that the DJ Kitty looked as disinterested in the whole thing as the alleged fanbase.
Tampa's disinterest is pathetic. Other cities would love to not only have a team, but one that has done pretty darn well the last few years- the Tampa ownership has done well by its team and its city. This is after all a team that nearly made the World Series just a couple of years ago, and is in the playoffs as the likely AL East winner this year. If you have 20,000 tickets to give away at this point, that's embarrassing to the city more than anything- clearly, they just don't care about baseball.
posted by hincandenza at 03:54 PM on September 29, 2010
Tampa's disinterest is pathetic
That's a little unfair. They've been around for 12 years and hadn't had a winning season until 2 years ago. Moreover, there are plenty of transplants in Florida who are fans of other teams. You can't expect 3 years of winning to create an insanely loyal fanbase.
Not that they should need to give away 20,000 ducats, just saying be realistic.
posted by yerfatma at 04:36 PM on September 29, 2010
Tampa's biggest off-season problems rest with the Yankees.....expect the Yankees to stick to their practice of spending freely to weaken their competition and better their own chance of success.
The playoffs haven't even started yet and people are already blaming the Yankees for Tampa's woes. Give me a break. There are other teams more than willing to spend big on players, from the Red Sox to the Mets, the Dodgers, Angels, Phillies, etc. Are fans staying away from Tampa games because the Yankees spend too much? It's sad the Rays are in a situation like they currently are, but they have a chance to win a World Series, and they've been one of the best teams in baseball recently. They've had, and continue to have, a good run.
posted by dyams at 04:37 PM on September 29, 2010
The rest of those free agents and arb players are not that important.
I think they'll be okay.
They want to cut their payroll at least $20 million - to $50 million or below, according to the principal owner. Can they hold on to Garza for that amount?
posted by bperk at 05:39 PM on September 29, 2010
Don't they have a stud outfielder and starter waiting in the wings?
Jeremy Hellickson is sick.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 06:13 PM on September 29, 2010
Who do I send my address to in Tampa to receive World Series freebies?
I wouldn't sent your address to Tampa.
posted by sgtcookzane at 06:48 PM on September 29, 2010
Yeah, it's pretty pathetic. I mean, one can almost apologize for 2008 since it was a bit of a surprise, but this team was predicted to be good and has been great since May. If you're not going to support a winner, you're not a MLB town.
There are such things as ebb and flow, but this seems pretty transparent to me. They aren't that into it. Too bad. The Rays aren't just winners, they're a fantastically exciting team who plays a throwback brand of ball. It's fun to watch as a baseball fan, let alone a Rays fan.
That last Yankees series was to die for. Fucking great.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:30 PM on September 29, 2010
Jeremy Hellickson is sick
Expect another Maddon move to bring the guy into a key spot in the playoffs ... good talent, not seen by the opponents hitters - worked once, why not again.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:00 PM on September 29, 2010
Word is they had a capacity crowd tonight. At least, if i buy whoever I saw that from on twitter.
posted by boredom_08 at 11:39 PM on September 29, 2010
Attendance 36,973 (102.6% full) - % is based on regular season capacity
(From ESPN's game box score, MLB had same attendance figure)
posted by tommybiden at 12:02 AM on September 30, 2010
Oh, and just to spite their fans, they managed to get beat 2-0. By the Orioles. The one team in the AL East without a winning record.
posted by boredom_08 at 01:51 PM on September 30, 2010
This giveaway sends a pretty bad message about fan support in Tampa. They have 20,000 seats to give away with less than a week left during a freakin' pennant race?