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Tampa Bay Rays 2011 thread (1 Viewer)

I can't believe this team is a game under .500 after starting 1-8 and losing Evan and Manny.

Yay for pitching.

 
So where do we stand YTD compared to last year....stat wise?

Just looking at BA...it doesn't seem much different. Just the RISP average.

Pitching as a whole can't be worse...including the pen.

You're right Cap...without Longo and Manny...not many would have guessed the above....but last year's start was deceiving with the crazy RISP average we started with.

 
Went to a couple games and here is my report back...mind you that I have to endure Florida Marlins games if i want to see baseball. Marlins have been good but the experience at JRS for MLB is downright pathetic.

1. Getting in and out of the stadium was almost no issue. I do wish when they construct these places that they think about where home plate is in regards to where people park their cars. Lots and lots and lots of people that park out away from the outfield. So you have to walk all the way around the stadium if you have good seats near home plate. It's a minor inconvenience and certainly did not take away from the overall experience.

2. Got to play trivia against my son for real Topps baseball cards. He won a Josh Hamilton and a few other pretty decent players. This was free, all you had to was stand up there and play the game. No line, no one was doing it, free baseball cards for whoever did it, not sure why people were not playing this game but whatever their loss. Took pictures competing with my son...yes I let him win, what else was I gonna do?

3. Seats were great. 2nd row, top deck, middle of the 1st base line. Kid could see the pitcher, the catcher, the majority of the action, fantastic. The ballpark itself is splendid and i don't know why people including players think thye need another park. To be able to sit inside when it is 90+ degrees out and 90% humidity and sit in 72 degree air conditioning...oh boy just drive down here to Miami and sit outside for a while. I think they have done a great job with the park, love the jumbotron, the pepsi bottle out in center or right center, the corridor of vendors on the lower levels, all was good. I do think $7 for a hot dog is steep but $3 beer night on a Friday night game is sure something for the fans. I didn't drink but if I didn't have kids around I would have taken advantage of it. Was able to carry in a huge bag of peanuts, chips, water bottles, again I like the stadium overall.

4. Everyday fan in the 310 section of the upperdeck, 1st row, right on the 1st bag base...has a sign for every player, every situation and he turns around and shows them to the fans behind him. I'm sure some get tired of him but I found him to be quite the leader for the upper deck fans. he is probably in his mid 60s, retired, gigantic beer belly on him so you can't miss him. Just was good to see a real die hard fan.

5. Rays baseball is a good product. Solid pitching, timely hitting, games are done in about 2.5 hours or close to it. The workers in the stadium could not have been nicer. I was thanked for coming out multiple times. I felt like if there was any problem at all that I could find help immediately.

One last thing. They have a Rays "Hitters Hall of Fame" and it includes some special players like Pete Rose who may never get to the real HoF but he has a case and a set up inside the "Hitters HoF". I was able to walk thru it with my son and go over all kinds of players from my day like Dale Murphy, Will Clark, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench...I think I enjoyed talking about these players and what they did for baseball as much or more as my son listening to me and learning about players he may have never seen before. Well worth the time to stop in and wlak around all the cases with gloves, bats, and sometimes shoes of the player enshrined.

Big thumbs up, Tampa Bay should come out in droves to support the team. The franchise has changed the name form Devil Rays to Rays to appease the Christians, they have moved the start time for most home games up to 6:40 so everyone can get tucked into bed and the city can turn the lights off by 10:00 everynight, they have pennants across the top of the stadium with Division titles in 2008, 2010, and an AL Pennant in 2008...not sure what more the Rays front office can do when they compete in the same division with a team like the yankees that spends 3-4 times what they do in payroll.

Definitely will be back.

 
Good post MOP...appreciate the honesty.

The biggest issue with the stadium though is the location. Too far away from the large majority of the people who would pay to see a game. Those facts are really clear.

They do a great job though with the situation they were dealt...the inside is in good shape, plenty of activities for kids, easy to see, etc. It's certainly much better than older domes like the Metrodome.

 
How bad is the Rays money issues? They need a middle of the order bat in the worst way. Is it possible for them to sign a player for 17-20 mil per?

With Ryan Braun signing with the Brewers for big $$$, there is basically no shot that Prince Fielder re-signs. If the Brewers are out of it (or even if they aren't), they might look to trade him. Rays would be a perfect fit (could trade pitching).

 
Balco - they could certainly take on Fielder this year, and that would make a lot of sense. I could see that happening, but they're not going to give him $20M a year. There's just no way, they don't do business like that.

Dan Johnson really blows though.

MOP - nice post, glad you had a good time.

 
Went to a couple games and here is my report back...mind you that I have to endure Florida Marlins games if i want to see baseball. Marlins have been good but the experience at JRS for MLB is downright pathetic. 1. Getting in and out of the stadium was almost no issue. I do wish when they construct these places that they think about where home plate is in regards to where people park their cars. Lots and lots and lots of people that park out away from the outfield. So you have to walk all the way around the stadium if you have good seats near home plate. It's a minor inconvenience and certainly did not take away from the overall experience. 2. Got to play trivia against my son for real Topps baseball cards. He won a Josh Hamilton and a few other pretty decent players. This was free, all you had to was stand up there and play the game. No line, no one was doing it, free baseball cards for whoever did it, not sure why people were not playing this game but whatever their loss. Took pictures competing with my son...yes I let him win, what else was I gonna do?3. Seats were great. 2nd row, top deck, middle of the 1st base line. Kid could see the pitcher, the catcher, the majority of the action, fantastic. The ballpark itself is splendid and i don't know why people including players think thye need another park. To be able to sit inside when it is 90+ degrees out and 90% humidity and sit in 72 degree air conditioning...oh boy just drive down here to Miami and sit outside for a while. I think they have done a great job with the park, love the jumbotron, the pepsi bottle out in center or right center, the corridor of vendors on the lower levels, all was good. I do think $7 for a hot dog is steep but $3 beer night on a Friday night game is sure something for the fans. I didn't drink but if I didn't have kids around I would have taken advantage of it. Was able to carry in a huge bag of peanuts, chips, water bottles, again I like the stadium overall. 4. Everyday fan in the 310 section of the upperdeck, 1st row, right on the 1st bag base...has a sign for every player, every situation and he turns around and shows them to the fans behind him. I'm sure some get tired of him but I found him to be quite the leader for the upper deck fans. he is probably in his mid 60s, retired, gigantic beer belly on him so you can't miss him. Just was good to see a real die hard fan. 5. Rays baseball is a good product. Solid pitching, timely hitting, games are done in about 2.5 hours or close to it. The workers in the stadium could not have been nicer. I was thanked for coming out multiple times. I felt like if there was any problem at all that I could find help immediately. One last thing. They have a Rays "Hitters Hall of Fame" and it includes some special players like Pete Rose who may never get to the real HoF but he has a case and a set up inside the "Hitters HoF". I was able to walk thru it with my son and go over all kinds of players from my day like Dale Murphy, Will Clark, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench...I think I enjoyed talking about these players and what they did for baseball as much or more as my son listening to me and learning about players he may have never seen before. Well worth the time to stop in and wlak around all the cases with gloves, bats, and sometimes shoes of the player enshrined. Big thumbs up, Tampa Bay should come out in droves to support the team. The franchise has changed the name form Devil Rays to Rays to appease the Christians, they have moved the start time for most home games up to 6:40 so everyone can get tucked into bed and the city can turn the lights off by 10:00 everynight, they have pennants across the top of the stadium with Division titles in 2008, 2010, and an AL Pennant in 2008...not sure what more the Rays front office can do when they compete in the same division with a team like the yankees that spends 3-4 times what they do in payroll. Definitely will be back.
Great timing MOP! Just yesterday I bought 4 tickets in section 300 for a game in June and was a little worried that the upper deck seats were going to be too far for the kids. Sounds like they'll be perfect. Thanks for the detailed post.
 
Back to back complete games for James Shields.

If they can get Niemann back to how he looked pre-injury, look out.

 
Back to back complete games for James Shields.If they can get Niemann back to how he looked pre-injury, look out.
:goodposting: Every time I go to a game and he's starting, it seems like he is rattled early and it's downhill from there. Hope he can turn it around.
 
Ron Shandler has always been a big fan of Matt Joyce. Wonder if this is the year he busts out. Looks like he is playing regularly now. Could hit 30 homers in a full time role.

 
This Price-Shields-Davis-Hellickson staff is really good and potentially dominant. If they can get Niemann going it's going to be something to see.

 
This Price-Shields-Davis-Hellickson staff is really good and potentially dominant. If they can get Niemann going it's going to be something to see.
Driving in my car yesterday listening to the MLB network on XM, it was a minor league show, and they were saying Tampa Bay also has a couple good starting prospects at AAA. Never heard of them. They just churn out quality pitching.
 
This Price-Shields-Davis-Hellickson staff is really good and potentially dominant. If they can get Niemann going it's going to be something to see.
Driving in my car yesterday listening to the MLB network on XM, it was a minor league show, and they were saying Tampa Bay also has a couple good starting prospects at AAA. Never heard of them. They just churn out quality pitching.
Alex Torres and Alex Cobb. Torres has #2 starter upside, Cobb 3/4. Matt Moore is down in AA and he has staff ace/potential Cy Young stuff. He's freaking nassssssty.
 
'Bogart said:
Whoa.. Ravitz accusing Berry of serious Jason Collette man-love today on the ESPN podcast. :lmao:
He'll always be Moonlight J to me.
Such a waste to post over at that hell hole for so long.
Don't forget he owns that "hell hole" now.
It's a different hole. Unless you think Moonlight was part of the problem..
Jason is far from what the problem was over there.
 
Casey Kotchman apparently the everyday first-baseman now. I'm an optimist, but that can't last.
They should call the Rangers about Chris Davis. Might hit .250, but he is a plus defender, and will hit 25-30 homers. Would be a great fit on the Rays.
 
Casey Kotchman apparently the everyday first-baseman now. I'm an optimist, but that can't last.
They should call the Rangers about Chris Davis. Might hit .250, but he is a plus defender, and will hit 25-30 homers. Would be a great fit on the Rays.
Hasn't he struggled greatly in the majors?
I think the pressure after his ridiculous 1st year got to him. He struggled last year, and with the glut of players at 1B/DH (Napoli, Michael Young, Mitch Moreland), he has had trouble getting time. He strikes out alot, but he still has great upside. Great power. I think a change of scenery would do him good.
 
'Premier said:
Jesus, Felipe Lopez is horrible. He cant be waived fast enough.
Why were they hitting him fourth at one point? I don't get it.
Our boy Joe does some odd things sometimes.
Just move him out of the lineup and he'll turn into such an intolerable ##### that you'll trip over yourself to waive him. see Lopez, Felipe with Cardinals, St. Louis circa 2010.
 
'Premier said:
Jesus, Felipe Lopez is horrible. He cant be waived fast enough.
Why were they hitting him fourth at one point? I don't get it.
Our boy Joe does some odd things sometimes.
Just move him out of the lineup and he'll turn into such an intolerable ##### that you'll trip over yourself to waive him. see Lopez, Felipe with Cardinals, St. Louis circa 2010.
I'm quite sure he will be gone Tuesday when Longo gets recalled.
 
Alex Cobb looked really good today, until he ran into trouble in the fifth. Should be another quality SP to have around.

 
'Premier said:
Alex Cobb looked really good today, until he ran into trouble in the fifth. Should be another quality SP to have around.
Meh.Low 90's fastball, decent change-up. He threw one too many to Conger. He doesn't have great enough stuff to lose command like that.The Rays have a plethora of plus arms in the minors in addition to their current starting five. I'd have to think TB just wants to showcase Cobb a bit to see if they can fit him in a deal.
 
'Premier said:
Alex Cobb looked really good today, until he ran into trouble in the fifth. Should be another quality SP to have around.
Meh.Low 90's fastball, decent change-up. He threw one too many to Conger. He doesn't have great enough stuff to lose command like that.The Rays have a plethora of plus arms in the minors in addition to their current starting five. I'd have to think TB just wants to showcase Cobb a bit to see if they can fit him in a deal.
You just described Hellickson and Shields as well, although Cobb probably doesn't have a plus-plus pitch like Shields' change. Still that little splitter thing he has looks nasty and he got a few swinging strikes. Pretty decent debut. He'll be in a big league rotation soon. He's crushing the minors, too.
 
Jesus, Felipe Lopez is horrible. He cant be waived fast enough.
Why were they hitting him fourth at one point? I don't get it.
Our boy Joe does some odd things sometimes.
Brought to you by One A Day Men's 50+ Vitamins."That's a hit!"
My favorite part of that commercial is how intently he's watching the batting practice, pointing out the hit and clapping. So dumb.
 
Went to a couple games and here is my report back...mind you that I have to endure Florida Marlins games if i want to see baseball. Marlins have been good but the experience at JRS for MLB is downright pathetic. 1. Getting in and out of the stadium was almost no issue. I do wish when they construct these places that they think about where home plate is in regards to where people park their cars. Lots and lots and lots of people that park out away from the outfield. So you have to walk all the way around the stadium if you have good seats near home plate. It's a minor inconvenience and certainly did not take away from the overall experience. 2. Got to play trivia against my son for real Topps baseball cards. He won a Josh Hamilton and a few other pretty decent players. This was free, all you had to was stand up there and play the game. No line, no one was doing it, free baseball cards for whoever did it, not sure why people were not playing this game but whatever their loss. Took pictures competing with my son...yes I let him win, what else was I gonna do?3. Seats were great. 2nd row, top deck, middle of the 1st base line. Kid could see the pitcher, the catcher, the majority of the action, fantastic. The ballpark itself is splendid and i don't know why people including players think thye need another park. To be able to sit inside when it is 90+ degrees out and 90% humidity and sit in 72 degree air conditioning...oh boy just drive down here to Miami and sit outside for a while. I think they have done a great job with the park, love the jumbotron, the pepsi bottle out in center or right center, the corridor of vendors on the lower levels, all was good. I do think $7 for a hot dog is steep but $3 beer night on a Friday night game is sure something for the fans. I didn't drink but if I didn't have kids around I would have taken advantage of it. Was able to carry in a huge bag of peanuts, chips, water bottles, again I like the stadium overall. 4. Everyday fan in the 310 section of the upperdeck, 1st row, right on the 1st bag base...has a sign for every player, every situation and he turns around and shows them to the fans behind him. I'm sure some get tired of him but I found him to be quite the leader for the upper deck fans. he is probably in his mid 60s, retired, gigantic beer belly on him so you can't miss him. Just was good to see a real die hard fan. 5. Rays baseball is a good product. Solid pitching, timely hitting, games are done in about 2.5 hours or close to it. The workers in the stadium could not have been nicer. I was thanked for coming out multiple times. I felt like if there was any problem at all that I could find help immediately. One last thing. They have a Rays "Hitters Hall of Fame" and it includes some special players like Pete Rose who may never get to the real HoF but he has a case and a set up inside the "Hitters HoF". I was able to walk thru it with my son and go over all kinds of players from my day like Dale Murphy, Will Clark, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench...I think I enjoyed talking about these players and what they did for baseball as much or more as my son listening to me and learning about players he may have never seen before. Well worth the time to stop in and wlak around all the cases with gloves, bats, and sometimes shoes of the player enshrined. Big thumbs up, Tampa Bay should come out in droves to support the team. The franchise has changed the name form Devil Rays to Rays to appease the Christians, they have moved the start time for most home games up to 6:40 so everyone can get tucked into bed and the city can turn the lights off by 10:00 everynight, they have pennants across the top of the stadium with Division titles in 2008, 2010, and an AL Pennant in 2008...not sure what more the Rays front office can do when they compete in the same division with a team like the yankees that spends 3-4 times what they do in payroll. Definitely will be back.
The family drives down to St Pete Beach for spring break every year and we always go to a couple Rays games. The product is worth much more than the attendance. It's a shame. I purchase front row outfield seats on stubhub and never pay over $20.00 per seat. My son has gotten autographs from Crawford, Longoria, Price, Zobrist, and this year Johnny Damon. There's no way we can get that close to players and that many autographs back home in Michigan at Comerica.The Trop isn't a bad place to watch a game. Access in/out is ridiculously easy. Our parking is free because we have more than 4 people total in the car so they give you some kind of carpool deal. But it's in St Petersburg, along with a bunch of retirees. It needs to be in Tampa, not St Pete if they ever hope to have better attendance.This year we took in a TB Lightning game while there. The place was filled out and loud. Actually some decent hockey fans there and they have a great product on the ice too. It's smack dab in downtown TB and I believe there's talk of a new Ray's stadium across the street from The St. Pete Times Forum. That's where they need to build. The Trop is in middle of nowhere and I'm guessing people from TB don't get as motivated to drive 1/2 hour out of the city to go to a Rays game.
 

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