Yesterday was throwback day for Tampa Bay sports fans. I put on my orange Bucs shirt to listen to Gene Deckeroff call the Steelers’ rout of the home team, just like when I was a kid. The blackout got me thinking about the most-discussed Rays topic: attendance.
The Bucs seem like a natural comparator for the Rays. Longtime losers, turn the franchise around, and suddenly start selling tickets. But, listening to Deckeroff yesterday reminded me of three key differences between the franchises:
- The Bucs had been around a lot longer before they turned into a perennial contender;
- The Bucs turnaround was more gradual; and
- The Bucs turnaround didn’t come amidst the total collapse of the local economy.
I have made the third point several times so I will spare you a repeat. But the other two points are vital to an understanding of the fans dressed as blue seats. It is not fair to rely upon the community’s quick adoption of the Bucs in 1996 as proof that this is a football town and not a baseball town. The Bucs had played 20 mostly-forgettable seasons by 1996. There was a generation of fans that, like me, had grown up rooting for the Bucs and some other team just waiting for the Bucs to make it right. When they did, the secondary allegiances died a fast death. The Rays haven’t been around long enough for a generation of fans to have known only Rays baseball. But that time is near.
The first point — the speed of the turnaround — is the main difference. The Bucs went for a doormat, to a .500 team, to a wild card team, to a division champ, to a playoff disappointment. To a franchise that made repeat playoff disappointments right. The Rays? They went from the worst franchise ever, to AL pennant winners, to a disappointment in just three years.
Think about that. The Bucs gradual turnaround didn’t skew Buc fans’ expectations. Every year seemed better than the last because the team advanced a little further. The Rays on the other hand, turned it all the way around in 2008. The fans came streaming in the turnstiles in 2009 expecting the team to finish the journey. When they didn’t, the fans became disenchanted because they had already forgotten 2007. In 2008, Rays fans would have been incredibly happy about a third place finish in the East. But, because 2008 was what 2008 was, the 2009 finish, incredibly, seemed like a disappointment.
So what does that have to do with three games against Seattle in September 2010? Everything. The Rays torched the league throughout the first month of the season. Right then, they killed their ability to sell tickets for this final week of home games. Why? Because this isn’t 2008 and the fans aren’t just excited about the possibility of going to the playoffs. Somewhere along the lines, Rays fans started expecting this team to go to the playoffs. Combine that with a dimunition in disposable income and what do you have? A reluctance to spend money being saved for playoff tickets on late season games against non-AL East opponents.
Good post Mark. I hate to beat a dead horse, but the stadium location has to figure into the differences as well. The whole St. Pete vs Tampa debate wasn’t an issue when the bucs weren’t filling out the Sombrero in the 80′s I imagine…
BTW, I was at the Colorado / San Fran game Saturday night. Perfect weather in downtown Denver with a 6:05 start for a must win game for the Rockies. It wasn’t sold out, but prob had 30M plus. My ticket cost: $1. My beer cost $12 (2) and I was able to ride my bicycle to the game. I don’t know how it all figures in but, interesting nonetheless.
Colorado is one of the great parks in the league. They thought of everything and made it so accessible to the community. If we ever do build a new park around here, we’d be wise to follow their lead.
To David Price, u the man bruh, but thread lightly.
Last player scolded the fan base on attendance faded away exit stage left.
He like u showed great promise only to fall flat on his sword.
The Tampa attendance is finicky, to use a polite word, I agree. But perhaps taken consideration for the average household income, the no doubt increased playoff ticket price and the fact that despite the great ball b more is playing, this series should be in the bag. Then maybe, jus maybe Fans believe it or not made an economically induced executive decision to skip this series in order to afford playoff tickets. I don’t know. I wish it was better. I know Tampa, maybe not Tampa bay loves the Rays. There’s obviously more to it than just fans don’t appreciate a team. Show some respect and study all the factors before you go down MEDIA road. Lord knows jungliest don’t. I’m saying jus think mr millionaire athlete who in the end earns his living based on the demand of what his talent supplies. I’m jus saying bruh, think before you speak is all.
Yours truly, S. Kazmir
I think young Mr. Price is learning a valuable lesson in the power of the media at this moment. Maybe it isn’t fair to hold him to a higher standard than other ballplayers but, in all honesty, I expected better from a guy that went to Vanderbilt.
After reading your post I wonder if we are doomed to be the Marlins…Win now, blow it up, win later, blow it up, etc…
Of all the bad things, this is the one I don’t worry about. I should post about this but the amount of turnover after this season should be minimal.
Great insight. I really enjoy reading your articles. As a fan since Day 1 nothing hurts more than to see the empty stands. If I could I would be there but I am currently serving in the Army in SWA, now that would be a long flight! What makes it worse, no chance of seeing the Rays on AFN, why because all they show is the D**N Yankees. I get up every morning and check ESPN.com to see if they won. This morning getting up to see they had clinched a playoff berth was so sweet, now I on the win the AL East. I am sure the ALCS will come down to us and the D**N Yankees. GO RAYS!!!
Great to meet other longtime [Devil] Ray fans. Thanks for checking out the site and, more importantly, thanks for your service. Hopefully AFN will carry our playoff games. If they do, send me some pictures of you and your buddies cheering on the Rays in SWA and I will post them here or on the Facebook page!