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George M. Steinbrenner Field has an official capacity of 11,026, making it one of MLB's largest spring training facilities. It's a perfect facsimile of the old Yankee Stadium, built down to the foul poles to resemble the original House That Ruth Built.
Last year, the Tampa Rays drew an average of 16,515 fans per home game at the ridiculous and now decapitated Tropicana Field. The few who attended games rattled around a domed stadium that could handle up to 45,369, but usually left entire sections empty. Jeez. A paying fan could spread out, put his feet up, occupy a whole row.
This year, with the Trop out of commission - Hurricane Milton tore its roof to shreds last October - the Rays are playing before a packed stadium - Steinbrenner Field - drawing an average 9,832 per game. That's nearly a sellout.
The city has balked on building a new stadium, because nobody came to the old one. The franchise might be sold to a Jacksonville billionaire - (they're all billionaires, these days.) Nobody really knows the fate of the team.
But one thing seems clear.
They are gaining on us.
The Yankees have nearly squandered the seven-game lead they held on May 28. In the month of June, they are 9-10. They lead the AL in attendance - 1.6 million fans, thus far - but, damn, they cannot seem to shake Tampa. And soon, the Rays will start experiencing what few Tampa ballclubs have ever known: Sellouts.
We next play Tampa on July 28. They have a 21-year-old 3B, Junior Caminero, who has 18 HRs. The have a utility infielder who leads the AL in stolen bases. Their starting rotation is all in their mid-20s. In the month of June, they are 13-6.
The Yankees outspend them. The Yankees outdraw them. The Yankees out-hype them. But the Yankees cannot seem to shake them.
Sometimes, you have to simply sit back and reflect upon the crazy world that has somehow come to be. Donald Trump is president. We're in a war. And the next World Series could be played before a crowd of 11,000 in a stadium named for Old George.
It could happen.
Is that weird, or what?
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8 comments:
It just feels...bad.
The Rays are right behind the Astros in our Hall of Nemises (had to look up the plural). The Red Sox and now the Dodgers are up there, too.
Here's an idea. How about we sell Steinbrenner Field to them and they forego a new or repaired stadium? What the hell, nobody down there goes to see them, anyway. A capacity of 11,000 during a pennant race has got to get filled to overflowing. Note to Hal: scalp tickets. You'll clean up.
The Yanks can afford to build a new facility for themselves. The sale price of this place would go a long way to paying for that, I bet.
Sure, the Rays might want to alter the Yankee Stadium look-alike features. Or not, depending on how evil they are. Especially as they creep up and pass us in the standings. Talk about a burn.
Only four and a half hours to go until game time today. 5:30 pm for me, which is amazingly early. It's being broadcast on...Roku? Really? I'll just go with the IPTV MLB game "channel." What do we call those things nowadays? They're not channels. Or are they?
As for the Rays...good for the regular season, but they can't win a World Series...
I'm supposed to be going today. We'll see if it gets played; more rolling thunderstorms so far.
The early start, yes, is all for their latest brainiac broadcasting idea.
You can still grab several lobster tail pastries and a coffee martini.
Remember Hoss, eat two tails and you reset the swoon….GUARANTEED !
Remember:
“With great power comes great, uhm, er, uh…..you know—great irresponsibility”
Have fun out there today and think of us as you munch your way through as many tails as possible.
The tarp is off.
Can we go back to Nellie and Buck and the other guy? They're a little more interesting.
AA, game thread post?
Yarborough to the IL, oblique; could miss 6-8 weeks. Alan Winans recalled. He’s been excellent at the AAA level.
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