Rays/MLB 2019-20

[RSchmitz]

I’ll stop. But to summarize.

The Rays ownership past and present has been a shit show. (I think we agree)
The Rays have been incredibly successful on the playing field (The facts bear this out)
The recent trades including trading a former Cy Young winner to save money is not a way to build a fan base. (I think we agree again)
The team has not been supported by the local fans (attendance bears this out)
The ownerships missteps contributed to this lack of support (to what extent is debatable)
The economic system in baseball with its lack of a salary cap puts all small market teams at an economic disadvantage (see the results throughout the league)
The Tampa area consists of a large percentage of transplants who retain their allegiance to their former “home town” teams (Do you really dispute this?)
The large number of transplants prevent all Tampa sports teams from receiving the undying loyalty that exists in other similarly sized communities for their teams.
Where we disagree is that I recognize the fact that ownership has been able to be successful as a small market team despite the inherent economic disadvantages of being located in a small market. You want them to spend more.

So you've chosen to die on this hill Donnie

Last year, the Rays made 68 million profit, good for 8th in all of baseball and almost in the top 5. Their payroll last year was 28 million dollars. Let's compare that to some other teams. The Mets made 7 million with a 132 million dollar payroll, the Yankees made 35 million with a 160 million dollar payroll, the Paderes made 52 million with a 150 million dollar payroll, the Angels made 61 million with a 152 million dollar payroll.

The Rays could have kept Snell and Morton and out profited the Yankees last year. Tell me more about how it's the economic disadvantages of being a small market team which is forcing us to jettison core players after heading to the WS.

[RSchmitz]

They had competing arenas. Davidson owned the Palace of Auburn Hills. Ilitch operated the Joe Louis Arena. They were in direct competition for events. By having Tampa and the Palace, Davidson was able to negotiate concerts in both venues giving him an advantage over the Joe. I think they also fought over Davidson's desire to have one arena with both tenants, but I don't know that for sure.

I always felt the acquisition of the arena in Tampa was Davidsons motive in purchasing the Lightning. I used to say Davidson wanted to buy the Ice Palace, the hockey team just came with it. I never felt he had any interest in the team, but was grateful that he made the team a winner despite having no financial motive for doing so. I was corrected by both people who said that he didn't spend money on the Lightning out of the goodness of his heart. He hated Ilitch and wanted to beat him at his own sport. The reason he was willing to lose money on the Lightning was his deep hatred for Ilitch. When I asked then why he was selling, the comment was "He accomplished what he set out to do."

I have no first hand knowledge, so dismiss it if you like. But I trust my friend. He was the one who told me that Leiweike was leaving the lightning to become NFL president 3 weeks before the announcement. He knew because Leiweike called him looking for housing in New York. That turned out to be accurate.

I see, that makes sense if they negotiate that way, although it seems like very expensive leverage if they aren't sold on everything about the purchase. Davidson definitely made bank by having events at the Palace, I'm sure that was the primary motivation to buying the team.

[RSchmitz]

To all the people in discord last night talking about the Cubs-Pit play

[Hoek]

That was a really funny breakdown of it

[RSchmitz]

Jomboy is hilarious

[RSchmitz]

Red Sox outfield Verdugo has a baseball thrown at him from the stands and it hits him. Apparently the fan is banned from all MLB parks for life, disgusting behavior by Yankees fan.

I really hope this goes much further, that is assault, imagine being an MLB player and exposing your back to hooligans.

[Derek28]

A Rays game earlier this season was interrupted in New York because some dumbass fans were throwing dozens of baseballs on the field while the Rays were on defense.

[RSchmitz]

A Rays game earlier this season was interrupted in New York because some dumbass fans were throwing dozens of baseballs on the field while the Rays were on defense.

Looks like it’s getting worse

[ChaseSpace]

Take a page out of soccer's book and if it happens again make them play a home series behind closed doors while also making them pay for the concession and security staff so those employees aren't punished for fans being trash.

[RSchmitz]

Cleveland Indians are now the Cleveland Guardians

[Hoek]

I like it, given this tidbit

[RSchmitz]

Making the best of the situation for sure

[Puckhead]

So the Rays come back from a 7-1 deficit and win it 11-10 in ten innings..Sox with FOUR horrible errors, including Cruz’ “little league” inside the parker. Talk about resilience and a hate to lose attitude..Gawd almighty. Chowdaheads gotta be weeping in their Sam Adams, big time.

[RSchmitz]

Didn't think the Rays could do it again this year, but they are.

[Puckhead]

Not having Glasgow hurts, but , better than last year, they are top 5 in runs scored and HR’s. Their BA with two strikes is also tops. Finally, they have wins from behind after the 7th.
Cruz is hitting and running like a 25 yr old. Add in Diaz and Lowe’s bombs…the lineup is not afraid and is formidable. Didn’t mention Franco’s 5 tools and Arrozy’s overall game. Bullpen still leads AL in ERA I believe. Tough to get to the WS again, but I dunno, some other team from TB managed to get to the pinnacle last year ..