So who really cares about the second half?

by stpetelawyer on Jul 12, 2007 6:48 AM EDT Comment 8 comments

I'm curious how many fans out there are going to spend their dollars to see another last place team. Personally, I love baseball and will always go to the Trop. You have to wonder what the interest level will be though. Will you still watch every single game? Do the standings affect your interest in the team? True "fans" will stay interested I'm guessing, but I can't fault anyone for dropping off. Baseball, after all, is a competition. If you can't compete, you have to question the purpose.

It's sad, because I know so many people that would give a crap and show up to games if they were in the division race. I've heard, "Oh, I'll show up when they give me a reason to." I realize that these are "fair weather" fans, but teams need those fans too. Those fans are actually earned, not just assumed like yours truly. Anywho, as an escape from the Hellish day at work that awaits me, I figured I get everyone's opinion.

0 recs | Comment 8 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Re: So who really cares about the second half?

I personally do care about the 2nd half. It's going to tell us a lot about if this team has any heart left. It's going to tell us if the front office has a serious plan to fill seats at the Trop. It will show us if all these prospects have a Major League future. It will show us if Kaz has really faded. It will show us if Harris & Pena are for real. It will show us what we need to do in the off-season. It will show us if Joe Maddon can really manage. Maybe most importantly, it will show Tampa Bay what to look forward to in 2008 (that's what we do in Tampa).

I personally think the Rays have the potential to get everyone healthy and make a run at respect-ibility in the next 80 games. I'll be the first to call Maddon 'manager of the year' if the Rays can get near .500 (or not finish last in the East).

ccfan

by ccfan on Jul 12, 2007 10:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: So who really cares about the second half?

I care about the 2nd half but unfortunately, I won't be able to pay too much attention to it, much like the first half. Between working 2 jobs and getting ready going back to school soon, I've had to settle for box scores, and watching the "Baby Rays"

I agree with ccfan, the 2nd half will give us a chance to see what we have to look foward to, and what we already have and can work with.

If you want results, press the red button. The rest are useless.

by Katie on Jul 12, 2007 5:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: So who really cares about the second half?

As each year progresses on, and each year my teams (the Pirates are my other team) fade, my interest level fades a bit too. It's frustrating to get beaten down day after day.

However....to the question of "do I care about the 2nd half", the answer is certainly, yes. Heck, I sure didn't expect this team to compete in April, I don't expect them to compete in July, and I don't expect them to compete in Sept. It's frustrating, but it's been nearly 15 years since I followed a winning team.

Is it football season yet?

by TallMatt on Jul 13, 2007 11:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: So who really cares about the second half?

My sentiments exactly. All the losing wears after a while as it piles up week after week, year after year. Ten years now of last place baseball, empty hype and empty promises.

At least if you are a Pirates or Royals fan or any other team that hasn't sniffed contention in over a decade, you can still reminisce over the "glory years".

I haven't checked in a while, but the Rays have to be at or very near the bottom in winning percentage for an expansion franchise, pretty bad considering Seattle and San Diego were considered putrid.

If there is any team comparison out there it would have to be Seattle. They finished 6th or 7th in their division on a consistent basis; didn't even come close to .500 until their 11th season; didn't finish above .500 until their 15th season; didn't make the playoffs until their 19th season.

They also played in the dreary King Dome and couldn't shake the losing label until they stole some lanky 25-year-old pitcher from the Expos and some guys named "A-Rod" and "Junior" came along. They also developed Edgar Martinez, Tino Martinez and acquired a very Jonny Gomes-like Jay Buhner.

I'm sure all the losing is much more frustrating for the players, which is why I try to blow off the negative comments from those currently on the team. It's the shots after they leave that are annoying.

by RATW on Jul 13, 2007 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Is it football season yet?

Buccanners succckkk

The Kid is ALL WRIGHT! Let's GO METS!

by WRIGHT5 on Jul 13, 2007 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

RE: So-called fair weather fans

If Devil Rays fans are lackadiscal and apathetic about their team CAN YOU BLAME 'em?! Honestly. The games don't count. The second half will most likely be a countdown towards oblivion. Tampa Bay sports fans are probably looking forward to the Buccaneers' first preseason game. Have the Devil Rays ever given their fans a reason to be optimistic they'll be better in the future? Even a modest goal of winning 81 games (finishing at .500 for your first non-losing season) seems unattainable. And you say Devil Rays Fans are fair weather fans. Granted, everybody loves a winner B-B-B-BUT fans will only tolerate a loser for so long.

The Kid is ALL WRIGHT! Let's GO METS!

by WRIGHT5 on Jul 13, 2007 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: RE: So-called fair weather fans

I'm guessing you weren't a Mets fan back in the 60's, were you?

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 17, 2007 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: So who really cares about the second half?

Reading these posts made me realize I have not watched a rays game in about a month. I have been busy but I used to make time for it, now it never even crosses my mind.

My softball team has a softball team has only has lost every game but 2 over the last 2 seasons and it wears on me. I can only imagine how CC ( I only say CC because how many other Rays on this team have been here for four years of losing? Baldelli does not count).

by Elgrandeplatano on Jul 16, 2007 7:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs