Our Team Has Lost Its Purpose

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 1:14 PM EST Comment 99 comments

This is just too much:

For a team that is trying to build a fan base there not doing a very good job of it. I understand ticket prices but why Raymond? My got my fieance to become a baseball fan last year and she loves Raymonds personality but now it will change. Stupid moves they are making.

Posted by: Scott

Note to the Rays: this winning pennant crap that you pulled last year does not make up for this lack of justice. If you really want fans to come to the ballpark, make the mascots better! This is just disgraceful. DISGRACEFUL I SAY. /mascot fanatic

---

On a related note, I really need a non-mascot roster move to happen.

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Comments

I hear some of the minor league teams in the area have great mascots.

by rglass44 on Nov 18, 2008 1:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Stop auditioning for a job.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can we get

The Montgomery Biscuit to come to the games? That’s the best mascot in sports.

by Erik Hahmann on Nov 18, 2008 1:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

"the best mascot in sports"

That’s an oxymoron. All mascots are terrible.

by rglass44 on Nov 18, 2008 1:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but raymond.

by walkoffwalk on Nov 18, 2008 6:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Too bad their mascot is not a giant biscuit walking around

but a “Biscuit Eater” which looks like an anteater costume where they decided to go “Oh hell! A biscuit costume is too much lets just turn an anteater into a biscuit eater.”

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans
09: This one is for all the rings.

by SRQman on Nov 18, 2008 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

was the last team in montgomery the anteaters?

by walkoffwalk on Nov 18, 2008 6:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh no....

what is his "fieance" going to do now. Personally, I couldn’t care less about the game. I go for the bottle races.

by Tommy Rancel on Nov 18, 2008 1:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My going to get you for making fun of my speeling!!!111eleven

by rglass44 on Nov 18, 2008 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Laugh all you want

But for some people, including my wife (who went to more games than most of you guys last year), the entertainment factor at the ballpark is a big draw.

by GomesSweetGomes on Nov 18, 2008 1:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's be glad not everyone likes baseball games for the same reason your wife does.

Otherwise we’d be screwed.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 1:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Be as smug as you want

But the fact is, many women and children will be turned off by this decision. It’s really easy for someone like yourself who doesn’t actually attend games (i.e. you have the entire web at your disposal during commercial breaks) to dismiss the non-baseball entertainment value at the park.

by GomesSweetGomes on Nov 18, 2008 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll inject Jonny Gomes' Sweat into their Bloodstream

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Nov 18, 2008 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My cousin was killed by a mascot you insensitive bastard.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

People realize that the Rays didn't fire Raymond....

just the girl in the costume. There will be a different person in the costume next year. Nobody will remember this by opening day.

by Tommy Rancel on Nov 18, 2008 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I will use my ALCS shirt to wipe away my little cousin's tears.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also serious question: you can tell the difference in mascots?

They aren’t replacing Raymond, they’re replacing the person inside the outfit. There’s almost no way of knowing.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 1:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Again, I cite your lack of attendance at games.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5SDzk0LqjI

It wasn’t just the girls job to walk around in a suit. She also scripted most of the things her character did, as well as many other marketing projects.

by GomesSweetGomes on Nov 18, 2008 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And again,

They can get somebody to do the same thing, but maybe even better.

by Tommy Rancel on Nov 18, 2008 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You can cite my lack of attendance all day long.

I went to a handful of games this year. I’m a broke college student almost two hours away who can’t find a job and has to put his money towards things other than baseball games. The mascot is like the least of my concerns when I do go.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

And the Rays need to market themselves to people other than broke college students who can’t afford to go to games.

by GomesSweetGomes on Nov 18, 2008 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Rays need to market themselves to people who enjoy good baseball.

If your wife stops going because of this, then holy shit she’s not a real fan anyways.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What's a 'real fan'?

And are they going to be the lifeblood of this organization? It wasn’t the ‘real fans’ who showed up in October and bought all those shirts. From my perspective, it isn’t the ‘real fans’ that are just now getting season packages. According to your standards, there are about 7 women in Pinellas county who would qualify as ‘real fans’.

The team needs fans period.

by GomesSweetGomes on Nov 18, 2008 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A real fan of baseball.

Not every kid needs entertainment outside of the game. Not every woman needs a glorified furry. Why is this hard to comprehend

The Rays now win baseball games. If people need a freaking mascot to come to games, then they may as well move this team tomorrow. This area doesn’t deserve the team if that’s the case. .

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Get off my lawn!!!

You’re awfully crotchety for a college student.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 18, 2008 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm crotchety because I'm a college student and it's near finals.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 18, 2008 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Remind me never to employ you

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 18, 2008 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

My wife may not be a ‘real fan’, but her willingness to go to baseball games will most certainly effect my ability and desire to attend.

by GomesSweetGomes on Nov 18, 2008 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You can't go unless she goes?

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

81 times a year?

I take it you don’t have a girlfriend.

by GomesSweetGomes on Nov 18, 2008 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He doesn't stop at one.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Nov 18, 2008 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't go 81 times a year.

Comparing my situation to yours is dumb. You’re obviously in an advanced part of your life.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And thinking that the only way this team can be healthy is by attracting 36,000 people like yourself

Is also dumb

by GomesSweetGomes on Nov 18, 2008 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 18, 2008 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Um, I didn't say we needed 36,000 of me.

I know there aren’t, I encounter morons all the time. Point is, not everyone goes for mascots, and if they do, they’ll get over it.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope so

If not, there is always Stubhub for my Saturday/Sunday games.

by GomesSweetGomes on Nov 18, 2008 2:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

both sides of this are correct

mascots are dumb, but people for some godly reason like having them around like kids and women.

My guess is that GomesSweetGomes puts more money in the pocketbooks of the Rays FO because of his wife (and kids?)

agree to disagree and move on…

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Nov 18, 2008 2:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 18, 2008 2:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The only people who knew her name before this article were either her family members or mentally ill people who stalk mascots.

She will be replaced and no one will know the difference. There will be no normal people who will refuse to go to the game because the lady inside the freak suit got replaced.

by floridaroar on Nov 18, 2008 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bingo!

by Tommy Rancel on Nov 18, 2008 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can we stop bickering

over a mascot? In 2 months no one is going to even remember she got fired. Life will go on. Leave it at that.

by Erik Hahmann on Nov 18, 2008 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Was she really that much better than other mascots?

I don’t think a 5 year-old kid will have any clue. What if she was stealing or doing something else as bad?

To dump on the FO for firing the mascot may be the single lamest thing I’ve ever heard.

by rglass44 on Nov 18, 2008 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe we're going to call up a super mascot prospect

by Tommy Rancel on Nov 18, 2008 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We fired the PA guy last year, people were so heartbroken.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My fieance was all broken up about it.

by floridaroar on Nov 18, 2008 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If

You really like a guy that works at your local 711 and one day Hakim isn’t there to make you your coffee anymore you’re not going to be up in arms. Calm down.

by Erik Hahmann on Nov 18, 2008 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You don't even go to 7-11.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a true fan

There’s one across the street.

by Erik Hahmann on Nov 18, 2008 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

bottle races are down right redic

such a rip from the Crew’s sausage races.

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Nov 18, 2008 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Presidents Race FTW!!!!!!!!!!!

by rglass44 on Nov 18, 2008 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

could be wrong here, and I guess I really dont care either way

but I think the Sausages were the first of their kind??

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Nov 18, 2008 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think they were too, but poor ole teddy just can't win one.

by rglass44 on Nov 18, 2008 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y-yFoD03Ls

by floridaroar on Nov 18, 2008 1:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Link Fail.

by floridaroar on Nov 18, 2008 1:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Son of a bitch.

Peanut Butter Jelly Time

by floridaroar on Nov 18, 2008 1:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ummm

Where’d my comment go

by Erik Hahmann on Nov 18, 2008 1:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Raymond ate it

by Tommy Rancel on Nov 18, 2008 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I just want to know if she's hot.

Eduardo Morlan = God.

by Devilray187 on Nov 18, 2008 1:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Umm

If she is the one wearing the costume that hides her face, probably not.

by Erik Hahmann on Nov 18, 2008 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But.

Ugly girls usually don’t have those kind of dance moves, though.

Eduardo Morlan = God.

by Devilray187 on Nov 18, 2008 1:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

They do. They go to clubs and dance with their friends. Except they dance alone.

by Erik Hahmann on Nov 18, 2008 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't act like you wouldn't rather bang her while she wore the Raymond costume.

by floridaroar on Nov 18, 2008 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's the job of the Orioles Mascot

by Erik Hahmann on Nov 18, 2008 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 18, 2008 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

please inform us of the story behind this.

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Nov 18, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

She is not.

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans
09: This one is for all the rings.

by SRQman on Nov 18, 2008 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

NOT HOT, ON TBT TODAY

BOHICA

by Mr. Tonight TB on Nov 19, 2008 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Annoyed

I thought she was a very good Raymond, and this seems like an odd time to can her.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 18, 2008 1:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I guess that's why the BBWWAA Sucks so much, ROFL XD.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Nov 18, 2008 2:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

...What?

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i feel bad for the person that is now out of a job.

by walkoffwalk on Nov 18, 2008 2:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Someone gave Jason Bartlett a 5th place vote for MVP.

by walkoffwalk on Nov 18, 2008 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

whoops didnt mean to reply their.

by walkoffwalk on Nov 18, 2008 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As much as the individual writers are morons

They seem to have, as a group, done a good job with the (non gold glove) award winners

by GomesSweetGomes on Nov 18, 2008 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Except for the Volquez for ROY

by rglass44 on Nov 18, 2008 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I said the winners

And yes, individual writers are dumb

by GomesSweetGomes on Nov 18, 2008 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

(And I compounded the problem)

by GomesSweetGomes on Nov 18, 2008 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed.

by walkoffwalk on Nov 18, 2008 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

Got fired yesterday, can definitely sympathize.

Finding a job is no easy task. Blech.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 18, 2008 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There's a job opening with the Rays organization.

Can you make your ass shimmy?

by floridaroar on Nov 18, 2008 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Oriole Bird is unamused.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 18, 2008 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, not trying to make light of your situation.

Seriously, best of luck finding a job. Times are tough.

by floridaroar on Nov 18, 2008 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't take it as such.

Thanks. :-)

Might have to take some time off due to school + health stuff though.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 18, 2008 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh god

My got my fieance to become a baseball fan last year and she loves Raymonds personality but now it will change.

LMFAO. I can haz speeeling skilzz.

I really don’t know what to think of this. Raymond was a great mascot; can she be replaced by someone of equal/greater quality? Yes, she’s a draw of fans, especially the kid ones.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 18, 2008 2:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs