Musing on the game

by bobr on May 15, 2008 11:09 PM EDT Comment 8 comments

The best part of being at tonight's game, aside from seeing a win, was that there was a sea of Rays' jerseys and shirts and very few from the Yankees or any other team. Whenever a faint cheer for NY went up they were inundated in the Rays flood of cheers. I thought there were more than 20,000 tonight, but the official number is just under. It sure got loud for Percival.

Otherwise, it is good to see the Rays win when they do not really show much. Kazmir struggled all night, in a few cases walking men after going 0-2, getting only 3 Ks (and 3 BBs) and having some hard hit balls go at fielders. The defense was ok, although Upton looked shaky on a couple of line drives hit right at him, Crawford seemed a bit sluggish in left, and for the second time that I was at a game Iwamura seemed confused on a grounder with a runner stopping between 1st and 2nd and threw to first instead of second. Although Longoria did not hit, his fielding was impeccable. In fact, on the first batter of the game, he made a nice diving stop and throw to get the out.

No way to know for sure, but a couple of ground balls seemed playable but weren't touched. In fact, Glover got into trouble on two grounders that eluded infielders to start the inning. It looked like last year for a moment. And aside from two sac flies, very nice to get them, batters 2-6 were 0 fer with 6 Ks and 5 men left on base. The entire offense was from Iwamura and Riggans with an assist from Hinske and the 2 sac flies, one of which led to one of the worst throws (from Damon) I have ever seen in a major league game.

Anyway, great win on a getaway day and great atmosphere. Afterwards we went for dinner and saw some Rays fans who shared our enthusiasm. Very nice.

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"It sure got loud for Percival."

I know I’ve stayed away from the whole “chemistry” aspect, but I do ponder on a dominant closer’s effect on a fanbase. We all know that saves don’t mean nearly as much as the mainstream media and casual fan thinks they do and since there’s obviously going to be more of those types at a game having a closer like Percival seems valuable to give the crowd some juice. Perhaps more importantly is the presentation of the closer, if Percy comes out like a regular reliever I don’t think it gets the crowd going as much, but since the Rays seem dedicated to treating Percival like a mini-celebrity within the game, I wonder how much psychologically that plays to the fans?

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on May 15, 2008 11:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good points

I am suspicious of the use of chemistry to explain anything. It is far too facile and when considered historically it is contradictory as you see it being applied from team to team. Usually it replaces thoughtful explanations.

But that does not mean it does not exist and does not influence how players perform and certainly how the crowd perceives a team’s performance. I don’t think the players are dissimulating when they talk of getting revved up by the recent crowds or developing a winning attitude. I think it is real even if not quite quantifiable, but only meaningful in the light of quantifiable factors. In other words, you can have Percival and Floyd on the 2005 team and it means winning the same 67 games (ok, maybe 69 or so). But replace them this year with less veteran leaders who perform well, and the winning spirit is almost certainly engendered anyway.

by bobr on May 15, 2008 11:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, winning means happy which means

In three years when we think of Floyd or Percival we’ll think happy things. If Travis Lee were around and bought a ping pong table for this team I’m pretty sure we’d remember it in a lighter tone. Same with Tomas and the pies, how many people will say how great it is that Gomes dumps water on his teammates now that said Tomas’ pies were stupid then?

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on May 15, 2008 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The official count was 19,976, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was somewhat more. I was guessing in the low-20s. I got off I-275 at 3pm. I didn’t get parked until 3:40, and didn’t get a ticket until 4:08pm. I made it in just in time to see the first pitches to the Skanks on the TV screens in the Rays store. I was at my seat in time for Aki’s homer, though.

by Orlando Rays on May 16, 2008 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I sure thought so.

I was guessing around 22,000. It seemed to me the seats kept getting filled as the game moved on, perhaps with people leaving work.
Good way to get seated. I thought that presaged a big inning, knocking Kennedy out early and sitting on a comfortable lead. I am still waiting for that game.
Years ago someone commented about the 1930s Yankees of DiMaggio that NY would score 7 runs in the first inning and then slowly pull away. I keep hoping to see a Rays game where TB does that.
I like pitchers duels and well played close games, but would not mind a break now and then.

by bobr on May 16, 2008 12:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I went on Wednesday night

And it sure looked like the attendance was higher than 20,000+. I was betting on 22-25 thousand at least. It looked a lot more filled-in, and the crowd was very into it.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on May 16, 2008 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have there been any freebie ticket promotions? If people were redeeming vouchers or freebie tickets or what not, I don’t believe they count in the announced attendance. That might explain the discrepancy.

Longlorious.

by RATW on May 16, 2008 4:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs