Went to 2 games there around 20 years ago while on vacation in Bradenton. Didnt feel like a baseball stadium. Weird vibe. The surrounding area wasn't very nice. Not sure if its still like that. We got 2nd row seats for $50.
Sadly, The Rays have more than ballpark issues. Yes, they play in a toilet with the lid down. Yes, it’s in a poor location.. it should be in Tampa (but let’s face it.. St. Pete built it.. Tampa did not… Tampa dropped the ball on that one).. but the biggest problem the Rays have… Tampa has been home to the Yankees spring training home… the area and tampa itself are Yankee fans. That is the biggest reason why even when being a winning team.. they don’t draw. (well, until the Yanks come to town). The A’s want to blame their stadium on their problems… but the real problem is the team on the field sucks. When they were a winner, their stadium was full (see early 90’s) but since then.. They’ve not really tried. The Rays sucked in the early years.. expansion teams will do that.. but they are now perennially at or near the top of their division every year.. but still don’t draw.. why? Shitty stadium in a poor location (but still not that bad) in the middle of a hotbed of fans of their biggest rival. The Rays will never draw in the Tampa/St. Pete area. Hell, the Buffalo AAA team probably outdraws them most years. The Rays need to move… The A’s need to spend more than the QB for the Chiefs makes in a year and actually field a quality team.. Oakland isn’t helping them because the city and state knows.. the team is not going to win ANYWHERE unless they change their ways.. a new stadium won’t change that. The Rays.. it might.. but the biggest problem is.. the Yanks are a bigger draw in their City than the Rays will ever be.
While nothing you said was false or irrelevant, you failed to mention some of the most important factors. First, in calculating the demographic demand they treated seniors just like anyone else. Seniors don't attend sports events. They may follow a team on TV but they won't go in person. When you're 70 you will understand why. Second, Manfred is demanding a minimum of 300 million kicked in by the city towards a stadium, and Sternberg is demanding at least 500 million. Tampa can't raise more than 100 million. Evidently Orlando has the money Sternberg is demanding. Third, the politicians in Nashville are pledged to no further spending public money on sports stadiums. In fact, no city except Orlando is willing to build a stadium for Sternberg.
Think the whole Wander Franco debacle means the Rays likely won't have another contract more than 5 years 40 million for a decade or more regardless of who it is
What really sucks for Tampa is even when they are contenders they don’t draw well. Up until the Guardians blew everything up this year, I think average attendance this year was as closer to 23,000 with a lot of games drawing a lot more than I have seen in their crappy years
. To be fair the team is very good and has had some good teams. The sole issue is the location in Tampa Bay, it just does not draw the walk up ticket sales which is why weekday games are so poor. They would be better off in Orlando downtown someplace.
Biggest failed? I’d say one of the AL’s most consistent teams who has made multiple trips to the World Series isn’t the biggest failure. Not when there was an expansion team that damn near went bankrupt in Year 1 and moved to another city for year 2. I always enjoy your content, but they’re far from the biggest failed expansion project.
The Tampa Bay Lightning played their first season at the Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds, just east of downtown Tampa. Then they played the next two seasons at the Trop, yhen called the Thunderdome.
Well despite the 2 World Series wins I still think the Ray's franchise is way better than the Marlins! Marlins ownership overall is a complete joke compared to Ray's ownership.
The Rays are doomed to never build a fan base because of it being the retirement capital of the world. There will always be more Yankees, Red Sox, and Orioles fans in the St. Petersburg area.
One of my favorite times of year is the start of the Indycar season, and that's on the streets of St. Petersburg, in March, and it's beautiful. There's a reason FLA was only known for spring training before the Marlins were the first MLB team to arrive. Years ago (YEARS) I was in Tampa watching my friends brother play the single A Tampa Yankees (he played for the Port Charlotte Rangers). There must have been only 100 people at that game, I'm not exaggerating, mostly family and friends, hardly any fans, it was sad.
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FYI- St Petersburg is a part of the Tampa Bay region.
Ryan Day can't coach
They don't even have a big stadium in Miami and all that stuff.
Went to 2 games there around 20 years ago while on vacation in Bradenton. Didnt feel like a baseball stadium. Weird vibe. The surrounding area wasn't very nice. Not sure if its still like that. We got 2nd row seats for $50.
Sadly, The Rays have more than ballpark issues. Yes, they play in a toilet with the lid down. Yes, it’s in a poor location.. it should be in Tampa (but let’s face it.. St. Pete built it.. Tampa did not… Tampa dropped the ball on that one).. but the biggest problem the Rays have… Tampa has been home to the Yankees spring training home… the area and tampa itself are Yankee fans. That is the biggest reason why even when being a winning team.. they don’t draw. (well, until the Yanks come to town). The A’s want to blame their stadium on their problems… but the real problem is the team on the field sucks. When they were a winner, their stadium was full (see early 90’s) but since then.. They’ve not really tried. The Rays sucked in the early years.. expansion teams will do that.. but they are now perennially at or near the top of their division every year.. but still don’t draw.. why? Shitty stadium in a poor location (but still not that bad) in the middle of a hotbed of fans of their biggest rival. The Rays will never draw in the Tampa/St. Pete area. Hell, the Buffalo AAA team probably outdraws them most years. The Rays need to move… The A’s need to spend more than the QB for the Chiefs makes in a year and actually field a quality team.. Oakland isn’t helping them because the city and state knows.. the team is not going to win ANYWHERE unless they change their ways.. a new stadium won’t change that. The Rays.. it might.. but the biggest problem is.. the Yanks are a bigger draw in their City than the Rays will ever be.
People may forget during 2021 WWE used Tropicana field as it's thunderdome
While nothing you said was false or irrelevant, you failed to mention some of the most important factors. First, in calculating the demographic demand they treated seniors just like anyone else. Seniors don't attend sports events. They may follow a team on TV but they won't go in person. When you're 70 you will understand why. Second, Manfred is demanding a minimum of 300 million kicked in by the city towards a stadium, and Sternberg is demanding at least 500 million. Tampa can't raise more than 100 million. Evidently Orlando has the money Sternberg is demanding. Third, the politicians in Nashville are pledged to no further spending public money on sports stadiums. In fact, no city except Orlando is willing to build a stadium for Sternberg.
Automated Teller Machine Machine, Vehicle Identification Number Number, Major League Baseball Baseball.
The Orlando stadium render looks hideous
They are getting a new Stadium Built
Think the whole Wander Franco debacle means the Rays likely won't have another contract more than 5 years 40 million for a decade or more regardless of who it is
MOVE THEM TO MONTREAL 😉🇨🇦
It’s not too far from the submarine docks.
Sucks because St. Pete is actually very nice
What really sucks for Tampa is even when they are contenders they don’t draw well. Up until the Guardians blew everything up this year, I think average attendance this year was as closer to 23,000 with a lot of games drawing a lot more than I have seen in their crappy years
. To be fair the team is very good and has had some good teams. The sole issue is the location in Tampa Bay, it just does not draw the walk up ticket sales which is why weekday games are so poor. They would be better off in Orlando downtown someplace.
Biggest failed? I’d say one of the AL’s most consistent teams who has made multiple trips to the World Series isn’t the biggest failure. Not when there was an expansion team that damn near went bankrupt in Year 1 and moved to another city for year 2. I always enjoy your content, but they’re far from the biggest failed expansion project.
The Tampa Bay Lightning played their first season at the Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds, just east of downtown Tampa. Then they played the next two seasons at the Trop, yhen called the Thunderdome.
Let’s see a piece on ARCO Park (Sacramento)! Crazy story.
Indianapolis Arrows need a video
Well despite the 2 World Series wins I still think the Ray's franchise is way better than the Marlins! Marlins ownership overall is a complete joke compared to Ray's ownership.
Build it and they will come
The Rays are doomed to never build a fan base because of it being the retirement capital of the world. There will always be more Yankees, Red Sox, and Orioles fans in the St. Petersburg area.
‼️Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved 😊🎉 Bible teaches it. Acts 16:31
Hey, I apologize for last nights comment. You’re a Great reporter thank you for what you do.
One of my favorite times of year is the start of the Indycar season, and that's on the streets of St. Petersburg, in March, and it's beautiful. There's a reason FLA was only known for spring training before the Marlins were the first MLB team to arrive. Years ago (YEARS) I was in Tampa watching my friends brother play the single A Tampa Yankees (he played for the Port Charlotte Rangers). There must have been only 100 people at that game, I'm not exaggerating, mostly family and friends, hardly any fans, it was sad.
The aquatic mosaic on the walk-way in, with all the palm trees is a nice vibe. Also, no one ever mentions all the great parking this stadium offers 😉
Imagine how much money that stupid stadium lost just sitting there for 7 years. No fing way the tax payers didnt totally eat it on this POS stadium
Sorry, the Seattle Pilots were a much bigger fail than the Rays.
Ever hear of the Montreal Expos?