They deserve a better ballpark. Heck, if they renovated the stadium or played in a different stadium in the city, they'd draw better. At times, I think back to the Ybor City rumors.
Heck, they only won 3 fewer games than the Bomba Twins (101-98)
I am 100 percent convinced if they played in the Marlins Ballpark, they would not have fan drawing issues. Heck, the way they played they actually might be suited for a ballpark that big (i.e. not rely on the HR)
Agree 1000%...they DO deserve better.
St. Petersburg mayor isn't budging on letting them out of their lease however.
Rays were even willing to pay the 20 something million penalty to the city for breaking lease...and the team owners were looking at places like Ybor City, North Tampa...even downtown Tampa near some empty lots near the home of the Lightning.
No dice.
St. Pete isn't letting that happen.
Too many ignorant people just don't understand how horrible a location Tropicana Field is in, and I was born n raised in the area....I do know.
St. Pete is full of gang bangers or old people... Tampa has all the young professionals with disposable income.
Lots of stuff to do before and after a Lightning game or a Bucs game...IN Tampa....
NOTHING to do before and after a Rays game except hang out with the bums on the I-275 off ramps.
And there are scant few ways to get to Tropicana from the city of Tampa and it's "spending money fans"...traffic is a nightmare.
If the Rays ultimately end up losing their team, it won't be because fans don't care, but rather, because they were forced to honor a stupid 30 year contract that the city of St. Pete won't relent on, even though the cash strapped Rays are willing to PAY them to get out of it....its political BS.
Rays have high TV viewership rates....means fans DO watch and care about the team...and those that do make it out to the Trop are loud as a small crowd can be.
Rays have been making lemonade with lemons for years in that dump of a stadium.