A New Focus

Since I find myself writing mostly about the subject of fantasy baseball and fellow writers/friends don’t have time to contribute much, I’ve moved my platform to fantasybaseball365.com

Rays Play for the Few that Pay

Since early in the month of September the lack of attendance at Rays home games has been brought up quite a bit.  Some criticize the fans for not showing up.  Others criticize the organization for not putting a winner on the field for 10 years.  But lets stop pointing fingers and look at the facts.

The Rays play in a dome.  I don’t care where you are located or how good your team is.  If you play in a non-retractable dome, you are playing in an environment in which the game of baseball was not meant to be played.

The Rays play in St. Petersburg.  It’s not Tampa Bay and it’s home to 109,665 households according to a 2007 consensus.  The median income for a household in the city was $34,597.  In these tough economic times, how can a family afford to come to a seasons worth of games especially when most games are broadcast on tv.

Think of a baseball team much like a rock band.  Fans of rock bands can be extremely loyal, but before pledging allegiance to a band one must enjoy the music the band plays.  Since the conception of the Rays (or Devil Rays before 2008) the organization, until this season, has never won more than 70 games while losing more than 100 three times an 99 twice.  Bottom line, the Rays have not build a following during their first 9 years in the league.   The fans simply have not enjoyed the product that has been put on the field.  Though now they are in a position to win the AL East, years of finishing in last have taken their toll on potential fans. 

I think fans should show up!  But I am a diehard baseball fan and I understand that not everyone follows the game like I do.  I will go watch a team in spring training just to see the prospects.  I will support a team even if times are tough.  That’s the way I feel about the game.  However, I know that some people enjoy the game from a different perspective.  Some people are causal fans.  And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  Sports thrive on the causal fan.  People have things to do.  They work and raise kids and watch football and go to the beach.  It’s these fans that are choosing to stay home and watch from there new HD TV that they saved up to buy.  From bizjournals.com:

Overall, as the Rays work toward by far the team’s best record in franchise history, ratings on FSN Florida for the 33 Tampa Bay games it aired are up 36 percent over 2007.

I’ll say one thing though.  If the Rays do not sell out any one playoff game it’s time to seriously look at the market.  The thing about the Rays is their organization is peaking at the right time.  The Yankees are in a mini rebuilding process, the Red Sox are showing their age and the Orioles and Blue Jays are still well behind when it comes to their pitching.  As of 2008 the Rays organization is set up for a run of competitive seasons as long as management is willing to spend a few extra bucks here and there.  If the Rays sustain success and eventually move out of the dome, the people will come.  They most certainly will come.

Closer Watch: Qualls in

From rotoworld.com:

Sun, Sep 14 RHP Chad Qualls has taken over the closer’s role from RHP Brandon Lyon, who has converted 26 of 31 save opportunities but has given up 14 earned runs in his last 10 2/3 innings. Qualls has been scored on only once in his last 19 appearances. “I’m glad I’ve got the opportunity. I think I’ve earned it,” said Qualls, who got his third save Friday and has converted three of 11 save opportunities..

Beltre to Play or Call it a Day?

From Rotoworld.com regarding Adrian Beltre’s Injury:

 Adrian Beltre was told he needs surgery for a torn ligament in his left thumb, but he intends to keep playing for now.

It was recommended that he undergo the surgery right away in an effort to guarantee that he’d be ready for 2009. However, he could wait the extra 2 1/2 weeks and still would likely be 100 percent for spring training. “I’m debating,” he said. “What I really want to do is finish the year, then do it. Everyone’s against me, and wanting me me to do it before then. I don’t really want to. I truly want to finish the season, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. I’m debating when to do it. I want to have enough timne to be 100 percent sure I’m going to be 100 percent by spring training. If I finish the season, it would be a really tight schedule to have surgery and be ready. It would take me to January and February. That’s cutting it too close. I’m not really sure what to do yet.” Sep. 11 – 8:45 pm et

This is a very tough for those in head to head leagues.  I for one would not plan on having Beltre for next week.  There is really no reason for him to play out the season for a last place team if it will affect his 2009 preparation.  The Mariners will most likely push Beltre to have surgery asap so he can be ready for spring training.  Here are some possible free agents to target:

Brandon Wood LAA – Wood strikes out a lot, but lately has shown flashes of his prodigious power showcaed in the minors.  With the rash of Halo middle infield injuries, Wood has been playing everyday.

Marco Scutaro TOR – Last three games 2-4, 3-4, 3-4 with an RBI in each.  He’s always been a useful utility guy, but now he’s playing everyday.

Pablo Sandoval SF – Also eligible at C and 1B, Sandoval has maintained a .326 AVG with 2 HR and 14 RBI in 95 AB’s

A Dropkick Murphy Drops the Ball

Dropkick Murphys bagpiper Scruffy Wallace tries to catch a Mike Lowell pop fly

 Story courtesy of Rick Pell

 

On Wednesday night a fan at Fenway park leans over the stands and attempts to catch a fly ball off the bat of Mike Lowell.  The only problem is that the ball was too land in the field of play.  So when the fan fails to make the catch, but touches the ball, interference is called and Lowell is out.  The Sox go on to lose the game.  The irony here?  That Red Sox fan was Dropkick Murphys bagpiper Scruffy Wallace.  The band famous for, among other things, their song “Tessie” about the 1903 Boston World Series Championship. 

 

 You can read the article hereand find info on the Dropkick Murphys here.