Are you a converted Rays fan?

Rays fans at the Trop have become accustomed to encountering fans of out-of-town teams, especially during games against the Yankees or at this week's series against the Red Sox. Even so, there's no question they're finding more Rays fans at this year's games than in the past.

Have you switched loyalties from the Red Sox — or some other team — to the Rays? Tell us why! E-mail Times staff writer John Barry with your story.

Comments

[SDL]

Hey Irony..I live down here

[Irony]

Red Sox fans flooding Tampa Bay based newspapers.

[SDL]

So Steve Duemig is using the name ari Gold?

Don't worry..I won't bother giving the Rays any more of my money...

Can't wait to see the Rays move to San Antonio or Las Vegas when the unneeded new stadium doesn't get built and the Trop becimes another large tractor-pull arena...

No skin off my nose when they leave

[Ari Gold]

The reason to dislike Red Sox fans?

Because they like to pretend they know the entire history and even what's going on now with a completely different organization.

GET... THE F***... OUT!!!!

[Jimbo]

Hey Steve, I take exception to the Philly comments. That's a common misconception perpetuated by the media. Philly phans are not anymore hostile or rude than any other fans in Boston, NYC, or even here. It's just brought into the media spotlight due to rare instances. Yeah, we had a jail in the Vet, but that was being proactive as opposed to necessity. You wouldn't need one in the Trop since SPPD's HQ's across the street.

Besides, have you seen soccer fans in Europe and South America lately? I don't remember any Philly phans throwing Molotov cocktails into the field before....

[Bill]

It's very simple........if you wear opposing gear you need to get ready to get harassed......nothing should be thrown, and no swearing should be tolerated, but you should be given a hard time. If you can't handle that, then don't wear the gear and cheer for the away team anyway......but if you put on the gear then you need to be able to take it.

[Raysfan]

Regarding St.Pete Lou's 9:25 post:

Lou---I say: DITTO!!!!!!

You summed it up nicely. Visting team fans aren't supposed to feel comfortable. Especially given the past history when "their" fans typically outnumbered Rays fans and felt very smug about it. Turnabout is fair play. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Or in simpler terms: If you don't like how your fan base is now being outdrawn by our fan base, then fine--stay home! I'll be happy to see one less visiting team's fan in our stands!! Keep it up Rays fans--if we can keep more of them away, we win the battle in the stands!!

[Steve]

I was born and raised in St. Pete. I was a Braves fan as a kid, as I was able to listen to their games on the radio. I remained a Braves fan until 1998. It was not hard to switch allegiance as I never got to go to a Braves game, nor did we get "team" coverage from the local media on the Braves---why would we, they weren't our local team.
As to all of you who are on both sides of this issue, please remember: It is our differences that makes us unique. If we were all the same, this life would be boring! I think that "respect" is the key thing here. I have encountered many obnoxious Sox & Yanks fans at the Trop. I have also encountered polite fans from both teams. Some people are just idiots. I'm sure every team had their idiot fans who make a bad name for the rest (including Rays fans). I recently went to St. Louis to watch the Rays series there. Even though my son and I wore our Rays gear proudly the entire weekend, we were graciously accepted as fans for the other team. St. Louis fans are truly classy "baseball fans". We were treated with respect. I would not hesitate to go back there again to cheer on the Rays. I would not do that in Philly, and everyone knows why. You sox and yanks fans think you're disrepected here? You fear for your life in Philly if you wear your gear in their stadium. While you might feel unwanted at the Trop due to some treatment you've received, at least you don't fear for your safety! Let's everyone just be respectful of each other's point of view and keep it civil. A little respect and civility can go a long way. GO RAYS!!!

[St. Pete Lou]

SDL and company... you Red Sox fans remain the whiniest fans in the world. Now you're complaining about not feeling the love at the Trop. Cry me a river and break out the violins. If you come to another team's stadium decked out in the visiting team's gear, and loudly try to take over the place, you're not supposed to feel welcome. I am soooo happy you're feeling uncomfortable. As long as you continue to attempt to take over the place, I will continue to make y'all feel very uncomfortable by ringing a cowbell in your ear and inducing a nice migraine every time you even THINK about chanting "Let's go Red Sox" (and that goes for you too, Yanks fans--there's not much difference between the two of you. Don't lie to yourself and think any different). Yeah, we're a little fed up with being disrespected in our house. This has been building up for 10 years, and now we finally have a team that can shut you guys up. Since you hate the Rays and the Trop so much, do as all a favor, and STAY HOME.

That said--GO RAYS! GO BUCS! GO BOLTS!

[MammaRays]

I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying what came to mind when some of the red sox fans were bashing the Rays fans for being drunken and obnoxious. Until this year, the only time I saw drunk and obnoxious fans was when the red sox were in town. I will admit that I have seen some in Rays gear the last two nights. One of the nasty by-products of being a winning team now. Basically, there are always idiots who will be drunken and obnoxious at sporting events. It doesn't mean that all fans from those teams are that way. I have met some very nice red sox fans and there are some very nice Rays fans. I do enjoy teasing the sox fans about being sox fans, but it's all in jest. The bottom line is, these are two very good teams (if you doubt it, just watch the replay of the last two games). Fortunately, for the Rays fans, it is currently in our favor. We hope it stays that way. That's one of the things about the wonderful game of baseball. Anything can happen.

[Jimbo]

5 Reasons to Discredit SDL (and other whiney "die-hard (*cough*) 'fans'":

1.) So, you had one bad experience. You take your ball and go home. Quite frankly, someone more dedicated to EITHER team (not just the Rays) can have that seat that you would waste. Good riddance!
2.) Yeah, I agree the uni's aren't the best design, but it's still better than the "rainbow" uni's they had back in the beginning. And they're not "embarrassed" of Tampa Bay; they're trying to get idiots like you to understand they're not the "Devil Rays" anymore!
3.) No, it's to encourage carpooling. People are going to the game regardless, but why have the parking lot fill-up 3x as fast with a party of 4 going in 4 cars? Unfortunately, since we don't have great mass transit right now, this is the only way to do it. You really think you're gonna drag a friend along that hates baseball and will whine (like you) the entire time, just so you can save $10? Despite that, since when was it free to park at the lots around Fenway? C'mon, use the brain the Mass. education system's supposedly known for.
4.) Yeah, some will (myself included), but that's the point of moving ST: to get more fans involved in the Rays. Not sure why Boston still has ST in Cape Cod for that same reason...oh, that's right: THEY DON'T! In fact, NO ONE has ST in their hometown! Even Florida/Miami plays in Jupiter (100+ miles north) and Arizona plays in Tucson (110+ miles south).
5.) Supply and demand; it's been practiced for centuries. If everyone wants to go to a game, and all the prices stay the same, less people will buy more tickets and scalp them for higher prices. So, why not charge a premium? If you're worried about the price, buy a season ticket (no prime game pricing for those), or buy in the upper-deck ($14 vs $9), which is not a "nose-bleed" like people think. They're great seats (I can see more up there than in the outfield), and that's where my tickets are. Besides, what do you care? You're not going to anymore games, remember?

(I really don't need to explain to you why it's not about the stadium, especially since I'm sick of talking about that, and "front-running fans"? WTH's that even mean?)

[J P]

To Sox4Life and all the other fans out there with the misguided notion of their 'town' being the ultimate hometown for their teams...

"That is the difference with the Sox...they've always had a huge fan base...no matter how they were playing. It is a special club to be a part of...but, unless you are a part of it, you really wouldn't understand."

I guess I missed the newspaper articles, the magazine cover stories, and the 'special' hourlong ESPN broadcast about how Boston (or any other city) has had every game sold out at all their stadiums, arenas and ball parks since the teams inceptions.

I'm sure something as special as that would have been covered by somebody.

Boston, New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, pick any city, any town, anywhere, the fans there are no different from anywhere else. We all like a winner.

When the team plays well (important), and begins to win, the fans turn out.

So, please do us all a favor and stop with the nonsense about how great (pick a team) fans and how they've always been there for the team.

History doesn't lie. When the Red Sox were bad, attendance was bad. When they did well, attendance increased. End of story. For any town, any sport, anywhere.

[SDL]

5 Reasons to dislike the Rays

1. Attitude of ushers against visiting fans. Checking tickets 10 times during the game. Accusing people of using bad language because two Rays fans don't like seeing Red Sox fans in "their" house. Our money is just as good as yours. Sorry if some of who now live here haven't "conformed" to the local mindset. The Rays aren't getting anymore of my money. It'll snow here in July before I got there again (I have not and will not go to any games this series or when they return in September). I'll go to Threshers games, thank you.

2. New Uniforms. Just admit it. You stole the basic design from the Mariners. Ashamed to say you're from Tampa Bay on the road? The hats? I've seen better designs on high school teams. The original overall uniform design (98-'00) looked good. Too bad they messed it up.

3. Stupid parking fees. Free only if there are four or more un the car? That the sneaky way to boost attendance?

4. Moving Spring Training to Pt. Charlotte. Real smart..like fans from Pinellas/Hillsborough are going to schlep all the way down there to a stadium that's a zillion miles away from civilization? Ever wonder the Rangers left as soon as they could? You'll see the Phillies, Jays and Yankees get more fans in the Bay Area.

5. Boosting ticket prices for certain teams. OK, you can price-gouge the fans who come out of town for the games. but the averahge fan gets priced out if he/she wants to bring family. Real bright idea.

(I decided to not talk about the stupid and unneeded stadium and the front-running fans)

[Mark]

I think people confuse the word "bandwagon" with "fairweather."

Bandwagon would be a person becoming a fan while a team is at its most successful and popular.

Fairweather would be a person who has been a fan, but won't be very vocal about it until said team is at its most successful and popular.

Rays fans are no bandwagon fans. No one is just now becoming a fan of the Rays. I honestly hate to say it, but a lot of the Rays fans seem to be fairweather, not that any of them are here. :D

Red Sox fans have absolutely ZERO business even to think about calling out who is a bandwagon fan and who is not. You do not have sellout crowds of people who have been fans for decades. Do not pretend that all of your fans have been such for so long. You're lying to yourself if you think that.

I don't even understand how people can compare the histories of the Red Sox and Rays. It's like comparing the entire life history and experiences of Barbara Walters and Abigail Breslin.

[Mike C]

A few have mentioned Steve D's stance on the radio. Just to small degree, would I agree. I must admit I like to do a bit of "trash talk" about opposing fans/teams. I guess that's part of the fun. I can understand the loyalty thing as long as some respect and class can be shown. I even understand pulling for a 1st and 2nd team especially if in 2 different leagues. I do think it's a bit dense however to show up at a rays/yanks series wearing a sox jersey. Just like the bucs, when new ownership and team started caring and playing with some heart, started drowning out the opposing fans, The same thing will happen with our rays. Wow, what a fun and inspired season this has been so far! I've always been a big fan of our TB sports but now I'm really starting to get the whole "boys of summer" thing our parents and grandparents fell in love with. Thanks to the other rays fans, whether seasoned, converts or newbies. We love to have you in the fold.

Soxfan4life said it!

10 reasons to hate the sox?

How about ONE reason
To Discredit the TIMES,

Nice sportsmanship

Welcome to Florida

Are ALL the writers twelve?

May the BEST team win!

[SDL]

To Soxfan4life @ 7:47

My wife is a Met fan so I'm also in a mixed marriage ;)

If we had kids, I'd expect them to be Rays fans...if they grew up here. I didn't. Wife didn't. Am I supposed to lose my accent? Cover up my Pats tattoo? Stop eating chowder? Stop saying stuff like "wicked pissah?"

The heck I am. If anything, the way the ushers have treated visiting fans (I know some Cub fans who were also harraased by "security") and the attitude of media jerks like Duemig and Tom "I'll take a cheap shot at Curt Schilling" Jones make it easy for me to actually dislike the Rays.

Glad to see there are people like you and Bill. Darryl...you may be a Yankee fan but you're true to your roots (altho I hate your team with a passion)

[SDL]

"You don't need to keep supporting teams that aren't here."

When did Steve Duemig start posting here?

Go Sox!

[Larry]

I'm 57 and moved to St Pete from Massachusetts 3 years ago next week. Our first night here, we went to The Trop while Hurricane Dennis glanced the area. Everyone who attended was offered a free ticket to another game, in gratitude, which I thought was classy. Lifelong & long-suffering Bosox fan but never a member of Red Sox Nation...more like the guy sitting on the porch over decades of warm New England summer evenings with a Gansett, listening on the radio as the Sox blew another lead. Decided to support my new home team here in town, averaging over a dozen games each year, plus the spring season. Til recently, I secretly loved paying 8 bucks, sitting anywhere in the Trop and having a whole section to myself. But I sure don't mind sitting among the crowds now, as I did Tuesday and at a Cubbies/Rays game. It feels good...feels really good!

[Ryan]

I grew up listening to Ernie Harwell and Paul Carey call the Tigers. I loved listening in elementary and high school to 10:00 baseball on the west coast. I converted to a Rays fan on March 31, 1998. It's just baseball people...so get on board with the local team. You don't need to keep supporting teams that aren't here. Get yourself a Rays shirt, and start clapping for Crawford and Longoria. Nobody cares if you have been a Sox fan for umpteen million years, start rooting for the Rays at the Yankees games, come to a Saturday concert...GO RAYS-----------!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jen]

I grew up going to County Stadium watching Harvey's Wallbangers or better known as the Milwaukee Brewers. There is no comparison to watching the little German beer brewer slide down from the beer barrel into a frothy mug of beer when you are a kid. The Brew Crew will always have a special place in my heart but I live in St. Petersburg and the Rays are my team. They play like a team should, its very exciting and it has renewed my love for baseball!!!

[SeattleRay]

I was originally an orioles fan in Tampa as I didnt see myself being close enough to Miami to convert with the marlins debut. Then in '98 I converted and followed the rays through years of huge anticipation of "there's always next year". I've moved through boston and now I live in seattle (with a NY Yankees girlfriend) and my years of talkin crap about how good the rays'll be next year is finally paying off. The thing I like to see the most is the higher attendance and high ratings on tv. About damn time we start a huge following like the bucs in 2002... all it takes is one great season and the fire is lit. Take a look at the lightning. Here's to many more years of Rays dominance!

[bmay]

winning/losing seasons will always come and go. in my opinion, the big difference in fans of any sports team comes by way of the ownership. baby huey culverhouse got from the people what he put into his franchise. the same goes for vince naimoli. he fought so hard to get the team here, and then was happy being one of the most profitable, least productive teams in sports. knowing that we have ownership that will do everything they can to put a competetive team on the field, will help draw a fan base that will stick around through the tough times. but if the ownership doesnt care, why should the people in their community. oh yeah, one more thing. to all those sox, and yankmee fans i tried to scream louder then at all the games i went to, you can still kiss my @$$!!!!! most of you never stepped into the same county or state where those teams play. thats bandwagon. not people who decide to follow the team in their community.

[Soxfan4life]

SDL...actually I'm a Sox lady ;)

My husband converted to being a Rays fan. He is a believer in rooting for the "home" team. Poor boy has gone and lost his mind :). But, he totally understands and respects my need to continue to root for the Sox. They are my link to my hometown. We actually have fun with it. But when we go and see games together, we actually choose to sit on the Sox side, he being the lone Rays fan in our section usually. Mainly, because we've all noticed he gets treated well over on the Sox side. But, when we've sat over on the Rays side with our Sox gear...we've been sworn at. Some drunk guy actually started swearing at my young son...something about "at least our stadium isn't a gimmick" or something. My husband prefers the people on the Sox side, even though he is in his Rays gear. And my children can choose to support whatever team they'd like. My youngest son quit rooting for the Patriots years ago when they traded his favorite player. He followed that player from team to team until his retirement last year. Now, if the people within my house can support several different teams and still get along, we should, as a community be able to support different teams without insults (unless they are directed at the Yankees fans...lol). Kidding, kidding :).

[Razzlegator]

In the words of the wise Mr. King: "Can't we all just get along?"

[SDL]

Soxfan4life..

Thanks, bro :)

I saw the arrogance last time the Sox were here in April..Ushers who harrassed us in Section 139...one who had longish gray hair and a blue stud earring who kept asking to see our tickets about 10 times and who also harrassed one guy for allegedly using bad language...which 10 people attested he did not, but this guy still threatened us. That what Trop ushers do now?

Don't want us Sox fans? Fine. I'm watching at home. I'll save my money and give it to arrigant jerks

And about the new stadium..go ahead, waste money. Fenway is what..almost 100 years old? It's still standing.

Oh, and Ray: "You know, still can't figure out why it's so hard to give up your old team, when you moved here to live and breathe the local economy/nightlife/whatever?"

Sorry..unlike you, we are LOYAL. We aren't band-wagon-jumpers.

We even stood by the Pats when they stunk..as we did with the Celts & Bruins

[SDL]

I'm a die-hard Red Sox fan and will never change. You can take the boy out of Boston but you cannot take Boston out of the boy.

I'll only root for the Rays when it's advantageous for me to do so.

And yes, I live down here now so don't give me that Steve Duemig crap about how I have to cut my ties...

[Ray]

You know, still can't figure out why it's so hard to give up your old team, when you moved here to live and breathe the local economy/nightlife/whatever?

Doesn't mean you have to give up your old memories of those "past" teams.

Was born in St. Louis and was a diehard Cards fan. But, moved here and now it's totally the Rays. And if they play the Cards in the WS, here's hoping the Rays kick the butts.

And don't tell me your kids will root for somebody other than what their parents will go for. Give up your "old" team and embrace the new.

[Soxfan4life]

I took the time to reread through all the comments. And I have to thank the couple of posters who pointed out my earlier post. Boston fans are very loyal. You will find a lot of Boston fans at every away game across the country. Why? Because, its in our blood. My mother was born in 1924 and I remember her cheering her Sox on until her last year. Unfortunately, she never did get to see them break the curse, but I'm sure she was there in spirit. It is funny reading the posts. When we first moved to Tampa 4 years ago, I really loved the Rays. I rooted for the Sox first, but always loved to root for the underdogs...which the Rays definitely were. Now I root for whoever is playing against the Rays, because the arrogance of the Rays fans...rather than the team. The Rays fans comments on this page prove my point. Why can't you be a Rays fan without cutting down Sox fans or Yankee's fans??? Why can't you just have fun with the Rays success without name calling etc. If you are going to talk trash about Sox fans, you'd better believe we're going to come back at you. Sox fans waited years to win another World Series. But, we were still fans. Don't hate, don't be jealous. Just enjoy what is happening to your local team. It is cyclical and probably won't come around for a while. Peace.

[Jimbo]

I can explain the Sawks attendance and why it is so high. There is nothing else to do in April in the cold but go to a Sawks game. Here we deal with alot of other outdoor activity

[Alex Schmid]

I live outside of Philadelphia and I am surrounded by Phillies fans and I cheer for them, but I am a huge Rays fan and have been for many years. May be hard to believe but its the truth. I'm the only kid who wears a Carl Crawford shirt while surrounded by Utley's and Howard's.

Go Rays!

[Jim]

I has been a Mets fans for about 15 years. Back in 1998 my son was born and the Rays entered the league in 1998. So its been fun watching them grow as my son grows. Seems like they are the real deal now. I wish the Mets would follow the Rays example and become a team instead of just a group of players. I the Mets GM stays up late at nite wondering what would of happen if he kept Kazmir

[Joe]

You have a Rays credit card so that proves your loyalty? I wish it were that easy for me to prove my loyalty to the Sox and for people to accept it. I have a Sox card and checks through my bank. Maybe I should start whipping them out! ;)

[sevenyearhawk]

I actually have a Rays credit card to prove my loyalty ...

I've actually had to whip it out to show folks when I get called on having a new-style hat!

The Rays MUST win this series, I got a buddy here in KC who's gonna have to drive around with a TB carflag, I sure don't want a "B" on my ride!

[Jimbo]

I wouldn't say I'm a "converted" because that would imply giving up my allegiance to my hometown team. I was born a Phillies phan, and I'll die one. However, seeing as Philly's been an NL-only town since the '60s, I can safely adopt an AL team without dropping any of my Phils gear.

I moved here about 5 years ago, and took a little to get into the Rays, but I started last year in Spring Training (I want to the Phillies-Rays, of course), and I liked what I saw out of that young club last year. I got season tickets (before the season started) for the first time here this year, and I'm glad I did.

I don't consider myself a bandwagon jumper, since there is no bandwagon for a last-place team (trust me, I know futility...one championship in 125 years is nothing to write home about, either); I just consider I became a fan at the right time. In a head-to-head, Rays vs Phils, I won't choose. I'll wear the colors of whatever stadium I'm in and cheer for that home team. So, when the Rays-Phils WS happens (this year or next), I'll be flying back and forth btwn Philly and here and enjoying every single game, because no matter who wins, it'll be magical!

Now, I'm glad I bought the tickets, and bought all the old green and white, because I'm proud to say I liked the Rays when they were still "devils"! GO RAYS!!!

[Bill]

David, I think that is very well put and couldn't agree more! I was just curious what other people have to say because I have commented on here with some other articles and have basically been told to go back to New England if it is so great that I still root for the Sox. I didn't move to FL because of baseball and certainly because I didn't want to root for the Sox anymore. I do not like the cold, thats all. I go to many, many Rays games and support them all the time. But when the Sox are in town, I support my Sox. But still love to see the Rays have a great season. So thank you for your insight. I was simply curious and could not have said it better myself.

[David]

Bill, being a Rays fan in NY, I obviously don't think it's wrong to be a fan of another team and live in the Tampa area. That's the point I was trying to make. If you're truly a fan, your allegiance won't change overnight, if ever in todays age where we can follow any team from anywhere. It's a nice thought, but it doesn't work that way. But I believe in being respectful of the home team and allowing your kids to make their own decisions as to who they want to follow.

[Bill]

David at 4:20pm - So with you being a Rays fan and living in NY, do you think that there is anything wrong with someone that is originally from New England and is a huge Red Sox fan to continue cheering for their Sox, even though they live in St Pete now? What about all of you other Rays fans that do not agree with Red Sox fans living down here in FL and still cheering for their home team...do you think it is ok for David to still cheer for the Rays from NY? Do you really want to lose fans as they move out of state just because they move? Or would you rather make your fan base larger and spread out across the country? Just curious!

[Matt]

I am born & raised Florida Cracker, I Live in Cape Coral and grew up watching the Braves. Florida got the Marlins and I hated them! The Rays are my team, My HOME team, I still love the Braves but the Rays have been my team since their inception, I have had a season plan since the beginning and all those years of spending lots of Money to make the hour and 15 minute ride has been worth it this year. I feel like the Team has a connection with the community and the community is starting to repay them by showing up! Keep it up guys, you are making the State ofr Florida proud!

True story last night was at the Game in my normal seats, A SOX fan I saw at the Sunday game last Red Sox series was there, except this time decked out in Rays Gear! I would complain but why! Just keep showing up, The team plays so much better when it is.. As Joe says "The Pit"

GO RAYS!!!

[David]

There's a lot of discontent over the idea of rooting for a team that is not the home team. However if you're a true fan of a team, that does not go away when you move away. I'm a fan of a team 1000+ miles from my home. I watch the games on TV 4-5 times a week and as a result my kids see quite a few games a year and now my whole family are fans of this team 1000+ miles away.
I can't embrace the home team being in the AL East, we were rivals before I moved here. I am not trying to make my kids root against the home team(s). If that's cruel, I'm sorry. So who is my favorite team? The Rays! I live in NY. There are a lot of passionate Yankee and Mets fans in school with my kids and they are welcome to join them, but I am staying with the Rays and wish I was down there going to the games.

[J.P.]

The absolute funniest thing is Rays fans calling Red Sox or any other fanbases "bandwagon". You guys couldn't draw flies for years on end and now suddenly everyone is right on board. That is the very definition of bandwagon. The Sox have been a HUGE draw since 1967 -- and that includes some incredibly lean years.

Congrats on your recent success and the recent emergence of a few fans - but realize that all these new "converts" ARE bandwagon. Trying to call out other fanbases is a joke.

[YDSeminole]

I went to my first game at Yankee Stadium in 1985 and have been a Yankee fan ever since. I move to Orlando in 1988 and have over the years converted loyalty from NYC teams to FL teams over the years. I first started to root for the Buccaneers once they change uniforms and started recruiting players from Florida schools that I watched while growing up. I started to root for the Magic some of years back after seeing the Knicks going in the dumps more than usual and the Magic really making a push to succeed without Shaq or other flashy, selfish players. I can remember rooting for the Rangers in the 1994 Stanley Cup, but my first NHL game was at Expo Hall when the Lightning played the San Jose Sharks. My favorite memory of the Lightning was coming off of watch and was the only one watching Game 7 of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals onboard the Destroyer. Now as for the Rays, just like the Bucs, the new uniforms help and I have been to more games this season than ever before, even my first game at Fenway Park was the early May series against the Rays. The Yanks don’t look like they can pull out of their slump and was glad to hear that the Rays were not afraid to throw some punches at the Yanks and Red Sox. I am a believer now and slowly converting others. This looks like the year to build a winning tradition in Tampa Bay. Go Rays!

[Barbara]

I can't believe I moved to another state just when this is going on. I can't believe it! You have no idea how much I wish I were there to support the Rays! :-O

[Rob]

Darryl, haters? From the tone of your writing, you have a lot of hating in you. But then as a Yankee fan seeing Tampa Bay ahead of you AND Boston on July 1st, I guess you would be pretty upset. Just leave the gun locked and lay off the booze. You wonder why we hate transplants who move here and want to tell us how great it was "back home"? Because it defies logic. If it was so great "back home", then why leave? You choose to move here, have some community pride and support the home or go back to your home town. It's one thing for people to plan a vacation around a road series for their team but when you move somewhere have the guts to follow the local boys. I did the year I lived in Indiana. I had a Colts hat despite being a die-hard Bucs fan since I was 6 in 1976. It can be done, it just takes someone with courage to do it. These are PROFESSIONAL teams with players who'll jump ship in a minute (Jonny Damon comes to mind) so blind loyalty to a professional team making money off you is absurd. College allegiances, yes. Pro? No. You live here and to borrow a New England-born phrase: LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT.

Go Rays!

[Ray F]

...and by the way, I've been to 22 games this year and it doesn't seem like there's an end soon.

[Duffiedawg]

Christ, I was a loyal Bucs fan since 1977, through thick an lots of thin.

How can I not be a Rays fan??

BTW I moved back to S Georgia, before there was any Rays, and could never connect with the Braves

[Lucia]

During my commute, I passed a Jeep with Florida plates and a huge Red Sox logo ont he wheel cover. It felt so good to pass the guy and laugh...my own version of being 1.5 games up! I don't get people who live in a community for years, send their kids to school here, make their homes here and support teams from other areas at our stadium. They're the real illegal aliens in beautiful Tampa Bay!

[Ray F]

I would like to comment on the practice of calling someone a "Bandwagon Fan"---

Just because the Trop is starting to see more near-sellout crowds, doesn't mean everybody there is a "Bandwagoner".

I've been to games every single year the Rays have been around. I don't own season tickets. I prefer to be able to change my seats depending on my monetary situation. Over the years, I've gradually started to go to more and more games based on a number of factors- mainly expendable income.

That being said-

Just because you don't go to every single game, but choose to go on a night where they'll be playing in a big game, doesn't make you a "Bandwagon Fan".

You just have to look at it like any other business.

If you wanted to buy a lawnmower at Sears, and it was 2 weeks before Thanksgiving, you'd probably wait for the "After-Thanksgiving Day Sale" wouldn't you???

The fans who have been watching all the games at home for the last 10 years (and there are plenty based on the growing ratings) have been given a reason to spend money at the ballpark. We have to learn to live with the fact that not everyone is a "Baseball Fan", some of them like to come out to the Trop to have a good time and, by god, winning is fun!!!

Deal with it. The days of the empty Trop are nearing an end this year. Think of all the "Bandwagon Fans" who will be locking in their second half season ticket plans to lock in playoff priority.

[~G~]

One more thing to second what MammaRays just wrote....Being a Sox fan all decked out in my Sox gear at the game last night, it was so great to finally see more Rays fans in that place than Sox. For once, us Sox fans were out numbered at a game at the Trop and that is how it should be. The visiting teams fans shouldnt even come close to out numbering the home team fans! It was so loud in there for the Rays that even I couldn't help smiling for them.

[MammaRays]

Darryl, believe it or not, there are some of us out here who loved the Rays even when we weren't getting the love from anywhere else. I sat and watched a game during a Tropical Storm a couple of years ago and there were about 3,000 of us who did. That's showing love to the team. Yes, there are some people who are becoming Rays fans now that they are winning, but remember we are a young team. It takes time. The Bucs didn't have many fans back in the orange days of Bucky Bruce either. Now they do.

I have often joked that I have often felt like those guys in Major League that are sitting up in the stands cheering on the team alone. I've lived those games. I like these much better.

It was incredible for the Rays fans to outnumber the red sox fans last night. I hope that continues tonight and tomorrow night.

GO RAYS!