Hank to Rays fans: "Better be careful"
It seems just a tad ironic, but Hank Steinbrenner, who runs the Yankees, believes Rays fans are too arrogant.
“There’s a lot of excitement around here from the Rays fans but almost to a point of arrogance,” the Tampa resident told USA Today. “They better be careful. They’ll learn this (expletive) can change real quick.”
Some Rays seemed amused.
Top officials declined to comment, and manager Joe Maddon said he’s glad they have excited fans and are getting new ones. “I just love the fact that they’re there; that they’re recognizing us; that they’re starting to show up,” he said.
As for Steinbrenner (who also reiterated his belief that low-revenue teams such as the Rays should thank the Yankees for subsidizing them)? “He’s the owner of that ballclub,” Maddon said. “And whatever he wants to say, I’m fine with it.”
Follow Tampa Bay Rays baseball from spring training to the World Series with Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and the St. Petersburg Times sports staff. From Evan Longoria to B.J. Upton and James Shields, we're your source for Tampa Bay Rays scores and schedules.
HEREEEEE COME THE YANKS . 3 BACK
Posted by: ED | July 25, 2008 at 04:46 PM
aTRUEFAN: In your babbling above you mentioned schools in Massachusetts. In the latest rating the Massachusetts school system ranked #1 in the country. Maybe you should try checking out your own spelling and grammar before you call out anyone about their education.
Posted by: Sanford | July 24, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Rays are joke. look for them to fade and play crappy baseball like they always do. scott kazmir is a waste, such a good pitcher, such a bad team.
Posted by: matt | July 23, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Its their first taste of winning. The Rays do have a good ballclub, but they are young. Many people, and I'm guessing Hank is one of them, believe that young clubs falter late in the season as they hit that wall down the stretch.
Being a Tampa resident, Hank likely hears it from the local fanbase, who are likely just now learning what the rules of baseball are. No fan of any established team, not to mention the winningest sports franchise in the history of modern human civilization, not to mention the owner of said franchise, wants to hear trash talk from a fan who didn't even know where Tropicana field was last year.
Oh, and BTW Hank is right. All it takes is one lost weekend, especially the way the standings look now, and all that trash talk comes home to roost.
Posted by: Mike S | July 23, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Poor, aggreieved Rays fans. You luck into a winning record for a half of a season, talk a little more than you should, and someone calls you on it.
If you ever win a World Series, then you can feel free to get on Hank's case. Until then, you should show a little respect for teams that have been there before.
Posted by: JAson | July 23, 2008 at 04:11 AM
I don't care about Tampa Bay fans their fine by me,it is the Red Sox fans I can't stand so negative all the time.Oh btw look 3 games back of the Red Soxs now.All that trash talking and now they get little taste of their own medicine.
Posted by: aTRUEFAN | July 20, 2008 at 11:55 PM
What are you rambling on about? You typed all that socio-political babble just to post it on a Tampa Bay Rays blog. Way to know your audience.
Posted by: Craig | July 14, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I know they won 26 title if you even looked up at the beginning of the debate in repsonse to the critism.They put 26 title,I knew that as a fact.I made a typo because I had erased the fact of the penants and rewrote a good portion of the statement(when you write something at 3-4am see how accurate you are), because It was irrelevant and not classy in any manner.The point being is some fans are harassing others for their teams pride, more so Red Sox fans then anyone else.They are rude,forgive me if your not one of the above.It would be stereotypical to say all of them are as such.So I'm sorry if you are not one of the rude ones.Just in general the fans in Boston are rude, uneducated, beer guzzling, ranting and alot of them are unemployeed and down right annoying. I have been harassed by many of them just for wearing a New York ball cap in Boston eventhough I was keeping to myself.It is one thing to talk about baseball and have a good conversation about baseball.Its another thing when someone curses profanity at you.And most of time the fans are drinking more then they should.I'm aware alot Irish folk live there as I'm Irish as such.Its uncalled for. If you want to get drunk and rant go in your basement.Don't spill your air garbage in the streets at people at random.The literacy rate in Massachusetts excluding the university is increasely low.When I went to school there before moving to New York there were young kids buying and selling weed, and more concerned about drugs than school.It is unfortunate ,because Salem,Mass is so beautiful.For god sakes people there can not say idea right it is not idear its IDEA. Also car is not CAAAR.It is not so much the Red Soxs organization as the fans themselves.But I guess they represent that class of people;then it is hard to respect people like that.People who don't cut their hair,shower,shave look accordingly for work.Yes it is hard to respect that.Once again resembling other third world countries. Look at the middle east they have long beards long hair.See a trend.
Posted by: aTRUEFAN | July 14, 2008 at 09:26 PM
I think he meant 49 penants 26 titles..I think thats outdated though.Maybe its still valid. Idk.Nonetheless alittle harsh but very true.I like that baseball terrorist.LOL Idk I have no problem with other fans,eventhough I'm a yankee fan,my brother is a red sox fan, makes things more interesting,so is one of my best friends although he constantly insults my team I just kind of ignore it.I'm pretty passionate about the yankees, but I don't hate other fans, and I respect Theo and the red sox owner Henry,it does not mean because I don't like hank I'm not going to like the Yankees.Unfornately they have to deal with that guy.I think most fans feel the same.I liked it when, I think it was cbs owned the Yankees.At any rate. Sometimes it is hard to forget it just a game.And not to blow things out of proportion.I think fans are more at each other throats then players.I just hate when people spit their trash out about the fans.There are unrulely people everywhere.But I personally have never disrepected anybody elses want for their team to win, and I will never say another team is terrible because to be honest if they were that bad they would not be there.Expo's enough said. Secondly they would make me look stupid personally if I went on the field against any major leaguer so I can't say anyone terrible.Maybe less competitve and not as athletic.I do like the concept of his logic the Yankees are like America, Look Hank, George W. LOL Rich overpowered, but I still love my country.
Posted by: AlabamaSlama | July 14, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Your right they only do have 26 but his arguement is very valid.Although alittle out there. LOL this guys pretty crazy but passionate.Maybe a typo or something.He seems pretty knowledgable.:-)
Posted by: Theworldsgreatestsport | July 14, 2008 at 05:05 PM
aTRUEFAN is accusing Red Sox fans of being bandwagon fans and states he/she is a true Yanks fan, yet states they have 29 titles? Wow, even most of the bandwagon Yankee fans know they have 26 titles. Nice job shooting that 8000 word diatribe down with one sentence though....
Posted by: Ted | July 13, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Better listen up, Rays fans. Hank is an expert on arrogance. (His daddy is in the arrogance Hall of Fame.)
Posted by: Fairport, NY | July 13, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Hank's ABSOLUTELY correct. I love how a half of a good season has blown up the heads of Rays fans everywhere to the point where they feel they're a better overall organization than the Yankees.
Rays fans are, and will always be, a huge joke.
Posted by: David | July 13, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Dan the Sox fan said: "Do you think Fenway was sold out back in the early 90s before Pedro and Nomar?"
According to the baseball almanac attendance has been very steady since the late 70s at Fenway. There were a couple individual years that the numbers declined, but overall the Red Sox fan base has always been there. I graduated from a MA high school in 1989. I had a friend from MA visiting last week and we were looking through old yearbooks from elementary/Jr. High/High school together. One thing stood out to me...EVERYONE was wearing Sox shirts. And some of these pics were going back to the 70s.
It is different here. You will never have the fan base the Sox have, or other MLB team's have for that matter. Why? Because this area is very transient. It is a pit stop for many people. The area doesn't have much to offer in the way of jobs, community etc. The weather is the big draw for most, but it isn't enough to keep them here. People come and go. Why would someone convert teams, when they don't plan on putting down permanent roots?
The almanac can be found at:
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teams/rsoxatte.shtml
Posted by: Sox fan | July 13, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Dear "aTRUEFAN":
I thought you were kidding at first, but no one would carry it so far as to write 1,000 words. However, upon reading the last two "sentences" (if they could be called as such), I realized your rant really was a joke (though unintentional).
The segment to which I refer - "Yet once again We the YANKEE World bring logic, and intelligence to enlight you barbarians. And That is why Yankee fans are the only true fans...." - was true comic genius. Your deontological argument and logical reasoning would put Kant to shame.
Humbly,
A Pitiful Rays Fan
Posted by: A Pityful Rays Fan | July 13, 2008 at 10:45 AM
wow, just goes to show you guys fear the yankees as much as always, although he lacks class.He keeps the other teams on their heels.And once again your lack of knowledge in baseball history shows why you think you get bs from Yankee fans.1st off the Yankees weren't big spenders until in recent years.They made sound judgement in the past.They won their 29 championship off good decisions in the 20,30,60's70's,and 90's only recently has payroll inflated, in fact their best team was with lower more inexpensive players in the Paul O'neil era.And secondly most of you are stank sox fans.No real Yankee fan has to complain the Yankees have prove themselves over and over again they are a great franchise.They have more championships then any other sports team(not to mention penants), (for you guys who don't know sports meaning celtics in basketball, green bay in football). And for you Devil Ray fans yeah Devil Ray not Rays the only reason your team is decent is because they have been so terrible they got every 1st round pick since the history of the teams creation.And btw we are not convinced they are going to keep up their current rate of success 6 straight losses. And you Red sox fans you have the nerve to complain, You are the worst fans;because your teams pay roll was right there with the Yankees as the second highest until recent success; your team went without a championship for 86 years. Pretty sad.And most of you are bandwagon fans.I see alot of jerseys lately I did not see in the 90's and late 2000;even when I lived in the Boston area.I represented my team before they were good,and I represent them still despite their troubles.Its ironic every team hates the Yankees purely due to jealousy.But yet they have the greatest fan base.There are currently more Yankee fans then any other in baseball.But every other teams fans hate them.Ironic did you ever think about it you insult them but they are like America, every other country seem to hate America.But yet you defend our country we are all patriots right.So you guys are like baseball terrorist.Most of you like Ali, he wasn't the underdog its ironic you pick to hate the Yankees I may not be a fan of the owners but the players give all they had and thats why they won not because money or whatever they are people and despite what paper says they still make mistakes, and strikeout.The point being the real fans have nothing to complain they win they lose thats life.If you guys use logic if the Yankees really wanted to win now they could have got Santana they could have got C.C they could have got Harden.(or whoever)But they did not because Cashman is trying to restore the image of the Yankees because so many whiny people who seems to hate capitalism, you people are so indirectly AntiAmerican. You get offended when someone from a different country mocks our country and yet you yourself hate the values America was built off. What a joke.If you don't like the results go watch some other sport.But a real fan is supportive reguardless. And most of you don't know anything about baseball. You were but a glare in your daddies eye when I was enjoying the thrill of a great game between the Yankees and the world. (OH BTW LAST TIME I CHECKED THE YANKEES SWEEP THE RAYS IN THEIR MINI MEET)(AND YOU RED SOX FANS THEY SPLIT THE RUBBERMATCH)Not quite dead yet huh.Yet once again We the YANKEE World bring logic,and intelligence to enlight you barbarians.And That is why Yankee fans are the only true fans.(I lived in New York, Mass)
Posted by: aTRUEFAN | July 13, 2008 at 03:49 AM
Tampa has a baseball team, thats great, its always a good sign for a developing area when they get there hands on Major League Baseball team. I wish them well and who knows maybe a few decades from now people will associate Tampa with good baseball. I guess only time will tell.
Posted by: Gurushabad Khalsa | July 13, 2008 at 02:50 AM
I'm a Sox fan and I love that you guys are getting under Loudmouth Hank's skin.
I don't think Rays fans are bandwagon...you guys are a young team that were not competitive in the past. Do you think Fenway was sold out back in the early 90s before Pedro and Nomar? We used to be the "lovable losers" until we got some owners and GMs that knew what they were doing.
I hope the Rays and Sox BOTH make the Playoffs. I enjoy our budding rivalry and look forward to more contentious games (and maybe a few more bench clearing brawls!). Enjoy your winning team and sleep well at night knowing that Hank and the Yanks are tossing and turning knowing that $200 million doesn't buy what it used to anymore.
Posted by: Dan the Sox Fan | July 12, 2008 at 10:05 PM
As a lifetime Cleveland Indians fan, I find it amusing that Hank Steinbrenner could call Tampa Bay fans arrogant. There are no more obnoxious fans in this country than Yankee fans. Good luck to the Rays when they aren't playing the Tribe. Hope you keep the Hellhole on the Hudson out of the Playoffs. Dave in Canton, OH.
Posted by: David Justice | July 12, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Wow, Jeff, you think of that all by yourself? That's so cute! I shouldn't expect anything better from a Yankmee "fan". When they have a few losing seasons and you need a team to bandwagon jump to, feel free to jump to the Rays; there's plenty of room on it!
(Oh, wait, per Hank's definition, "losing season" is not winning the WS. Guess that means you're on 8 losing seasons now! Hey, guys, we still got room on the bandwagon for him? No? Oh, well...don't let it run you over in the parking lot!)
Posted by: Jimbo | July 12, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Hank is pathetic, and I always thought his daddio (Georgie Porge) was bad enough but Hank is MUCH worse.
Good ahead and spend your money, TB needs it to pay it's FUTURE superstars like Longoria,etc ;)
Posted by: Drew in Md | July 12, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Personally he is right and I live in the pinellas area and i hate the rays. All but about %5 of there fans are bandwagoners just like bucs fans. Im a die hard yankee and will not switch and hank is right because the rays have lost 4 straight and its probably gonna be more.
Posted by: the rays are overrated | July 12, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Hey , Jimbo, I remember you, you are the Gays fan that gave me some lip during the game in April but when the game was over and I turned around to take care of business, you were running for the exit like a little girly man. Ha!LOL!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jeff | July 12, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Steinbrenner is right. Do you Gays Fans really think Boston and New York won't make a run at your beloved Gays? Really? And by the way, 26 World Championships is alot better than last place the last 10 out of 11 seasons, which just so happens to be as many seasons as the Gays have played. See you in September.
Posted by: Jeff | July 12, 2008 at 04:59 PM
There is absolutely no reason ANY away team should have a larger cheering section than the home team. This year is our turn to fight back and force those cretins out of our house!
So, I will continue to boo the away team, but only if their fans try to turn The Pit into "Fenway South" or "New New Yankee Stadium". Otherwise, I don't make a peep against them. Remember where you're watching the game before you open your mouth!
Posted by: Jimbo | July 12, 2008 at 02:24 PM
The only reason Rays fans boo the opposition is to drown out the people who jumped on bandwagons for teams playing in cities they've never been to. If you live in Boston or New York and you root for those teams, I can empathize. However, if you've never even visited, let alone lived there, and you root for either one, shut yer yap and get lost!
Posted by: Jimbo | July 12, 2008 at 02:21 PM
When Rays fans boo the opposition, they (we) show an amateurish lack of class. Other than that, Rays fans are no more arrogant than they (we) have the right to be. The right to be arrogant has eroded over the past five games but the season still has a long way to go. Go Rays!
Posted by: Albert | July 12, 2008 at 01:23 PM
btw, i found the "cowbell kid" in the stands in st louis and we talked a little. ask him to comment on how rays' fans' behavior compares with the behavior of crowds he's seen on the road.
Posted by: | July 12, 2008 at 12:02 PM
I'm a rays fan who's been to road games in st louis and boston. In neither of those cities did fans boo rays players. I'm embarrassed by fan behavior at the Trop when they boo nearly every sox or yankee batter. Don't they realize that's just not done at other stadiums? It's bush league. No wonder some other players/management think poorly of rays fans. We look like rubes who don't know how to act, don't understand sportsmanship, don't know how to be fans. I'm betting we'll improve along with the team. I sure hope so.
--terry
Posted by: | July 12, 2008 at 12:01 PM
All from a guy who wouldn't be running the Yankees if his sister didn't get divorced from the guy George really wanted to take over.
Posted by: John | July 12, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Eat some fiber, Hank -- it'll do you a world of good. What a hot, steaming pile of mung.
Posted by: X-Ray | July 12, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Eat some fiber, Hank -- it'll do you a world of good. What a blood clot.
Posted by: X-Ray | July 12, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Yankee fans are the most rude and obnoxious fans. They're worse than the Sox. And I'm from NY. I'd like to see the yanks end up in last place at the end of the season. If the powers that be keep testing for steroids the yanks will be in last place at the end of the season. GO RAYS!!!!!
Posted by: Vince | July 12, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Cowbell Kid is gettings results!!!!!
Posted by: douchie | July 12, 2008 at 06:41 AM
Coming from a typical New Yorker, what that idiot said doesn't surprise me.
Posted by: Neal | July 12, 2008 at 05:48 AM
Hank is a joke. And every game the Yankees lose makes me laugh even more. Wittle old Hanky gets mad when his daddies team loses. And Girardi is a moron as well. I can't wait till the Ray's get in the playoffs,(YOU KNOW WITH SOME OF HANKS MONEY BECAUSE WE ARE SUCH A SMALL MARKET TEAM AND ALL AND SHOULD BE THANKING HIM AND ALL) You know what, thank you Hank, thank you for not knowing how to run a team, the Rays do appreciate. And we will appreciate it while you are in your luxuray box in Tropicana field in October watching us play, while your $220+ million dollar team waits till next year, you moron!!!
Posted by: Jim Walker | July 12, 2008 at 01:38 AM
What a complete moron, bu this team has to amke news somehow, this works I guess
Posted by: Dj | July 12, 2008 at 01:12 AM
You can take the boy out of the barn, but that don't mean he'll stop shoveling horse patties...
Posted by: like grandpa says | July 12, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Don't mind me I'm just jealous the Rays are better then my 200,000,000 payroll!
Posted by: Hank S. | July 12, 2008 at 12:25 AM
I'm such a moron.
Posted by: homer | July 12, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Wow.
Hank?
Really??
have to end this here, laughing too hard...
Posted by: Matt | July 11, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Yankees/Sox/Cubs fans bitching because Rays fans are actually supporting their team - now I've heard it all. Do you guys think you're the only ones entitled to cheer for your team? Why do you even care? What a bunch of jack offs. Get a freaking life you losers. If it bothers you that much, move back up north where you came from. Now I'm going to have to waste a perfectly good beer at the next Sox game after I have to dump it on one of you idiot's head.
Posted by: | July 11, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Yes Frankie.
Posted by: Razzlegator | July 11, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Anybody here ever live in a baseball town? This isn't one.
Posted by: Frankie | July 11, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Any and all fans are superior to Rays fans. Don't believe it? Just ask them.
Posted by: Razzlegator | July 11, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Don't want anyone to confuse me with Provincial Paul at 1:34. It's the Howard Frankland Bridge, not Franklin.
Posted by: Pedantic Paul | July 11, 2008 at 10:01 PM
I agree with Hank. There have been many
Ray fans that I have encountered are so sure they are gonna win the world series.
Maybe they will, but please learn how to be a true fan first. I am a Cub fan so I know the true meaning. Wait till next year!!!! Be a fan but a kind fan. We have a had a 100 years of waiting, so we know how to be patient. I wonder will the Ray fans fill their own house? What's the excuse? It is so cheap to go there. Cub fans fill Wrigley when we are in last place....
Posted by: Jennifer | July 11, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Sox fan:
It's all about building a tradition, right? There's a buzz around the town about them and people are taking notice. The Rays have only been around for 10 years, 9 of which were losing seasons and 8 of those were managed by an owner who could have cared less about the product that was put on the field, let alone building a tradition.
If its all for the better than why do you have such a problem with it? Why isn't that a good thing?
Posted by: QB1 | July 11, 2008 at 09:42 PM
Sorry Craig, we had friends in town from MA and went to see a game in April. They couldn't believe all the Sox fans at the game. It had to be 90% Sox fans game 1 in the April series. From what I've seen on TV, in definately has changed. But that isn't such a good thing if you think about it. It really does show how bad the bandwagoning is.
Posted by: Sox fan | July 11, 2008 at 09:32 PM
And John, why don't you grab a knife and run into it!
Posted by: James | July 11, 2008 at 08:58 PM