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.”

Comments

[James]

"All Yankee fans are jack-offs." - Whitney Johnson

"75% OF "Red Sux Nation" signed up for thier memberships in October of 2004." - USA

"The Rays are in 1st Place with the best record in baseball even after cooling down and losing 4 straight. So who cares how many WS rings the Yankmees have or how many years the Red Sux took to win one (82), the Rays are the best team in baseball RIGHT NOW, so you Yankmee and Red Sux fans can lick between our sweaty balls and hairy legs." - Me.

[john]

I predicted the Rays would self destruct three weeks ago. The're done. Put a fork in them.I also predicted at the beginning of the season, they would win 75 games. I'll stick with that number.

[Go Chicago!]

How bout' them Bears!

[chipper]

Wow, just when you thought you couldn't loathe the man much more, out pops this gem. Way to play into the stereotype Hank, your Dad is starting to look smart....

[Mark]

Hank is a complete idiot. Why do they give him press time. He is a waste of breath. The Yankees suck, yeah Hank suck!

[Erika]

Hank sounds like he has his head up his a%%

[Dave]

another interesting note from yankee stadium. a ticket costing $59 today will cost $350 next year in their new stadium.

I guess we will be seeing more and more yankee fans at the trop.

GO RAYS!!!

[Tuck]

I love how Yankee fans like to brag about championships before their birth. Like titles in the early 1900’s make the Yankees legit today. Give me a break!

Look at both teams and their farm systems. It's blatantly obvious to pretty much anyone who knows much about baseball that the Rays will be loaded with talent for at least the next decade. On the other hand, the Yankees are in trouble – they’re really long in the tooth.

It’s a good thing for the Yankees that they like to blow cash, because their only hope for another championship is to splurge on a bunch of pricey free agents.

That should worry the hell out of Yankee fans because I don't think that their front office is too smart. There may be some “rebuilding years” coming soon.

[Dave]

I went to Yankee Stadium for the Rays game this Tuesday. We wore Rays caps and did not have a single person say anything rude to us; even with the pathetic game we played.

The Rays need to keep up the great all around pitching and fielding while drastically improving the hitting. I wish Joe Maddon would use the bunt and hit & run more; we need the spark.

And please stop BJ from stealing (i.e. getting picked off)

Otherwise, we will surely fall fast to teams that have been there, done that.

GO RAYS!

[tim]

While our good neighbors in Tampa apparently adore "the Boss", most people don't know that Daddy George was basically run-out-of-town by the New York fans and media. They hated him most for the way he single-handedly ruined baseball - while Bud Selig sat there behind a martini.

[Karl]

What a Yank-Stain!

[Alex]

This comes from a man who literally has done NOTHING with his life. His crowning achievement is the graying of the Yankees and their third/fourth place standing.

Yes, the Rays may fall. But they are better than the Yankees this season.

[QB1]

gman:

You said you support the Yanks even when they're bad. Guess that's not to difficult when their in contention just about every year. Many of the long time residents in this market have supported the Rays since 98. However, their first owner really didn't care about making them a contender. He never reached out to the community to gain their support. Why would anyone support a product that is lousy year in and year out? Would you continue to buy the same car if the tires kept falling off? Would you pay to see the same bad movie every weekend? No you wouldn't because you like every one else wants to get the most out your money and be entertained in a positive way. You Yankee fans and Sox fans like to beat your chest and fly the hardcore fan flag when both of those teams have had deep rooted traditions since the early 1900's. That must be such a challenge when you have the legends like Ruth, Mantle, Dimaggio, Williams and countless others to fall back on. The new owners of the Rays and the fans that have supported them are trying to build that very same tradition. What are y'all so afraid of?

[Nose In The Air]

Home James... ...and pass the Grey Poupon.

[Ray's still suck]

it must have worked,fool

[Razzlegator]

They just start a new thread on The Heater, so all of you fans of out of town teams can go there and post your inane comments.

[frank hunter]

real baseball fans know that hank is right. this is a Yankee land... like it or not.

[Ray's still suck]

and sometimes, i like to post messages on other teams message, boards, because it makes me feel cool and, important, and when i type i put, commas EVERYWHERE and, sometimes i capitalize random WORDS because i,think it gets my point... across.... better, ?

[Ray's still suck]

the Yankees have every right to be arrogant,"they can talk the talk and walk the walk",the sorry Rays win a few games get in first place for once in 10 or 11 yrs.and look at all you bandwagon chumps coming out of the wood work,THE RAYS ARE LOSERS AND ALWAYS WILL BE,if New York never played another game for the next 100yrs ,the Rays still would not come close to what they have done.....

[Brett]

Give Hank a Hankee to cry into. Yes Hank, the Yankee's have won 26 championships and they make other teams money - you're a financial genius. Unfortunately its also widely know that Yankee's fans suck and apparently, so does their management.

[Brett]

Give Hank a Hankee to cry into. Yes Hank, the Yankee's have won 26 championships and they make other teams money - you're a financial genius. Unfortunately its also widely know that Yankee's fans suck and apparently, so does their management.

[Stephanie]

I do not want to hear ANY Yankee or Red Sox fan run their mouth about the Rays fans when the whole stadium when the Yanks or Rox play in St Pete are wanna be's!!! You know damn good and well you all did not travel from Boston or New York to watch the Rays play them! You are all the biggest fakes in the sport! You are so obnoxious in our stadium ther is no way you would put up with that crap in your "HOME" stadium without fighting! You have been teams for a zillion years and your arrogance is not appreciated. Typical of teams that pay their players too much with no salary cap and load up with steroids... hit the highway.............

[Amanda]

Joel-
I hear what you're saying, and I agree, we Rays fans need to stay classy. But for those of us who stray from that and taunt you, you have to kind of understand where they're coming from. There are many wonderful, fun, proud, and respectful Red Sox fans in this area. Unfortunately, those aren't the ones that stick in our minds. The ones that are easier to remember are the absolutely vile and obnoxious "chowda heads" who jumped on the bandwagon in '04, and think they are king sh*t because they cheer for the Sox now. They've treated us horribly for years now, and if you get lashed out at by a Rays fan (not that they should be lashing out, mind you, they need to have some self control), keep in mind that it's not really YOU. It's the jackasses that give you guys a bad name.

[Joel]

There's nothing wrong in cheering to teams from different cities. I live in Brandon, FL and I root for the Red Sox (not the Rays) and for the Bucs (not the Patriots).

That's the good thing about the Red Sox Nation - fans all over the world; one nation.

I agree with Hank that this can change real quick. As a Red Sox fan, I have witnessed it.

There's also a huge difference in being an arrogant and being a PROUD fan. In my opinion, the Yankees fans are by far the most arrogant fans in all of sports. The Rays are playing good baseball and the fans deserve to be PROUD about it.

But is also true that some RAYS fans are idiots. If you win, do it with CLASS. I've been taunted, mocked and treated with no respect.

It feels good when your team play well and sweep series. But please, have more respect. It's true that you swept us twice at Tropicana. I was in the Monday game and I even applaud the Rays for such a wonderful game.

But remember this, you guys have been also swept twice at Fenway this year. And those two times, I didn't go to my coworkers' cubes and mock them about it.

I'm glad the Rays are doing good. That makes the game more interesting and competitive.

So please, enjoy your team, enjoy the game. Be PROUD of your team with class and respect.

[Razzlegator]

Who says Homer is acting?

[homer]

Ok Mom be right there. Sorry guys supper is ready. I will see if I can get on after dinner. I don't have internet restrictions on friday. YIPPIE!!!! will be watching Joba though. If i see Cops on I will check back in.

-Peace Out

[gman]

Homer if you bothered to pay attention...I am also a Yankees fan...very proud one also...hell..call me arrogant...but you acting like a fool does not help the cause

[homer]

I prefer to call him Joey Belle, even though I am not an Indians fan (I just know BASEBALL (PS that is why I know your team has NO shot). I am actually a PROUD Yankees Fan.

JOBA for Cy Young!!!

[gman]

Homer..not sure who you are a fan of....the Orioles or the Indians..(probably Elmo or Hanna Montana) but they BOTH signed and gave millions of dollars to ALBERT BELLE....nuff said about classy organizatons...as a matter of fact...the Orioles are still paying Albert Belle

[homer]

Elijah Dukes, Josh Hamilton, Delmon Young.

Classy I mean assy organization.

Here comes Cliff Lee to make it 5 LOSES in a ROW. OUCH. Can't wait to hear that all All St*r weekend. Can the Gays hold on, like they are biting a pillow?

[gman]

Jimbo...yeah...I consider the salary cap to be a slam against capitalism...baseball is the only one that does it right in my opinion...let the market decide...

[Amanda]

Homer-
Keep talking like a 13 year old on MySpace. Really, it's just making us laugh at you even more. And believe me, you are definitely being laughed at.
"OMG u guys liek the gays r totally not going 2 win 2nite! oops got 2 go my parents r going 2 b mad i'm on the comp!!!1"

[homer]

gman, don't let hank the spank here that, u will be out of Yankee country or whatever the gay club is called

[Jimbo]

Funny, gman, cause all other major sports leagues must be communists, also. Let's see:
NBA - salary cap
NHL - salary cap
NFL - salary cap
MLB - "luxury tax" but no cap

That's why I'm a fan of baseball, I guess. I'm all about the capitalism....

[homer]

5 in a row? 2nite

[gman]

Amanda...you made a good point...I have no problem with the Rays fans enjoying their success so far...and I am sure you have...it is fun to support a team that is doing well...maybe it is because I am a bit narcisisic..but I enjoy rooting for the Yanks when they are struggling then when they are winning (which they have not done much of lately) last year when they came back from 14.5 back to make the playoffs was a lot of fun...for those that think that a Yankee fan in 2008 is a frontrunner...I can't say much to you except...I think you are wrong..we have not won anything since 2000 and I consider myself a bigger fan of them now then even back then...I think alot of it has to do with the ability to watch every game on either TV or the computer and read about them online everyday...could not do that 10 years ago...

[homer]

Ok sorry I am bad with first impressions. Serious question.

Do u think those glasses are sexy on your mgr?

He sucks, picking fights against a player

[Homer is steinbrenner's butt pirate]

Hey homer,.. you still on the toilet waiting for the gerbil to come up the sewer?

[Jim]

If you're not a Rays fan and you're on this forum, pull the pork sausage outta your azz and crawl back to your shitehole!

[homer]

Amanda, I know the other TB comments are accurate. Hank should know your team stinks he is down there in the off season panhandling with the rest of u non-baseball fans.

[Amanda]

Haha! Oh man, Homer. I thought you were serious for a second there. Then I realized that anyone dumb enough to call them the "Gays" wouldn't be smart enough to use a computer. Then the O's comment cemented it. Good one, you almost got me!

[homer]

Is it:

Devil Rays
Rays
or
Gays

You guys had your run now time for the O's to take the top spot. Why don't u guys head to the beach, hold up a liquor/package store or get filmed on COPS.

[gman]

Apparently Jimbo thinks that capitalism is a sin...to quote Ty Webb from Caddyshack..."Is this Russia? This isn't Russia is it?" The small market/large market argument has always been interesting because it seems like it really does not have much to do with the actual MARKET....the White Sox for years were considered small market while the Bulls/Bears were large market...the Dolphns and Heat would be considered large market/while the Panthers and Marlins are small market...the Rays should not really be considered small market...3 million people live within 60 miles of the Trop...that is at least medium market...not sure of the answer there...just a point I find interesting...wish that some of you could make your point without the silly name-calling or death threats....but this level of communication does allow itself to be available to the lowest common denomonator

[Amanda]

Hank is right in saying that this could all change, and quickly. But is that supposed to mean we can't enjoy it while we can? This isn't arrogance, this is excitement about what we've been waiting a decade for. It can all change in a snap, and that's why we're enjoying the hell out of it right now.
(For the record, I'm neither a bandwagon fan nor a since-1998-fan. I started following the Rays in 2002. In my seventh season of die-hard Rays fanhood. Good enough for ya?)

[Joe]

I suppose its not IBM vs Microsoft, or GM vs Toyota, but what a ride!

[skp]

or maybe the yankees would like to pare down to a yankees\cubs\red sox\white sox type league so they can pad their gaudy championship count...winning a title in the early 1900's was like winning your division nowadays, not tough to do when you're playing in a league that has fewer teams than a (normal non-mongoloid hank steinbrenner-type) person has fingers

[Steve]

The Yankees began in 1902 and DID NOT win their first pennant until a 1921!! That's 20 years!!! Lately the Yankees have not won a legitimate championship since the 60s!!! Everyone since has been 'bought'.You still have an inept organization incapable of building a team, you can only 'buy' a team, you P.O.S!!!

[Jimbo]

Wow, if that isn't the 2nd most arrogant comment I've heard today (behind Hapless Hank's, of course), gman.

It's a luxury TAX because they're penalizing those teams for not keeping within the average payment scale. Do you honestly believe the Yanks and Sox pay that tax out of the kindless of their hearts, like the foreign aid our government gives to poor, developing countries? No; Selig, in his infinite wisdom, devised a tax (instead of a legit cap) to punish the endless checkbooks, and the funds would be used to help other small teams compete.

Trust me, the Yanks and the Sox aren't happy about paying, nor would they even dream of paying it if they didn't have to. However, it's ridiculous to believe that they're "subsidizing" us. They're being forced to give up money for their sins, and that money is being spread out...the "Robin Hood method", I believe.

When the stadium talk was going on, everyone said the new owners had enough to build it out their own pockets, but now, all of a sudden, everyone says the team's poor and they "need a subsidy to stay in existence"? Which is it: do they have $450M+ or are they just barely scraping by and need help? Or, is it neither, and people are just using any excuse they can to bash the Rays for their outstanding play with the 2nd lowest salary in the Bigs?

[Malignant Tumor]

attn: GonadMan ... you front runnin' rat b@stard

if it weren't for the small & medium market teams you wouldn't have anyone to play, you friggin' PINHEAD

I hope you choke on a chicken bone tonight you piece of shiite

[skp]

i'm tired of this attendance nonsense..most cities are bolstered by the season ticket base, even in down years people renew...that doesn't get turned around overnight, older teams with some success can probably bank on prepaid season tickets outnumbering what the rays averaged last year...by the end of the year attendance will probably be up 40-50% over last year, and if it doesn't keep pace with what 100+ year old teams in far bigger markets do, then so be it...and every division has its historic draws (except the NL west maybe), so quit acting like the yankees and sox are the only teams people come to the ballpark to see...and who would these mighty mighty teams face to fill the stands if we humble "beneficiaries" weren't around? baseball is a 2-way street, without the other teams, there's no league and no fans, so get over it