Seduced by Rays' success

The Rays' success this season has won over some longtime Red Sox fans, who now have split allegiances or (gasp) have changed loyalties completely.

''The Red Sox were my baby for 38 years,'' said Rhode Island native Pat Best. "They've finally graduated. They've earned their master's. Now I have a second child to care for, my baby Rays.''

Read about some of the converts and see and hear them in an audio slideshow.

(Pictured: Darrell Dodge and son Michael wear different shirts, but their sympathies line up more and more these days - behind the Rays. Times photo - Lara Cerri. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Kevin]

Ray, Andy's right. We can't ask retailers to carry stuff that nobody wants to buy, they're running a business first, and they can only stay afloat by selling things people want to buy. They'll be stocking a lot more Rays gear before too long though, people are jumping allegences left and right, and they need to stock their closets with Rays gear to replace that old, tired Red Sox and Yankees garbage.

[Andy]

Ray,

Stores sell what sells, and would be silly to stock their stores with anything else. Also, not sure which Sports Fan Attic you shop at, but the one I go to, their biggest reason for currently having a low selection of Rays gear is that they simply can't keep it in stock. Give the retailers time to catch up.

[Ray F]

The problem is the area sporting goods stores.

I went into a Sports Fan Attic and the whole back wall was lined with Red Sux and Stankee gear. Sure they had a good selection of Rays' gear but they were far outnumbered by opponent's stuff. ESPECIALLY in kids sizes.

There have got to be more local stores that put their foot down on the out of town gear they carry. You can't find a Rays' baby outfit or small kids shirt without driving all over town. But if you need some Sux/Yankee gear for christ sakes, all you need to do is drive to publix.

I've talked to managers at the stores I see Sux/Stankee gear and have told them they should be more supportive of local teams. I've been told that the corporate offices make those choices.

AND ENOUGH WITH THE GANGSTA-STYLE NY HATS ALREADY...

I get it already- you can't seem to figure out how a cap bill should be bent that's fine, but maybe you don't realize that the yankee colors aren't bright orange and green.

[Bill]

It depends. If you are young and move to a new area(and plan on staying) you should switch......it's more fun anyway to be able to see your team play, read the articles, etc. However, if you are a retiree, or only somewhere for a short time, then it's ok.......but no matter what........your kid should take on the local team.........

I really have no problem with adults continuing to pull for their old home team. If I moved, I would still be a Rays fan.

My problem is with parents who deck their kids from head to toe in their team's gear (Yankees fans?) even though their kids have never been outside the state.

I think this is a good story, that dad is okay with his son as a Rays fan. It is after all, just a game and in-family rivalries should be fun and good-natured.

[Bubba Ray]

I like how he bought the flag after 2004 .... His kids smarter than he is.