treble 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 4 posts in a year and a half. I think that's fitting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 You even lurk in your own blog That's dedication Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naiwf 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 I was in class for the last few hours. I don't hate the Rays. I'd like to see them win the WS this year. I do however hate phony fans who show up during the playoff run and then start talking about how "I'm a diehard since mid June of '08 baby!" It just reminds me of my cousin who is LeBron James like in his bandwagon fandom across the sports. His favorite team is whoever's winning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 I see that, but anytime a team makes the playoffs, you're going to have fans coming out of the woodwork. In a lot of markets, it would probably just mean more people watching on TV, but since the Rays don't have a huge fanbase to begin with, they're going to the games instead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 Attendance is invariably tied in with team quality. In this case, a first time contender could be a huge boost to the franchise so hey, I have no problem with that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 Fairweather fandom seems to be most noticeable in the state of Florida, though. The Miami Heat is another great example. A year after winning the NBA title, they hovered just above the .500 mark for a while (still more than good enough to make the playoffs in the East), and those arenas were half full, if that, during the regular season. Both the Rays' and Marlins' stadiums are frequently close to empty, as well (though in the case of the latter, I can't really blame the fans for not giving their money to the people who run that franchise). Apologies if I offend any of our Floridians, but that's just something I've noticed over the years. I suppose there's a lot more to do at night in Florida though than in, say, Sacramento. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 Miami specifically is a very bad sports town. I'm always flip-flopping as to whether Miami or Atlanta is the worst sports town in America. The whole state of Florida seems to be in love with football more than anything else, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 Florida really has a few problems as a baseball state. 1. It's over saturated. In the Tampa Bay region, you have the Clearwater Threshers, Dunedin Blue Jays, Sarasota Reds, Tampa Yankees and Lakeland Tigers all playing nearby in the Florida State League. And of course those Spring Training games in March. Spring Training draws fantastic, but the FSL draws terribly. Perhaps crowds would rise if the product was consolidated. 2. Said Spring Training complexes probably hurt efforts to drive fan loyalty. I would bet that fan support in Florida is more fragmented than any other region. 3. Many residents of Florida head North during the summer. 4. Florida is a big tourist state. Tourists do not make good baseball fans. The result is that while you have many baseball fans, it is difficult to draw loyal fans to one team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 In Tampa Bay's defence, the Lightning have been towards the top of the league in attendance since they won the Stanley Cup (including last year, when they were god awful), so there is a precedent that the fans will keep coming out after the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Young 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 No Griffey today against the lefty, Kazmir. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Young 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 At least the Sox managed to get 2 runs after loading the bases with no outs. Although, given the circumstances, they should have gotten more. But failing to convert in bases loaded situations was a huge problem yesterday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 Sports folder: almost completely barron of intelligent posters Oh man, I got that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 Tampa Bay is like last year's Rockies. They will also be swept by the Red Sox. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingPK 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2008 Jesus, 50,000 people there all with cowbells and I can still hear that FUCKING heckler. Somebody please shoot him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 I cant wait for the Manny Series (Boston vs LA). TB got lucky catching the White Sox after they had to play the extra games but Boston will beat them back down where they still dont belong. It might be the first year in quite a long time that I dont watch 1 game of the WS, I dont think I will be able to take it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 I only saw the last few innings but holy shit was C.B. Bucknor's strike zone abominable. MLB should be embarrassed to have such incompetency on display in a playoff game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 I only saw the last few innings but holy shit was C.B. Bucknor's strike zone abominable. MLB should be embarrassed to have such incompetency on display in a playoff game. Bucknor's incompetence is well known by now. I'm really surprised it's tolerated. Is it me or does Buck Martinez have obvious bags under his eyes. He does these late games and then does XM's morning MLB show at 6am ET. Can't keep burning the candle at both ends. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 Why does Jason Bay have to play for Boston? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 Why does Jason Bay have to play for Boston? Why do the Angels have to keep playing the Red Sox in the postseason? I'm officially jumping on the Phillies bandwagon should the Angels falter in this round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 The best part of the Phillies making the World Series would be Joe Carter home run replays. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smues Report post Posted October 4, 2008 So far so good on the AL side of the playoffs. Tampa is up 2-0 and Boston has a decent lead in game 2. I would be pulling for those two to win anyway, but there's the added bonus that if Tampa wins and Boston wins then Tampa hosts game 1 and 2 of the ALCS and I'll be able to catch at least one of those (even possibly without needing a scalper, but I'll go that route if needed despite my deep, deep hatred of Stubhub) so go Boston/Tampa! I cant wait for the Manny Series (Boston vs LA). TB got lucky catching the White Sox after they had to play the extra games but Boston will beat them back down where they still dont belong. If we get that ALCS I think Boston will win, but why so quick to count out Tampa? They took the season series from Boston, including 4 of 6 in September when they were fighting for the division title. Tampa beating Boston and advancing to the World Series would not shock me in the least. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 I only saw the last few innings but holy shit was C.B. Bucknor's strike zone abominable. MLB should be embarrassed to have such incompetency on display in a playoff game. Bucknor's incompetence is well known by now. I'm really surprised it's tolerated. Is it me or does Buck Martinez have obvious bags under his eyes. He does these late games and then does XM's morning MLB show at 6am ET. Can't keep burning the candle at both ends. Buck also did a lot of Os games on MASN. I dont know how he finds all the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 Torrriiii Hunter almost Milton Bradley's himself on that play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 If we get that ALCS I think Boston will win, but why so quick to count out Tampa? They took the season series from Boston, including 4 of 6 in September when they were fighting for the division title. Tampa beating Boston and advancing to the World Series would not shock me in the least. Too many Sunday victories. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 It would appear that Mr. Hunter has been taken down the tunnel and may have Miltoned himself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingPK 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 I'm not getting Francona's bullpen use tonight. He brought in Okajima a little too early, IMO. That probably leaves Delcarmen and Lopez (for lefties) for the 8th before Papelbon. Of course, he had to do it because Dice-K couldn't get past the 5th....AGAIN! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 Don't worry. The Angels have an approach at the plate that is almost on the level of the Cubs' the last two nights. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingPK 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 (edited) Now why the fuck is Masterston still in the game? You really want to put that much pressure on him? Lopez is there for a fucking reason, Terry. EDIT: Who the fuck dresses Craig Sager? I mean, seriously, someone is fucking with us. Edited October 4, 2008 by KingPK Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naiwf 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 Two blown calls by the umps on tag plays go in favor of the Sox. Nice to see that MLB's best umps are living up to expectations. It doesn't matter anymore since K-Rod just showed a great deal of aptitude for being the next Mets closer by giving up a crushing bomb in the 9th. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingPK 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2008 (edited) 62 saves don't mean shit in October. This game is unfolding almost exactly like last year's game 2. Edit: SoSH just exploded. Edited October 4, 2008 by KingPK Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
