2019 Tampa Bay Rays (price, stats, best)

[TBMorgan]

Originally Posted by mrviking

Marlins only averaged 10K last season so the Rays Win! Number one team in Florida !!!

Please don't curse the Rays as you have the Lightning.

[mrviking]

Originally Posted by TBMorgan

Please don't curse the Rays as you have the Lightning.

I have been watching the lightning since 2002/03 season when my son started an interest in hockey.
We have both been Bolt fans ever since. We have watched them finish first or second in their division ten times over the last 16yrs. Qualified for the playoffs ten times and won the Stanley Cup once. Very proud of that team and organization.

[TBMorgan]

Originally Posted by mrviking

I have been watching the lightning since 2002/03 season when my son started an interest in hockey.
We have both been Bolt fans ever since. We have watched them finish first or second in their division ten times over the last 16yrs. Qualified for the playoffs ten times and won the Stanley Cup once. Very proud of that team and organization.

that's all good - just don't curse the Rays

[mrviking]

Originally Posted by TBMorgan

that's all good - just don't curse the Rays

That would be their owner. Trying to extort $$$$ from the taxpayers to build a billion dollar ballpark will not endear the team to the people. Having a bad business model works against small clubs like the rays. To consistently win they need more revenue which means more Taxpayers money to build a new stadium. You can't build a fan base sucking money from the fans while giving nothing back to the community. Fans will support a team that commits resources to winning, and making the community better. A greedy owner is not going to sell tickets.

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by mrviking

That would be their owner. Trying to extort $$$$ from the taxpayers to build a billion dollar ballpark will not endear the team to the people. Having a bad business model works against small clubs like the rays. To consistently win they need more revenue which means more Taxpayers money to build a new stadium. You can't build a fan base sucking money from the fans while giving nothing back to the community. Fans will support a team that commits resources to winning, and making the community better. A greedy owner is not going to sell tickets.

Hopefully the lesson the Marlins gave the City of Miami will stop the insanity of "investing city dollars" in ball parks.

Pro team owners have the wealth to buy the franchise then they shouldn't need the cash from the locals to build the stadium........UNLESS they want to cut the city in as an investor so when the owner dumps the franchise for a billion dollars then the city gets a piece of the profit!

[TBMorgan]

Originally Posted by mrviking

That would be their owner. .

the owner has done a lot with little....good winning pct per dollar spent....the other franchises are starting to follow suite...he's actually doing a very good job considering the lack of support

[mrviking]

Originally Posted by TBMorgan

the owner has done a lot with little....good winning pct per dollar spent....the other franchises are starting to follow suite...he's actually doing a very good job considering the lack of support

Doing it on the cheap is not a long term sustainable strategy. Every once in while the small clubs will start winning games. If they become successful they soon have to get rid of players they can no longer afford. The big clubs hold a huge money advantage. As a fan I prefer the sports where each team has a chance to compete each year no matter where they are located. The Bucs have an average owner, but every once in awhile you get an owner that takes but gives back ten fold to the community like Jeff Vinik. I support those teams locally. So does the Tampa Bay area. Since owning the team for only 8 yrs the lightning have been in the top ten in yearly attendance while selling out the past four years. When the area believes in the ownership and team they will fill the stands.

[TBMorgan]

Originally Posted by mrviking

Doing it on the cheap is not a long term sustainable strategy.

Have to say youi're really misguided that you expect a franchise to spend money that it might not have in order to keep up with the big spenders. Their strategy has been exceptional for a small market team. You just don't realize this fact. Seriously, you're not worth discussing the Rays' current strategy with. They've had a very good success record over the last decade. Perhaps you'd be better cursing the Lightning and their quest to lost in the first round of their NHL playoffs.

P.S.
Uh oh.

[Bumby88]

The Rays have won all five of their series this year and have the best record in baseball. Boston and New York meanwhile are still floundering. Last time I checked, those are the teams to worry about, not a nearby hockey club.

How anyone could have a problem with the Rays front office is a mystery. Every team in every sport has received financial support from its city or county. The Marlns pretty much guaranteed no American MLB team will receive it again. Montreal and its residents will soon come out the winners.

[mrviking]

Originally Posted by TBMorgan

Have to say youi're really misguided that you expect a franchise to spend money that it might not have in order to keep up with the big spenders.

That's my point Because of baseballs failed business model, Small clubs like the rays can't spend money to compete. Can they put together a competitive team? Yes for a short while, Then they dump the good talent and rebuild. They develop young players that walk out for bigger checks a year or two down the road.