Don't get me wrong, I give all the credit in the world to the Rays players, their organization, and their coaching, but one big problem i have with the ballclub in Tampa is their fans. I really don't think these people DESERVE to have a team in the world series, as they continue to prove why they are the worst fans in baseball.
Issue #1: Cowbells
*Even the national media has outlined how sad this is. When your stadium is indoors and seats ~30,00 - 40,000 people, yet you rely on 'bells and whistles' to create atmosphere, you have problems...
Issue #2: Home-run song
*Issue 1 leads me directly into issue 2. Anyone else notice the "feel the heat" song they play after a TB home run? I don't know who came up with the song/the idea to play it, but it just feels wrong to me. Blaring music over the loud speakers during a home run waltz rubs me the wrong way.
Issue #3: Where were you all?
*No one goes out to watch losing baseball, i get it; however, after 1/3 of the season had gone by and the Rays continued to sit in first place, they were still 10,000 fans/game under the leauge average. this reminds me of the Celtics v. Hawks series, where the fans didnt show up in Atlanta until the playoffs started. Then again, this may just be a Flordia phenomenon, as the Marlins (despite competing for a playoff spot until the last couple of weeks) finnished dead last in attendance.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/attendanceIssue #4: Fan attire:
*This is just something i noticed: It seemed to me that, every time they showed a shot of the fans, there weren't any rays fans decked out in rays gear. No jerseys...just the occasional TB hat. Now i'm not big on suiting up with jerseys myself, but at least ditch the collared shirt for a "Rays" T or something.
I know i just sound bitter, but i just have no love for Rays fans right now. They got to witness one of the most historic turnarounds in all of sports...again, congratulations to the organization, but i feel like it certainly could've happened to a better group of fans (ala in Cinncinatti, Minnesota, or Seattle).
So what do you all think? Am i being too dramatic or did you come away feeling the same? How about worst fans in other sports? I got nothin but love for new Orleans, but only 14,000 fans/game? CP3 deserves better than that.