Taking a shot aimed more toward apathetic fans than the forces preventing a new ballpark, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said the Tampa Bay Rays attendance — or lack thereof — is “inexcusable.”
Speaking at his annual press conference during All-Star festivities, the commissioner noted the Rays were 29th in MLB attendance (20,582 fans a game) despite posting a winning record this season and compiling one of the best records in baseball in recent years. While there’s not always a direct correlation between winning and attendance — the surprisingly competitive Cleveland Indians are last in MLB attendance at 19,256 fans a game, while the last-place Phillies are atop the MLB attendance standings — attendance usually is a lagging reward for winning.
But in Tampa Bay, the fans have not rewarded the team for building a winner, past a modest 7 percent rise in attendance this season.
“They’ve run a great operation,” Selig told the Tampa Bay Times at the All-Star Game. “They’re a very competitive organization. They have very competitive teams. To see that they’re No. 29 … it’s inexcusable. Nobody can defend that.
“I know that people down there … will be offended; not the fans, not the people who go every day,” he told theTimes. “And I know they have great intensity, the people there. … I watch a lot of games every day — sometimes all 15 of them — and I pay great attention not only to what’s happening on the field, but to the attendance.
“So to use my father’s old line, nothing is ever good or bad except by comparison. I’ll rest my case. It’s disappointing. And I’m concerned.”
The impasse over a new ballpark the city continues: despite some talk from Tampa officials and businessmen, no one seems interested in taking on St. Pete Mayor Bill Foster, who says he will take every measure to make sure the Rays play out their lease at Tropicana Field, which runs through 2027.
RELATED STORIES: Immigration funds eyed for new Rays ballpark; Oakland contemplates foreign investments to help fund A’s ballpark;Hillsborough County ready to make run at new Rays ballpark; Rays: Prove to us Tampa Bay can support baseball; Could this be the year for a new Rays ballpark?; Regional ballpark authority pitched for Tampa Bay; Mayor, council differ on approach to Rays ballpark issue;Tampa: We could have $100M for new Rays ballpark; Yet another group seeks to break Rays ballpark logjam; St. Pete mayor: there’s nothing wrong with the Trop; Tampa, St. Pete business leaders combine forces for new Rays ballpark; Could Rays declare bankruptcy to escape Trop lease?; Tampa Sports Authority declines to participate in Rays ballpark talks — for now; Chamber to take up Rays ballpark cause; Pinellas County extends hotel tax — but not enough for new Rays ballpark; Selig still “concerned” about Rays ballpark situation; Pinellas County mulls hotel-tax extension for new Rays ballpark; Rays: No, we’re not interested in limiting ballpark search to St. Pete; Can Tampa Bay support MLB?; St. Pete officials now say Trop is replaceable — at a price; Potential new player emerges in Rays ballpark battle; Rays: Time to talk new ballpark again; Rays ballpark brawl: Tampa versus St. Pete; Three Rays ballpark sites recommended by committee; New Rays ballpark discussion shifts to Tampa;Group: Any new Rays ballpark needs retractable roof; Group: Renovating Trop isn’t option in keeping Rays; Rays task force may have prelim recommendations by June — but no site; Rays propose Carillon Town Center site for ballpark
—-
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Are you a subscriber to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter? You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!
Follow Ballpark Digest on Google + and add us to your circles!