These are the things I think about:
Maybe it’s just me, but instead of talking ad nauseam about the attendance at the Trop (psssst… the horse is dead, rigor’s set in, flies are circling), all those naysayers and Debbie Downers and professional prognosticators could use that energy into trying to help improve the situation. Being proactive is a lot more constructive, in my opinion, than rehashing all the reasons why there aren’t tuchuses in the seats and money being spent at concession stands. Color me crazy, but maybe a promotion or two other than the Saturday night concert series could do some good. Seems to me that Senior Prom for Seniors went over pretty well … I’m just sayin’.
I don’t like to see that dejected look on Jeff Niemann’s face that’s been appearing lately – it makes me as sad as he is. In two outings since coming back from being on the DL, he’s not looked like his usual dominating self. Would a game or two with Durham or down in Charlotte with the Stone Crabs have helped? Hindsight is 20/20, but my favorite Larry Bird doppelganger needs a little boost before his next turn in the rotation.
It’s been a big couple of days for the smart, snappy skipper of the Rays -- Joe received an honorary doctorate and hit the milestone of having a .500 record as the Rays’ manager – plus a rare (ugh) Friday night win, complete with some late game attitude from Matt Garza. I just want to know what wine he opened up Friday night after the game – I’m always on the lookout for new-to-me vintages to try. You know, he could probably have a nice little gig in the off-season with a blog or Twitter stream talking about wine.
Hitting the road has been full of win – literally – this season, with the Rays sporting the league’s best road record. However, the best thing about those games, for me anyway, is having Brian Anderson in the broadcast booth. That’s a great thing for many reasons, not the least of which is that he does a damn good job. More BA, please and thank you, Sun Sports.
Being born in the fall meant I was listening to Gator football broadcasts from my crib. My family takes college football very seriously. VERY seriously. However, this year the season snuck up on me, as I’ve been completely preoccupied with All Things Baseball, specifically the AL East pennant race. If that doesn’t mean that this is an extraordinary year, I don’t know what does. Regardless of the ending, this Rays season has been fun and exasperating and thrilling and frustrating and emotional to watch. With the best yet to come. Or at least the most exciting, anyway.
I really, really want a BRayzer -- I'd wear the heck out of it. Jeans, white-t, BRayzer, black Chucks. Perfect fall baseball playoff wear. Rays merchandise/promotion people, you could have a gold mine here...
Having Rocco Baldelli back in a Rays jersey, sitting in the Rays dugout, playing in a Rays game just makes me happy. Actually, the whole 40-man roster thing brings a smile to my face. Signals the beginning of go-time.
These are things I think about.