1. Operation Domination.
(As helmed by DRaysBay)
The Rays are a mere 2.5 games behind Boston for the Wild Card, but are still going to need the help of the Orioles and the Yankees to pull off this improbable run to the post-season - which began with the Rays having a two percent chance to make the post-season at Labor Day weekend. As Carl Crawford put it last Sunday, "it would be devastating to lose the playoff spot to those guys."
So what is Operation Devestation?
Our challenge to you, as fans, is to make a sacrifice this week to re-appropriate funds to purchase a ticket to a game in this final homestand. Take your lunch to work the rest of the week. Drink water instead of paying for sodas or Starbucks everyday on your way to work. Skip the Crosstown Expressway and take the free roads to work... something. Crawford would be devastated to lose the post-season spot to the Rays, but it would be even more devastating for the Rays to return home after what we all hope is an even more successful road trip to another gathering of 13,000 fans on a Friday night.
Operation Devastation: send Carl Crawford home to Texas at the end of this month while he listens to the tens of thousands Rays fans CHEER from the stands and show the Rays how much you appreciate their efforts in 2011 by doing whatever you can to make at least one of the final home games.
After talking with the Rays yesterday, we now have all the details. If you'd like to attend Friday night's game, we're able to offer $10 tickets through the site. The tickets are for the *tbt Party Deck, and if you order them through the link provided here, all but $1 of the Ticketmaster fees will be waived.
It's a pretty simple process. If you'd like to order tickets, go to this link and click the "Find Tickets" button. When prompted, enter the password "DRB" (must be capitalized), and then log into (or create) your Ticketmaster account. From there, it should all be relatively straightforward.
Furthermore, DRaysBay would like to do more to subsidize these seats. With site money from the ad campaigns over the last few months, they are willing to reimburse people as much as possible for their expenses. If things are a bit tight for you financially and you'd still like to attend, just shoot a message to Steve Slowinski, our editor, and we may be able to help.
This is our opportunity to show support for the hometown Rays.
2. Free Parking Friday.
via Marc Topkin:
Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg today announced free parking in any general (non-reserved) Rays-controlled lots at Tropicana Field for Friday's 7:10 p.m. game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Lots will open four hours prior to the game. Fans are encouraged to arrive early. Parking is limited on a first-come, first-served basis, and subject to availability. Reserved spots and reserved parking permits will still be honored.
The free parking is offered in addition to all of the Friday Fest elements, including a free DJ Kitty Rally T-shirt to the first 10,000 fans in attendance.
Tickets start at $12. For tickets visit raysbaseball.com or call 888-FAN-RAYS.
That's right, as a bonus our beloved owner has done his part to give incentive to the fans. Six home games left against Toronto and New York. Where will you be?