Bill Foster is In Denial About the Tampa Bay Rays

Mayor Bill Foster claims that St. Petersburg is a viable market for Major League Baseball. Foster says "Tampa Bay" in the debate but he means St. Petersburg. Foster has not and has no plans to let the Rays ownership talk to the City of Tampa or Hillsborough County government about the Rays moving across the Bay. Foster is not likely to any time soon.

The Rays made the playoffs this year and have been a winning team the past 5 years. The result was the worst attendance in baseball in 2013. I would love to be in the room when Mayor Foster tells MLB owners that St. Petersburg is a fantastic market. I suspect the reaction would be laughter.

Quote of the Day

"Kickstarter for $1 million prize for Home Run Derby hitter who hits one into Chris Berman's mouth."

Pourmecoffee, on Twitter

Amazing First Pitch At South Korean Baseball Game

South Korean gymnast Shin Soo-ji threw out this mind-boggling first pitch at the Doosan Bears and Samsung Lions game. I would not even try this.

Seattle Mariners Will Fly Pride Flag

The Seattle Mariners will fly the pride flag on June 30th. The game will be against the Chicago Cubs and coincides with the 39th annual Seattle Pride Parade. Seattle Out & Proud issued this statement.

"We're thrilled to have so much community support in Seattle and greatly appreciate the leadership from the Mariners in promoting equality and acceptance in professional sports," says Adam McRoberts, Spokesman for Seattle Out & Proud.

The Seattle Mariners explained their reasoning for flying the pride flag.

Rebecca Hale, Director of Public Information for the Mariners told Seattle Out & Proud this morning, "We're a part of this community. Our fans are a reflection of our community. We thought this was an appropriate gesture on a day that is very meaningful to the LGBT community."

I'm glad to see the Mariners doing this.

Alex Cobb Taken Off Field After Hit by Ball

I have never been one to overly complain about how much professional athletes get paid. A major reason is the physical punishment they take. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Alex Cobb was taken off the field on a stretcher. Cobb was hit in the head by a line drive ball off the bat of Eric Hosmer. Jonah Keri of Baseball Tonight tweeted this.

Velocity of ball hit by Eric Hosmer that struck Alex Cobb in the head: 102.4 mph.

I hope for Cobb to have a speedy and healthy recovery.

Update: the Tampa Bay Rays sent out this tweet.

Alex Cobb was diagnosed with a mild concussion. All tests came back normal. We thank you all for your thoughts & continued support.

How Bad Are Tampa Sports Columnists?

Answer: St. Petersburg Times columnist Gary Shelton has had a long time fetish with Tampa Bay Rays player BJ Upton. In a 2004 column, Shelton predicted that Upton would be the American League MVP. Shelton made predictions about his seasons in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

In the year 2011, Upton will drive in 106 runs. Remember him in your Rotisserie League.

In the year 2010, Upton will hit 24 home runs. It will not be his best season.

In the year 2009, and you can trust teammate Carl Crawford on this, "He'll be one of the best shortstops in the league, and he'll be getting ready to play in the All-Star Game."

Upton never panned out at shortstop. He is now playing centerfield. In 2010, Upton hit 18 home runs and 62 RBIs. Upton is a lifetime .257 hitter. Shelton continues to write articles on how Upton will one day turn the corner and become a superstar. Enough is enough. If Shelton believes that then he doesn't know enough about baseball to cover the sport.

Rays 'It Gets Better' Ad

The Tampa Bay Rays filmed this ad for the "It Gets Better" program to help LGBT teenagers. The Tampa Bay Rays organization should be commended for getting involved it "It Gets Better."

The Catch

Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett makes a catch that saves him from a possible hospital trip.

Fans, those fickle beasts

As a Red Sox fan, I often hear the same refrain from fans of baseball teams that suck: The Boston Red Sox blow all this money on players and we can't!  It's unfair!  Wahhhh!  These fans never mention that they're team probably got a stadium financed with public funds while the Sox ownership keeps pouring money into the smallest, and one of the oldest, stadiums in baseball.

Boston fans also pay astronomically high ticket prices, yet fill up that tiny little bucket of a stadium 81 times a year.  Every Sox game over the past five years has been a sellout.

No wonder the Red Sox can afford to give outrageous contracts to all stars.  But what amazes me this baseball season is the Tampa Bay Rays fanbase -- if you can even call it that.  The Rays have arguably been the best team in baseball all season, yet Rays fans complain their team sucks.  The fans level of whining reflects in attendance at home games -- about 12,000 fans saw their Rays clinch a playoff berth last night.

I just checked Rays ticket prices.  Bleacher and upper deck seats go for $10 - 17; press box level seats go for $29; the second section of seats behind all the "expensive" front section seats go for $22; and the lower box/front section seats go for $42.  At most stadiums, upper deck seats behind the plate are fine -- and those go for minor league prices for Rays fans! And $42 gets you close to the field?  Forty-two dollars doesn't get you a friggen hot dog and beer at Fenway Park.  Rays fans can pay these prices to see an elite team that could win the World Series this season play!  What are they complaining about?

So the next time I hear some fans bitching about how the Red Sox buy championships and only the Yankees can afford to compete with them, I'll ask them why fans can't show up when the Rays put a winning team on the field.  As for that salary dump your team will do next season, Tampa -- hey, you get what you pay for.  You'll have no right to complain about it.

One final note, speaking as a Red Sox fan: If the Rays make it to the World Series, I can't wait to see the Phillies stomp all over them again.

Help Moffit Cancer Center

Pepsi is giving away a $200,000 grant to the charity sponsored by a Major League Baseball team. The Tampa Bay Rays and Evan Longoria are sponsoring the Moffiit Cancer Center. Vote for the Tampa Bay Rays to help Moffit win the grant money.

Bill Foster Say Rays Are Staying

St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster sent out a press release clearing implying he isn't letting the Tampa Bay Rays leave town.

“I do agree that the Rays are a “regional asset”, and will work tirelessly with the political and business leaders of Tampa Bay in support of this club. However, there is no resident of the entire region who has given up more in this quest for baseball than the resident of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. The taxpaying rresidents of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in support of Major League Baseball and the Rays, and above all else, their interests will always come first.

Earlier this week, Mr. Sternberg issues a statement, “the Rays will not be playing in Tropicana Field when our current lease expires in the year 2027″. and in the spirit of full cooperation with one of our most prominent business partners, the City of St. Petersburg is ready, willing and able to explore future facility sites located in St. Peterburg, including sits in the area commonly referred to as The Greater Gateway.” To begin a time line for construction prior to 2027, an amendment to our existing agreement would be required. I intend to convey to Mr. Sternberg aour willingness to engage the Rays in this discussion immediately, in spite of the fact that seventeen years remain on the existing agreement.

Let me be clear – we will consider any potential ballpark site in St. Petersburg and the Gateway, but only as part of a process that recognizes and rewards the previous and ongoing investment and commitment of the St. Petersburg and Pinellas County resident, and thus, no sites outside our geographic boundaries will be considered. This is consistent with every previous statement made by this administration, both publically and behind closed doors with Rays’ management.

Translation: Foster is thumping his chest. The fact is the Rays could pull a Baltimore Colts and move the team in the middle of the night. The Rays would let the city that courts them pay the fines and legal fees to St. Petersburg. That is what St. Petersburg was willing to do when they attempted to steal the White Sox and Giants from their hometowns.

I don't think the Rays can survive in St. Petersburg. South Tampa makes sense for the team economically. What wouldn't make sense is Hillsborough County taxpayers' har earned money being used to build a stadium for a for profit franchise. There was once a time when sports franchises built their own stadiums.

We look forward to ongoing dialogue with the Rays…”

Major League Baseball Players Association v. Arizona

The Major League Baseball Players Association has come out against the Arizona ID bill. This is why I love unions.

“The recent passage by Arizona of a new immigration law could have a negative impact on hundreds of Major League players who are citizens of countries other than the United States. These international players are very much a part of our national pastime and are important members of our Association. Their contributions to our sport have been invaluable, and their exploits have been witnessed, enjoyed and applauded by millions of Americans. All of them, as well as the Clubs for whom they play, have gone to great lengths to ensure full compliance with federal immigration law.

“The impact of the bill signed into law in Arizona last Friday is not limited to the players on one team. The international players on the Diamondbacks work and, with their families, reside in Arizona from April through September or October. In addition, during the season, hundreds of international players on opposing Major League teams travel to Arizona to play the Diamondbacks. And, the spring training homes of half of the 30 Major League teams are now in Arizona. All of these players, as well as their families, could be adversely affected, even though their presence in the United States is legal. Each of them must be ready to prove, at any time, his identity and the legality of his being in Arizona to any state or local official with suspicion of his immigration status. This law also may affect players who are U.S. citizens but are suspected by law enforcement of being of foreign descent.

“The Major League Baseball Players Association opposes this law as written. We hope that the law is repealed or modified promptly. If the current law goes into effect, the MLBPA will consider additional steps necessary to protect the rights and interests of our members.

Bruno Punks Pete Rose

Sacha Baron Cohen punks a worthy target: Pete Rose. There is no denying that Rose is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. The problem is Rose has consistentedly lied about gambling on Major League player baseball.

A-Rod (Career) Is Dead

The Onion pens of bogus eulogy for A-Rod.

"A-Rod was a person, but a much better baseball player," a statement from the New York Yankees' front office read in part.

A-Rod's final words were: "You'll have to talk to the Union.... I'm not saying anything."

Phillies

The Phillies win game 5. The parade in Center City is going to be crazy. I was seriously conflicted about my loyalties during this series. I'm glad the Phillies won.

People don't understand what it means being a Philly sports fan. Every missed opportunity tears a piece of a fan's heart out. Philly fans are obsessive. And sometimes scary. I wish I could hit the Philly bars tonight. The town does know how to party. The Rays are a young franchise and will have other chances.

George Will Baseball Parody

Dana Carvey lampoons George Will's baseball obsession. Will is actually more boring when discussing the national pasttime. Check out this quiz the real Will wrote in his op-ed.

1. Who are the four players with 10 or more letters in their last names who hit 40 home runs in a season?

2. Who are the 11 players who have four or fewer letters in their last names and hit 40 home runs in a season?

3. Which two players who hit back-to-back home runs have the most combined letters in their last names?

Who is the most boring baseball writer with four letters in his last name? Give your answer in the comments.

St Petersburg Citizens Against Tax Dollars For New Stadium

The St. Petersburg Times poll found that 69 percent oppose any plan for the Tampa Bay Rays with tax dollars. The new stadium has an estimated cost of $450-million.

One possible scenario to finance the stadium is problematic. Property taxes could be used to pay for stadium construction. That is money that would go to fund schools. Florida is facing a property tax revolt and the Rays are unpopular. The Tampa Bay Lightning (a hockey team) played in Tropicana Field and generated better attendance.

Another possibility is selling Tropicana Field. The question is who needs a baseball stadium? Tropicana Field could be torn down and the property sold. It wouldn't be a bad place for a shopping mall.

Mayor Rick Baker is going to have a hard time selling a new stadium to local residents. The sales tax to finance Raymond James Stadium left many voters feeling hoodwinked. To quote Pete Townshend, "Then I'll get on my knees and pray.
We don't get fooled again."

Question of the Day

Can someone explain to me why the New York Yankees are resigning Alex Rodriguez for a reported $275 million? A-Rod is a horrible postseason hitter, handles the New York media poorly and walked out of the last two years of his contract. The Yankees are paying an outrageous sum of money for a 32 year-old player. Athletes do not age like fine wine.

The Great Sports Rebate Swindle

S.V. Date explains how the great sports rebate swindle works in Florida.

Because “rebate” has a specific meaning in the minds of most Floridians. It’s when you buy, say, a television at Best Buy, and then, after you send in the receipt, the manufacturer sends you a check for $50 or $100 or $1,000.

When the typical voter hears rebate applied to sports teams, the logical inference is that the amount “rebated” is based upon or limited by the amount of sales tax collected at the new park.

And that is precisely NOT how it works. Read the law (link below). After a team has been qualified by the governor’s office as meeting the projected requirements, the Department of Revenue starts sending the stadium owners a monthly check for $166,667 for 30 years — no further questions asked.

It gets worse. The Tampa Bay Lightning received a $166,667 monthly check the year of the NHL lockout. Florida taxpayers paid the Lightning the not playing. Talk about a bargain. Charlie Crist has decide to give the Tampa Bay Rays the same deal.

The Rays are now asking St. Petersburg to build a waterfront stadium. The price tag is $450 million. The Rays will put up only $150 million. We can take a good guess who will be paying the rest of the bill.

Jim Johnson made the unintentionally hysterical argument of the positive economic impact that "John Gruden, Vinny Lecavalier, Mike Alstott - they all have to fill up their gas tanks." That doesn't cover Rayomnd James Stadium operating at a deficit. Another point that destroys Johnson's gas purchase argument is studies showing that sport stadiums do not generate revenue back into the community.

The great sports rebate swindle will continue until voters stand up and say no more.

Barry Bond Indicted

A young Barry Bonds.


Bonds during his Pittsburg Pirates day and later in his career.

Barry Bonds has been indicted on four counts of perjury and obstruction of justice. The home-run king was questioned if the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) gave him performance enhancing drugs. The New York Times reports that Bonds is facing a possible 5 years in prison. KTVU.com conflicts The Times by reporting Bonds is looking at 30 years.

Hat tip to Jeff Fecke.

My question to readers is does Bonds derserve to go in the Hall of Fame. He would have been a sure-shot first ballot candidate before the steroids and home runs. Steroids does not give a player better hand eye coordination.

The other side of the argument is Bonds was an arrogant player hated by his teammates. Bonds was less than candid about his relationship with BALCO.

Readers, does Bonds derserve to go in the Hall of Fame?