FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Never thought of that, but sounds like it could be definetly true. Always watched Jays games in Tampa. No one ever in the seats there. But maybe this could be the start of the fan base growing there. For example when the Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers of the NHL, made there run for the cup (and failed like Rays) they gained SOOOO many fans. The fan base for those two teams could possibly two of the biggest (behind Maple Leafs) in the league.

Let's be honest here -- estimates are that 60-70% of the residents down here are transplants. They never had a reason to give up their prior allegiance -- or at least bump the Rays ahead of their team from up north. Even the "natives" were disbelievers because the Rays had NEVER in their entire existence given them anything to cheer for. So you have all those people who watched the games on TV (hence the 94% increase in ratings) but still held off on jumping on the proverbial bandwagon because, let's be honest, people like to cheer for a winner. Just take a look at Baltimore's attendance towards the end of the season.
This is a unique market in that the Rays NEED people to jump on the bandwagon. It's not something that happens overnight. An expansion team has to earn the respect of their local fans and the old Devil Rays never did --- not to mention the respect of transplants with allegiances to teams that have been around for a century.
I myself began rooting for the old Devil Rays as soon as I moved her in 2005. While that equates to only 3 miserable seasons, I am originally from Cleveland, where the Tribe has not won the World Series since 1948. So I feel I've suffered. But back to the point -- Tampa Bay is my home. It's generally accepted in baseball that you root for "the home team". Transplants no longer have the excusse of the "Rays suck" to not be a fan. In my opinion, if you live in Tampa Bay, and it's your home, then you should root for the Rays. If not, then why do you live here? If Boston, or NY, or Philly is so wonderful, then why don't you live there?? You no longer have the excuses of the past ten years.
I will always have special place in my heart for the Tribe, and other hapless Cleveland teams, but my home is Tampa Bay. I'm not planning on moving back up north. I root for the HOME TEAM because that's what people should do. And now that we have a winner, transplants around here who are here to stay no longer have any excuse not to. And they should be ashamed that they are not.

Seems like PinellasParkRaysFan is just proving the original point. Faithful fans don't change their allegiances when they change their ZIP code. The definition of faithful is "steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant." Maybe I missed the caveat "unless you move."

Anyway, the Rays are a good baseball team and I don't begrudge them their fans. They need and deserve support from the Tampa area. But the HOME team is in your heart, your blood and your tears, not your address. So don't pretend you were ever an Indians fan... It's an insult to the long-suffering fans in Cleveland.

Besides, it's P-I-N-I-E-L-L-A. Typical Rays fan.