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The Tampa Bay Rays began their fifth straight postseason appearance on Tuesday in a Game One loss to the Texa Rangers in the AL Wild Card. A franchise that is just three years removed from participating in the World Series will now look to avoid elimination on Wednesday in their Game 2 matchup with the Rangers.
Videos and photos began circulating on social media from the lack of fans at Tropicana field during Game One.
The atmosphere for Game 2 doesn’t look like it will be that much better.
Tampa Bay Rays fans just don’t show up😳@CodifyBaseball #Postseason pic.twitter.com/xXalX6136R
— Sportskeeda Baseball (@sportskeeda_mlb) October 4, 2023
A quick search on StubHub will show you that a Rays fan can grab tickets for just $22 for Game 2 of the Wild Card series. Of all the Game 1 matchups in the MLB Wild Card Round, Tampa didn’t even have 20,000 fans show up.
A stadium that fills over 45,000 people couldn’t even get to half capacity in a playoff scenario. Ticket prices for sporting events have long been too expensive for many fans.
However, it seems to be that it is more than ticket prices keeping Rays fans away from the field.
Hey Tampa Bay Rays fans!
Wednesday Game 3 at 3 PM ET
What is your excuse for not coming to the TROP today to support #RaysUp as your young, exciting team fights for its #MLBPostseason life?#MLB #MLBPlayoffs #TEXvsTB #Tampa #TampaBay #Florida pic.twitter.com/hXPfFat8rS
— ItWasBetterIn1980 (@WasBetterIn1980) October 4, 2023
The passion for baseball in Tampa doesn’t seem to be there. Which is sad, as a franchise that isn’t even 30 years old has already competed in multiple World Series. Just look to the people of Oakland. A city that has managed to lose every professional sports team it had over the last decade. A town desperate to see a successful franchise is now watching a franchise with no fan base reach levels of success they will unfortunately ever get to see.
If anything, the players of the Rays don’t deserve this. These players work all season for a chance at the atmosphere of playing in October. Instead, the Rays are playing in front of tourists and 300 die-hard fans who like to see baseball in Tampa.
Maybe it’s time to talk about relocation for the Rays.
A franchise that has fielded a competitive unit for the last decade won’t even get to celebrate the moment with fans who care. If anyone in the Tampa area cares, Game 2 between the Rays and Rangers will take place at 3 p.m. today.
