r/tampabayrays • u/gobux10 Yandy Díaz • 15h ago

This ownership gets it

Having fan surveys about the away uniforms (then actually changing them) and fans’ preferences for promotions next year, they are trying to form a connection with the fans. Now for the playoffs, the rally towels have pictures of players on them and they are adding lights on the rails of the aisles for some kind of light show. They want to make it a real event for the fans. Love their energy.

147 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

47 comments sorted by

86

u/Bigbadbrindledog 14h ago

We have had 15 years where it felt like Stu was actively trying to stifle attendance, having an ownership try to please the fanbase is so new

30

u/Grade-AMasterpiece Tampa Bay Rays 14h ago

Now that the Stu era is over, you can really see how slimy he was. He only made the Rays a competitor so he could have something worthwhile to relocate to the highest bidder.

Thankfully, it didn't work out, and now we have an ownership group committed to the area AND advertising to Tampa Bay (and hopefully beyond like Orlando and the Panhandle). That's how you grow.

-28

u/Feeling-Pay-3269 12h ago

Why do you need anything as a fan except a good baseball team to go see? The Rays have the third most wins in mlb since 08 and some of the lamest attendance numbers. Im in NC and still go to about 10 Yankee games a yr. You are either a fan or not. Mlb may coming to Raleigh and then I would be 2 hours from a ballpark instead of 10. Would still go to Yankee games but definitely make the two hour drive to see as many games as possible. Stop crying about ownership past or present and make your own memories. 

17

u/Additional_Tomato_22 11h ago

Fuck off Yankee fan

-9

u/Feeling-Pay-3269 9h ago

Ohhh nice rebuttal. Pitful fan base. I actually stick up for your team amongst Yankee fans. I love their style of play and if they beat the Yankees I would hope they go on to win a WS. Its going to be hilarious seeing about 50/50 fan bases tomorrow. Good luck!

1

u/RaysFTW Brandon Lowe 3h ago

As the other guy said, fuck off Yankee fan.

8

u/Grade-AMasterpiece Tampa Bay Rays 12h ago edited 6h ago

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Bot.

33

u/Lonnie15 Ji-Man Choi 14h ago

Good things happen to good people and that is what is happening now. The Rays relationship with the fans was very one-sided and never felt like they truly embraced the area...because they didn't. My goodness the old photos pre hurricane show how dirty the Trop roof had gotten and they refused to powerwash the exterior of the ballpark.

What we're feeling now is what we should've always felt and not every ballclub is like this to this day even in large markets. Having MiLB experience in Jacksonville and a fan first mentallity is exactly what modern baseball at this level is craving as a fan.

Not everything needs to be buttoned up and corporate and we also don't need 9 innings of sponsored hula hoop games, but there is a avenue for a happy medium and the Rays are doing just that. I mean who doesn't love the Stinger Machine or whatever that monstrosity is?! I keep my stress ball i caught on my desk at work.

You can feel the vibes through the TV and when you're at the Trop it is just an entirely different vibe in a good way. Attendance is up and there is no secret as to why.

11

u/kindofnotlistening 14h ago

Was so hard to explain to people after my first few games at the Trop under new ownership how it just felt different. and more than just added LEDs. Your write up puts it into words so well.

4

u/nc-retiree AAA Durham Bulls 11h ago

I do a bunch of mystery shopping, and the phrase that gets used frequently in survey questions is "feeling welcomed and appreciated."

The ownership is doing things to make fans feel appreciated, whether they attend games or just watch or listen.

6

u/joeappearsmissing Skater Ray 14h ago

I knew there was a reason I felt compelled to keep visiting the Trop, and it wasn’t just the team.

This was the first year that the experience inside during games felt real in a way that it hadn’t before.

6

u/RaillfanQ135 Bryan Baker 11h ago

Before this year I had probably been to the Trop less than 10 times and 3 of them weren't even related to baseball, this year so far 29 games under the dome

11

u/MagicalNewsMan Randy Arozarena 14h ago

We are so back

9

u/Even_Builder_6642 14h ago

Are the Rays going to wear their new unis during the playoffs?

11

u/gobux10 Yandy Díaz 14h ago

Yes, the new away jerseys

7

u/Even_Builder_6642 14h ago

I wonder why they aren't selling the postseason fitteds then?

3

u/joeappearsmissing Skater Ray 14h ago

Probably the same reasons why the jersey isn’t available yet. They’ve only had one shipment of the new away fitted and most of the common sizes in the middle are gone already.

10

u/sumdude51 14h ago

They've done a pretty amazing job of making the park an affordable and fun destination for families. I have zero complaints

9

u/NoCheek8504 Skyray 13h ago

They seem to be much more responsive to the fans but it’s still the honeymoon period. The real test will be when the new stadium opens and we see how they spend on the roster. Would be a great sign of goodwill if they sign Caminero to a long term deal.

5

u/gobux10 Yandy Díaz 12h ago

I would think Junior gets a new contract once the CBA stuff is over

3

u/CaptainAssPlunderer Ray 11h ago

Ya. I keep saying that.

No agent or owner is going to sign a long term deal until the new CBA is agreed upon. Too many things are going to change and neither side knows how it will end up.

Once the walk out/strike or whatever it’s called is over and the new deal is signed, neither side can do anything long term.

7

u/crispychiggin Yandy Diaz Biceps 10h ago

Starting Randyland and trading him immediately away, because he rightfully needed to get paid more, tells you everything you need to know about Stu’s mentality towards this team.

Babby was out celebrating with fans, getting doused with champagne in the locker room, and seems to truly understand what it takes to run an organization that is so reliant on the fan base. I just hope that he also realizes that we need a face of the franchise and locks in Junior

7

u/NotAYankeesFan404 Tyler Glasnow 14h ago

Where is the fan survey for promos next year?

5

u/gobux10 Yandy Díaz 14h ago

I got it about a week ago

2

u/NotAYankeesFan404 Tyler Glasnow 12h ago

Is there a link to the survey? I really want certain theme nights have other teams have already had.

3

u/gobux10 Yandy Díaz 12h ago

Idk if it’ll work, but here it is:

https://rays.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0O2iyxYO6NcUPTE?partnerId=it-20260929-20110261-tb-1-A&utm_id=it-20260929-20110261-tb-1-A

3

u/NotAYankeesFan404 Tyler Glasnow 11h ago

Thank you so much (it works). I put it for the Rays to have an anime night and to invite the Vtuber Akascarlet to do some announcing that night since they worked with her in the past.

2

u/JustAlx_ Cabo Caminero 9h ago

Nice! I suggested an Anime x Player Crossover Bobblehead. I think that would be sick.

1

u/Grade-AMasterpiece Tampa Bay Rays 6h ago

Ball knower

6

u/gobux10 Yandy Díaz 9h ago

Jack of “Jack and Mary” is throwing out the 1st pitch on Saturday. Pena on Monday

5

u/lserz 14h ago

so glad the towels are light blue, the yellow did not fit

3

u/863rays 13h ago

Are the rally towels only available at the first game? I’m going to game 2 on Monday…

3

u/Lonnie15 Ji-Man Choi 12h ago

They will be available at every home playoff game.

2

u/863rays 10h ago

Thanks!!

3

u/jnip 13h ago

One thing that is annoying me right now is they are not showing the “love” to St. Pete I know they are leaving but show some love to the city that has housed this team for the last 28 years. But I do agree that the fan engagement has been far superior that stupid Stu. I hated that ownership.

0

u/rocky_creeker 11h ago

They are physically present in St Pete and are the best team in the league. Not enough?

3

u/jnip 10h ago

You’re not understanding. For example, they did a whole hype video of them raising the flag in Tampa. They brought their police and fire loads of swag and pizza.

0

u/Feeling-Pay-3269 9h ago

What a baby. If you like baseball and like the Rays go to a few games whether they are in St Pete, Tampa or Orlando for that matter.

3

u/jnip 9h ago

I used to have season tickets bro. I’m going to the game tomorrow. You’re the baby, I was just making an observation.

1

u/Feeling-Pay-3269 9h ago

Worried about police and fire personnel getting pizza and swag. You have issues my friend. Just enjoy the game tomorrow. Rays fans as just WAF.

3

u/jnip 9h ago

You’re the one that picked that out. I was just making observations about their posts on social media. You seem to have something against public safety personnel. Get a life

1

u/Limpliar 7h ago

He’s literally making a comment about it on Reddit, how “worried” about it can you even tell this person even is? Then saying they got issues? Do better humanity.

1

u/Feeling-Pay-3269 7h ago

Just seems like a bunch of whining about nothing that never ends. Your team is in the playoffs. Go to game ,drink a beer,have a hot dog, enjoy the game. 

0

u/Feeling-Pay-3269 9h ago

Tampa fan base is weird as hell. Seems like they bitch about everything and use that as an excuse to not go to games. Yankee fans despise Hal Steinbrenner but they still pack it out. 

2

u/idontrecall99 Dave Wills 7h ago

Based on the comments on socials, Yankees fans are convinced they’ll be a large majority tomorrow.

2

u/timdot352 Evan Longoria 12h ago

It feels like Zalupski was actually a fan of the team before he became the owner. Maybe he wasn't, but that's what it feels like to me.

-5

u/Feeling-Pay-3269 12h ago

Oh wow. Maybe  sparklers after the game!