Archive for the 'The RAYSHEAD Army' Category

Sep 18

[THE RAYSHEAD ARMY] A Seven Nation Army Can’t Hold The Rays Back

Seven Nation Army, The RAYSHEAD Army 5 Comments »

Last night was a landmark moment in the history of Rays Index. Three weeks ago we called on the Tampa Bay Rays to institute the use of “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes as a late-inning rally song to pump up the crowd.

According to numerous comments and emails, last night the Rays used the song during Red Sox pitching changes at least once and possibly twice.

So we went to the video tape. And sure enough, as the Rays broadcast comes back from commercial during a pitching change in the 8th inning, we heard the unmistakable riff of Jack White’s semi-acoustic guitar.

The song is already popular at many European soccer events. Watch the following video and imagine how intimidating the Trop would be with 36,000 fans chanting in unison inside an enclosed dome…

The Rays are in first place with a chance to lock up their first-ever playoff spot. Just imagine how the Trop will rock in the playoffs once the fans catch on to the rhythm chanting of this song. We have never been more proud to be a member of THE RAYSHEAD ARMY.

Sep 10

[THE RAYSHEAD ARMY] What A Difference A Day Makes In The Raysiverse

Dan Johnson, The RAYSHEAD Army No Comments »

Yesterday, many were ready to cede the division to the Red Sox and any hopes of being a competive team in the playoffs. Last night’s game was a mere formality. Midnight was ready strike and the 2008 Rays were about to be permanently transformed back into a pumpkin. And then the 9th inning happened. Dan Johnson happened. Long flight with delays? No worries. No batting practice prior to the game? No worries. No major league at bats in 5 months? No worries. Come in to face one of the best closers in baseball and maybe the best fastball he has seen in months? No worries. He is the Red Bearded Bull. El Toro Rojo. He gives the ball wings.

And just like that the magic number is down to 12 and the Rays are back up 1.5 games. No matter what happens tonight, the Rays will still be in first place and at least 1 game up in the loss column.

And imagine if the Rays actually win tonight. What will they say if the Rays actually win this series in Fenway? What will they say if the Rays leave the series with a 2.5 game lead and up 3 in the loss column? Some will be quiet. Many will say it doesn’t matter to the Sox and their fans. They will say making the playoffs is all that matters.

For them…Just this video…

Aug 13

[PLAYOFFS?!?!] Tampa Bay Rays Not Interested In Selling More Playoff Tickets

Playoffs?, The RAYSHEAD Army 15 Comments »

The Tampa Bay Rays announced they will not sell tickets in the upper-tier sections should the Rays make the playoffs. These same seats are covered by a blue tarp during the regular season. Apparently the Rays decided 7,500 fans would enjoy the game better from the parking lot.

Should the Rays make the playoffs, don’t look for the team to increase capacity at the Trop. It is now 36,048; used to be 43,700. According to a Rays’ spokesman, the team has no plans to unwrap that light blue tarp from those top-tier seats.

“We would not remove the tarp,” states Rays’ Vice President for Communications Rick Vaughn. “The building operates well at the current capacity. The seats beneath the tarps don’t provide the experience we expect to deliver to our fans.

To us, this reasoning seems skeptical at best. Might the Rays be more worried that some, or all, of the extra seats would go unsold during any potential playoff game? No team wants the stigma of not being able to sell out a playoff game. Especially a team like the Rays, whose fan support is already questioned by the rest of baseball.

Of course, this could also be a business decision to increase the apparent demand of playoff tickets, by decreasing the potential supply. This is not unlike that bar/club that makes people wait outside when there are only 20 people inside. [Ed. note: Decreasing supply of playoff tickets may also increase season ticket sales...See comments]

Either way, it is hard to believe the Rays would pass up the opportunity to take in nearly $2 million in ticket sales alone, not too mention the extra dollars spent at concession stands.

The spokesman did suggest Major League Baseball might overrule the Rays and force the team to sell the extra tickets.

So let’s hear it: Do you think the Rays would have trouble selling 43,700 tickets for a playoff game?

Rays Not Planning To Increase Capacity For Playoffs [Tampa Tribune]

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