MLB Playoffs

[DEAD!]

Well, ever since the they announce the new name and had Kevin Costner sing at the ceremony, things have looked up for the Rays. But, I'm sure even the most optimistic Rays fan could not have expected them getting to the World Series.

[Pharos04]

Well I for one will offer my congratulations to the Rays. They certainly proved what has been going on all season that they are no longer just the floormats of the American League. I had stated to people that if they weren't playing the Sox in the ALCS I definitely would've been cheering for them. I enjoy seeing the underdog win. Granted not as much as my teams but now that the Sox have lost, go Rays, get yourself a title and show that whole "Worst to First" attitude.

And as a side note: Not all Boston fans are drunk loud obnoxious asswipes that everyone makes them out to be. It's just like everything else that a small minority of idiots claim to speak the minds of the majority. I for one am a proud, loyal, and faithful Boston fan who cheers on my teams, gets excited when they end up winning, and get's depressed when they lose, however I look at the bright side, such as the Sox made it to the playoffs again, they made it to the ALCS for the 4th time, and damn there almost made it to the World Series for the 3rd time in 4 years. That's a pretty big accomplishment considering 10 years ago it was wonderful they came in 2nd to the Yankees. But to all those Boston bashers out there who categorized all fans as the same, just know that there are some true blooded fans here in New England who have lived through the hardships and hate these f-ing bandwagoneers just as much as the rest of the world. They are the ones who should be the focus of despise, not those who have lived and died on every pitch, groaned at every sack...and shook their head at every shot gone astray. Yes it is a great time to be a Boston fan. And we all know it's ending soon. Nothing like this ever happens and it will go away just as quickly as it began. Then we will join the hoards of those who hate XXXXXXX just as much as everyone else because they have suddenly started winning and showing actual organizational skills and all 4 cylinders are firing at once.

[BBTV]

Great. Now we have to see rednecks with mullets and cowbells jumping around inside a warehouse with dopey homemade "put me on TV!!!!" signs for at least two (probably four) games. I really hope that this helps the Rays develop an actual fan base (though with expansion teams, it's not realistic to expect that until the first generation of youngsters grows up with the team) and get a real stadium, because the team is great and very likable, but their whole "production" is rather... hokey.

[Swiss]

Pharos04, woooow, I second you.

[McCall]

Well, I guess all they had to do was exorcise the Devil, and they made it to the World Series.

Honestly, I don't mind this Phillies' team as much as teams in the past (couldn't stand the '93 squad), I mean, Ryan Howard went to school here and is from St. Louis, so that right there. But this Rays team as just been to good of a story to pass up. I'm not afraid to admit it, but I didn't really care about them too much in the past. I did like Crawford the last few years, and knew Longoria would be good, but this season as been such a surprise, that I can't help but cheer for them. I myself would even crack jokes about them being the bottom feeders of the AL East, and MLB in general, but congrats to them on what is probably the single greatest turnaround in the history of professional sports.

And I remember, during their push for a new ballpark, all the people's comments on websites in the area were saying the likes of, "How about you spend the money on a competitive team, and THEN we might discuss a new ballpark." Well, is this good enough for them? They made their demands, and the team sure responded in a hurry and probably far exceeded their expectations. Does that mean they can get their new digs?

Anyway, in closing, again, Congratulations to the American League Champion, Tampa Bay Rays! Anybody ever think we'd hear that, or at least not this soon?

(BTW, anybody think the fundamentalist Christians are gonna come out and say "told you so" about dropping "Devil" from the name? Ya gotta wonder. )

[PittsburghSucks]

(BTW, anybody think the fundamentalist Christians are gonna come out and say "told you so" about dropping "Devil" from the name? Ya gotta wonder. )

Well the name Devil never seemed to hurt the New Jersey Devils win cups.

[infrared41]

Edit: Why does it show the emoticon if I star it out?

So we don't have to watch you try to swear I guess. Stick with what you're good at and leave the swearing to the -ing professionals.

Well if you're such a :censored:ing master you better teach me because if I listen to Hedley there's going to be a whole lot of :censored:ing going on...

Not bad. Not bad at all.

[Jigga]

Well I for one will offer my congratulations to the Rays. They certainly proved what has been going on all season that they are no longer just the floormats of the American League. I had stated to people that if they weren't playing the Sox in the ALCS I definitely would've been cheering for them. I enjoy seeing the underdog win. Granted not as much as my teams but now that the Sox have lost, go Rays, get yourself a title and show that whole "Worst to First" attitude.

And as a side note: Not all Boston fans are drunk loud obnoxious asswipes that everyone makes them out to be. It's just like everything else that a small minority of idiots claim to speak the minds of the majority. I for one am a proud, loyal, and faithful Boston fan who cheers on my teams, gets excited when they end up winning, and get's depressed when they lose, however I look at the bright side, such as the Sox made it to the playoffs again, they made it to the ALCS for the 4th time, and damn there almost made it to the World Series for the 3rd time in 4 years. That's a pretty big accomplishment considering 10 years ago it was wonderful they came in 2nd to the Yankees. But to all those Boston bashers out there who categorized all fans as the same, just know that there are some true blooded fans here in New England who have lived through the hardships and hate these f-ing bandwagoneers just as much as the rest of the world. They are the ones who should be the focus of despise, not those who have lived and died on every pitch, groaned at every sack...and shook their head at every shot gone astray. Yes it is a great time to be a Boston fan. And we all know it's ending soon. Nothing like this ever happens and it will go away just as quickly as it began. Then we will join the hoards of those who hate XXXXXXX just as much as everyone else because they have suddenly started winning and showing actual organizational skills and all 4 cylinders are firing at once.

So you're complaining about the generalization of the RSN while generalizing about those you accuse of generalizing. Nice.

Everyone doesn't think or say or do anything. Sure, not all Boston fans are "drunk loud obnoxious asswipes" Hell, not all Muslims are radical fundamentalists. Regardless of what TNak says, not all Democrats are socialist elites. And actually, not all Republicans are nutjob xenophobic racists.

However, enough of them are to make you think twice about it...

[JQK]

This is the one series baseball didn't want. Ratings are gonna be low.

Record low? i dunno, but it's got a chance.

Anyways, i hate Philthadelphia and every team inside of said city, so imma have go root for the Tampa/St. Pete Sunshine Devil Bay Manta Rays That Sting.

[TBGKon]

Of course, the year my Rays make the World Series, they have to go up against the team I worked for for 2 years in Clearwater for spring training/minor leagues. I have to go with the Rays, but will be pleased if either team wins.

[HedleyLamarr]

Boston/New England fans can go themselves with a rusty nail....

I'm a Boston/New England fan. And I offered my congratulations to the Tampa Bay Rays. So, I should go myself with a rusty nail?

Stay classy, Hedley....

Sure.

It's a low-class statement directed towards a low-class fanbase. I can live with that. If you take offense to that, that's a "you" problem.

And as a side note: Not all Boston fans are drunk loud obnoxious asswipes that everyone makes them out to be. It's just like everything else that a small minority of idiots claim to speak the minds of the majority. I for one am a proud, loyal, and faithful Boston fan who cheers on my teams, gets excited when they end up winning, and get's depressed when they lose, however I look at the bright side, such as the Sox made it to the playoffs again, they made it to the ALCS for the 4th time, and damn there almost made it to the World Series for the 3rd time in 4 years. That's a pretty big accomplishment considering 10 years ago it was wonderful they came in 2nd to the Yankees. But to all those Boston bashers out there who categorized all fans as the same, just know that there are some true blooded fans here in New England who have lived through the hardships and hate these f-ing bandwagoneers just as much as the rest of the world. They are the ones who should be the focus of despise, not those who have lived and died on every pitch, groaned at every sack...and shook their head at every shot gone astray. Yes it is a great time to be a Boston fan. And we all know it's ending soon. Nothing like this ever happens and it will go away just as quickly as it began. Then we will join the hoards of those who hate XXXXXXX just as much as everyone else because they have suddenly started winning and showing actual organizational skills and all 4 cylinders are firing at once.

Detroit fans weren't these obnoxious asswipes when the Pistons, Red Wings, and Tigers were doing some winning in 2005-06. Other cities have done the same.

Why are Boston sports fans the angst of so many other fans of ther teams today? In my opinion, it's their constant effort to want other fans to be sympathetic and be happy that the city is enjoying some championships. Take last year's Patriots for example.....despite winning 3 Super Bowls this decade before 2007, Pats fans on here were saying that this 16-0 season finally exorcised all those demons of those 1-15, 2-14 seasons of decades past. The city/region has won 3 Super Bowls, 2 World Series, and an NBA Championship...all since 2001, yet these fans still want non-Boston fans to be happy for them because their city has this inferiority complex to New York, their teams/fans, and NYC's teams' collective success.

You might be a die-hard and all that, but when your fellow fans make comments such as "Congrats to the Rays and their few fans.", it's that smugness and arrogance in making backhanded comments/compliments that doesn't sit well with non-Boston fans, and that reflects on the entire fanbase, die-hard and bandwagon included. The arrogance and smugness isn't coming from just the bandwagon fans, it's from the die-hards as well.

So yes, Boston/New England fans can go screw themselves.

[Swiss]

This is the one series baseball didn't want. Ratings are gonna be low.

Record low? i dunno, but it's got a chance.

I just thought about it this morning. TV wanted a World Series between the Phillies and Red Sox or Dodgers vs Red Sox... and found a Rays vs Phillies World Series.

But how was the rating last night? Yes, the rating of the Red Sox vs Rays Game 7. If it is very decent or high outside of New England and Tampa Bay, there is a chance of good ratings for the TV...

An entertaining Game 1 of the World Series may help to bring some audience; remember the 2001 WS, this went well about TV rating specially Games 6 and 7 between the Yankees and the then unsuspected Diamondbacks.

[NJTank]

Well this is what separates the NBA from MLB, if this had been the NBA they would have made sure to get Dodgers vs Red Sox.

[BBTV]

This is the one series baseball didn't want. Ratings are gonna be low.

Record low? i dunno, but it's got a chance.

Anyways, i hate Philthadelphia and every team inside of said city, so imma have go root for the Tampa/St. Pete Sunshine Devil Bay Manta Rays That Sting.

It certainly doesn't have the national appeal of LA vs. BOS, but the city that you hate so much is still the 4th largest TV market, so I'd assume ratings would be higher than 2006, and certainly higher than if Milwaukee advanced to face TB.

[Swiss]

Well this is what separates the NBA from MLB, if this had been the NBA they would have made sure to get Dodgers vs Red Sox.

Did you really believe that NBA does such that trick? And how did San Antonio Spurs reach the Finals two or three times? I must say that I don't watch frequently basket.

[NJTank]

They have done it on several occasions and according to that NBA ref that was convicted, granted not the most reliable source Game 6 of the Western Finals was fixed because the NBA feared Sacramento vs New Jersey would kill raitings.

[FiddySicks]

Is it just me or does it seem like the best looking World Series are always the ones that everyone is worried about getting ty ratings?

Fu*k ratings.

[See Red]

Is it just me or does it seem like the best looking World Series are always the ones that everyone is worried about getting :censored:ty ratings?

Fu*k ratings.

I don't think this is one of the better looking World Series' though. I'm slightly pulling for the Phillies, very much pulling for seven games, but I can't shake this nagging feeling it'll be Rays in five. Then again, the Rays seem to be more comfortable as the underdogs, and they are favored (at least I would imagine they are, I haven't looked too far into it), so who knows...

[mantleisthebest7]

Is it just me or does it seem like the best looking World Series are always the ones that everyone is worried about getting :censored:ty ratings?

Fu*k ratings.

I don't think this is one of the better looking World Series' though. I'm slightly pulling for the Phillies, very much pulling for seven games, but I can't shake this nagging feeling it'll be Rays in five. Then again, the Rays seem to be more comfortable as the underdogs, and they are favored (at least I would imagine they are, I haven't looked too far into it), so who knows...

How could it not be one of the better looking Series? I mean seriously, just because Tampa isnt going to bring in the type of pizazz and star power another team could dosent make it a bad looking series. One of the best stanley cups I ever saw was Calgary and Tampa Bay a couple of years ago, hardly any star power or market behind it (not to meantion tv ratings) but possibly the greatest best of 7 series ive seen in any sport. And the reason being was that thier styles were much of the same, so it was a push the whole series. Thats what i see in this one, two teams with perfect blends of speed, smarts and power. And both have great depth, when thier top contributers dont contribute, both have unsung heroes to pick them up. The Phillies have Victorino, Stairs and Werth, the Rays have Price, Aybar and Baldelli. Both have great leaders in Crawford and Utley to be excactly that - leaders - and both have great, smart, intellegent managers in Maddon and Manuel working in the dugouts. It's basically even. This is far from a bad looking series. Rays in 7.

[BBTV]

Is it just me or does it seem like the best looking World Series are always the ones that everyone is worried about getting :censored:ty ratings?

Fu*k ratings.

I don't think this is one of the better looking World Series' though. I'm slightly pulling for the Phillies, very much pulling for seven games, but I can't shake this nagging feeling it'll be Rays in five. Then again, the Rays seem to be more comfortable as the underdogs, and they are favored (at least I would imagine they are, I haven't looked too far into it), so who knows...

How could it not be one of the better looking Series? I mean seriously, just because Tampa isnt going to bring in the type of pizazz and star power another team could dosent make it a bad looking series. One of the best stanley cups I ever saw was Calgary and Tampa Bay a couple of years ago, hardly any star power or market behind it (not to meantion tv ratings) but possibly the greatest best of 7 series ive seen in any sport. And the reason being was that thier styles were much of the same, so it was a push the whole series. Thats what i see in this one, two teams with perfect blends of speed, smarts and power. And both have great depth, when thier top contributers dont contribute, both have unsung heroes to pick them up. The Phillies have Victorino, Stairs and Werth, the Rays have Price, Aybar and Baldelli. Both have great leaders in Crawford and Utley to be excactly that - leaders - and both have great, smart, intellegent managers in Maddon and Manuel working in the dugouts. It's basically even. This is far from a bad looking series. Rays in 7.

And with that one statement, you took me from applauding a great post, to having to question if you've ever watched a Phillies game. "Great", "smart", and "intelligent" are three words that should never appear in the same sentence with Charlie Manuel - unless the sentence is "Charlie Manuel is neither great, nor smart, nor intelligent."