Thirty-nine games into the Major League Baseball season, the Tampa Bay Rays sit atop the American League East at 23-16. The collective ERA of the Rays’ pitching staff is an impressive 3.73. They’ve broken off six straight victories, the last two against the “mighty” New York Yankees, and are the hottest team in all of baseball. Cue the crickets though, folks, because nobody cares (still.) Maybe it’s not that nobody cares but, in reality, very few do - or at least very few do enough to actually show up to Tropicana Field. Even the Yankees, who usually heavily inflate the attendance numbers when they come to town, didn’t help much the last two nights - 13,932 and 16,558 announced for Monday and Tuesday’s games, respectively. While the reasons for the Rays early season success are simple, questions on exactly why people continue to stay away remain unanswered.

Offensively, the Rays have gotten solid contribution from much of their roster but the pitching has been the story thus far. Starting pitchers are a combined 17-11 and the bullpen, last year’s glaring weakness on a club full of them, has been outstanding as a whole. After a blown save by closer Troy Percival last night, the Rays battled and ousted the Yanks in 11 - something they probably never would have overcome in the past. With staff ace Scott Kazmir back in the fold, and pitching well, things only look to be getting even better. Granted, of course, we’re not only just now approaching the quarter pole of the season (24.07 % through, actually, for you math geeks) but there is a lot to be excited about for “Ray Nation”.

Again … cue the crickets …

Why then? The question is posed to the public in today’s fan poll at tampabay.com. Currently, with 324 votes tallied, the results are as follows:

Current economic climate 31%
Stadium location 29%
Too expensive 22%
Other things to do 15%
Not buying into recent on-field success 4%

The first three reasons, I can understand. The economy is pinching everyone, everywhere. The trip to The Trop has long been labeled a nuisance by residents from all over the Bay area. And while a Rays game could still be considered a bargain by MLB standards, it’s still not close to being light on the wallet to take in a game. (That free parking last year was a nice incentive … but even then, one beer into things and you’re just about even. Don’t drink beer? Sodas and waters are still as expensive as anywhere else.) But, “Other things to do”? First of all, that’s one helluva weak category for a poll. Come on! Moreover, if you’re choosing that as an answer to most any question, consider yourself someone with commitment issues. Make a choice, pal! Finally, if you’re not buying into the Rays early season success, I’m of the opinion that you just aren’t paying close attention.

Is this team ready to be a true contender for the AL East crown? Probably not. The Yankees and Red Sox, as usual, are in their early season funks and will likely hit their stride - eventually. (Though something strange keeps telling me that this Yankee team just might falter all season long.) But are they better? Considerably better? Palpably, tangibly, legitimately better? Yessir. You can see it in their step - for perhaps the first time ever, there’s confidence in the men in Tampa Bay Rays uniforms. That sort of thing grows … and there hasn’t been much, so far anyway, to suggest that a reversal of fortune is forthcoming any time soon.

So, while I’m not quite ready to start the magic number watch just yet - though the Times’ Marc Topkin tells us it’s 122, I am ready to head to at least a few more games.

What’s kept me away? For starters, I’m not naturally a Rays fan (though they’ve certainly grown on me since I’ve lived here.) As I said earlier, it’s still expensive and, yes, I agree that the drive … well … sucks. But I’m really starting to buy into this club and, while I definitely can say that I too have other things to do, I can also properly answer a question or make a decision when asked.

So I’m heading to tonight’s Rays/Yankees game and I plan on making this more of a frequent event from here on out.

What’s your excuse?

jjordan79@tampabay.rr.com

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Tags: Major League Baseball, Rays