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For Diehard Rays Fans, It Was Magic

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 21, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - This one was for Ted and Jeanne Sachs in Section 305.

Ted, 78, and his 74-year-old wife moved from Lake Charles, La., to Largo six years ago, but they didn't truly arrive until Saturday at Tropicana Field, where the Rays clinched an improbable postseason berth with a 7-2 triumph against the Twins.

"I never paid attention to baseball until last summer, when I saw a Rays game on TV," Ted said.

"Now I can't get enough of 'em. I like their energy and their mixture of youth and veterans. These guys are good - they can go all the way," he said.

This one was for Carolyn Wilburn of St. Petersburg, a season ticket holder since the inaugural 1998 season.

Carolyn's husband passed away a few years ago, but she is still supporting her team while marveling at an energized fan base.

"I remember the sea of empty seats that used to be in here and I can remember seeing more fans wearing opposing uniforms than Rays uniforms," she said. "I understood it, but I didn't like it. Now, people are coming to see our Rays."

This one was for Mike Kocak of Waterbury, Conn., who is in the Tampa Bay area looking for a home.

"These guys remind me so much of the 1969 Mets," he said. "I cheered for that team and these Rays are very much the same kind of story.

"Both teams were losers coming out of nowhere, Cinderella teams with real good pitching, great bullpens and timely hitting. The Mets won it all and you'd better not count these guys out, either."

The crowd was announced at 36,048, but 20 years from now, half of the Bay area will swear they were here the day the Rays turned from jokers to serious World Series contenders.

Up in Section 302, an electric crowd stood as one for the ninth inning.

Cell phones and cameras were out to record history and the triumphant end couldn't come soon enough.

With two out, a fan with a Rays hat turned to the mob behind him, thrust his right index finger into the air and shouted, "One more! One more!"

When it ended at 7:22 p.m., the rafters shook as fans exchanged hugs, kisses and high-fives.

For the next three minutes, no fans left Section 302 to exit the stadium.

Not one.

"It's absolute magic," said Tampa's Ken Shields. "To be through all the lean years and now to see how this community is backing them is great. This team is scary dangerous."

Patricia DePagten of Tampa is raising a Rays family.

"Chad and I have five kids ranging in age from 6 to 20," she said. "Jake, our 6-year-old, loves Gabe Gross. He'll walk by the TV and ask whether Gabe Gross is playing."

A year ago today, the Rays were 63-91, 28 games out of first place in the American League East. Saturday's win left them 92-61 and stretched Tampa Bay's lead over second-place Boston to 2 1/2 games.

"The Rays play together as a team," said Dwayne McDuffie, who brought three of his Lutz Little Leaguers to the game. "They can go all the way, especially with a homefield advantage."

His son, Dwayne Jr., was asked whether he'll be back for the playoffs.

"Of course," he said. "Right, Dad?"

Carolyn Wilburn will be there, too. She wouldn't miss it for the World (Series).

"I've seen some good players come through here, but nothing like this team," she said.

"The guys on this team believe in each other and they're very motivated. It's just been a wonderful thing to experience. This is exciting. This feels like the real deal."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833 or ikaufman@tampatrib.com.

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