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Poll Opened: September 25, 2008
Poll Closes: November 30, 2008
Rays Your Hand - If You Like The Tampa Bay Rays’ Traditions.
By JEFF HOUCK, The Tampa Tribune
If you’ve just joined the Tampa Bay Rays bandwagon, welcome to the club. Glad you could join us for the playoffs.
To bring you up to speed, a number of traditions have cropped up as excitement over the team’s success has gripped more fans during this unprecedented season. The types of rites and rituals that Yankees fans or Red Sox Nation have venerated for decades (Monument Park, The Green Monster) are just now taking root here in the Bay Area.
We thought we’d take a look at a handful of Rays fans’ favorite icons and good luck rituals and see what looks like a solid bet to reappear in future seasons and which ones seem too lame to maintain.
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Tradition: “Sign Lady” Pat Manfredo
She’s a go-to TV cutaway staple during home games, holding up signs such as “Amazing Aki” and “Carlos the Crusher.”
Meter: Solid
Analysis: Fan signs boosted the “Miracle Mets” when they won the Series in '69. Can’t hurt to borrow some of that mojo.
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Tradition: Cowbells-The Cowbell Kid
Borrowing from the Christopher Walken skit on “Saturday Night Live,” the Rays gave out cowbells as a fan promotion. Cary Strukel took it to another level as “The Cowbell Kid” by wearing costumes in the right field bleachers and leading fans in cowbell whacking.
Meter: Solid
Analysis: Loud and obnoxious? You bet. But anything that annoys the visiting team can’t be all bad. Plus, fans have developed “cowbell etiquette” for when to add more cowbell and when to pull back.
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Tradition: The Happy Heckler
Robert Szasz of Clearwater uses his season ticket seat near home plate to heckle visiting players about miscues on the field.
Meter: Lame
Analysis: While mildy amusing at first, Szasz’s self-appointed act gets old if you own nearby season tickets. If the cowbells don’t deafen you, Szasz’s bellowing might.
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Tradition: Mohawks
As the team kept winning during the summer months, players B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria and Jonny Gomes shaved their hair into mohawk-style patches. The rest of the team followed suit, except for Dioner Navarro, who knew that he would look terrible with one.
Meter: Inconclusive
Analysis: Similar to the male bonding of a scraggly Stanley Cup playoffs beard sported by NHL players and fans, not everyone can rock a 'hawk. Second baseman Akinori Iwamura’s coarse hair tends to rooster-tail through the vents in the back of his baseball cap.
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Tradition: “9=8”
Rays manager Joe Maddon used the saying “Nine Equals Eight” to motivate the team during 2008 spring training, meaning that if all nine players on the field play hard for nine innings every game, they’ll be one of the eight teams to make the playoffs. It quickly became a team catchphrase.
Meter: Inconclusive
Analysis: Isn't there enough math in baseball.
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Tradition: Home Run Straw
A giant straw sign sticking out of the orange that advertises Tropicana orange juice on the right field stadium interior wall lights up and simulates drops of juice spurting from a straw.
Meter: Lame
Analysis: We get the joke. It’s Tropicana Field, and Tropicana makes orange juice. But who celebrates with simulated backwash? Plus, fans are busy watching the celebration at home plate, not right field. Dunk Raymond the mascot in a giant vat of O.J. after every dinger and you’d get our attention.
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TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
Vote for your favorite Rays tradition. Also, tell us which ones we missed that you either like or hate.
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Reader Comments on this poll
Posted by ( BeUyCeK ) on October 1, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You have one winning season in your existence and all of a sudden you have "tradition"? Is this a joke?
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Posted by ( LARGO_TOM ) on October 1, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You didn't have mind listed---an air conditioned venue.
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Posted by ( anthony76 ) on October 1, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The cowbells are horrible and too many drunken fans don't care about etiquette. I'd have to agree that there's hardly a "tradition" with the Rays yet. Considering the mowhawk is listed as a tradition and that fad just came out this year. Not bashing, but maybe a word other than "tradition" should have been used.
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Posted by ( usfdodgers ) on October 1, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Imagine the huge pop in the crowd when, while our grounds crew is raking the infield, our former dancing groundskeeper reappears bringing some gold ol' rays karma! Fins!
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Posted by ( yaya18 ) on October 1, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
LMAO, I agree with BeUyCeK.
Plus, I saw fans holding signs saying "Ya gotta beleive"
COME ON! I'm a hardcore Mets fan and have been for many years. Thats just pathetic that they can't come up with their own signs. All of a sudden everyone in Tampa is a Rays fan. Like I said I'm a die hard mets fan but, hey why not support my local team. I have been for supporting them for as long as i've lived in FL. And it was really stupid when I try and go to the game they clinch and its sold out to a bunch of band wagon fans.
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Posted by ( yaya18 ) on October 1, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Oh and one more thing. The heckler happens to be hilarious. I've sat many games down in the club section right next to him and he's absolutely hysterical.
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Posted by ( justthisguy79 ) on October 1, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree about the band wagon fans they suck it happen with the bucs and the lightning and now the rays sheesh this town blows and they have no loyalty unless its a playoff game or championship game other then that whats the point right?! I almost wish we still had losing franchises that way i can pluck my tickets off the windshields of cars parked at the old bucs stadium cause noone wanted to watch them lose and i could sit close to watch vinny throw a last min interception and the lead those were the days!
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Posted by ( tbjl24 ) on October 1, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
justthisguy79, you have to be kidding me right??? You miss the days of Throw Ray in the Bay and wearing paperbags over your head to bucs games!?!?!?!
Gotta say, that is ridiculous.
Bandwagoners are part of any succesful team, get over it. Embrace it!!!!!
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on October 1, 2008 at 3:55 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( mkirch72 ) on October 1, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
justthisguy79 and beuycek:
Are you guys really that dumb?
So instead of "bandwagon jumpers", you'd prefer the attendance to be at 12k per game and then the rays to leave and go to another city.
New fans (you call them bandwagon jumpers) are exactly what this team needs. Because if they don't get them, they will go elsewhere.
My God you people are dense.
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Posted by ( TRoofHurtz ) on October 1, 2008 at 4:28 p.m.
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on October 1, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
It's not really "bandwagoning" when after 10 years you finally have a reason to cheer. I've been a fan from the start, but Namoli made it truly difficult for anyone to be a fan. Most of us turned away at one time or another. We rooted for them to do well, but I couldn't see throwing good money after bad. Put a major-league product on the field and you'd see a return. That's what happened, finally. I'm glad Namoli gave up and turned the team over to someone with vision.
As far as "tradition", I think one season is too soon to have a tradition. I am glad we bucked the "100 loses a year" tradition that had been in place......
Anyway - I NEED MORE COWBELL!
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Posted by ( fightingire ) on October 1, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
As a red sox fan living here in the bay i have to say this year has been ruff!!! I must say i am not one of those obnoxious red sox fans that get drunk and yell at everyone and try to start fights. I enjoy baseball and i actualy have to say congrats to the rays for making the right picks in the draft and grooming there players. Hope to catch a couple sox rays playoff games at the TROP. As far as tradition a little to soon, just make sure this last more than one season so noone can say it was a fluke. Good job rays looking forward to a good series and rays fans remember the bell etiquite and i will help quiet down my fellow sox fans
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Posted by ( mcox567 ) on October 1, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
without a doubt, my favorite Rays tradition...
whiny "fans"
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Posted by ( xenuownstbo_com ) on October 1, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
How can you guys call the Ejaculating Orange, Lame???????
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Posted by ( alternajock33 ) on October 1, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
"Sign Lady” Pat Manfredo? I wanna punch that lady in the ovaries. Why do they show her ugly face after every decent play? Because, she has a sign for every freakin' player. Get a life granny!
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Posted by ( gman044 ) on October 2, 2008 at 12:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
My favorite Rays tradition is going to the game when the Yankees come to town and being there with 15,000-20,000 other Yankee fans...props to the die-hard Rays fans who have been there since Dave Martinez, McCracken, Hit Show, Wilson Alverez, and Kevin Stocker...I am happy for all 43 of you....whooooopsss sorry bandwagoners..My other favorite tradition is anytime I rattle off those oldtimers to a random Ray fan in a shiny new t-shirt and hat and they look at me like I was talking to them about the leaders of eastern European nations and make them run to their closest google machine.
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Posted by ( hernando_wildcats ) on October 2, 2008 at 2:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
So, you only have traditions when you win? The Rays have been around long enough to establish some traditions. I agree that most of the list in this article do not qualify as traditions.
As for bandwagon fans, those are the ones who jump on when the team is hot. Not all new fans are bandwagon fans. I would not have considered myself a fan until this Spring Training when the Rays stood up to the yankees. I am not a bandwagon fan. Namoli made becoming a fan difficult to stomach, it took a bit to embrace the new Rays. I have never rooted against them, but only this season have I began to root for them. I have attended games and intend to attend more next year (economy permitting).
You probably saw some bandwagon fans jump off during the 7 game losing streak. They should just stay off.
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on October 2, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
My favorite new tradition is watching soxfan being carted off by the cops after a good tasering........
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Posted by ( BigDaddyO ) on October 2, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Darth... that was funny....
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Posted by ( FerrisBueller ) on October 2, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
how about favorite broken tradition??
Now the RAYS' are winners!!!
Attendance is up!!
More highlights on TV!!
Onwer is putting money into the team.
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Posted by ( JESS1322 ) on October 2, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I love the fact that when you have 4 or more peeps in the car you can park for free! I love the fact you can tailgate! I love the fact you can bring your own food to the game not like I do but I have seen people do that and I think its great the RAYS have gone above and beyond to accomodate their fans! they love us and we love them right back! I have been a baseball fan forever I used to watch the phillies in clearwater before we had our own team! I think this is great Joe Maddon has done a great job! and I also love the fact that is so darn cheap to go to the game!! No reason not to go !!
the only tradition I can think of is definetly FERG'S !!!!!!!
that place is the best Iam always there if i cant get a ticket! or always go after the game! FERG'S is tradition!
GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by ( Me1960 ) on October 2, 2008 at 10:58 a.m.
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Posted by ( hazeinfla ) on October 2, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hey, anyone but the Red Sox.....
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Posted by ( chuck69 ) on October 2, 2008 at 3:05 p.m.
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Posted by ( BlueJar ) on October 2, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The Heckler is the main reason why I don't go to the Trop. Having to listen to him during the televised games was enough to convince me to stay home.I'm not paying for tickets just to have to listen to someone who is so loud you can hear him over the broadcasters and the crowd noise.
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Posted by ( lopear ) on October 2, 2008 at 7:29 p.m.
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Posted by ( ron ) on October 2, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Sitting at home during the playoffs
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Posted by ( alternajock33 ) on October 2, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
In all honesty the tradition I liked this year is everytime Balfour is on the mound you can see him say mf'er about a dozen times. He's the man!!!!
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Posted by ( chuck69 ) on October 3, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
i am happy for the ray's...even though i am not a baseball fan....as far as traditions go...they haven't really been around long enough, nor had a continuous fan base to even establish "traditions".
as far as the "fairweather fans"....they suck...if you are a true fan...you stick to your team thru thick and thin...i have been a buc fan since the opening days at the "old sombrero" and there were many a "thin" years, and hell...many a times i wanted to give up....but i "stuck it out" and i was so glad i did after the a%%whipping they gave the raiders when we got the ring.
fair weathers do nothing to truly help their team...they just go cause it is "popular" at the time....the fans that deserve the accolades are the ones that were in the "trop" when they were doing horrible back in the "devil days".
what really sucks about the fair weathers is all they do is drive the ticket prices up so the "average joe" can no longer afford to take their family to these sporting events. if you say you are a fan...then be a fan when the team is losing too, be there with your "gear" on, cheering like they are winning, even in the face of defeat.
like i said..."buc fan for life"...been there for them thru the good, the bad, and the ugly. congrats to the rays for getting where they are...and i truly hope they can "win it all"...but the fans that are there for the wrong reasons do not help the team....they hurt the true fans that will have to dig extra deep to be there, since the prices go up when they are popular at the time. i have seen the same dynamic happen with the bucs...used to be able to go to the game, with the family...and spend 200, refreshments, souvenirs, and all. now i can barely get away with that with just me and the wife going. i think it is great that the rays have all these "fans" now....but wait and see...if they go back to a losing record...the fans will disappear quicker than a politician out the back door of a brothel when the cops are raiding it. stick to your team.....may take awhile ....but you will see them be champs....and all those losing seasons will fade into the background.
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Posted by ( noodles76 ) on October 3, 2008 at 1:06 p.m.
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Posted by ( RaysPick1st ) on October 7, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
How about picking 1st in the entry draft every year. That's become quite a tradition you losers. Sox Sweep!
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Posted by ( chuck69 ) on October 23, 2008 at 12:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
seems all the sox are sweeping are their tears off the clubhouse floor
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