I love the Rays. I really do. But apparently it’s very important to the Rays management that the Rays always be seen in the best possible light. As a result sometimes they tend to become a lot like the thought police. As an example, here’s a response to my blog giving Matt Silverman hell for ######## and moaning about low attendance against the Philadelphia Phillies. Rick Vaughn, the Rays PR guy, wrote the letter. Rick is a sensitive, talented guy, but he has always taken on the job to lobby those who criticize the Rays. Here’s his email.
Peter
“First, I think you know how much I respect your opinion on a number of subjects, but…
Just saw your blog on the Rays attendance. Too late now, of course, but wish you would have called us for a little balance.
...Also (off the point, but I couldn’t resist), check those World Series scores. We lost three one-run games, not exactly “clobbered” is it?”
....Matt isn’t criticizing the fans. He criticizing the market? (“We love you, but we hate the area.” Say what?) I’m telling you—Rick, and Matt—that there’s nothing at all wrong with the market. Ownership just has to be patient. As the Rays continue to win and to climb in the standings, the attendance will climb as well. There were great crowds against the Florida Marlins, another team Rays fans don’t much care about. If the Rays continue playing the way they’ve been playing, the Trop is going to be rocking every night. Again, there is nothing wrong with the market. The market has to get over ten years of the stupidity and cheapness of Vince Naimoli and his constant complaining there aren’t enough fans. And while I’m on the subject, stop giving the bobbleheads to the kids. The kids don’t give a damn about them. And Rick, the Rays still owe me a Jason Tyner bobblehead doll.
Repoz
Posted: July 04, 2009 at 02:37 PM |
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1. Rafael Bellylard: Built like a Molina Posted: July 04, 2009 at 03:08 PM (#3242052)The Rays Thought Police are out in force.
Golenblock/Golenblog url was too long...so now just scroll down off main.
But the Rays management have always been politely at war with Golenblog.
And the follow-up comment is similarly silly. The response from the Rays is polite and direct. There is nothing in it smacking of thought police, and by suggesting it Golenbock is simply puffing up his own importance and making himself into a phony martyr. He is also misrepresenting what Silverman and Vaughn said. They did not criticize the market. Saying they are bewildered is not making any statement about the market itself, and to say it is is either deliberate misrepresentation or illiteracy. I understand that Silverman's statements can be read as veiled threats or that one can read between the lines, but such speculation is just that, speculation. The Rays have never made threats; in fact they have specifically denied any intention to leave the area. Until there is more evidence, there is no reason to read the worst into their public statements.
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