Thursday Morning Notes And Funnies

by Al on Nov 29, 2007 9:52 AM CST in Cartoons

For a real good example of how a throwaway item that's posted on the Internet, that was intended to mean one thing but winds up meaning another, read this BCB diary.

There's a proposal for a cool-looking new stadium for the Rays in downtown St. Petersburg. BCB reader dmlichte hates it and says it reminds him of Stade Olympique in Montreal. I, personally, happen to think that this could revitalize both St. Petersburg and the franchise if they build it. You make the call.

I recently answered a few Cub fantasy-league based questions for Brad Stewart's MLB Front Office.

The Cleveland Indians are getting new alternate uniforms, to be worn Opening Day, weekends and holidays. They are of a throwback nature, similar (but not identical) to this 1959 design, and also their 1972 uniform, with a different color scheme. I note that they are also trying to downplay the "Chief Wahoo" logo, now on the cap; on the alternate uniform they'll be on the sleeve of the jersey, with the cap having simply a "C". Also of interest: the link above is from a Cleveland-area website called the "Cleveland Leader". I couldn't find it anywhere on the Indians' own website.

Due to the tragic death of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, the Redskins may petition the NFL to have their game with the Bears, currently scheduled for a week from today, December 6, moved to December 8, 9, or 10, a move the Bears will agree to if the details can be worked out.

Finally this morning, a little fairytale from Mike:

(as always, click on thumbnail to view full-size in new browser window. If you are using IE, you may have to click the lower-right corner of the image in the new window to expand it to its full size; in Firefox click anywhere on the image.)

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Comments

Question...

...is a 34,000 seat stadium really a good idea? Isn't that pretty small? (or am I totally wrong?)

That being said, it looks beautiful, and as a former Floridian, trust me - once the Rays get competitive, the fans will come out. It happened with the Bucs, it happened with the Lightning, and it'll happen to the Rays. In fact, their current stadium's terribleness is arguably one of the biggest reasons why they've struggled in attendance - getting a retractable dome (vital in Southwest Florida) near the water could easily double or triple attendance.

Now if only they could manage a new nickname....honestly, the Rays just don't do it for anyone.

by Chadnudj on Nov 29, 2007 9:43 AM CST 0 recs

The new A's stadium...

... will have about that many seats. In that market, 34,000 is probably OK -- they'll make their money off luxury suites.

Rays isn't great, but it's better than "Devil Rays".

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 29, 2007 9:45 AM CST up 0 recs

The trend is towards smaller stadiums.

You can charge higher prices if you can consistantly sell out the park, and that's a lot easier to do if you don't have the capacity to begin with.

Nothing hurts the bottom line like empty seats.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 29, 2007 10:15 AM CST up 0 recs

a term

i've heard thrown around is artificial scarcity. this is created by eliminating seats (tarped UD in oakland, or building smaller ballparks)

They don't care where the money comes from, as long as they get more of it. Sure it will be more difficult for Joe Schmo to go all year, but there will be people there all year paying the ungodly sums of money.

financially it makes sense, from a PR standpoint the attitude is horrible though.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike on Nov 29, 2007 10:20 AM CST up 0 recs

Mike

Execllent point. It's the old "if it doesn't appear empty, it must be full" trick that clubs have used in various leagues for years.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Nov 29, 2007 10:30 AM CST up 0 recs

Its also an issue...

... of supply and demand.

DmL

by dmlichte on Nov 29, 2007 10:49 AM CST up 0 recs

I don't like the Rays

It makes me think 9 clones of my big fat uncle are going to take the field. However, I think the new stadium (even though that big goofy towery thing does remind me of Montreal) will be good for them. If playing in an intimate, beautiful new park right on the water doesn't draw people in, they should just pack them up and move to Vegas.

I think the Ray thing could be fun though. I'm really hoping for "Ray of the Day" promotions. Feature music of Ray Charles, Sugar Ray, or Stevie Ray Vaughn at the stadium for a night. Have Ray Romano or Ray Liotta impersonators roam the concourse. I know it's very minor league, but we are talking about Tampa Bay - it's not like they have the great tradition of the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, or Dodgers. (By the way, before anyone attacks, I am being facetious).

This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.

by HectorVillanueva on Nov 29, 2007 10:17 AM CST up 0 recs

Ummmmm......

.....They DON'T have the great tradition of the Yankees, Red Sox, or the Cubs.

They dont even the tradition of the D-backs or Marlins!

Well......I guess I should be 'BigZ (5th place) Cy'

by BigZ 4 Cy on Nov 29, 2007 1:06 PM CST up 0 recs

Exactly what I said.

n/t

This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.

by HectorVillanueva on Nov 29, 2007 1:17 PM CST up 0 recs

LOL

oops I must read it too fast, I missed your disclaimer!!

Well......I guess I should be 'BigZ (5th place) Cy'

by BigZ 4 Cy on Nov 29, 2007 1:25 PM CST up 0 recs

Random question...

...Does anyone in the BCB or SB Nation do a daily/weekly baseball podcast? I subscribe to a lot of podcasts, and have for years, but I have yet to find a baseball one I'm happy with.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Nov 29, 2007 9:48 AM CST 0 recs

Sorry, hopefully I'm not hijacking this thread...

...I remember a few comments on that this past summer.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Nov 29, 2007 9:49 AM CST up 0 recs

No worries.

SBN had a podcast which covered baseball during the summer; I contributed once or twice. It's on hiatus until we find a better provider.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 29, 2007 9:49 AM CST up 0 recs

Good comic...

...my buddy and I reminded each other that the Cubs not only got swept this year, they failed to get a SINGLE victory vicariously through any NL team. :(

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Nov 29, 2007 10:04 AM CST up 0 recs

The more I read

BCB and see stuff like Mike's cartoon the more I love this blog. In this season of joy and reflection I am thankful for all of you, and I hope we all get our dreams fulfilled in 2008.

by NWIowaCubFan on Nov 29, 2007 9:57 AM CST 0 recs

ray's

I think new baseball stadiums as a whole have gone in a good direction, with the retro look, smaller capacity and locating a lot of them in cool areas. (bays, rivers, bridges, warehouses) But looking at this one, I think they are going a little to far.

i agree with chad above, until the rays get a stadium they are going to be a joke. i cant even stand watching games/highlights there on TV, it just looks depressing.

by slocs55 on Nov 29, 2007 10:09 AM CST 0 recs

Ray's

Having been to a handful of D-Rays games in the past few years, it is a rather depressing feeling. Leaving the warm, sunny weather and heading indoors to sit with about 12,000 or so other fans is a shock. Not to mention the play on the field.

I hope that the new stadium drives attendance, which in turn can help the club reinvest in some of the younger players they are trading away.

(Wow, it's not even December and I am waxing philosophical on Tampa Bay. Have the pitchers and catchers reported yet!!) :)

by Tangled Up In Blue on Nov 29, 2007 10:25 AM CST 0 recs

In fairness...

... I didn't say that I hated the stadium... just that it reminds me of Olympic Stadium, as others have said, with the tower and cable system. I'm not sure why any organization or municipality would go down that road.

The thing is that it really isn't the retro type of stadium that has been so successful in MLB over the last decade. I'm not saying that teams shouldn't try something new, however the architecture of this ballpark are similar in layout to Kauffman Stadium (the tiered/tapered deck system). The exterior w/ tower, roof and facade are much more modern than the brick and stone clad ballparks that we've seen everywhere. I'm not familiar with the architecture of Tampa/St. Pete and perhaps the modern look will be a good fit.

I absolutely believe that Tampa needs a new ballpark (as well as a front office who doesn't think that their most mediocre prospects cannot be traded). I just don't understand why they're spending so much money for a ballpark that cannot be air conditioned in Florida and ya, I think the sail-type of roof is just a problem waiting to happen.

DmL

by dmlichte on Nov 29, 2007 10:26 AM CST 0 recs

Consider this.

The stadium in Montreal was built over 30 years ago. Yes, the drawings of the Tampa design bear a superficial resemblance to the terrible structure in Montreal.

But don't you think stadium building technology has improved in 30 years? Do you think it might be a little different building such a structure in Tampa than in Montreal?

I seriously doubt that this group, which appears well organized and well funded, would have made this proposal if they didn't think it would work. Air conditioning? Well, how many months of the season do they really need that? Three? I'd think April, May and September would be largely pleasant weather months in the Tampa area. (Maybe someone who lives there can chime in.)

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 29, 2007 11:47 AM CST up 0 recs

I think its hot

I love retro stdiums, but new ballparks can be whatever you want, why not make it something to see on its own? Why not make it an architectural focal point of a city that you can see from afar, ever drive through downtown Baltimore, or Cleveland, and pass by the stadiums, its orientates you, its nice and comforting, I drive past Fenway on 90, you see the lights, the wall, its great

plus cables are cool, tensile structures just have such a light quality to them, like everything is there for a reason, and I like the waterfront property, good choice on their part

I'd go to a game there

keeping mediocrity at bay

by flyball on Nov 29, 2007 12:33 PM CST up 0 recs

Floridians

are used to the heat. If the "sails" make the stadium 10 degrees cooler than the ambient temperature, it will be perfect. After sitting in an air conditioned (and usually too cold) office all day, the "shady" outdoor weather will feel great. Besides, the afternoon rain usually cools things down 5-10 degrees by 7:00 pm. I think it's a great trade-off to the environmental abomination of air conditioning a concrete mausoleum like the Trop.

This concept is similar to Seattle, which has an "umbrella", but no climate control, and Milwaukee, where fans need to wear jackets in April.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 29, 2007 12:55 PM CST up 0 recs

New Rays Stadium...

looks pretty cool. 34,000 doesnt seem like too few with the amount of fans that usually go to the games. This will also allow them to have actual sell out games against the Yankees and Red Sox which consistently get around 30,000 a game. It would be nice to see them actually get pay for some players before they open the new stadium. At least I get to see the Cubbies play in Tampa Bay for the first time since Interleague started.

by ams05g on Nov 29, 2007 12:09 PM CST 0 recs

Matsui

This article seems to think that Matsui still might sign with the Astros. I sure hope so -- we don't need a medicore 2B who can't hold the jock of the 2B we currently have -- especially not at 3/$14M.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 29, 2007 1:01 PM CST 0 recs

I'm ambivalent...

... about this signing, unless, as I've said, Matsui brings Fukudome to the Cubs.

To clarify, Matsui would NOT be brought to the Cubs to play 2B. He'd be the shortstop, either platooning with or replacing Ryan Theriot.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 29, 2007 1:10 PM CST up 0 recs

Matsui for SS

How do you know this Al?

by davearm on Nov 29, 2007 1:56 PM CST up 0 recs

Because the Cubs HAVE a 2B.

And his name is Mark DeRosa.

Matsui sucked for a year at SS for the Mets. Reason (which has been well publicized): he had a hard time transitioning to US grass fields from Japanese turf fields.

With several MLB seasons and a new field at Wrigley, I don't think he'd have a problem at SS.

I swear, I should keep this post as a text file so I can just copy/paste it in any time anyone says Matsui "can't" or "won't" be a SS.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 29, 2007 2:52 PM CST up 0 recs