I want to thank everyone who took the time to allow me to ask them questions to build this article/blog :o).

Since the early 1900’s, baseball has been an important make-up of the Tampa Bay area. From being the spring training home to a long list of organizations throughout the years to finally seeing the inception of the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays to Major League Baseball, the territory has witnessed it all. The region has also seen many local boys mature in to gifted athletes, such as Wade Boggs, Tony LaRussa, Dwight Gooden and Tino Martinez, that have left their mark on the game and in the history books. Behind all of the milestones, championships, hoopla and pageantry, there stands a solid backbone that has helped breathe life in to the quiet beast—the fans. 

At a time when the country is giving thanks for independence by barbecuing with the family and watching fireworks, baseball fans—and more specifically—Rays fans, are celebrating the game they so passionately lose their voices over and name their children and pets after by fashioning rayhawks and ringing cowbells. For some, the lure of a hometown team is what has drawn them to Tropicana Field, while the others have relocated to the area for scholastic endeavors only to end up trading in old team allegiances in order to adopt the fiery Tampa bunch. 

Among the fan favorites is Matt Joyce—a 2011 American League All-Star who like Boggs, LaRussa and company, is a hometown hero. Joyce went from playing ball at Armwood High School in Seffner to attending Florida Southern College before getting drafted in the 12th round of the 2005 amateur draft. The Rays made a trade with the Detroit Tigers that sent Edwin Jackson north to acquire Joyce in December 2008. “Matt Joyce is my favorite because who doesn’t love the local guy who came to see games here himself, as a kid!” Jason Rhodes, a former University of South Florida student interjected. “It’s really cool to see someone from this area be that good and be where he is.”

Of coarse, behind every great player stands a phenomenal, and maybe sometimes un-bromidic, coaching figure. Being a fan of the Rays means throwing out the traditional composition and dynamic of a team and accepting the sometimes unorthodox ideas of the two time American League Manager of the year, Joe Maddon. Will Smith, a Valrico resident and recent college graduate admitted that he was initially drawn to the team by Maddon’s “unique management style.” Under Maddon’s reign, the Rays have become a team that sports writers and broadcasting personalities cannot stop talking about; the gladiator masks and themed trips also help. “You don’t need a lot of money, just good management and innovation,” Smith added.

As the story in Tampa Bay continues to write itself, no other chapter is more prevalent than that of game 162. As close to unanimous as a percentage can possibly be, Rays fans rank September 28, 2011 as the best day in team history based on pure excitement. In the last regular game of the 2011 season, the Tampa Bay Rays squared off against the New York Yankees in what is now chronicled as one of the most epic games in baseball history. The team’s post season fate relied heavily on beating the Bronx Bombers and having the Baltimore Orioles overtake the Boston Red Sox in order to secure the American League Wildcard. Early on in the game, the Yankees looked like they were going to snag the win and force the Rays to have a Wildcard showdown with Boston; Dan Johnson didn’t like the sound of that. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with two outs, Johnson lined a solo home run over the wall in right field to not only tie the game, but send it into extra innings. Katiecake, a native Californian who now resides in Brandon recalled, “I remember us all standing and being on the edge of our seats glancing [at the screen] every time there was a break in play to see the Red Sox score. Then my Mom calls me and I am screaming at her about Dan Johnson and the whole time she was trying to tell me that the Red Sox lost because there was a delay in the posting of scores so I am jumping up and down screaming the Red Sox lost and everyone was staring at me.” For the next few innings, fans sat on eggshells as they desperately pleaded with the baseball gods for a win. Like the ending to any good fairytale, there’s one miraculous moment that stands out above all else. For the Rays, this magic moment belonged to the face of the franchise—Evan Longoria. In the bottom of the twelfth inning Longoria slammed a ball over the left field wall off of Scott Proctor and just like that, the Tampa Bay Rays were headed to the post-season to face the Texas Rangers. “After Longo hit the walk off home run I was hugging people I didn’t even know. It was truly magical. Being there was the most amazing experience of my life,” said Will Eveland, a diehard fan who has followed the team since it’s first season in 1998.

Fans of opposing teams may not understand the bond Tampa Bay fans have with the game because of the team’s lack of history. “People try to play the history card all of the time, and I tell them they can just stop right there. If their argument as to why their team is better is because they have X years of history compared to the 14 that the Rays have, then I concede the argument. The Rays can’t compete on history; they compete on the field where it is much more important.” Scott Caruso, now a Boston, MA resident explained. The late nineties may be where the Rays started, and they may not have several retired numbers decorating the walls of the Trop, nor have they had the honor of hoisting a World Series championship pennant in the outfield, but what they do have is an immeasurable foundation that grows larger and stronger every season; they have great fans. “It is hard not to become a fan. The Rays are a truly amazing team to watch.  They have fun and it’s apparent which makes you want to be a part of it.” Katiecake concluded.

As the smell of smoke escapes the summer air, the road to the 2012 MLB All Star Game becomes more clear. Tune in July 10th to watch and support Fernando Rodney and David Price as they compete in Kansas City for the right of home-field advantage for the American League in the World Series. 

Game 162, September 2011. The comeback of all comebacks. Everything from the timing to the execution made the final game of the Tampa Bay Rays’ season magical. Legions of die-hard Tampa Bay fans had been standing up for several innings, holding their breath each time the players attempted to swing their bats. A faint mumble began spreading among the crowd. A moment later, the large screen at Tropicana Field lit up with the final score in the Baltimore Orioles vs Boston Red Sox game; the Red Sox lost! Once the entire crowd was in-the-loop, cheers began ringing off the rafters. If there is one thing that both a Yankees fan and a Rays fan have in common, it’s their mutual dislike for that wicked team from Boston. Seconds later, Evan Longoria hits one deep to left field…. it’s over the wall. The Rays came back to win the game. The Rays were going to the Post Season! Boston was out. Magic. It was magic! 

The 2012 season opener between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays picked up right where the 2011 regular season ended. The series was nothing short of amazing for baseball fans in the Tampa area. New York had their ace CC Sabathia up against Big Game James (Shields) slated for game 1. Both pitchers found themselves in trouble early. This could have been the potential game changer. If CC was on-point, that could have been the difference-maker for the Yankees. If Shields was on-point, that could have made the difference for the Rays. Carlos Pena has been a fan favorite in Tampa for years and the fans rightfully had high expectations for their beloved first baseman’s return. CC loaded the bases and like any other super hero, Pena fearlessly stepped up to the plate for his first appearance back and did the unthinkable—he hit a GRAND SLAM! The final score for game one was 7 to 6 - Rays.

Saturday and Sunday also saw the Rays swipe games two and three from the Yankees. Saturday’s score was 8-6 and on Sunday, Jeremy Hellickson showed the baseball world exactly why he was named the American League’s Rookie of the Year for 2011. Hellickson remained in the game for 8 2/3 innings. Maddon called in Rodney to get the final out, and just like that…. the Rays shut out the Yankees 3-0. Tampa’s bats were on fire which is a very promising sign for the club since it has been no secret that the team has struggled offensively in the past. 

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweeted a stat last night that I think speaks volumes: “Rays needed 63 innings to score 15 runs last season, have done it in 16 this year.”

If this ball club can stay on track, big things are going to happen for them. They have a solid rotation and arguably the best defense. All I know is that I am incredibly fortunate to have witnessed another great weekend of baseball magic at the Trop. Three games in and I have already had goosebumps, “OMG!” moments, and several jump-out-of-your-seat-shut-up-no-way occasions.

During the 2011 World Series between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals, a promo aired stating that the MLB Fan Cave was looking for its next inhabitants. Having followed the Fan Cave last season, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to visit the website like the promo had directed. I frantically read through the news and saw that the application had not been posted yet. From that night on, I religiously checked MLBFanCave.com for information on how I could apply to live out every baseball fan’s dream job—watching every game of the season and connecting with other fans (while doing other amazing tasks along the way)! When the application finally went live, I filmed a video where I explained that I was a fan of the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays; AL East rivals. I decorated my video with sequins, a pink holiday hat and a pair of sunglasses I blinged out. I also made sure to include old videos from my history of going to Spring Training games in the Grapefruit League. It was amazing to relive the experiences with having seen Nomar Garciaparra, El Duque, and both Pudge and A-Rod dressed in their old Rangers blue. I submitted my video and my essays shortly after and waited. I actually took a screen shot of my application submission too—is that cheesy? I was pretty stoked and realized how great of an opportunity was at my finger tips.

Behold February 8th. I knew that thousands applied so I kept my fingers crossed tightly in the hope that I would advance to the top 50. I DID IT! I made the top 50! From that point on, I began sending out a press release which I had written myself to various media outlets across the state of Florida. My campaign had taken off full speed and I wasn’t looking back. Over the coarse of the first two weeks of campaigning, I managed to snag numerous radio interviews, a featured story on the most-viewed news programming in the Fort Myers, FL area, a lengthy news paper article, endorsements from players, mascots and musicians, and several stories on popular blogging websites. It was astounding to be able to connect with so many fans of the game during this time. In fact, I was working so hard on my campaign that I forgot to eat a few meals during the process. At the end of the two weeks, I weighed myself and I had lost a little over 4 pounds. BUT, with hard work and dedication, you get results. I received an email on February 23rd congratulating me on advancing to the top 30. I read the first line of the email about three times before it actually sunk in my head. I jumped up and down as my eyes filled with tears (okay, a few escaped). I DID IT! I was so proud of myself and even more proud of the fact that I was going to be heading to Arizona to represent one of the greatest teams in the entire world, the Tampa Bay Rays! My family, friends, co-workers, strangers, and everyone in between has given me an amazing foundation during this campaign. Nothing would be possible without them and I owe them so much for their generosity with helping me get to where I am in this competition.

This experience opened the lines of communication between myself and so many other passionate baseball fans from across the country (and Canada!). I feel fortunate that I can call so many of them my friends. They have been the best support system and are truly great people! Being in Arizona and meeting them in person was like one of those moments in movies where everything goes in slow motion, the wind blows, a ray of light shines down, and a great song plays in the background. 

To everyone who is a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays: I hope that I have made you proud and represented the team to it’s fullest potential! We know we have a GREAT franchise in Tampa and I hope I allowed everyone else to realize the same thing—we don’t take the hard work and unwavering determination so many people put in to bringing a team to the Bay area for so many years lightly. It would have never been the same if it was the Giants, White Sox or Twins that occupied our Trop. GO RAYS!

Doesn’t that sound crazy? It’s a true story, though. Tomorrow I am climbing aboard a plane destined for Arizona.

The entire process that I have been through for the MLB Fan Cave has been exceptionally rewarding. At first, I was so stoked to find out that I made the top 50. That seemed like a dream. I think many people who haven’t followed myself or the other finalists closely since February 8th have greatly undervalued the amount of work that we have put in to our campaigns. It is a LOT of work, but with great risk comes great reward. I found that out this past week when I received an email congratulating me on making the Top 30 for the MLB Fan Cave. Now let me tell you, this is no small feat. MLB had over 22,000 submissions from dedicated baseball fans who all had the hopes of doing the same thing that I want to be doing—residing in the Fan Cave in the middle of NYC. I jumped up and down and cried and kept reading the first line of the email over and over again. It was real. This past week has included more campaigning, more drained phone and computer batteries, and no sleep. I’d never trade this for the world.

This weekend I took a trip to a local mall because I was in need of some new concealer. The girl at the makeup counter commented how I had bags under my eyes and how it looks like I haven’t slept in days. Try weeks. I haven’t slept much in weeks. I more-or-less take quicks naps during the night now and wake up and start working on my campaign again. This morning I stepped on the scale and realized that I am down 4.5 pounds since the time campaigning began. I’ve forgotten to eat, and I’ve really just been running around like crazy. The campaign is a full time job in itself. 

Before I head out tomorrow, I just want to make sure everyone knows how grateful I am to be going through this experience. I feel so very proud that I happen to have the best friends in the entire world who have done so much for me over these past few weeks to ensure I would be greeted with the chance to compete to get in the cave. I hope that I make every single one of you proud! In it to win it! Thank you again for everything.

This is one of the greatest experiences of my life. <3