baseball magic
JoelThe Tampa Bay Devil Rays‘ marketing slogan for the upcoming season is “More Than Just a Game.”
A closer look at the marketing strategy - no quotes added to the quote:
Team officials said they have organized their marketing campaign this season into five “pillars”: baseball magic, family fun, regionalism, becoming a “community pillar” and being “sharp.”
More than just a “game.”
The term “baseball magic” troubled me, particularly with it being one of the few phrases outside of quotes. It makes more sense however when you note that the Rays’ vice president of marketing was recruited from Walt Disney World.
So what other magic can we expect this year?
- 7th inning stretch replaced by parade, expanded to each half-inning
- Bullpen replaced by animatronics, spun-off into full-length motion picture
- Angels in the outfield, or at least around BJ Upton’s glove
- Concession items become that much more expensive
- Team name changed to Mighty Rays (or Devil Rays and Max Devlin, for the unfortunate few that will catch that dubious bit of pop culture)
- A boycott from the Southern Baptist Convention
Now that we’re through with that unpleasantness, what do you think of the Rays’ chances this year? The team, not the marketing strategy.
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February 15th, 2007 at 11:53 am
They are capitalizing off “Transformers” coming out in movie theaters this summer! I’m just sure of it!
Transformers — more than meets the eye!
Devil Rays — More than just a game.
Coincidence? I think not! :p
February 15th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Well, considering they’re in a division with the Red Sox, Yankees and much improved Blue Jays, I’d say it will be a pitched battle for 4th place with the freakin’ terrible O’s. The Rays should just change their name to the Durham Bulls. At least the Bulls were fun to watch last year.
February 15th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
dcdave, the Rays were one of the most fun teams to watch in the majors last year — and look to be as exciting this year. Yes, the Yankees have 10x our payroll, and we’ll never be able to compete with them, but our PLAYERS are very exciting. For crying out loud, Carl Crawford stole for the cycle at home against the Red Sox last year — how often does that happen?
If I hear one more person say “they need to spend money” I’m going to f*cking lose it. THE TEAM LOST MONEY LAST YEAR. You want them to happily lose more money this year? $55 million to Gil Meche? Would he REALLY bring in that many more fans? (He’d have to bring in 3,700 more fans a game [even in ones he didn't play in] in order to make back his salary. And you know how much the fans love Gil Meche.)
The only way the Rays will ever improve is if we support them and quit expecting them to compete directly with the Yankees and Red Sox. Enjoy the fact that the Tropicana Field experience is the least-expensive in the majors. Go on Fridays for $1 beers.
I think we’ll compete with the Blue Jays for third, and maybe even for 2nd. We’re much-improved over last year.
February 15th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
The cries for a spending spree are just a product of impatience. The problem the Rays had to begin with was spending too much money on veterans. The last thing we need is more Wilson Alvarezes and Greg Vaughns. The advantage to the current approach - developing young players - is you can actually afford to keep them for a little while or can trade them for other talent at lacking positions. You cannot trade a free agent veteran dud (like Gil Meche will be).
I agree mostly with Tim’s prediction. I think 2nd will be a stretch, but the perpetually underachieving Jays might have to watch out. And watch out for Delmon Young, a strong ROY candidate.
February 15th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
as long as the Jesus Rays are replacing their bullpen with animatromics why not sign this robot to play DH?
February 15th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Baseball as a whole is not America’s game anymore. It is too slow for today’s world. i see it going away within 100 years.
February 15th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
James…I hope I’m around to see you wrong.
Baseball is assuredly still America’s pastime. However, as a professional sport, it has lost position to football, basketball, and auto racing.
The Devil Rays will never compete with the Red Sox or the Yankees. It was incredibly short-sighted to ask to be in that division simply to get home games against the Yankees. Those few Yankee fans who come to those games probably don’t support the team the rest of the season.
When the Marlins move to Las Vegas/San Antonio/Portland the Rays should invoke whatever clause to move to the NL East.
And while I’m at it…it’s time to start planning for that stadium at the intersection of I4 and I75.
This year? They’ll finish 4th and be happy for it.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
james, why don’t you put your money where your mouth is? i will bet you one million dollars baseball does not go gently into the night
February 16th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
If the young pitchers improve, especially in the bullpen, the team will be better. The everyday lineup is pretty solid with the addition of Delmon Young and Iwamura and if Cantu and Gomes rebound. It’s all about the pitching.
February 17th, 2007 at 1:30 am
That or a 90% attrition rate…