Operating off on the typewriter …
The Tampa Bay Rays are 12-0 after Wednesday night time’s 9-7 win over the Boston Crimson Sox and one win shy of tying the document for the most effective begin in Main League Baseball historical past — and nonetheless it doesn’t matter.
The Rays are one of many best-run organizations in skilled sports activities and do extra with lower than any workforce in any sport, but they nonetheless have the fourth-worst attendance in all of baseball. Which is healthier than final yr and the yr earlier than once they had been third-worst in attendance despite the fact that they made the playoffs in each seasons. And in case you had been questioning, the final time they made the World Collection throughout a non-COVID season was 2008 once they had the fifth-worst attendance within the league.
For those who’re scoring at dwelling, the Orlando Magic, which simply completed the NBA season 14 video games under .500, outdraw the Rays. The Magic averaged 17,765 followers this season on the Amway Heart whereas the undefeated Rays are averaging 16,769 followers at Tropicana Subject.
Translation: The Tampa Bay space merely doesn’t deserve such a top quality workforce. Time to demolish the concept that baseball will ever work there.
Raze the Rays!
Transfer them to Orlando!
Brief stuff: Glad to see that the Florida Gators simply restructured and renamed their NIL collective, which now has been rebranded as “Florida Victorious.” Appears like AD Scott Stricklin, after the Jaden Rashada fiasco, mentioned sufficient is sufficient and determined to place some very sensible enterprise folks answerable for the brand new collective. After the clownish method the outdated collective dealt with the Rashada state of affairs, I assume you may say UF’s NIL arm has gone from “Florida Uproarious” to “Florida Victorious.” … Perhaps Orlando Magic workforce president Jeff Weltman is bluffing to attempt to create some commerce curiosity in Jonathan Isaac, however throughout an interview earlier this week it certain seemed like Weltman plans on Isaac being again with the workforce subsequent season. I like J.I., however I've a tough time believing the Magic can pay $17.4 million subsequent yr for a participant who sadly simply can’t keep wholesome. …
Coloration me cynical, but it surely was introduced on Wednesday that longtime UCF rowing coach Becky Cramer has “resigned” in the midst of the season to “spend extra time with my household.” Excuse me? The season solely lasts one other month. I feel her household will nonetheless be there in Could. For those who learn Jason Beede’s story within the Sentinel, you’ll see that there’s extra to this than UCF is letting on. … Talking of UCF, Masters winner Jon Rahm has a connection to the Knights. His caddie Adam Hayes went to Rockledge Excessive College and performed for the UCF golf workforce within the late Nineties. Perhaps that’s why Rahm stored “charging on” and blew previous Brooks Koepka in the course of the 30-hole Masters marathon on Sunday. … By the way in which, what was extra stunning on the Masters — these pine timber falling down or Phil Mickelson rising up? …
I noticed the place the Orlando Magic are shifting their G-League affiliate from Lakeland to Osceola County, the place they are going to play at Silver Spurs Enviornment. Query: Who would be the dwelling workforce once they play San Antonio’s G-league affiliate? … Talking of Osceola County, it’s onerous to consider that one of many area’s most well-known firms — Tupperware — might quickly exit of enterprise. I’m simply guessing, however perhaps Tupperware’s monetary woes have one thing to do with a enterprise mannequin wherein they promote lids that by some means alter themselves and alter sizes as soon as they’ve been purchased and don’t match any of the containers in anybody’s kitchen cupboards. … Let’s give it up for UCF’s John Rhys Plumlee, who will play centerfield for the baseball workforce on Friday afternoon after which play quarterback for the soccer workforce on Friday night time. No phrase but on whether or not JRP may also be teaching the UCF rowing workforce on Friday, elevating some cash for the NIL collective and serving to AD Terry Mohajir put the ending touches on the 2029 soccer schedule. …
FAU has given basketball coach Dusty Could a 10-year contract extension after taking the Owls to the Ultimate 4. I’m normally towards giving a coach such a protracted extension after one spectacular season, however on this case I’ll make an exception. If Could is certainly a one-hit surprise, his one hit was higher than Resort California, Stairway to Heaven, Hey Jude, Respect, Purple Rain, Piano Man, Satisfaction, Free Hen, Heartbreak Resort and Johnny B Goode. … I don’t find out about you, however I like new Auburn coach Hugh Freeze’s thought of enjoying a spring recreation towards one other faculty within the state. “Alabama can play Troy and we play UAB or vice versa, or whoever, I don’t care. Alabama State or whoever,” Freeze mentioned earlier this week. I’d like to see UCF play Florida State or Miami play Florida in a spring recreation. It might be a good way to create curiosity, promote tickets and, sure, earn cash. …
New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has been out three months with a non-surgical hamstring damage and says he had been bodily cleared to play within the play-in match however was opting out till “I really feel like Zion.” If solely all of us acquired paid tens of millions of dollars to not go to work once we don’t really feel prefer it!!! …Tiny Quinnipiac upset mighty Minnesota to win the NCAA hockey title over the weekend and coach Rand Pecknold was so emotional that he requested ESPN reporter Colby Cohen to present him a hug in the course of the post-game TV interview. So have you learnt what Cohen did? He gave Pecknold a hug, in fact. It form of jogs my memory of the final time City Meyer gained a nationwide title and requested a reporter for a hug. When Meyer made contact with the reporter, the reporter turned to ashes and Meyer wickedly grinned and walked away. …
Final phrase: With Friday being Nationwide Thomas Jefferson Day, a quote from our third president: “In issues of favor, swim with the present; in issues of precept, stand like a rock.”
Electronic mail me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on Twitter @BianchiWrites and hearken to my Open Mike radio present each weekday from 6 to 9:30 a.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and HD 101.1-2
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