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Letter to the editor

True fans will look beyond the record

Hope springs eternal, and with so many good young players, it may bring victories.

By JACOB H. FRIES, Times Staff Writer
Published September 28, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Dirk Shadd | Times] Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Jason Hammel greets fans at the Trop's main entrance before Thursday's final home game.

ST. PETERSBURG - Kathy Plank wasn't about to miss the last home game of the year, not against those oh-so-smug Yankees with their pinstripes, million-dollar smiles and 26 World Championships.

Oh, no, not the Cowbell Queen. Not this 61-year-old season ticket holder who buys an extra seat to hold all her whistles, signs and, of course, cowbells.

"I don't come for the wins and losses," Plank said, standing to mock another Yankee batter during Thursday night's game. "I come to watch good baseball and to see these kids grow. ... Losing means nothing to me."

Good thing, because, as it turns out, the Rays have the worst record in baseball with only three games left. In fact, in the franchise's 10-year history, the team has never had a winning season. Not one.

So, in lieu of playoffs and championships, you learn to root for other things, like putting a hurt on the Bronx Bombers.

"When you beat them, it's like winning two games," Aaron Peter, 36, said.

"It's our World Series," added Jeff Wilcox, 60, who along with Peter moved to the top of the upper deck to get away from invading Yankee fans.

But as every good Rays fan will tell you, there's reason to be hopeful. The team is young and has played well in the second half of the season.

"There's a feeling in the Tropicana now," said Cary Strukel, 38, of Pinellas Park, watching from the outfield. "It just feels different. It's amazing."

But even if the team stinks next year and the year after that, it doesn't matter to these fans. You root for the home team. That's how it works. You cheer during the bad years and gloat during the good ones, whenever they come.

"I've made it my mission from the beginning to come out and let the opposing team know we have fans, we're proud of our team and we're proud of our city," Strukel said.

As for Plank, she planned to go home after the game and immediately watch it on videotape.

Why?

Because that's what committed fans do.

Jacob H. Fries can be reached at jfries@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8872.

[Last modified September 28, 2007, 00:46:29]