Dear ESPN,
I feel that the opinions presented by ESPN and those that feel we need a new stadium are valid and do hold water. And for every one reason that comes up about why the Trop is a wonderful stadium, there are certainly one or more reasons why it is not an amazing facility, or why it could and should be improved.
I think a lot of us of us allow emotions to get in the way of judgement at times when we feel like our toes are getting stepped on, especially in times like now when people that have no seeming vested interest in our area trash talk what we’re working with. In my mind there are a myriad of reasons why we need a new stadium; from the lighting issues to the angling of the seats. From the turf to the stale environment inside the Trop. So on and so forth.
I definitely want a new stadium and feel that it would undoubtedly be a grand improvement above and beyond what we’ve got. However, most Rays fans at large are understanding of the situation that we’re dealing with. That is to say that all of the Rick Sutcliffes and John Kruks of the world can come in, open their mouths, and talk/preach about what’s wrong with the area and the facility at large, but their sentiments are falling on deaf ears. Why? Because their viewing audience at large has little to nothing to do with our very specific situation.
Those of us in the viewing audience that do have some vested interest in the situation are already aware of what’s going on. In short, we all know that the John Kruk’s and the Rick Sutcliffe’s of the world are not going to objectively assess the situation or all of the factors surrounding the issues with the stadium and attendance. Unless they are going to objectively look at things and weigh all of sides of the issues, then they need to do what they presumably do best: comment on the action on the field.
Best,
Schmitty