The commentary about the Tampa Bay Rays’ attendance and speculation about relocation ratcheted up again with the recent, disappointing turnouts for the Rays’ two games with the Oakland Athletics. Both barely broke five figures. No other MLB games drew fewer fans either of those nights.
Ironic that the competition was the A’s, who have serious facility and attendance issues and could be relocating before the Rays ever leave the Trop. The A’s play in one of those old-style multiple-purpose stadiums and draw poorly — even though they have made nine playoff and three World Series appearances since 1988. Their viable options: find another home in Oakland, head to nearby Fremont, or relocate to San Jose, the biggest city (950,000) in the country without pro baseball, football or basketball.