Devil Rays draft.

[Apis Bull]

The current D-Rays' management reminds me of Culverhouse with the Bucs.  Part of the problem is the Trop.  The location is no where near the population center of the area and it was old when the D-Rays started there.

[TripleB]

The current D-Rays' management reminds me of Culverhouse with the Bucs.  Part of the problem is the Trop.  The location is no where near the population center of the area and it was old when the D-Rays started there.

Culverhouse wouldn't have signed Crawford ......... A very very small part of the problem may be the Trop's location. Put something in there people want to see and they'll come (see Storm, Lightning and home shows).

[Markeymark]

They almost put it in the Feather Sound area around the existing Carillon site. In retrospect, that's a much better location. Part of the reason it's downtown is tied in with the idea of economic revitalization of the area it's in. The site of the Trop used to be an industrial wasteland with big chemical tanks.

I really think the Trop's location is only a very small part of the problem. If they build a successful franchise people will figure out that downtown St Pete isn't on the other side of the moon, as they had believed. Anyway, a large chunk of the revenue comes from the TV deals.

The bigger issue is do the owners have the cajones to splurge for a winning team?

[mulheap]

CLEAN HOUSE!  Everyone must go!  Vince, Chuck, Lou, send them all away!  Vince is a cheapskate owner who will never produce a winner.  Chuck has had 8 years and never improved the team.  Lou wants veterans, this isn't a veteran team.  Let the young guys play!  Send the whole coaching staff away except for Eilla.