Tampa Bay is an incredible city to be a sports fan.
The fans love our hometown teams, and the athletes love us right back. I have met several members of the Rays at public appearances, and they are always so gracious and friendly. We have a tight knit community in this city, and one of the things that binds us together is sports. This is something that has rubbed off on me, because when I first moved here ten years ago I didn’t care about sports at all, and now I consider myself a fanatic. I remember being so angry when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays shortened their name and became the Rays. Sadly, the influence of right-wing religious types is widespread in the area surrounding Tampa Bay, and they fought against the word “devil.” The team name may have changed, but I still wear my classic Tampa Bay Devil Rays jersey when I go to the games. If I am being honest, I don’t go to many games these days. I prefer to watch the Tampa Bay team play from the comfort of my living room and my air conditioner. It gets very hot sitting in the stands of the stadium, and my blood pressure is terrible, so having climate control makes it easier for me to enjoy the game. With my big screen TV and my ice-cold AC, I get the best possible experience watching the Tampa Bay Rays. I am also a long-time fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team, and of course the Bucs will always be my favorite.