The Rays went to Boston and took a beating tonight in Game 1 of the ALDS against the unbearable Red Sox, 12-2.
But some of the baseball excitement could be found in Tallahassee, of all places, where Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn struck out in front of the Economic Club of Florida in a speech.
“We’re all Rays fans at this point,” he said. “They may physically reside in St. Petersburg, at least for a little while, but we all share in their success and I consider myself to be their mayor just as Bill Foster considers himself to be their mayor.”
Buckhorn says he “doesn’t want to be the boyfriend” in the inevitable Rays/St. Petersburg divorce overseen by the colossal bungling of Mayor Bill Foster. Okay, first of all, stop saying that Mr. Mayor, because, ugh, gross. And two, we all know that’s not true. When you say you are the “mayor of the 55th largest city in the country and more, importantly, home to the Tampa Bay Rays,” that puts the lie to your pretty lame non-explanation.
Saying the bay area loves the Rays, but “it’s not going to work in St. Petersburg,” isn’t helpful. It is confusing.
At this point, the Mayor may not be interested in political advice from me, but here is some anyway: don’t dance around the obvious. Lead. Don’t leave this one open to our interpretation. Be the regional leader people expect you to be. Say you intend to do what it takes to keep the Rays here, and if Bill Foster’s not competent enough to do it, you are.
But don’t go to Tallahassee and give the unforced error. Maybe tomorrow night you should just stay home and root for the Rays, Mr. Mayor.
Let’s go Rays!
