The Tampa Bay Rays made the wrong kind of history on Tuesday when they hosted MLB’s smallest playoff crowd (in a non-COVID season) since 1919, and the crowd for Wednesday’s Game 2 wild-card matchup with the Rangers wasn’t much better.
It was so bad that even ESPN/ABC announcer Sean McDonough was working jokes about the poor attendance into his commentary.
One day after falling behind in the three-game series to Texas, another poor start left the fans at Tropicana Field in obvious frustration. The fifth inning started with Corey Seager reaching on a fielding error. And when Robbie Grossman singled two pitches later to move Seager over to third, the boos sounded at the Trop. Seager would later score in the inning.
That set up McDonough for this joke about the crowd.
"Some boos starting to come down from the group. I'm not sure we can call it a crowd. The group here at the Trop."- Sean McDonough ⚾️☠️🎙️ pic.twitter.com/xsg0CWFwxP
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 4, 2023
Now, a sub-20,000 crowd is always going to be an embarrassment for a playoff game. But let’s not pretend that MLB did the Rays any favors with scheduling midweek day games for the playoffs at an awful stadium with a notoriously difficult location to reach. At the same time, though, the Twins haven’t had a problem filling Target Field for day playoff games.
So, excuses only go so far.
But it really had to be bad for McDonough to joke about the crowd as announcers typically play up the atmospheres for playoff games. Fans also had thoughts about the commentary.
This was how Twitter reacted
Why is it that fans who (smartly) don’t show up for a game get criticized more than the team that chokes? Why does the city end up bearing a reputation instead of the franchise?
Anyway I’ve cheered for Atlanta sports for four decades why do you ask https://t.co/R0KLMeSb46
— Steven Godfrey (@38Godfrey) October 4, 2023
Once again, snarky Sean McDonough is the best Sean McDonough. https://t.co/1a1dgc401k
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) October 4, 2023
Honest Savagery. https://t.co/EFuti0G6Ya
— FreddiE ColemaN (@ColemanESPN) October 4, 2023
If you have less than 20,000 fans showing up for a #MLB playoff game, you lose your right to boo. #Tampa https://t.co/ogbt15BXCm
— SportsBusinessRadio (@SBRadio) October 4, 2023
https://t.co/bqr3suk9kT pic.twitter.com/sGEFYGT7VT
— Kyle (@puckandrally) October 4, 2023
Oh my god the savagery! https://t.co/BI3g6Wjd4f
— Brice Paterik (@BricePaterik) October 4, 2023
Even the broadcasters 😂 https://t.co/1jNhh0Q7LF
— Andy Snakovsky (@AndySnaks) October 4, 2023
Bully Rays fans into showing up for games. We need to make this a group effort folks. We’re all in this together https://t.co/4MYGLdhiCw
— Cønnør (@BernienChompz) October 4, 2023
Rays won 99 games this season and this is how their season goes out.
Yikes on bikes https://t.co/iBjseabye6
— Milwaukee Gregg (@TasticFlap) October 4, 2023
