Jul 5, 2009 4:15 pm US/Eastern
Beasley's Commentary: Tampa Fans
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
The sun is struggling to join me even at the insistence of a small band of sea birds.
Like me, they eagerly await the new pleasures this day will surely bring.
It's the first full day of my Florida vacation on Madeira beach near Tropicana Field, home of the Rays. We passed by the Dome yesterday and memories of Chase Utley's home run during the World Series put a smile on my face.
I've been coming here for the 4th of July fireworks since the early 80's.
Something happened yesterday that I have never before experienced.
The Phillies beat the Mets but that's not it.
We were having lunch at a little sea food place on gulf blvd and a family decked out in Tampa Bay Rays baseball gear took the next booth.
My son Blake, who was born in Tampa during my Buccaneer NFL days, engaged the Rays family in polite conversation.
He said,"nice season last year.". Blake is normally a fan of all things Tampa so, like the Rays family, I felt he was being sincere.
Then, uncharacteristically, he turned his hat around revealing the Phillies logo.
The Rays family moved!
A family of five got up without saying a word and moved to a table in the middle of the floor.
This was no casual statement of loyalty.
The table they left was prime real estate over looking a fleet of charter fishing vessels.
They gave up the best seats in the house in exchange for a view of a wood carving of a female pirate with a parakeet on her shoulder.
Blake was not being obnoxious, nor was he rude.
A friendly conversation deteriorated into a silent feud.
Tampa baseball fans haven't had enough time in the game to know how to take a joke.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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