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I’ll Take The Point: Part Deux.

A match up between the top clubs from Group G & Group H ended in a tie, not the outcome I wanted but I’ll take the points on the road.

So far this season I still haven’t seen the Tampa Bay Rowdies play a complete game. This was their second road test of the season taking on the Birmingham Legion who sit atop Group G. Since last season the Rowdies have always had trouble with the Legion and this game was no different. Coach Collins finally added Juan Tejada back into the lineup which added a much need speed boost on the offense. Tejada allows the defense to focus more of their attention on him allowing Sebastian Guenzatti to score a goal 51 minutes in. Goalie Evan Louro had some nice saves and is slowly becoming one of my favorites on the team.

This tie doesn’t make me as mad as last weeks home one to NCFC. Last week felt like a loss, we had a 2-0 lead at home and lost it after the half, this week we entered the half losing 1-0 and game back to tie. I like how the club never shows signs of giving up. If they can just turn up the heat more on offense I think the club will be fine going into playoffs. Next weeks game is against the Charleston Battery who is only 1 point behind us in Group H, so we need a big win at home. Hopefully I will be in attendance along with my fellow Ralph’s Mob & Skyway Casual supporters, cheering on our Rowdies!!!

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Straight Out The Cauldron

In alliance with DiabolikDVD, new Blu Ray Boutique label Cauldron Films already has new drooling for more blu rays!

The new labels goal is to bring poorly or never released cult films for the 70s & 80s from across all genres. From all the work the team has done with DiabolikDVD they definitely are in tune with what the collector wants, learning from other boutique labels like Arrow, Vinegar Syndrome, and Severin Films.

The inaugural releases of “American Rickshaw” and “Abrakadabra”, the first being a latter Sergio Martino flick that has “Big Trouble In Little China” vibes. “Abrakadabra” is a 2018 film but it’s Giallo style makes it fit with the label. I am glad they included a newer film, something the other labels stay away from.

After getting the first two releases from the label I will definitely be getting a shirt and whatever the next two films, one a 1970’s Giallo that hasn’t been released on Blu Ray yet, and a 1980’s European horror film that has never been released in the US. The dedication to releasing hard to see films in America could be what separates Cauldron films from the rest. Can’t wait to see what the reaper cooks up out of the cauldron next.

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I’ll Take The Point

Despite a 2-0 lead at half the, 2-2 tie with North Carolina FC feels like a loss for the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Members of Ralph’s Mob & Skyway Casuals are invited to watch the club play each week.

One might think a 1 hour rain delay would have put the club off balance, but right from the jump the Rowdies offense was running at full force. Both of the clubs stars Sebastian Guenzatti and Leo Fernandes put the club up 2-0 going into the half with, Fernandes scoring his 3rd goal of the season this one off a corner kick. North Carolina FC had some attempts at the goal but Goalkeeper Evan Louro had some good saves. He got nailed in the face pretty hard with one but was able to hold on.

Leo Fernandes has scored a goal in every game this season.

The second half was a different story. I definitely noticed a lack of urgency and pressure in the second half. Instead of killing NC FC’s momentum they took their foot off the gas and allowed them to score 2 pretty easy goals. Louro is a solid goalie but so far anytime some kicks a high goal he just can’t seem to reach it. The offense definitely could have used Juan Tejada to give a little life into the game.

Even though it’s not a loss, I feel going into next weeks away game against the Birmingham Legion the club should take it as a loss and try to tighten things up. So far this season I have not seen the club play a complete game. Last week they didn’t show up at the start, but ended up pulling out a win at the end. This week they dominated from the start but couldn’t close which hopefully doesn’t cost them at the end.

I have faith Coach Collins will fix some of these mistakes throughout the week. I am looking for a big road win this weekend. Currently we are at the top of Group E with 7 points, making us a Top 5 club in the league.

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Life Is Good Being A Rowdies Fan.

Despite being down early the Tampa Bay Rowdies opened up with a 2-1 victory over Atlanta Untied 2, in the first game of the USL Championship Tournament.

The atmosphere in Al Lang Stadium was a little different than in previous matches with social distancing in effect. The organization allowed about 150 or so members from Ralph’s Mob and Skyway Casuals supporters groups to be in attendance. This definitely added to the clubs play on the field, with the club pretty much dominating the entire game except for that one goal. Personally I wouldn’t want to play in front of no fans, it would make the game feel like practice.

Juan Tejada was all over the place last night coming up with an assist on the first goal made by Lucky Mkosana. All game long I was waiting for my favorite Leo Fernandes to make a big play. After a bunch of corner kicks, Leo finally got in the net scoring the game winner, his second of the season. I really liked the hustle that Mustapha Dumbuya had the entire game.

For the first game with following social distancing guidelines I felt the club made it really easy for fans to be safe and have fun. Apparently I was sitting between both supporters groups which made for a different experience but being a member of both groups it didn’t really matter to me which side I sat on I just wanted to cheer on my Rowdies.

With more televised games I won’t miss a second of the action. I hope I am invited back to next weeks game so I can keep the Rowdies coverage coming.

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Mob Ties.

The USL Championship resumes play this week, marking the return of the Sons of Pirates and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The Rowdies are in the Group H.

The league has been split up into 8 groups based on their regional position. The top two clubs from each group will then play in a single elimination playoff tournament to determine the new USL Cup Champions. The Rowdies are apart of Group H, along with Charleston Battery, Atlanta United 2, and inter state rival Miami FC. I am pretty confident the Rowdies can make it into the playoff round with only the Battery being sort of a threat. With our first win of the season coming before the pandemic the club is already atop Group H. The club will also play North Carolina FC, Philadelphia Union 2 , and Birmingham Legion FC.

As of now only a select number of family, friends, and Ralph’s Mob supporters will be allowed at Al Lang under strict social distancing guidelines. Later in August Season Ticket holders that did not ask for refunds will be allowed to attend two games of their choosing. Hopefully I am able to snag tickets to every match. ESPN + will be showing every home and away match except one so all fans of the club can show their support.

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Rays Ready For Opening Day.

With the MLB and the MLBPA finally coming to a decision to play a 60 game regular season, the Tampa Bay Rays have released their 60 man roster and let’s just say we are stacked.

Per usual with the club, the pitching staff this year might be the best in baseball. With Blake Snell coming back from injury, Morton, Glasnow should be our starters. Castillo, Alvarado, and Yarbrough are some of my favorites on the mound as well. I am interested to see how top prospect Brendan McKay bounces back after struggling against Houston, but they cheat so if I was him I would just go out there and show my stuff.

The problem with the Rays has always been scoring runs. I feel the additions of Hunter Renfroe and Yosh Tsutsugo will had some power batting to the line up, with Yoshi probably sharing the DH role with Ji-Man Choi. I am looking for Choi to have a big year, coming off his great performance in the playoffs. KK, Lowe, and Meadows are going to do their thing in the outfield so I am not worried about that.

The big news for the infield was the addition of No.1 MLB prospect Wander Franco being added to the taxi squad of the club. I could see Franco maybe getting some playing time when Adames isn’t in the game but I am not sure how the team plans to use Franco once he reaches the field. Fans are definitely excited to see him so I feel like now is a good time to bring him up.

With a great team on paper for this season I am expecting the Club to win around 38-40, games probably end up being a game behind the Yankees but just good enough to make it in the Playoffs.

Although it has not been announced if fans can come to games, I know I will be cheering on my Rays from home courtesy of the MLB TV subscription given to seasons ticket holders. Rays Up!!!

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Undiscovered Classics: Casey Veggies- Life Changes

When you think of artists that survived after leaving a prominent group you can think of to many that have made it. After leaving Odd Future in its early days Casey Veggies made a name for himself on the West Coast for being that spitter with mainstream appeal. On his 2013 mixtape “Life Changes” Young Veggies crafted the blueprint of what today’s West Coast Hip Hop should be.

In the world of West Coast Hip Hop I feel there are three different forms of it. One is from a more conscious aspect like Blu or Kendrick. The second is that gangster shit that artists like YG and Nipsey put down, but there is also this weird third form has a accessible main stream appeal that artists like Dom Kennedy and Casey Veggies provide. The Cali vibe these type of artists create just make you wanna ride down Gulf BLVD with the windows down.

This project dropped the year I graduated High School so it is very nostalgic for me. As soon as I got my first car I burned a CD with my all time fav tracks “She In My Car”, “Faces”, “Whip It”. The Drugz produced “Whip It” is my go to Veggies song. Just a simple Japanese strings over trickling hi hats was the vibe during those SPC days. The Dom Kennedy assisted “She In My Car” is perfect example when I say Mainstream West Coast sound.

Not to say that Veggies is a lacking when it comes to introspective lyrics. On the two part track “Love=Hate, Ulterior Motives” Veggies gets deep into his difficulties finding the right girl. Anytime the TDE production group of THC makes a track for Veggies it’s always flawless. The did a few tracks on his debut album “Live And Grow” but we will talk about that another day.

It might just be nostalgia that makes this album a classic for me but Veggies is the man. I feel he doesn’t get the love he should, mainly because he gets boxed in as just West Coast rapper but since when was that a bad thing. Yeah I am from the South but you get tired of listening to trap shit all the time, some times you gotta just ride out to some Young Veggies.

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A Different Side Of Florida Hip Hop.

When you think Florida Hip Hop, many people would be quick to say “Only Miami puts out that work?” But I am here to tell you, Zhudaru1963 is putting on for the St.Petersburg Hip Hop scene.

Featuring artists Kayo Da Beast, Heyeyella, Acoupstix, as well as many other artists that are featured on Zhudaru1963. The collection of different artists gives off a “Revenge Of The Dreamers 3” vibe. I really dug how the first two tracks featuring Kayo, had more hard hitting production, with “No Cap” being my fav track off the project. Tracks like “Slow” and “Burn Slow” give you that smoking song and club song every one can get down with.

If your looking for just dope true to life bars, look no further to the Kalixo Ratchet track “True”. Everything Kalixo spits feels authentic, which definitely adds to his lyrics dealing with the trials and tribulations of street life.

The production on this project is really top notch with a lot of melodic trap esque beats that allow Acoupstix to float over tracks like “Arrogance”. Some of the tracks a little bit of a Lil Baby vibe but I ain’t mad at it, that shit slaps especially on “Go Off”.

As a whole I really enjoyed this Zhudaru1963 project. What the collective could do for St.Petersburg Hip Hop is really special with Rod Wave blowing up out of the area, the flood gates have been opened, allowing St.Pete to have its time to shine in the game. Check out Zhudaru1963.com for more dope music and merch.

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Retire 29.

Retiring player numbers is a big part of honoring a players legacy with an organization. It builds a teams history by giving current players something to strive for. Although the Rays are one of the younger teams in the MLB I feel there are still plenty of potential players in our history that deserve to have their number retired in the Trop. I think Fred McGriff’s number 29 should be the next player honored by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Don Zimmer’s number 66 was retired on April 6, 2015.

As of 2020 the Rays only have three numbers retired in their history. Wade Boggs number 12 is retired due to the contributions he had on the organization during its early years as well as being the clubs only Hall Of Famer. Every club around the league has retired the number 42 in honor of the great Jackie Robinson. The most recent number retired was that of Don Zimmer, who’s coaching number 66 was retired after his death in 2015 for his 10 year career with the club.

McGriff was just 7 HRs shy of reaching the 500 club.

Retiring McGriff’s number 29 could be a great moment for the club as well as the fans. McGriff is a home town hero, born in Tampa he played 1B for the Devil Rays in their inaugural season playing with the club from 1998-2001. He made one all star game in 2000 and had a career renaissance with the team. The Rays could make it a throwback night with McGriff giving a speech reflecting on his career with the Devil Rays. Other than Wade Boggs the only throwback jerseys the team sells are of McGriff so why not boost that even more by honoring him with a jersey retirement. No word on who or when the next player and number will be retired but it’s been five years since the last inductee. I would definitely wait til the 2021 season when fans are able to pack the Trop and cheer on McGriff like back in the old days.

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Showing Love To The Season Ticket Holders.

The MLB will implement a 60 game season with players starting camp by July 1st and games set to begin in late July. Rays fans more now than ever should get behind the team regardless of the squabble between the owners and MLBPA. The players still have to agree on the safety protocols they must undergo during the pandemic, but after having every offer get shut down by the owners I am pretty sure they will agree to it.

Despite the shortened season the Rays are projected to have one of the best teams in the league so if we did end up winning the COVID Series I wouldn’t be mad.

With no fans being able to attend the games fans from all across the Tampa Bay Area should tune in to the games. Showing our support from a distance will help the team rise in popularity and viewership, hopefully squashing those damn Montreal split season talks.

I feel the area is indeed a baseball city that will get behind the club, once they continue to have some back to back winning seasons. By far I see the most supported team in the area is the Rays based on merch and gear being seen on fans everyday at my work. For some reason we just can’t get to the games. But with the drought in sports for the last few months I am hoping the community will get behind the club.

Once fans can go back to the stadiums the Rays will hopefully have a more die hard fan base, ready to fill the Trop up like we did for the playoffs last season. The sold out play off games that happened to be during the week games both sold out, showing the community will support a winning team. The people at Jit Camp will stand with Rays Republic as supporters of the club, eventually making Rays games the must see attraction after the pandemic.