It has been a very difficult year for many during this pandemic. Florida is no exception but, if there has been a silver lining for the sports fans in Tampa Bay thanks to a historic showing by their professional teams. For local fans such as myself, the Lightning, Rays, Rowdies and the Bucs have given the local fans a great period to be a sports fan.
Being a sports fan in Tampa Bay (City of Tampa and its neighbor across the bay, Saint Petersburg) is not the same as say, being a sports fan in Los Angeles or New York. Those cities have seen their share of champions over the years by their teams. Meanwhile, fans in this area can count on one hand the number of titles won by their teams prior to the pandemic. The Buccaneers (2002) and Lightning (2004) each won once in their respective leagues while the Tampa Bay Rowdies have won the championship twice (1975 & 2012). The Rays came close in 2008 but lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. An honorable mention for the defunct Arena Football team, Tampa Bay Storm who won five Arena Football titles in their history, before the league went bust. Although Arena Football is not up there with the NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL, it was an enjoyable niche sport for us football fans down here.
Ever since the area was awarded professional sports franchises in the late 70s, this area has not enjoyed a history of successful winning teams. It always felt that one team was doing well while the others were struggling. That narrative changed this year when the Lightning finally got over the hump and won their second Stanley Cup. The Rays and Rowdies, who share the same owner, both managed to make it to their respective finals. The Rays came up short against the L.A. Dodgers in the World Series but their run to the World Series will never be forgotten by the fans. The Rowdies made it all the way to the USL Final, to be played in Saint Petersburg, but a day before the Final, the USL canceled the Final after some Rowdies players and staff tested positive for COVID-19. The reality of the pandemic, especially in Florida, reared its ugly head and snapped us back to reality, but Rowdies fans can only hope for more positive results from their beloved club.TAMPA BAY SPORTS FOR THE WIN! 🙌
— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) January 24, 2021
🏈 @Buccaneers
🏒 @TBLightning
⚾ @RaysBaseball
⚽ @TampaBayRowdies @SportsTampaBay #TampaBayLV @TampaBayLV pic.twitter.com/Idndlp2vrE
The Buccaneers recently joined the party after defeating the Green Bay Packers to play in the Super Bowl. It would be quite an achievement to watch the cycle culminate with the Bucs winning the Super Bowl, in their own stadium, and give us two titles from four. Los Angeles already saw the Dodgers and Lakers win championships and it would be nice to rub elbows with the big boys if Tampa Bay can claim to boast two champions of their own. Though it will not replace the pain and losses we have suffered during these tough times, it has been a positive distraction for the sports fans of this area.
