Rays owner Stuart Sternberg was incredibly proud over the recent rankings put out by ESPN that listed his club's fan experience as the "most affordable" in all of major sports.

And Sternberg said the plan is now to be even more affordable.

The Rays will celebrate this ranking with an "Even More Affordable Night" on Wednesday, August 19th against the Baltimore Orioles, in a game featuring 50-cent hot dogs. More details are to come.

"To get recognized by ESPN as the most affordable team in professional sports was something I know we, inside the Rays organization had celebrated dramatically," Sternberg said on a conference call. "And something, as an owner, I couldn't ask for any more. It really does talk about all the hard work, the employees we have, all the partners we have that work with us. We strive for, not to just have a great product to put on the field, and a great environment venue and  offerings we put out. But to be recognized nationally when, quite frankly, in the history of this franchise, for 11 years has been somewhat of a laughingstock, to be recognized by ESPN as the No. 1 (in affordability) among all the teams in major sports, is an incredible accomplishment."

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com