This is too good to pass up. Fresh off clinching the franchise’s first-ever playoff berth, the Tampa Bay Rays now face a serious problem: Who will throw out the first pitch in their first playoff game?
Ever-diplomatic for such a previously woeful franchise, the Rays’ first instinct was to make it public through the WASHINGTON POST that you’re not worthy. You, as in, anyone:
“We don’t have anyone to throw out the ball for our first playoff game,” Tampa Bay President Matt Silverman said. “MLB asked us who it’d be. We realized nobody in the history of the franchise had done anything to be worthy of the honor.”
I have a feeling that for longtime organization employees, that’ll leave a mark!
Silverman isn’t exactly wrong, of course. The Rays have been a disaster until this year, but them’s harsh words out in the open like that. The Post’s Thomas Boswell suggests Gen. David Petraeus, as Central Command is headquartered in Tampa. That or … Dick Vitale? Maybe they can get one of the animals from nearby Busch Gardens to make the pitch and just avoid human beings altogether?
The mind boggles. If all else fails there’s suddenly famous Ryder Cup captain & Tampa resident Paul Azinger, who told USA TODAY: “I want to throw out the first pitch at a Rays game“.
Or the very-much-available 104-year-old Cubs fan.
12:10 pm on September 24th, 2008
Why not Jenn Sterger? She could use the attention.
12:12 pm on September 24th, 2008
If I were the Rays, I'd say Dick Vitale. Think of all the airplay ESPN would give it.
1:45 pm on September 24th, 2008
How about Wade Boggs? Didn't he go into the HOF as a Ray?
2:27 pm on September 24th, 2008
Have you guys ever looked at the Rays' career leaders? It's pretty awesome:
Only 2 pitchers (Kazmir and James Shields) have the 500 innings to qualify for rate stats - that's just three seasons of full-time starting20 wins would rank 9th on the all-time franchise list - for a careerThe saves top 10 includes such luminaries as Seth McClung, Tyler Walker, and Lance CarterJose Canseco is #2 on the single-season homerun list, and #10 on the career list
3:03 pm on September 24th, 2008
How about Bubba The Love Sponge?
3:23 pm on September 24th, 2008
How about the guy from "The Rookie"?
Dennis Quaid, I mean, not that mediocre pitcher.
3:31 pm on September 24th, 2008
I'm sure they'll pull some horrible PR stunt and let Wade Boggs toss the first pitch.
Just let Dickey V. do it and get it over with. But in all honesty, if you want to play to the "crowd", raffle the rights to it off during Bingo night at the local VFW. Those old bastards would eat this up.
3:43 pm on September 24th, 2008
Somewhere, Wade Boggs rues the day he kissed home plate at Tropicana Field.
4:05 pm on September 24th, 2008
For me, it's between Lord Palmerston and Pitt The Elder.
4:08 pm on September 24th, 2008
It should be Paul Azinger, captain of the USA winning Ryder Cup team and native of Tampa Bay area. Golf is a sport that helped put Florida in the limelight before they had a lot of pro teams, so he makes a fitting choice. He also openly pined for the duty !
4:29 pm on September 24th, 2008
How about Saint Pete native Boof Bonser?
4:46 pm on September 24th, 2008
How about Rocco Baldelli?
Wait, he's actually playing? I don't believe it.
5:19 pm on September 24th, 2008
John Gruden?
7:20 pm on September 24th, 2008
A Rocco Baldelli first pitch isn't really a bad idea. Maybe Rocco and Crawford? Better yet, how about the guy that has worn a Rays jersey longer than anyone: Bullpen Catcher Scott Cursi.
9:14 pm on September 24th, 2008
has anyone said fred mcgriff?
9:18 am on September 25th, 2008
Steve Stamkos.
8:22 am on September 27th, 2008
how about victor zambrano?