Archive for the 'Raymond' Category

Jan 25

The ‘Raymond’ Fired By The Rays In 2008, Was Just Fired By The Lightning After Altercation With A Fan

Raymond, Tampa Bay Lightning Cork Gaines 5 Comments »

Back in 2008, the Rays fired Kelly Frank, the woman inside the Raymond costume at The Trop for the previous five seasons. And now, four years later, it looks like she has been fired again, this time as the Tampa Bay Lightning mascot “Thunderbug.”

Late last week we showed you video of Raymond being assaulted by a Bruins fan. That video went viral. And well, it turns out the team was not happy with what happened, and the lady inside the Thunderbug costume has been fired.

According to WTSP.com, the fan was allowed to return to his seat. After the game, the team said the incident with the fan “played a part in the team’s decision [to fire Thunderbug], but it wasn’t the only factor.”

And it turns out (thanks to some sleuthing by @reverendmalibu) the lady fired by the Lightning was likely the same lady fired by the Rays. Frank is the president and owner of Amazing!! Mascots. And according to her LinkedIn page, she was Thunderbug from September, 2009 through January, 2012.

The good news for Frank, is that she has yet to be fired by the Bucs. And based on the Bucs love of retreads and talent with questionable pasts, it would seem like a perfect fit.

Mar 29

Filming Rays PSAs and Commercials

Fans do silly things, Jordi Scrubbings, Raymond, Raymond is a sexy beast, The Trop is bringing sexy back Jordi Scrubbings No Comments »

Our correspondent Jordi Scrubbings recently had an opportunity to participate in some TV work at The Trop for the Rays. Below is his account of that experience.

If you have ever been to the ballpark early, you’ve probably seen the public service announcements the Rays video folks play. They usually go on about an hour before the game and warn fans of the consequences of smoking in the stands, blocking the line of sight, using foul language, and generally ruining the experience of other fans.

Over the last two weeks the Rays have filmed these videos and other commercials for the 2011 season. Being currently between jobs, I had the pleasure of going to Tropicana Field and answering both casting calls for extras. It was a very cool experience.

The first casting call was strictly for the pre-game PSAs. These were done by people I think were part of the Rays’ media team and marketing staff. There were no trained actors, just the Rays Team girls, Raymond, a few employees, and a bunch of extras. There was also no script, just a format and a direction. They filmed the drunk fans bit, the people with crazy hats bit, the guy who sits in the wrong seat bit (coincidentally next to a very pretty girl – imagine that!), and as a very cool added bonus, the guy with afro bit. That’s right, there is a very good chance you will see my smiling face front and center in a Rays pre-game public service announcement. Of course, I’m not giving you any spoilers, but let’s just say it involves a rubber chicken and it’s funny.

(Oh, and for those who might think me acting in a Rays commercial will ruin my objectivity as a writer, I didn’t get paid. These were completely voluntary and we had to sign waivers releasing our image, etc. So fire Joe Maddon and trade BJ! Kidding!)

A few days later, I returned Read the rest of this entry »

Feb 13

Raymond Photobombs ESPN.com

Raymond Cork Gaines 1 Comment »

Here is the picture that ESPN.com had on their front page on Friday with some of the names that made the biggest headlines during the off-season, such as the Phillies three Aces, the Dodgers’ new manager and Michael Young who recently demanded to be traded.

Raymond, that silly Sea Dog, managed to sneak his way into the picture. We suspect he convinced the photographer that he was Manny Ramirez. Because certainly ESPN.com isn’t trying to say that Raymond is all alone after the Rays lost so many players this off-season. Now, that would be silly.

Nov 12

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Another Award For Crawford

BJ Upton, Carl Crawford, Jermaine Dye, Raymond Cork Gaines 3 Comments »

Carl Crawford picked up his second award of the off-season yesterday, the Silver Slugger award for being one of the three best hitting outfielders in the AL. Previously, Crawford won a Gold Glove for his defensive play.

THE JUNKYARD DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • The Braves need an outfielder, but they are not interested in trading for BJ Upton. [MLB Trade Rumors]
  • Jermaine Dye wants to play in 2011. Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rays have contacted Dye, but it is not clear what their level of interest is. [Twitter]
  • Several scouts Read the rest of this entry »
Aug 20

Raymond Has No Patience For Rays Fans That Can’t Hold Their Liquor (Video)

Raymond Cork Gaines 6 Comments »

One of the problems with having a baseball stadium in St. Pete is that the games often go well past the bedtimes of many fans. Take this guy for instance, who “fell asleep” during the game. And of course, by “fell asleep,” we really mean “passed out.” And if you are going to pass out during a Rays game, make sure you don’t do it near Raymond. He shows no mercy, even if you are a Rays fan…

Aug 06

Old School Raymond Goes Golfing

Raymond, Raymond is a sexy beast Cork Gaines 2 Comments »

Here is a fun promotional clip of Raymond (before his makeover) and Clark Brooks from SB Nation Tampa Bay…

May 11

Raymond Drinks Whiskey And Beer And Is Not Big On Social Graces

Raymond, Raymond is a sexy beast Cork Gaines 1 Comment »

We are not sure what to say. This other video might have been pretty cool if only the sound worked.

Mar 31

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss The Final Bullpen Spot, Crawford’s Streak And Some More Saturday Concerts

Carl Crawford, Dale Thayer, Dioner Navarro, Evan Longoria, Heath Rollins, James Shields, Joaquin Benoit, Mike Ekstrom, Raymond Cork Gaines 8 Comments »

The GBT – The Good, The Bad and The Telling sandwich, where The Bad is nice and lean and the The Telling is ripe.

click above image for boxscore

THE GOOD: Joaquin Benoit. The odds-on favorite for the final bullpen spot showed that his arm is healthy by working 2 innings. But unfortunately we still don’t know if he can work back-to-back games. And with a 2-inning stint yesterday, he won’t work today. There are only 3 spring games remaining after today…Reid Brignac. Brignac had 2 more hits and is now 19-52 (.365) this spring.

THE BAD: Rafael Soriano. Sure he gave up 4 runs in 1 inning. And sure he gave up a 2-run double and a 2-run HR to minor leaguers. None of that is good. But what in all likelihood really pissed off Joe Maddon was the failure to cover 3rd base on a bloop base hit in which Willy Aybar had to cover second base. That allowed both runners to move up a base and started the 4-run rally.

THE TELLING: Dioner Navarro started and caught 6 innings and should be ready for opening day…David Price threw 106 pitches and worked 6.2 scoreless innings in a minor league game giving up 1 hit and 1 walk, striking out 8…Dan Johnson accepted his outright assignment to Durham…Carl Crawford will make his 8th straight opening day start for the Rays. Only 12 other players have an active streak that long with their current team…James Shields will become the first Rays pitcher to make 3 opening day starts…The Rays will be introducing a new official hot dog in the next couple of days.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • With a week before opening day there are “a couple of thousand” tickets remaining for Opening Day according to the Rays.
  • From Rays Renegade we learn that Train and Dierks Bentley have been added to the Saturday Night Concert Series this season. Dierks Bentley is a Country artist for you Gentiles. [Twitter]
  • Dale Thayer and Heath Rollins were reassigned to minor league camp leaving Joaquin Benoit and Mike Ekstrom for the final spot in the bullpen. Of course the Rays could also look outside the organization if they are worried Benoit is not ready for the regular season. [St. Pete Times]
  • Sport Illustrated picks the Rays to win the AL Wild Card and the AL pennant, but to lose in the World Series to the Phillies…So who gets the “SI Curse,” both teams, or just the Phillies? [Rays Report]
  • Dennis Maffezzoli spoke with Carl Crawford about his future and how he will approach this season, which in all liklihoodwill be his last with the Rays. [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
  • Jeff Fletcher of Fanhouse went through the Rays clubhouse asking what various members of the Rays know about Evan Longoria. [Fanhouse]
  • Yesterday we mentioned that BJ Upton helped recruit the GOP to the Trop. Now Rays Rev has a picture of Raymond sucking up to the GOP by wearing a suit. [Rays Rev]
  • Jonah Keri was interviewed by Fack Youk about the 2010 Rays. [Fack Youk]
  • Marc Topkin looks at the challenge Jason Bartlett faces working with a platoon at second base. [St. Pete Times]
  • Seth McClung has been released by the Marlins. [MLB Trade Rumors]
Sep 16

[PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME] The Real Reason Stuart Sternberg Was At The Trop Last Night?

Raymond, Raymond is a sexy beast, Stuart Sternberg Cork Gaines 3 Comments »

Stuart Sternberg was at the Trop last night and this video suddenly appears on the interwebs today…Coincidence? If you watch the video under the assumption that Sternberg is in the banana costume, the comedy factor increases exponentially…And we would love to make fun of Raymond, but ever since his renaissance, he just might be the coolest mascot since the San Diego Chicken.

Oct 31

THE HANGOVERStop The Friggin Presses! Curt Schilling Will Not Pitch For The Rays In 2008!

Curt Schilling, Dioner Navarro, Josh Paul, Raymond, Shawn Riggans Cork Gaines No Comments »

Team USA 10 , Mesa 2.
Evan Longoria did not start, but he did pinch hit in the 5th and played third base, going 1-2 with a single and a walk. Justin Ruggiano started in left and went 1-4. Ruggiano also stole a base.
Peo Javelinas 4, Scottsdale 3.
Reid Brignac went 0-5…again. John Jaso was 1-4 with a strikeout.

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

  • This shouldn’t even be newsworthy so we won’t bother to give it its own post. Curt Schilling did not list the Devil Rays among the teams he would consider playing for in 2008. And seeing how he pitched the last month of the season and the playoffs, no team should want him, unless he is strictly a post-season starter. When he needs to, he can still get by on guts, but no pitcher can keep that up over the course of an entire season. And don’t give us this crap about how great he would be for the young pitching staff. If that was the case, why spend $8-12 million for one season on an over-the-hill pitcher, when you could just hire somebody like Orel Hershiser or another recently retired, above-average, starting pitcher to be the pitching coach for a whole lot less. Of course, the best part of this, is we no longer have to read about the “possibility” of Schilling pitching for the Rays in 2008. And by “possibility” we mean “There was never a chance in hell”. [tampabay.com]
  • Backup catcher Josh Paul filed for free agency. That leaves the Rays with starter Dioner Navarro and Shawn Riggans who saw limited action at the major league level in 2007 before succumbing to injury. Most managers prefer at least one veteran catcher, even more so with a young pitching staff. Look for the Rays to make an attempt to resign Paul or pursue another veteran free agent catcher this off-season. [tampabay.com]
  • We weren’t the only ones that loathed the idea of another championship for the Red Sox. Raymond did not take it to well either. But on brighter news, Raymond is going to get a makeover to coincide with the new Rays logo and colors. [The Big Blue Blog]
  • What are the chances of the Rays winning the World Series in 2008? Apparently the same as Dennis Kucinich becoming President in 2008. So you’re telling me there’s a chance! [A Large Regular]
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