Thank You, Tampa Bay

Despite last week’s unrest, there were hundreds of positive images and moments that gave us hope. We wanted to pay special gratitude to Tampa Bay Rays’ fans for contributing to that hopeful feeling, as they hosted us for our “home” series after the city and MLB thought it wasn’t safe to play in Baltimore this past weekend.

The team’s graciousness started when Rays president Brian Auld
released a statement on Wednesday proclaiming, “The Oriole bird is certainly welcome to make the trip and will be welcomed at the Trop.” The sentiment continued Friday when Rays fans held up signs at the game saying “our hearts are with Baltimore” and “prayers for Baltimore.” A peace sign within the Orioles logo was particularly poignant.

And, though these things may seem like small gestures,
the Rays playing John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” during Saturday’s seventh-inning stretch and the team shipping in Berger cookies for the media in time for Friday’s opener, were icing on the cake.

Thank you, Rays fans. We certainly feel, and appreciate, the love.