Rays Return Home For Seven-Game Homestand Featuring Orioles And Tigers

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Rays Return Home For Seven-Game Homestand Featuring Orioles And Tigers

Junior Caminero (Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Rays)
Junior Caminero (Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Rays)

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rays are back at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa for an exciting seven-game homestand, kicking off Monday, June 16.

The team will face the Baltimore Orioles for four games (June 16-19) before hosting the Detroit Tigers for a three-game series (June 20-22). This homestand is packed with special events, community initiatives, and fan giveaways, promising something for everyone.

Monday, June 16 vs. Baltimore Orioles (7:35 p.m. First Pitch)

The homestand opens with “Magic Monday,” as the Rays host 15-year-old Bryan from Buddy Baseball, a local league for individuals with unique abilities. Bryan will participate in batting practice and serve as an honorary coach. The Central High School JROTC will present the Color Guard, and the National Anthem will be performed by American Stage with American Sign Language by Lily R. Rays season member Edward Kowalski and Coca-Cola representative R.J. Frost will throw the first pitches.

READ: Rays Starting Pitching Has Fueled Recent Surge

Fans who purchased the sold-out Greek Heritage Ticket Package will receive a limited-edition jersey. All fans checking in via the MLB Ballpark App will receive a discount code for $100 off their first five weekly deliveries from Fitlife Foods. Military personnel, first responders, and teachers are eligible for two complimentary tickets, with the offer expiring Sunday, June 15, at 11:59 p.m. (Visit RaysBaseball.com/Salute for details).

Tuesday, June 17 vs. Baltimore Orioles (7:35 p.m. First Pitch)

Tuesday features a postgame drone show presented by Webull, depicting iconic moments in team history. The Color Guard will be presented by Pasco Young Marines, and Josh Allen will perform the National Anthem with ASL by Hailey Riggs. Alex Barnett, Head of Marketing at Webull, will throw a Rays First Pitch.

The “Tuesday’s Champion” program, presented by RIPA, will recognize 11-year-old Maci and 13-year-old Dani, sisters living with thalassemia from Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, who will meet players and throw a ceremonial first pitch. The Salute to Service offer for complimentary tickets is also available, expiring Sunday, June 15, at 11:59 p.m.

Wednesday, June 18 vs. Baltimore Orioles (7:35 p.m. First Pitch)

Wednesday’s game includes a special Mexican Heritage Ticket Package, presented by Corona, offering a limited-edition hat and a seat in sections 215-217 (more info at RaysBaseball.com/MexicanHeritage). The Freedom High School JROTC will present the Color Guard, and Joe Zuniga will perform the National Anthem with ASL by Lauren Chisholm.

READ: Longoria, Rasmussen, And Lowe Talk Rays Past And Present On “The Rock Stops Here”

Tegan Morgan, daughter of Morgan Automotive Group Owner/CEO Brett Morgan, and Cristina Pumarejo and Jose Arnaldo Dávila, co-hosts of “Nandy y Cristy” on El Nuevo Zol 97.1, will throw Rays First Pitches. Joe Urso, the winningest coach in the University of Tampa baseball program history, will throw a ceremonial first pitch following his team’s 10th NCAA Division II Championship win on June 7. The Salute to Service offer also applies to Wednesday’s game.

Thursday, June 19 vs. Baltimore Orioles (7:35 p.m. First Pitch)

In celebration of Juneteenth, Doretha Edgecomb, a longtime educator and Hillsborough County School Board member, will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Dr. Alex Harris will perform the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” with ASL by Tess Crowder. Fans will receive a Shane Baz Bobblehead, presented by Take 5 Oil Change.

NASCAR Driver Ross Chastain, an eighth-generation watermelon farmer and driver of the No. 1 Busch Light Chevrolet, will throw a Rays First Pitch. The Salute to Service complimentary ticket offer is also available for Thursday’s game.

Friday, June 20 vs. Detroit Tigers (7:05 p.m. First Pitch)

The Rays will honor the legacy of former MLB player Billy Bean, one of the first former MLB players to come out as gay and MLB’s Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. His husband, Greg Baker, will throw a ceremonial first pitch.

In partnership with the Pinellas and Hillsborough Education Foundations, the Rays will present the Billy Bean Scholarship to outstanding LGBTQ+ or allied high school seniors. This year’s recipients are Milanna Brookins of Countryside High School and Isaiah Sewell of East Bay High School, who will be recognized on the field alongside Greg Baker and Billy Bean’s parents, Linda and Ed Kovach.

The sold-out Pride Ticket Package includes a limited-edition hat. Additionally, Rays infielder Brandon Lowe and his wife, Madison, will host players and coaches from the St. Petersburg Police Athletic League Nike RBI program as part of the “Lowe’s Legends” program, aiming to inspire underrepresented youth in baseball and softball. The St. Petersburg Police Department Honor Guard will present the Color Guard, and Ran Musi will perform the National Anthem with ASL by Terri Pendleton.

Saturday, June 21 vs. Detroit Tigers (12:10 p.m. First Pitch)

Jacqueline Biance will perform the National Anthem with ASL by Michelle Pure.

Sunday, June 22 vs. Detroit Tigers (12:10 p.m. First Pitch)

The homestand concludes with a Shane McClanahan Player Pin giveaway, presented by RIPA and Associates. Fans can also purchase a special FSU Ticket Package, including a corduroy hat (RaysBaseball.com/FSU). Former NFL player and FSU alumnus Walter Jones will throw a ceremonial first pitch. The J.W. Mitchell High School JROTC will present the Color Guard, and Nelly Ford will perform the National Anthem with ASL by Michelle Pure.

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