to move up and down
Get ready to be covered in your own tears: Dad secretly returns from duty in Afghanistan. Daughter gets to throw first pitch at Rays game. Dad disguises himself as Rays catcher. We won’t spoil the ending. Watch the video. (Photo: Chris O’Meara/The Associated Press)
J.A. Happ listed in good condition after getting hit with line drive
In the quiet under the dome, fans and players alike sat with their hands cupped over their faces, staring in stunned silence as they watched a crew of medics kneeling over the Toronto Blue Jays pitcher lying in the dirt.
J.A. Happ had just been hit on the left side of the head by a line drive. There was blood on his hand when he lifted it from the spot where the ball struck him.
It happened in a flash. Tampa Bay’s Desmond Jennings hit the ball. The ball hit Happ so hard that it caromed deep into foul territory along the right-field line.
Happ was listed in “good condition” Wednesday morning at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, a hospital spokesperson said. In a statement, the Blue Jays said he was expected to be released from hospital later on Wednesday after more tests. He suffered a a head contusion and a cut on his left ear, the statement said. (Photos: Mike Carlson/The Associated Press)
This is a REAL LIVE PENGUIN on an office chair belonging to Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon.
“I checked with Elias. Cliff is the first penguin ever to sit in the chair of a @MLB manager. #MaddonsMenagerie,” Rays director of communications Dave Haller tweeted.
Office penguin. The best kind of penguin. (h/t Deadspin)
DOG DAYS: The Tampa Bay Rays hosted “Bark in the Park” on Sunday and many fans brought their dogs to the stadium. Pitcher David Price brought his dog, Astro — whose likeness was turned into a bobblehead and given away to fans under 14. Sounds like a RUFF LIFE. (Photo: J. Meric/Getty Images; Chris O’Meara/The Associated Press)
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher was scheduled to throw out the first pitch before the Tampa Bay Rays’ game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. Instead, he shot it.
Photos: Steve Nesius/Reuters, Mike Carlson/The Associated Press
Lawrie loses his cool: Perhaps it was just the frustration of the moment. But when Brett Lawrie and John Farrell exploded in rage at an umpire in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s loss, the team’s current run of futility probably had something to do with it too.
Arguing a called third strike, Lawrie slammed down his batting helmet, which bounced up and glanced off umpire Bill Miller.
Farrell, the Toronto Blue Jays manager, joined the argument. Leaping up and down and waving his arms, Lawrie had to be restrained. Miller ejected both Lawrie and Farrell, and Lawrie may face a suspension for his antics.
Photo: Chris Young/The Canadian Press
Defence first: In a 7-3 win over Tampa Bay Tuesday, the Blue Jays backed starter Ricky Romero early with some splendid defensive plays. They did not often hit safely, but they made the most of seven hits – along with three errors by Rays third baseman Evan Longoria.
Jose Bautista and Adam Lind burst out of mini-slumps. Bautista contributed a home run and sacrifice fly. Lind had a two-run homer and two singles, all to the opposite field and all with two strikes. Brett Lawrie hit his second homer.
Photo: Mike Cassese/Reuters
Johnny Pesky was one of several former Red Sox players on hand for Boston’s home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays in Fenway Park’s centennial season. The right-field foul pole at the historic ballpark is named Pesky’s Pole in honour of the former infielder.
Photo: Elsa/Getty Images
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson holds his head as a medical team prepares to remove him from the bull pen after he was hit in the head by a fly ball during batting practice of their MLB baseball game against the Detroit Tigers. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook
A night to remember
The Rays’ Evan Longoria rounds the bases after his bottom of the 12th inning walk off home run against the New York Yankees on Sept. 28th. There had never been a night like this in baseball history. Mesmerized devotees pinched themselves in delight and lapsed fans scurried back to the fold. Take a look back at baseball’s magical night in our 2011 in Sport series. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)
