TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Email
Print
Rays Fans Gather At McFarlane Park For Block Party
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: July 5, 2008
Related Links
WEST TAMPA - Johnny Rivero showed up to the Tampa Bay Rays' block party today with no fewer than seven baseball cards of catcher Dioner Navarro.
The Tampa resident said he first met the 24-year-old Venezuelan catcher when he was in the minor leagues with the New York Yankees organization in the early 2000s. He was able to get "Little Pudge" to sign all seven cards for him during Navarro's hour-long appearance.
"He said, 'Hello, good to see you,' "said Rivero, 45, a U.S. Coast Guard retiree. "He remembered me."
Rivero was among hundreds of people young and old who came out for the Rays' inaugural block party at Macfarlane Park, across from the West Tampa Little League baseball fields where big-league stars such as Tino Martinez and Fred McGriff once played.
"It's great for the community. It brings families together," said west Tampa resident Leo Alvarez, who helped get the Rays to invest in the Little League. "Baseball's always been a big part of west Tampa."
The Rays gave out promotional items, including plastic baseball bats that attendees got Navarro to sign. Many also brought their own items for his signature, such as baseballs, caps and pennants, and posed for pictures with him.
"It's always good to contribute to the community," Navarro said as he was leaving the park, accompanied by a small entourage including a police officer.
With the Rays in first place in the AL East, there was reason to party.
Spanish radio station La Nueva provided a disc jockey and La Teresita Restaurant offered yellow rice, black beans, pork and chicken.
Children got to swing for the fences in a Wiffle ball booth, test their pitching prowess in a speed pitch booth and took part in Wiffle ball pickup games.
"It feels like they're more within the community this year," said Ryan Shepherd, 32, of Tampa. "And I think it's just a part of the way the season is going."
Shepherd brought two balls for Navarro to sign, including an All-Star Baseball.
"So hopefully he gets selected," said Shepherd, a Tampa code enforcement officer. "He's having an awesome season."
Another block party is planned for August at Campbell Park in St. Petersburg, said Heather French, the Rays' senior marketing coordinator.
"We don't just want to be a baseball team," she said. "We want to be part of this community."
Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com
Email
Print
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
