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Clanks A Lot! All Hail 'Cowbell Queen'

Tribune photo by JOSEPH BROWN III

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was so intrigued by "Cowbell Queen" Kathy Plank that he once invited her to the team's dugout - during a game.

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Published: October 23, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Dressed in Rays gear head to toe, Kathy Plank holds court at every home game as the "Cowbell Queen."

She sits in an area called "The Belfry" in Section 300, above and behind home plate. To find it, follow the melody of the cowbells.

"I was always kind of noisy with my voice. Everybody kind of already knew who I was," said the St. Petersburg resident and longtime fan.

Plank embraced the cowbell, as did Rays manager Joe Maddon, after the idea was mentioned by team owner Stuart Sternberg. Sternberg was a fan of the "Saturday Night Live" skit in which Christopher Walken plays a studio producer and Will Farrell portrays a member of the rock band Blue Oyster Cult. In the skit, Walken suggests to Farrell that the song they're recording needs "more cowbell." Again and again.

"I went online, and I got four dozen cowbells and gave one to everybody in my section," Plank said. "After that, everybody kept coming up to me and asking for cowbells."

Plank is such a big fan, she was buying the cowbells for $6 apiece but was reselling them to other fans for only $5. "Then they gave them away at one Red Sox game, which was cool because I didn't have to buy them anymore."

The cowbell earned her the attention of several Rays players and Maddon, whom she has met. And Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was so intrigued that he once invited Plank to the team's dugout - during a game.

The 62-year-old also has earned a spot in the Rays' fans Wall of Fame Class of 2006. It is a collection of fans honored each year by the team. The honorees get a team jersey, an invitation to meet the players and coaches, and a chance to attend special luncheons.

If Plank can lay claim to the title of top fan, it's more for her evangelism than the noise she makes. "We want to let fans around us know you have to get involved; you can't just sit. If just you want to sit, stay home."

Reporter Steven Girardi can be reached at (727) 451-2333.

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