Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online

TBO > News

Cheer Playoff-Bound Rays At Pep Rallies Today, Tuesday

Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH

Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill employee Carl Schmidlin walks by a sign of support for the Rays created by chalk artist Jacob Christiano.

TBO.com

Published: September 29, 2008

Updated: 09/29/2008 12:46 pm

Related Links

Today: Rays Party

View Larger Map

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Rays, who clinched the American League Eastern Division title over the weekend, will host a pair of celebrations leading up to their first playoff appearance.

The first gathering, at 5 p.m. today at Straub Park in downtown St. Petersburg, features live music.

A similar party is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lykes Gaslight Square in downtown Tampa.

Both events are free and open to the public, and the latest Rays merchandise will be on sale.

Today at Straub Park, all Rays players and coaches will be on hand, free Rayhawk haircuts will be offered and there will be a performance by Survivor, which recorded such 1980s hits as "Eye of the Tiger."

Family-friendly activities will include interactive areas for kids featuring the Rays Street Team, a Hummer-driving group that carries prizes and interactive hitting and pitching games.

Straub Park is at 398 Fifth Ave. N.E. Fans are encouraged to park in the BayWalk garage.

On Tuesday at Lykes Gaslight Square, 410 N. Franklin St., free hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jack will be handed out.

The Rays Street Team will be there, along with interactive hitting and pitching machines.

Smokey Bones barbecue will provide free food, the team said.

Playoff merchandise will be on sale in the Rays Pro Shop, 400 N. Tampa St., across the street from the park.

The best-of-five American League Division Series begins this week, with the first two games at Tropicana Field. Game 1 is at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, and Game 2 is at 6 p.m. Friday. The Rays will be on the road for Game 3 on Sunday and, if necessary, Game 4 on Oct. 6. Game 5, if needed, would be played Oct. 8 at Tropicana Field.

The Rays announced Monday that Game 5 has sold out.

First-round playoff games will be televised nationally by TBS.

Fans can still register for possible online pre-sales for the American League Championship Series or World Series by signing up at www.raysbaseball.com. The ALCS would begin Oct. 10. The World Series is scheduled to begin Oct. 22.

The Rays also said postseason ticket packages may be guaranteed by placing deposits on 2009 season ticket plans. Go to the team Web site or call (727) 342-5757 for information.

Share this: