Ride With Tampa Bay Rays’ Mascots On The Cross Bay Ferry

Pulling into St. Pete to start your adventure at Tropicana Field just got more exciting. It was announced late last week that the Tampa Bay Rays mascots Raymond and DJ Kitty will join the Rays’ Street Team onboard the Cross Bay Ferry on Friday, May 17.

The exciting mascot ferry ride will welcome fans and provide giveaway Rays swag, and raffle baseballs signed by Rays players.

"Mascots Raymond and DJ Kitty and the Rays’ Street Team will travel with fans beginning on the 4:45 PM departure from St. Petersburg before returning on the 6:15 PM departure from Tampa," the team explained in a press release.

One of the biggest questions of those interested in partaking in the adventure has to be about whether or not you can take photos with Raymond and DJ Kitty. The answer is yes, ticket fans can engage in photo opportunities.

The team also unveiled who signed the baseballs that can be won onboard. There will be two different raffles and chances to win. The first will be during the 4:45 PM departure. This raffle allows fans to win a baseball signed by pitcher Shane McClanahan. Then, on the return trip, a baseball signed by third baseman Yandy Díaz will be raffled off.

The Rays take on the Blue Jays this Friday at 7 PM. The team is currently sitting in the middle of the American League East division at one game under .500. The team did have a hot streak earlier this month, winning five games in a row during a home-stand vs. the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox.

Yandy Diaz is batting .253 with three home runs. As for McClanahan, fans will unfortunately have to wait until 2025 to see him pitch for the Rays. The lefty was signed back in January but placed on the 60-day injured list due to having Tommy John surgery.

“Our crew is excited to welcome Raymond, DJ Kitty, the Rays Street Team, and baseball fans from across Tampa Bay for an exciting trip on the Cross Bay Ferry,” said Matt Miller, President of HMS Ferries.

Tickets for the Cross Bay Ferry can be purchased here. Adult fares are $12 per one-way trip. Children age 5-18 years old are $10.00 per one-way ticket. Children 4 years old and younger will travel for free. Senior (65+), military and college student ticket prices are $11 per one-way. Wheelchair access tickets can also be purchased for $5.

The Tampa Bay Rays started in Major League Baseball in 1998. Originally called the "Devil Rays," the expansion team opened at home 25 years ago today (March 31, 1998), taking on the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field. Coincidentally, the Rays opened their season yesterday at home, beating the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field. Though the club has had numerous all-star players over the years, the Tampa Bay Rays retired numbers are slim. The group contains only one person who was a player on the team.

Over the years, Tampa has been a breeding ground of great baseball players. Rays legends such as Fred McGriff and Tino Martinez are from Tampa, as is the team's current manager, Kevin Cash.

The retired numbers are displayed inside the park on a wall that is to the left of the center field scoreboard. One of these numbers represents a manager who ended his career as an advisor with the Rays and was a Tampa, FL resident. The other two numbers reflect players, but again, only one of them actually played for the Rays. He too, called Tampa home.

The Rays will sport numerous uniform options this season. They will pay tribute to their anniversary with the throwback Devil Rays look on Friday home games (in addition to opening day). Over the course of the season, they will call up various players from their minor league system. These players, like the current roster and coaching staff, will immediately have three numbers unavailable to them regardless of the colorful uniform combination.

Here are the official Tampa Bay Rays retired numbers.