CHRIS URSO | Times
Diego Melendez, 11, of Longwood, smiles as he makes his way into Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
The Rays, A’s and baseball’s
GOOD OL' DAYS
The Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland Athletics came to the Tropicana Field on Saturday to play the first “scheduled” doubleheader in the big leagues since 2011, and only the second since 2011. From the scoreboard graphics to the uniforms (at least for the Rays’) to concessions (TV dinners and fried Twinkies, anyone?), the theme was retro.
Here’s what it looked and felt like to be at the Trop on this (very long) day at the ballpark.
CHRIS URSO | Times
Orlando Ramirez, of Tampa, right, cooks burgers and hotdogs while tailgating in the parking lot of Tropicana Field. When asked if he would stay for both games. “Depends how drunk we are”, Ramirez replied.
WILL VRAGOVIC | Times
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb, left, with Bill Lee, the Spaceman, chat while walking off the field after Lee threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
WILL VRAGOVIC | Times
Rays second baseman Brad Miller, left, and pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, center, greet starting pitcher Matt Andriese as Andriese walks into the Rays’ clubhouse. Andriese started the second game but arrived as the first game was beginning.
CHRIS URSO | Times
Mike Smith, of Treasure Island, right, along with his friend Jeremy Lovelady, of St. Petersburg, high-five after the Rays scored a run during the first game against the Oakland A’s. Smith and his friends were attempting to attend four Rays’ games in less than 48 hours.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Fans peer through an outfield fence during the first game.
WILL VRAGOVIC | Times
Rays shortstop Tim Beckham celebrates after scoring on an error by Oakland catcher Josh Phegley during the sixth inning of the first game.
CHRIS URSO | Times
Rays' fans make their way into Tropicana Field just prior to the Rays' first game.
WILL VRAGOVIC | Times
Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, left, is doused with water after hitting a walkoff single to end the first game. The Rays beat the Oakland A's 6-5.
Tampa Bay Rays host doubleheader against the Oakland Athletics
CHRIS URSO | Times
Kent Bolton, of Indian Harbour Beach, reads a newspaper with his shoes off in the upper deck of Tropicana Field during the intermission between the first and second game.
WILL VRAGOVIC | Times
Rays starting pitcher Matt Andriese delivers a pitch in the beginning of the second game.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Stingrays swim in the outfield tank during the first game of a doubleheader between the Oakland A's and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Saturday.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Rays shortstop Tim Beckham, left, center fielder Mallex Smith and left fielder Peter Bourjos converge on a single hit by Oakland A's first baseman Yonder Alonso in the first inning of the second game.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Rays left fielder Peter Bourjos rounds third base before scoring on a single by Evan Longoria in the first inning of the second game.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Rays shortstop Tim Beckham walks it off after fouling a ball into his foot in the fourth inning of the second game against the A’s.
WILL VRAGOVIC | Times
Fans take in the action during the final innings of the second game of the doubleheader between the Rays and the A's. The Rays lost the second game 7-2.
Contact WILL VRAGOVIC at [email protected]. Follow @willvrag.
Contact MONICA HERNDON at [email protected]. Follow @monica_herndon.
Contact LOREN ELLIOTT at [email protected]. Follow @Lelliottphoto.
Contact CHRIS URSO at [email protected]. Follow @TB_TimesCurso.