Social media reacts to the Rays historic World Series run
The Tampa Bay Rays ended their historic season Tuesday night with a Game 6 World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. And while the team may not have won the championship, they did bring a lot of joy to the Tampa Bay region during a time when it was needed most. Local leaders and residents took to social media to share their appreciation for the team that refused to give up.
St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman was thrilled to share Rays baseball with a global audience.
Well, the world got a chance to see just how exciting @RaysBaseball, and Randy Arozarena, is. Thanks for giving us something to cheer about, guys! You made @StPeteFL and Tampa Bay proud. Congrats to Los Angeles. #WorldSeries
— Rick Kriseman (@Kriseman) October 28, 2020
Wearing her Rays mask, Tampa mayor Jane Castor congratulated the Dodgers on their victory and wrote that the community “could not be more proud” of the Rays. This is the only second time the team has appeared in the World Series.
Posted by Jane Castor on Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Pinellas County commissioner Ken Welch posted that the Rays gave us “a reason to cheer, to rally and to believe.”
In the midst of a crazy year, you gave us a reason to cheer, to rally and to believe. Thanks for a great season Tampa Bay Rays! 👍🏾😎
Posted by Ken Welch on Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Steven Stamkos, the captain of the 2020 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, gave the Rays a thumbs up for their “great run.”
Great run by @RaysBaseball . You guys made Tampa proud #raysup
— Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) October 28, 2020
These sisters, whose cardboard cutouts sat dutifully at Tropicana Field throughout the season, were especially proud of the performance of Brett Phillips. Phillips, who grew up in Seminole, was the unlikely hero of Game 4, hitting the winning run in the ninth inning.
Another fan shared his pride for the team – and for the “sports epicenter” Tampa Bay has become.
I’m so damn proud of this Rays team and the whole Tampa Bay Area. We’re really becoming a sports epicenter. Love you guys 💙 pic.twitter.com/mJa7IfY9Pn
— Will Morton 🎃 (@willmortn) October 28, 2020
Rays centerfielder Keven Kiermaier tweeted that while the season didn’t end the way he’d hoped, he was still very proud of his team.
Didnt finish things the way we envisioned but im dang proud to be part of such a great group of guys! Proud as can be of everyone involved from top to bottom! Pure joy to be a part of.
— Kevin Kiermaier (@KKiermaier39) October 28, 2020
Even though the Rays didn’t win the series, they did score big for 211 Tampa Bay Cares. Duke Energy donated $1,000 for each home run the Rays hit during the regular season and increased its commitment to $2,000 for the World Series. In total, the company gave $123,000 to 211 Tampa Bay Cares which will help support residents in need of financial assistance.
Thank you @RaysBaseball for an incredible season! Even though the series is over, the team still managed to hit 114 home runs this season & earned $123K for @211tbc. Learn more about how the donation is supporting our local customers & communities: https://t.co/XZk6yMWm7T #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/Cu5zzi6zOg
— Duke Energy (@DukeEnergy) October 28, 2020
