Rays host White Sox, Cardinals in six-game homestand

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field tomorrow for a two-team, six-game homestand against the Chicago White Sox (June 3-5) and St. Louis Cardinals (June 7-9). The 2022 Rays season is presented by Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.

Friday, June 3 vs. Chicago White Sox

• First Pitch: 7:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:40 p.m.
• Lou Gehrig Day: In honor of the second annual Lou Gehrig Day, as recognized by Major League Baseball on June 2, Rays radio broadcaster Andy Freed and Rob Ray will recite Gehrig’s iconic “Luckiest Man” farewell speech on the field prior to first pitch. Ray, a 55-year-old father of two, was diagnosed with ALS in April of 2018, two years into his career as a registered nurse. The Rays will also wear specially made Lou Gehrig Day uniform patches on June 2-3.
• National Anthem: Will be performed by Nelly Ford.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Robert Pope from the ALS Association of Florida. Pope, a father of two daughters, was officially diagnosed with ALS in 2020 after he started showing symptoms in 2012 and was misdiagnosed in 2016.

Saturday, June 4 vs. Chicago White Sox

• First Pitch: 4:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 2:40 p.m.
• Pride Night: As part of celebrations in honor of Pride Night, presented by Chevrolet, the Rays will recognize Metro Inclusive Health with a check presentation in the amount of $20,000. Metro Inclusive Health is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that makes a significant impact across the Tampa Bay area by providing over 100 quality health and wellness services that are inclusive, relevant and supportive of the diverse people in the Tampa Bay community. Fans can also receive a Rays Pride Hat, designed by local artist Chad Mize, as part of a $30 ticket package that includes a seat in the Lower Level. The deadline to purchase is Friday, June 3 at 11:59 p.m. For more information, visit RaysBaseball.com/Pride and use the code PRIDE1 to access the ticket offer.
• Promotion: Mini Pride Flag giveaway. Available to all fans while supplies last.
• National Anthem: Will be performed by Jennifer Real.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Major Markus Hughes, LGBTQ+ liaison for the St. Petersburg Police Department.
• 7th Inning Stretch: Will be performed by the Suncoast Softball League.

Sunday, June 5 vs. Chicago White Sox

• First Pitch: 1:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 12:10 p.m.
• Reading with the Rays: The Rays and Suncoast Credit Union will host the 15th season of Reading with the Rays—Read Your Way to the Ballpark, an incentive-based reading program that encourages Pre-K to 12th grade students to avoid summer learning loss by reading for 24 hours during the summer months. Mentors and mentees from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay will enjoy a pre-game reading event with Pete Fairbanks.
• Promotion: Stovepipe Hat presented by Tropicana. Available to all fans 14 years and under while supplies last.
• National Anthem: Will be performed by Katie Lombardo.
• For The Kids: Sundays are Family Fun Days. Every Sunday home game will feature family fun performers, including face painters and balloon artists. Kids are invited to run the bases following the conclusion of the game.

Tuesday, June 7 vs. St. Louis Cardinals

• First Pitch: 7:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:40 p.m.
• National Anthem: Will be performed by Stephanie Stone.
• Tuesday’s Champion: Before every Tuesday home game, the Rays recognize a child from the Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Children’s Dream Fund as a part of the “Tuesday’s Champion” program, presented by RIPA & Associates. The Rays will recognize 9-year-old Lillianna Cuello from the Children’s Dream Fund with a ceremonial first pitch.

Wednesday, June 8 vs. St. Louis Cardinals

• First Pitch: 7:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:40 p.m.
• National Anthem: Will be performed by Nicole Dipasquale.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Col. Benjamin R. Jonsson, Commander of the 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base.

Thursday, June 9 vs. St. Louis Cardinals

• First Pitch: 1:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
• National Anthem: Will be performed by Marianne Cooper.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Sgt. Joshua Lafountain from the United States Central Command.

Additional Homestand Notes

• Seat Upgrade Discount: Seat upgrades are available for every game through the Rays team page in the MLB Ballpark app. As part of a special offer for this homestand, fans can receive $10 off seat upgrades with the promo code SAVE10. Seats available and pricing will vary by game.
• Papa John’s Rays 6 Promotion: When the Rays score six or more runs in both home and away games, fans can receive 50 percent off pizzas on their online order the next day at PapaJohns.com or the Papa John’s Official app.
• Kane’s Furniture 10K Promotion: If Rays pitchers strike out 10 batters during a home game, take your mobile ticket located in the MLB Ballpark app or a print-at-home voucher to any Kane’s Furniture store within five days and receive a coupon for one free taco, chips and medium fountain drink at participating area Tijuana Flats locations. Restrictions apply. For more information, visit KanesStrikeout.com.
• Lowe’s Home Runs for Hope: For every home run Rays infielder Brandon Lowe hits, he and his wife, Madison, will donate $100 to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. The Rays Baseball Foundation will also contribute $100 per home run in support of Lowe’s “Home Runs for Hope” campaign. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay provides a range of services to ensure that no one in the community has to face a crisis alone. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year as the community gateway to help. People who are struggling with a variety of crisis situations including sexual assault or abuse, domestic violence, financial distress, substance abuse, medical emergency, suicidal thoughts and other emotional or situational problems can connect to hope and healing.
• Budweiser Good Sport Designated Driver Program: Pledge to be a designated driver by abstaining from alcohol and signing up via the MLB Ballpark app. Provide your contact information, follow the confirmation link in your inbox and show at Gate 3 Guest Services. Each fan who signs up will receive a small cup good for soda or water at Coca-Cola Refresh Stations. One winner each game will also receive a Rays hat.
• 50/50 Charity Raffle: For all home games, fans can obtain 50/50 charity raffle tickets at Tropicana Field and online at RaysBaseball.com/5050. Online raffle tickets are open to all persons who are in the State of Florida (excluding Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties) and 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Fans who obtain their raffle tickets prior to first pitch will receive twice the number of entries for their donation. Proceeds from the 50/50 charity raffle benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization and the official charity of the Rays.
• Rays Rookies Kids Club: The Rays Rookies Kids Club, presented by Hi-Chew, is back for the 2022 season. For $30, members receive exclusive items, including a backpack, snapback hat and baseball seam bracelet. Members receive 50 percent off tickets to select home games plus access to exclusive events and experiences at Tropicana Field, including priority access to Kids Run the Bases. For more information or to purchase a Rays Rookies Kids Club membership, visit RaysBaseball.com/RaysRookies.