MILWAUKEE -- After the Rays arrived at The Pfister Hotel on Wednesday, a large group of players got together and headed out to Carnevor, billed as “Milwaukee’s Premier Steakhouse.”
It was a familiar scene for the Rays. They began this team dinner tradition before Opening Day, and it’s carried all the way through to the World Series. And if you hear the way they talk about it, you might even say those dinners -- the “power of friendship” forged in fancy steakhouses around North America -- carried them all the way to the World Series.
“I think it’s been a huge reason as to why we’ve had such success,” starter Griffin Jax said during Thursday’s World Series media day availability. “I just didn’t realize the impact it was going to have. We spend so much time together. In the past, I didn’t really understand why you’d want to do a team dinner after spending all day together.
“But now, going through a full season of doing them almost every single time we’ve gone on the road, it’s made a huge impact.”
It began in St. Louis, just before Opening Day. The Rays flew in after a long Spring Training and a long day of travel, with (whether they knew it or not) seven more months of baseball ahead of them. They spent a lot of time together in Port Charlotte, Fla. They were about to become inseparable.
They had plans for an official team dinner the following night, the night before their season opener, but about 20 players got together in the lobby of the team hotel and decided to hit the town.
They’ve been doing it in every city they’ve visited ever since, from Opening Day to the World Series. There’s usually some baseball talk, according to second baseman Richie Palacios, but, “sometimes it’s who knows what.” Both can be beneficial.
“We’re with each other more than our families,” Palacios noted, “so we might as well enjoy our time together.”
Starter and clubhouse leader Nick Martinez, who has a knack for bringing people together and thus handles most of the organizational responsibilities, was pleased to say they had a “good turnout” for Wednesday’s gathering.
“Getting the guys together is important. Creating that off-the-field chemistry translates to on the field,” said Martinez, who will start Game 1 on Friday at American Family Field. “It's easy to set up dinner, but we have a great turnout every time we set something up, and it speaks volumes of the guys in there.”
Reliever Kevin Kelly lauded the veteran Martinez for “rallying guys,” especially when they have time on the road, and creating a “more jovial” atmosphere that’s brought the team closer. Starter Drew Rasmussen joked that Martinez “has, at times, forced us to get together,” but grew more serious when discussing the role he’s played in the Rays’ clubhouse.
“The impact that he has on each and every single one of us, it can’t be overstated,” Rasmussen said. “He’s the best. I think you could walk down the line here and ask everyone their opinion of him, and you’re going to hear nothing but love and respect for who he is.”
Around the horn
• The Rays were still working through their final World Series roster decisions as of Thursday afternoon. They are due to MLB on Friday morning. They aren’t likely to make significant changes, but they could reverse the change they made in the ALCS by putting lefty Garrett Cleavinger in the bullpen and removing hard-throwing prospect Brody Hopkins.
• Brewers Game 1 starter Jacob Misiorowski was tougher this season on left-handed hitters (.114/.189/.189 slash line) than right-handers (.209/.268/.314), so the Rays may not go all-in on their left-handed hitters in Game 1.
• The Rays will host watch parties at Tropicana Field for Games 1 and 2 on Friday and Saturday. Team in-game host Nate Kurant will emcee the events, located in the seating bowl at The Trop with the game airing on the scoreboard. The gatherings will feature entertainment, giveaways, autographed items and other prizes. The Cownose Clubhouse touch tank will also be open until first pitch.
Fans can purchase tickets for $10 and prepay for parking online at RaysBaseball.com/Postseason. Fans can play catch on the field, take photos and stop by the visitors’ dugout. Concession stands in center field and the Third Base Food Hall will be open, and there are enhanced experiences available for $35 and $60.
Gates open at 7 p.m. Fans can park in Lots 6 or 7 and enter Gate 1.