Unlike certain Chicago White Sox reporters who detest the Toronto Blue Jays and their fans for living in a hockey-hungry nation, the Tampa Bay Rays have embraced it as they travel to Toronto for a series with the Jays.
Manager Joe Maddon decided upon a team-building exercise that saw the Rays players wear hockey jerseys as they left Tropicana Field, and made their way off the plane in Toronto.
The dress code was for the players to wear a hockey jersey for the flight, in honor of the Stanley Cup Finals, and the celebration of hockey in Major League Baseball's only Canadian city.
Upon hearing of the plan, the Chicago Blackhawks (who find themselves up 1-0 in the finals series) offered each player a free replica of their home red jerseys, of which many players accepted. Maddon himself received a special replica jersey of the one worn by Hawks forward John Madden.
And once the Tampa Bay Lightning heard of the Blackhawks' plan, they sent a few of their own to any players still in need of one.
"We're going to Canada," Maddon told reporters. "And it's the national pastime of the great country of Canada."
Themed ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Kyle W. Brown
Tampa Bay Rays Show Awareness Of Canada’s Pastime, Support Chicago Blackhawks
May 31st, 2010 by Kyle W. Brown Leave a reply »
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