And at midnight, back to pumpkins

The Rays got out of Boston in first place, but a handful of players were denied a clean escape.

When they returned to the clubhouse after the 4-2 14-inning victory against the Red Sox, some Rays personnel discovered their clothes had been confiscated and replaced with some, um, outlandish outfits in the annual rookie hazing road trip.

Among the casualties:

Evan Longoria (tight, sexy female police officer's uniform), Matt Garza (taco costume), John Jaso (1960's pink and white mini skirt), Fernando Perez (military police mini skirt), Andy Sonnanstine (turkey costume), Justin Ruggiano (sexy referee's skirt), Michel Hernandez (frog prince costume) and Juan Salas (mariachi outfit). The hands down favorite was Tateki Uchibori, the interpreter for Akinori Iwamura, in a female gymnast's outfit with red pumps.

The players left the clubhouse to great applause and wore their outfits on the charter flight to New York.

 

Comments

[9equals8.com]

If anyone is interested, I found a picture and video of the Rays Rookie Hazing from New York (there were lots of requests for this. I posted it on:

http://www.9equals8.com

[joeknowsbaseball]

Boy...I'm glad none of you people are managing this team.

Trade Upton, Play Aybar over Longoria.

Have you lost your minds????????

The Rays have the "MLB Manager of the Year", barring injury and yet to be seen, "AL Rookie of the Year" and a CF "Gold Glove Winner"...

WHAT are you smoking? I have to go pour gas on my eyes.

[Richard]

GEt off this trade Upton. How about Aybar as a DH.

[Terri]

Tim - I was thinking the same thing, Aybar has stepped up to the plate literally. I love Longo, but don't want to lose Aybar either. I say trade Upton, use Aybar in the outfield

[Craig]

Channel 10 is supposed to be showing video during the 6:00 news today...

[9equals8.com]

I just posted a couple of pics on 9equals8.com from prior hazings (2007) and will post 2008 pics as soon as they surface.

[RFN]

Aybar will get a couple of starts at 2B. Aki has had like one day off since the All-Star game. We've needed Zobrist in other places, plus needed Aki's bat more than Ben's.

Aybar will also get a start or two at 1B to let Carlos just DH.

18 games in 17 days starting tomorrow - rest is going to be important, Aybar is going to help a lot (by playing everyday).

Regarding the hazing and these guys travelling in their outfits - I say OUTSTANDING - it just shows how much they care about each other. I often curse Joe Maddon's game mgmt (not bunting Perez last night), but, I CANNOT, CANNOT EVER question the team chemistry that he has instilled.

[rayalan]

Aybar has to go to left field when Longoria returns and then go to right when Crawford returns. We need his bat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ray F]

Maybe Aybar can play left or right field. I like him in the lineup better than Gross and/or Zobrist.

[Lee]

I'm sure the pics will be in Sunday's paper.

[Josey Wales]

Alright Rays players! Somebody HAS to post the pics on you tube. Come on, do it for the fans! BTW, GREAT SERIES win in Boston, you guys ROCK! On to the pennant!

[Tim]

a serious question for you all .. What do we do with Willie Aybar when Longo comes back ?? His bat as been huge , plus he has held his own at 3rd base .. am I suggesting we keep him in and let Longo sit.. absolutely not .. but we have to find a place for him .. agree ?

[Boo Boo]

Mmmm Evan in tight police woman's outfit.

[Court]

Mmmmmm Tacos

[Ray F]

hahahahahaha

[Limp-Wristed Liberals]

What? The Rays allow HAZING?
One more reason to not build them a stadium!

[Ray F]

thanks for the clarification though. btw

[Ray F]

whaaaaaaat?!?! I heard it was rookie hazing. I never saw any interviews with him... never a reason to interview him.

*****WAYNE'S WORLD FLASHBACK*****

Interviewer: So Ruddy, tell us what happened out there tonight. You didn't seem like you had your good stuff.

Lugo: I have stuff?

[Craig]

uh, no Ray.

Ruddy Lugo carried the pink backpack voluntarily - it reminded him of his daughter or something. He talked about it in interviews (probably to avoid discussing his terrible performance on the mound.)

[Ray F]

Sonny isn't a rookie technically. Is he??? If so, why no mention for rookie of the year???

I remember when Rudy Lugo had to carry the pink backpack to the bullpen a couple years ago. Classic hazing.

[Ken]

Good to see they're still loose and enjoying this great run. Just don't party too hard in NYC today on your day off, guys. It's tempting, I know. Maddon should have Hickey or someone standing guard outside Scores til curfew (do they have curfew in MLB?).

[Ken]

Good to see they're still loose and enjoying this great run. Just don't party too hard in NYC today on your day off, guys. It's tempting, I know. Maddon should have Hickey or someone standing guard outside Scores til curfew (do they have curfew in MLB?).

[Dave]

I'm sure the players paid to have these photos destroyed but if you have copies please publish.

This stuff helps the fan base grow.

[mari]

hilarous!

[dan]

Is there a link to see these pictures?

[willem]

lol must be great being all happy after a 14 inning game they won, flying into NY like that. Love the tradition of the rookie hazing

pics or it didn't happen!

[son of draes]

pictures?