David Archuleta will sing in seventh-inning stretch
Friday night's starting lineup is pretty squeal-inducing. We mean the entertainment lineup, not the players. Local saxophonist B.K. Jackson will perform the national anthem before the first pitch, and American Idol star David Archuleta will sing God Bless America during the seventh-inning stretch. Ceremonial first pitch lineups for the weekend are also set. On Friday, 11 original season ticket holders have been invited to throw the first pitch. On Saturday, noted Rays fan and college basketball icon Dick Vitale will have the honors. The 11 honorees Friday are Jack Critchfield, Clearwater; Bette Ra Ivey, Largo; David Parry, Brandon; Dr. Pedro Morales, St. Petersburg; Mark Donohue, St. Petersburg; Gene Oliver St. Petersburg; Russ Cosser, Treasure Island; Beth Di Roma, Largo; Jeff Albrecht, Sarasota; Pedro Bajo, Tampa; John Shoppell, St. Petersburg Beach.



he sang at the second game right??
not the third?
Posted by: Alicia | October 14, 2008 at 04:40 AM
I watched it and he was awesome! Well done David! if I had to sing God Bless America, I think I might sing The National Anthem by accident instead! But of course Archie wouldn't do that.
Posted by: joy | October 12, 2008 at 07:56 PM
bad mouth David Archuleta and your team lost.........go David!
Posted by: | October 11, 2008 at 03:28 AM
DANG!!!!! Never seen so many haters :( Soooo the song is going to be sung and if it is David Archuleta is definitely an awesome choice. Just wait and listen....to answer a questions, I CARE and so do a lot of others. As far as "no talent'?...Sorry, David Archuleta is NOT in this group. Loser? Ha Ha!!! Someone does not know much about the subject they are speaking. People with no talent don't break sales records!!! Sounds like a little jealousy going on out there. this little guy has as much talent in his little finger that the rest of us put together. CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR HIM BELT IT OUT WITH THAT HUGE GEORGEOUS VOICE OF HIS!!!! Go David....YOU ROCK :)
Posted by: a | October 10, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Pshh. Way too young for me.
Posted by: Amanda | October 10, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Amanda you know your panty will be wet when you see and hear David sing....
Posted by: | October 10, 2008 at 04:35 PM
You're right, Amanda, I'm sorry. The stress of dealing with the Red Sox trolls is killing me! I just need to see a win tonight, and I'll feel a LOT better since they'll slow their roll a little. Thanks for the perspective (as always) and I'll see you there!
Posted by: Jimbo | October 10, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Whoever made the decision to have David Archuletta perform at this game is a genious. Now all these 13 year old girls will tune into baseball..ur...David to watch him sing. It'll be ratings gold.
Too bad he still hasn't hit puberty and makes me cringe every time I hear him. I'll be one of the few to turn this part off!
Posted by: | October 10, 2008 at 02:55 PM
ON FOX IN MICHIGAN!
Posted by: DC | October 10, 2008 at 02:20 PM
The game will be televised on in Michigan! GO RED SOX!
Posted by: DC | October 10, 2008 at 02:19 PM
He must be on a TBS/fox related record label. Or is American Idol on Fox? Proud to say I never watched the show.
Posted by: John | October 10, 2008 at 02:14 PM
DC-
I wish. Fox picked up the NLCS, TBS is showing the ALCS.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps.jsp
Posted by: Amanda | October 10, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Baseball is America's favorite pass time. If your not patriotic and love the USA don't watch baseball. I am so excited that David is singing tonight what a great addition to this amazing season. The Rays are playing in one the of the most important games of their life. Keep going all the way RAYS!!!! We are so happy for all of you in the Rays organization.
Posted by: lynn | October 10, 2008 at 02:11 PM
The game will be televised on FOX!!
Posted by: DC | October 10, 2008 at 02:10 PM
All you guys that are begging for Archuleta to get televised are barking up the wrong tree. The game will be televised by TBS, not the St. Pete Times, the Rays, or even anyone locally.
Try this: http://support.tbs.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=5475
Hey Jimbo, lighten up! I've never seen you this worked up. Must be the stress of the Sox (believe me, I'm feeling it too). Some random kid singing a song that they sing at ballgames every Sunday anyway shouldn't destroy your good time. It's what, 2 minutes out of the entire experience? Besides, he's not THAT bad. I mean he's no Huey Lewis... but then, who is? See you at the game, Jimbo!
Posted by: Amanda | October 10, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Please televise Davids performance, he is loved by millions. He can sign this song like no other, GO DAVID. Hope he gets to visit his relatives that live in FL, maybe they will be at the game with him.
Posted by: Debbie | October 10, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Congratulations on your first GOLD record, Crush!! GOOOOOOOOOOOO David Archuleta!
Posted by: DC | October 10, 2008 at 12:39 PM
I really hope they show this on t.v. I love the SOX but seeing David Archuleta sing God Bless America is icing in the cake!
Posted by: soco63 | October 10, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Despite their obviously bad taste in music (both lyrically and sonically), I still love the Rays!
GO RAYS!!! LET'S END THE SOX'S ATTITUDES!!!
Posted by: Jimbo | October 10, 2008 at 11:50 AM
AWESOME DAVID!!!! GO RED SOX!!!
Posted by: DC | October 10, 2008 at 11:38 AM
OMG!!! OMG!!! ;) ;)...... I think I'm going to get sick!!!!! BFD!!
Posted by: M | October 10, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Can't hit the mute button when I'm there, 9=8.com. I just hate how people try to force their ideals on me (the Rays w/this crap) when I'm just trying to watch a baseball game. Overplayed songs and under-talented, over-hyped singers don't need to destroy my good time, that's for sure, especially when I dropped $500+ on my playoff tickets.
Posted by: Jimbo | October 10, 2008 at 10:52 AM
If you don't want to listen, hit the mute button. Baseball is America's pastime and it's great that we can celebrate baseball and country together. Just relax and enjoy the festivities. Go Rays! People (Jimbo et al) get so worked up over the silliest things. Lest we forget that sports = entertainment and singing is another form of entertainment... ;)
Posted by: 9equals8.com | October 10, 2008 at 10:38 AM
This country could use some inspiration right now, and David singing God Bless America fits the bill. This kid's voice and humble spirit is truly inspiring. His voice fills those spirits who are open to it, with real hope.
Posted by: Mistyeyed | October 10, 2008 at 08:35 AM
This is pathetic! There is ZERO reason anyone should sing "God Bless America" during the Stretch, especially someone like that no-talent assclown Archuleta.
The Yankees started that "tradition" singing that instead of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" right after 9/11 (I bet the girls squealing on this blog don't know anything about that other than in history books). THEY should be the only ones who sing it; I kinda think they earned it.
It has no place in a ballgame at all (it's not the Star-Spangled Banner, the REAL national anthem) and singing it just tries to placate the PC-ites out there. You know what I say? Screw them! I came to a freaking baseball game, not a military function, so unless he wants to sing "Ballgame" like every other fan they bring in there to sing, he doesn't deserve to be there!
Posted by: Jimbo | October 10, 2008 at 08:23 AM
This guy did not even win. What a loser. The Red Sox will have the same fate as this guy, losing! Go Rays!
Posted by: Steve | October 10, 2008 at 08:14 AM
David Douche-A-Leta!??? This is a ballgame, not a stupid TV shoW.. Play Ball. Go Rays!!!
Posted by: Steve | October 10, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Who gives a rats A@# who sings what! Play baseball and win! Go Rays!
Posted by: Doug | October 10, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Dude what is this the David who blog? WHo cares about this chode.
Lets focus on the game. Go Rays
Posted by: | October 10, 2008 at 07:29 AM
Without a doubt, DA sang the national anthem better than anyone I can remember...EVER; including Whitney Houston.
Check him out at the Jazz game a few months ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR0tyxBO9o8
...can't wait for his album to come out Nov. 11.
WELCOME TO TAMPA DAVID!!!
Posted by: xmlwx75 | October 10, 2008 at 06:13 AM
Drove by the Trop yesterday around 6 p.m. and the place was swarming with TV and Sports Channel trucks. This is fun, isn't it, baseball fans?
Posted by: The One In the Longoria Shirt | October 10, 2008 at 05:55 AM
David will be great singing at the game!
Posted by: Mar | October 10, 2008 at 12:03 AM
I would hate to have David make a cross country flight to sing, and not have it be aired.....PLEASE show us him singing.
Posted by: Lisa | October 09, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Mimi, your honesty is fabulous. They showed GBA tonight, so you probably do not need to buy tix.
Posted by: Ted | October 09, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I'm so glad that David is going to sing "GOD BLEES AMERICA", I wish I could be there to see it. Well David is a wonderful singer and everyone in there is going to enjoy it.
Posted by: Silvia | October 09, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Ted, you can read my mind. Haha. I don't know baseball, that's why. I am a big football fan, though. Man, if they skip David's singing, I guess I need to fly to Florida and go to the game tomorrow instead. Bye, guys. (Go check tickets and hotel rooms)
Posted by: Mimi | October 09, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Well I will be watching the playoff game - smart move getting David Archuleta to sing --- the viewer ship will go up big time - and all these men will wonder why their ladies are so willing to sit through a baseball game all of a sudden!
Posted by: Cathy | October 09, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Who ever is going!!! Plzzzz, record David singing and post on youtube:) PLZZZZ!!!!
Posted by: SynnJynn | October 09, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Omg! God Bless America was just shown During the NLCS!! OMG!!
Posted by: Ted | October 09, 2008 at 10:30 PM
I am so excited to hear David sing friday night! David will hit this out of the ballpark. He is the most amazing singer I have ever met! Go big "D"!
Posted by: Pam F | October 09, 2008 at 10:27 PM
OMG..I WANT TO SEE DAVID!! YAYY =D
BRAZIL LOVES ARCHIE
Posted by: PatyBrasil | October 09, 2008 at 10:27 PM
I sure hope we get to see and hear David Archuleta but if not there will be a clip on youtube soon enough.I am sure a savy FODer will find it for us!! Go big "D".
Posted by: robin f. | October 09, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Fantastic! Please make sure it is televised! PLEASE! I love David and him singing God Bless America is just awesome!!
Posted by: Kimk | October 09, 2008 at 10:07 PM
OMG! U r so right!! I am so excited now that David is coming!!! OMG!!
Posted by: Ted | October 09, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Guys, it's not yet too late to buy tickets for the game, but usually playoff games tickets are always sold out way in advance. Sorry to be the bearer of the news that the 7th inning stretch pretty surely is not being televised. Just hope the sports tv will make an exception being the singer is our David. The game will also be shown live up here in Toronto, it being a playoff, so I will also watch and let's see if we are gonna be lucky.
Posted by: Ed D | October 09, 2008 at 09:54 PM
O my Gosh!!!!! I'm saddened cuz my Angels got beat by the Sox but I will definitely see David sing God Bless America!!! My heart is singing for joy!! ((chills))
Posted by: Becca | October 09, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Wow, Ted. What's got your boxers in a wad anyway?
Posted by: Gayle | October 09, 2008 at 09:48 PM
I'm a big baseball fan (Toronto Blue Jays) and based on experience watching the game on tv, 7th inning stretch is the time for commercials, so I'm pretty sure that David's singing God Bless America will not be shown on tv. You guys in Boston, MA and surreounding states should attend the game in person. If I were just in Boston, I surely will attend the game, 2 birds in one shot, I will enjoy the ball game I love and will extremely enjoy the singing of my one and only world Idol, David Archuleta.
Posted by: Ed D | October 09, 2008 at 09:48 PM
OMG! I don't watch baseball much but I will tomorrow because David will sing!
(excited).
Posted by: audry | October 09, 2008 at 09:48 PM
john, if MC Hammer didn't jinx them, no one will.
Posted by: Ted | October 09, 2008 at 09:47 PM