Tampa Bay Rays' fired mascot speaks out

Performer Kelly Frank, the woman who perfected Raymond's trademark butt shimmy, said she does not know why she was fired Monday after five seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays.

"I'm just as confused as everyone else," she said. "I really didn't get an explanation."

Frank said she was praised as recently as three weeks ago, when her supervisors told her she out-enthused the Philadelphia Phillies mascot, the Phillie Phanatic, during the World Series.

But on Monday, she was told she would no longer be Raymond. Frank also worked on marketing projects, including the cowbell promotions at several Rays games. She maintained a Raymond blog, offering insider tips on costume changes.

Frank said she was reluctant to discuss what happened Monday.

"My severance package is kind of up in the air right now, so ..." she said.

Frank said she will continue her side business making mascots for professional sports teams, including the University of Florida Gators and the Denver Nuggetts.

Frank, a native of Sunrise, said she will likely remain in St. Petersburg for another month before she relocates, hopefully for another job.

Rick Vaughn, the team's spokesman, declined to comment.

"But be assured Raymond will live on," he wrote in an e-mail.

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

Comments

[Philip B]

Moving from Ohio, I was introduced to the Rays four years ago. A veteran of completely empty Cleveland Indians games, I immediately fell in love with the Trop and the Rays. While the action on the field sputtered at times, I could count on Raymond to perform hysterically. Other rough nights, I would spend innings enjoying the splashes of the magical ray tank. I agree that we attend games to watch the players, but that makes us only spectators. For those fans that share a deeper passion for the team, a goofy blue Sea-Dog, a dancing banana, and a tank of cownose friends certainly all mean a lot. It is that bond that filled the stadium, made the Rayhawk a bold fashion statement, and left grown men crying in the aisles after the ALCS. I hope the management sees what makes this franchise unique and reconsiders some of their initiatives. I wish Kelly the best and cannot thank her enough for so many fantastic memories!

[Stacey]

You were great as Raymond. You made the games so much more fun. I'm sorry you won't be there anymore. Good luck

[Amanda]

"Again, sophomoric defines sports."
Actually, I think sophomoric would be purposely seeking out a sports blog and then proceeding to read the stories and all the comments on the sports blog just to look like a tough guy by making fun of... sports.
What a boring life you must lead.

Craig. "Tard?" Do you care what that means? Are you as insensitive to your mother? Again, sophomoric defines sports.

[thankfull]

oh thank gosh hopefully theyll stop having a mascot. i had a panic attack when i saw raymond and had to leave the game.

[Jimbo]

Hey "Jimbo"! Don't be stealing my name and making me look like a complete schmuck (I'm only a semi-schmuck)!

Like "I" said back at 11:33am 11/18, we're definitely gonna miss her; I just hope whoever they use now (cause they could never replace her) can live up to what she's done for this team, this city, and this entire region.

Oh, and Evil Jimbo, I was in Philly when someone mugged the guy who plays the Phanatic a few years ago; the outpouring of sympathy for him and all the well-wishes was just as great, if not greater, than this ordeal. We, as Phillies phans, really were concerned and saddened out beloved mascot was taken out of commission for a while, but by your logic, Phillies phans are a "bunch of jokes" as well. So, think about that one before you say something that makes no sense.

GO RAYS (and Phils)!!!

Ms. Frank was great as Raymond...but c'mon out class the Phanatic? No way. He is a class act!

He wouldn't go to the press like this.

Raymond will live on, he is bigger (literally) than his perfomer.

[Philly Fan]

There is no way that some johnny-come-lately mascot would ever out-enthuse the Philly Phanatic.

[Bob Mantz]

One thing is for sure. Tampa Bay cannot bring 'Raymond' back. If they do...Lawsuit Baby.

Bob
www.bobsblitz.com

http://njfrogman.blogspot.com/2008/11/tampa-bay-rays-cut-payroll-raymond.html

[Ian]

Wally the Green Monster does not approve of this firing. Jerry Remy however does.

[Jimbo]

And you wonder why the rest of baseball call's Tampa Bay fans a bunch of jokes? You're all so worried about the person who plays your mascot. Keep ringing those stupid cowbells! Go Phils!

[Craig]

Hey Tom/James/Josh - these are comments related to a specific news blurb on a Rays blog (in the offseason, no less). If you aren't interested in this particular item, then shove off and go comment on something you deem worthy somewhere else.

Oh wait, nevermind - you already took the time to post a comment here. Morons.

[Andrew]

Sounds like Kelly will be missed- but let's focus on the much cooler aspect of this story.

The Rays spokesman is Rick Vaughn. I was wondering what happened to the Wild Thing when his run with the Tribe was through.

[Franklin]

I have season tickets behind the Rays dugout. I hope Raymond (Kelly Frank) accepts my apology for my comments to Raymond(Kelly Frank)during the last five years which include the following:

-" We both need to lay off the Krispy Kremes".
- " I married your sister".
_ " "You forgot to wear your pants again".

-"Rumors are flying that you're having an affair w/ the Chik Fila Cow".

_ "If you marry the Chik-Fila cow, I beg you not to have children".

-"Raymond-buy another costume just like that and throw both of them out".

-"I can't believe we have a mascot w/ a dust-mop head. Do you do windows?"

Kelly, you've brought me great joy and laughs during your tenure as Raymond.

I wish you all the best in the future.

[rayalan]

She ceratinly did an excellent job on the field and in the stands, of bringing about a lot of smiles between innnings and leading cheers. She will be missed. Go Rays. I am a season ticket holder. I can't wait for those magical words "Pitchers and catchers are to report to spring training".

[Josh]

This is ridiculous! You do know you're suppose to go to games to watch the players? You do know that other people can shake their butt just as well, right?

[Jesse]

Of course, she did a great job as Raymond..The BIG picture here is baseball... All the people who say they arent going to the games because of this are not fans at all, and frankly, we dont want you there...

[James]

There's no "news" here people. Move on.

[Cheryl]

I couldn't believe it when I heard it this morning. Raymond was one of my favorite things about attending a game. I would search her out at every game. I was even able to get a picture taken of her and my son last game. She will be sadly missed. You can put the costume on someone else...it won't be the same.

Bad move Rays...another bad move!

[Tom]

Wow, I must be in the minority. I go to the games to watch the team, not the mascot or cheerleaders. Maybe I was missing something......

[DPS]

Loose the WS, kick the (Sea) dog! Shame

The Rays were rumored last year to be letting Ms. Frank go. They don't like Raymond's persona and either want to dramatically change it or dump him all together. From my perspective, dump the obnoxious cowbells if you're feeling the urge to dump.

"My basic point was ignored: They could have handled this differently, but did not."

My point is that the rays handled it appropraitely and didn't drag her name through the mud like she is trying to do with the Rays.

A multi-million dollar organization would not risk a lawsuit for wrongful termination without good reason to terminate.

There had to have been behind the scenes issues.

Once again the Rays acted correctly not commenting on employee issues.

"My basic point was ignored: They could have handled this differently, but did not."

The Rays handled it appropriately and said that they do not comment on employee issues. As they should.

Kelly did not handle it appropriately and had to air dirty laundry to the media. Unprofessional.

[Longleaf]

07:03 AM: "I am postive they would have told her the circumstances of her removal."

Oh really? To "be positive," 07:03 had to present in the meeting...which I highly doubt. Hey, I'm positive 07:03 was not present in the meeting. There, that felt good.

Speaking of knowledge, 07:03 should do some research and better understand the "at will" aspects of labor law. The Rays didn't need to give an reason, which I understand. My basic point was ignored: They could have handled this differently, but did not.

[Raymond Fan]

Aw, why? This is crummy.

[Everybody Loves Raymond]

I am SO disappointed in the Rays leadership. I was at ALCS game 7, and it was possibly Kelly Frank's finest hour. We were celebrating, and amidst the celebration we took time to notice Raymond and all the great energy and all the humor she had that night. I am really disappointed.

"That they fired their mascot "without comment" and leave it to her to notify the press is unsurprising. The Rays consistently do things that hurt their own image."

Well the Rays did the classy and correct thing and didn't go to the press about personalle isssues. However, Kelly going to the press makes her look unprofessional.

She surely had a meeting with the people who let her go and I am postive they would have told her the circumstances of her removal. If not she should have ASKED them to be clear.

She is mad and felt she needed to make the Rays look bad by going to the press.

That is classless.

[Ray]

Although I go to watch baseball, am very disappointed in her firing unless she did something inappropriate.

She brought hilarity to her routines and was one of the best mascots I've seen in my 50-something years of watching sports.

They should reconsider this dismissal.

[Rays Renegade]

Not Kelly, sorry I am a Rays blogger who got the story from Franks last night after 11 pm on a website we are both friends on...........

I have worked around the Rays organization for years and have seen alot of the things they have done before this ownership group...........and after.

I have to agenda here but to find out why a change now. Nothing more, nothing less.
I broke the story last night on my blog, but you might have been sleeping at the time.

[Longleaf]

Another Rays marketing failure. I don't care about the mascot and there may be confidentiality issues behind the firing. But figure: The mascot is a PR symbol of the Rays, and how do the Rays handle it? With "no comment." They should have been in front of this with a press release about the change, and worked with Kelly to make it positive for both parties. That's what PR is all about, isn't it?

Every time I drive by Tropicana, I see a reminder of how lame the Rays marketing efforts are compared to other MLB cities I've lived in (STL, Balto, ATL, KC). The reminder is the chintzy billboard outside the stadium. The message board is hard to focus on because the cluttered onboard advertising obscures any Rays' message--the billboard looks like the advertising wall of a Little League outfield. Not that it matters, the board's electronics were messed up today, and there isn't enough space to put a meaningful message anyway.

Yet this eyesore billboard is the image the Rays provide in that highly visible spot. (And if that's a city-owned billboard, then the Rays should engage with the City to make it look better---and more effective.)

That they fired their mascot "without comment" and leave it to her to notify the press is unsurprising. The Rays consistently do things that hurt their own image.

[RAYMOND FAN!]

IS there any job that is safe these days? These are depressing times and I hope she gets a severence package if she deserves it...who knows what she did or didn't do...everything changes and all good gigs come to an end. Reminds me of a few seasons ago the the entertaining black field sweeper...everyone thought he was the greatest...come to find out he had a side job selling autographed baseballs or something unscruputulous like that. "This is crazy,crazy,crazy"!(Chevy Chase)

[Darla]

"And another thing, entertainment is critical if you have young fans with their parents at a game. "

That's ridiculous. You go to a game to watch the game, not to be entertained by other things. It's nice to have mascots at the games, but not a necessity at all.

[Virtual Reality Cheque]

MacArthur Church, the beloved dancing groundskeeper, was fired for mooching bats, balls, autographs, etc. which he would then sell. He also got his kid involved in it.
The people who previously mentioned the darker sides of what Shawn Cristopherson and Jason Franke were into are also 100% accurate.

Some of you need to think about this stuff and apply some rational, logical thought. There is a reason for everything. Just because you don't know all the sides to a story, doesn't mean there aren't any.

[mike and kathy]

P.S. WE WON'T BE GOIN TO ANYMORE GAMES EITHER!!!

[mike and kathy]

WELL, HERE WE GO AGAIN WITH ANOTHER REALLY DUMB MOVE FROM THE RAYS TEAM! A FEW YEARS AGO THE GUY WITH THE SWEEP TEAM THAT DANCED GOT FIRED FOR HANDING OUT BASEBALLS TO FANS, AND NOW THE BEST THING @ TROPICANA FIELD GETS THE AX! OUR DAUGHTER ABSOLUTELY LOVED RAYMOND MORE THAN WATCHING THE GAME, & RAYMOND MADE THE GAME!!! I DON'T CARE WHO THEY PUT IN THE COSTUME NEXT, THEY CAN NOT REPLACE THE PERSONALITY THAT MISS KELLY HAD!!!

ITS NOT BAD ENOUGH THE RAYS DIDN'T
THE WORLD SERIES, BUT NOW THEY ARE GONNA SCREW IT UP WORSE!!! FIGURES!
ITS ALL POLITICS ISN'T IT?????

GOOD LUCK MISS KELLY, YOU ARE THE BEST, AND WE HAVE ENJOYED EVERY SINGLE MINUTE!
BEST WISHED ON YOUR NEW CAREER WHATEVER YOU DO, & WE WILL MISS YOU!!!
FROM YOUR FANS, MIKE, KATHY, GREG, & MELISSA

[Rays Baseball News]

Exactly why does everyone think they owe anyone an explanation? personnel decisions are made in business everyday , no explanations are warranted in my opinion

[Jeff]

Can someone delete the message posted by the d-bag posting as a Matt Silverman poseur? Wholly inappropriate.

And I agree with the person who said we don't need to know why, only that the org would not have let her go without a good reason to do so.

Anybody who claims they are no longer fans just because the person in the mascot suit was fired were never really fans to begin with.

[Dean]

Yah, Joe, Tampa is a lot closer to Orlando than St. Pete. Get real! San Francisco is on a Pinnesula too.

[Puh-lezze!]

All you folks worried about your kids missing Raymond?? Relax!!! Raymond will be back next season, and your kids will not have any clue there was a change!

As for Rays Renegade, please. If you're not Kelly, you're her boyfriend? Brother? Sister? Mom/Dad? do you really think we are going to believe inside info from someone with a name like yours?

[Rob]

My screen saver on my phone is a pic of Raymond and I...I watched an idiot Boston fan get kicked out during ALCS game 1 for throwing beer on her plus countless other memories from the games...Hopefully the Rays find a replacement that can fill the HUGE shoes left behind by Kelly.

[Ken]

I think that it was absolutely wrong to terminate someone without any explanation. Boo Hiss....Unreal :(***

Signed "was" a fan!

[Joey]

Well, this was the last straw. I will not go to any Rays game at the trop until opening day. I must put my foot down!

Cleaning house? Get rid of the ray team while you're at it.

[Louisville Slugger]

This sucks big. Who cares about being classy like the damn Yankees
My kids love Raymond!
Oy Vay!

[RAYS! not Raymond]

The Rays were awesome this year and it didn't have anything to do with the mascot! I never knew who was behind the costume and don't pretend to know what goes on behind the scenes. The front office has been great turning this organization around and I won't question any decision they make. The real fans will be in the seats to watch good baseball, not Raymond. I hope next years Team will be even better... I'll be there!

[Parker]

Mascots get severance packages? Nice. Not sure why this girl felt a need to go to the press to air her grievances, but I'm glad the Rays chose not to comment. And to "Rays Renegade," I'm guessing you are Kelly Franks? :)

Perhaps it was an economic move. This is from "Raymond's blog."

Occupation: Mascot
Income: $250,000 and Higher

Next thing you know, they'll get rid of the groundskeeper who leads "Sharks to the left ... "

[Rays Supporter]

Though Raymond in the mascot uniform did a terrific job, we don't get to see behind the scenes. I trust the Rays are making decisions that are best for the entire organization and community. CONGRATS to an unforgettable year!!!

[Ghost of mascots past]

Shawn was the second Raymond, not the first. And his side job job of procuring autographed sports memorabilia had something to do with why there was a need for a third.

I have no idea why Kelly Frank was terminated.