While he may have been dealt to the Seattle Mariners early Friday morning, Tampa Bay Rays fans got one final special present from outfielder Randy Arozarena on his way out the door.
During Friday night’s game, when the team has normally done its “Randy-Land” promotion in left field, Arozarena and his family went and sat in the left field stands with the fans and watched his former team take on the Cincinnati Reds.
The moment was caught on camera by Bally Sports Sun, with broadcasters Dewayne Staats and Brian Anderson mentioning the surprise they had seeing it.
Randy as a fan ?
I AM UNWELL pic.twitter.com/wiJxhnOz3z
— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) July 26, 2024
Arozarena and his family stayed in the stands until the fifth inning, when he and his family walked out under police escort, but not before he gave out high-fives and took selfies with fans along the way.
One last trip to Randy Land?
for old times’ sake? 🥹 pic.twitter.com/AH4v7ktLVU
— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) July 27, 2024
Arozarena released a video of his own Saturday.
Thank you @RaysBaseball @raysbeisbol for the memories! pic.twitter.com/flOLLueu4V
— Randy Arozarena (@RandyArozarena) July 27, 2024
The outfielder is expected to join his new team Saturday in Chicago.
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
