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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Rays fire mascot Raymond

In Boston they give them MVP’s.

Kelly Frank didn’t know it then, but it would be her last performance as Raymond at Tropicana Field.

After five seasons of perfecting Raymond’s butt-shimmy, the 27-year-old Frank was fired Monday. She said the Rays offered no explanation.

The team didn’t offer the public an explanation either. “Be assured Raymond will live on,” spokesman Rick Vaughn said.

...Frank was reluctant to discuss her dismissal in detail.

“I’m just as confused as everyone else. I really didn’t get an explanation,” she said. “My severance package is kind of up in the air right now, so …”

Repoz Posted: November 19, 2008 at 12:44 PM | 30 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: business, rays

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1. flournoy Posted: November 19, 2008 at 01:42 PM (#3012157)

"Butt-shimmy." Rick Vaughn. This thread has potential.

2. OCD SS Posted: November 19, 2008 at 01:56 PM (#3012160)

... but it needs ninjas.

3. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: November 19, 2008 at 02:01 PM (#3012161)

... but it needs ninjas.

Naw. Ninjas are overrated.

4. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: November 19, 2008 at 02:14 PM (#3012166)

How could they do this? Everybody loves Raymond!

5. cee lo ortiz Posted: November 19, 2008 at 02:17 PM (#3012167)

...Frank was reluctant to discuss her dismissal in detail.

i'm tipping a sex scandal.....probably involving Longoria

6. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: November 19, 2008 at 02:25 PM (#3012171)

i'm tipping a sex scandal.....probably involving Longoria

Longoria is a plushophiliac?

7. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers Posted: November 19, 2008 at 02:27 PM (#3012174)

Well it took her 5 seasons to perfect that butt-shimmy. Slow learner.

8. cee lo ortiz Posted: November 19, 2008 at 02:29 PM (#3012176)

Longoria is a plushophiliac?

you heard it here first

9. Biff isn't really an apt handle anymore Posted: November 19, 2008 at 02:44 PM (#3012184)

Article is useless without pics.

10. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: November 19, 2008 at 02:49 PM (#3012188)

Article is useless without pics.

RTFA. There is a pic! Just not of Longoria making sweet, sweet love to all that sexy plush goodness. And frankly, I'm ok with that. If Evan Longoria wants to #### teddy bears, who am I to judge?

11. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: November 19, 2008 at 03:09 PM (#3012205)

Well it took her 5 seasons to perfect that butt-shimmy. Slow learner.

That's a sunk cost. You keep her and you have perfection.

12. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: November 19, 2008 at 03:18 PM (#3012216)

Do rays have butts? They have tails, I know...but for it to be a proper butt, don't you need legs?

13. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: November 19, 2008 at 03:21 PM (#3012219)

Do rays have butts? They have tails, I know...but for it to be a proper butt, don't you need legs?

Sit down, Vlad: Raymond isn't a ray. He's basically a generic-animal Muppet.

14. Alex Vila Posted: November 19, 2008 at 03:38 PM (#3012236)

She was the one to blame for the cowbell!

15. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 19, 2008 at 03:59 PM (#3012251)

Makes a lot of sense. I thought she really dropped the ball in post-season play.

16. Greg Schuler Posted: November 19, 2008 at 04:02 PM (#3012257)

"It's like losing a player," said Cary Strukel, the fan who goes by the name Cowbell Kid. "She was always amped up, funny without saying anything. She really explored every aspect and every way to get people involved."

Perhaps that's why she got fired...

And still undisputed mascot - Mr. Celery.

17. aleskel

Posted: November 19, 2008 at 04:04 PM (#3012259)

It's threads like this that make the offseason bearable.

18. Gamingboy Posted: November 19, 2008 at 04:12 PM (#3012265)

In New York, they fire managers for failing to win the World Series. In Tampa, they fire Mascots.

19. Foster Posted: November 19, 2008 at 04:40 PM (#3012287)

I was actually quite impressed by her/its dancing during the World Series. She's/its no Phanatic, but did the job...

20. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: November 19, 2008 at 04:44 PM (#3012293)

"Sit down, Vlad: Raymond isn't a ray. He's basically a generic-animal Muppet."

Sure, just crush all my illusions, Doc.

21. Gamingboy Posted: November 19, 2008 at 04:57 PM (#3012305)

How dare you crush Vlad's illusions! Or mine! If he says he's a ray, he's a ray!

Next you are going to tell us all that the Philly Phanatic is a Giants fan and that the Swinging Friar is Jewish!

22. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers Posted: November 19, 2008 at 05:23 PM (#3012333)

From the article:

Memorable moments

Kelly Frank as Raymond

• The Baltimore Orioles' mascot challenges Raymond to a dance off at a 2007 game. The Bird two-steps a bit before Raymond sets off the crowd with a few break-dancing moves.

• Raymond poufs out his hair '80s style, dons a black pleather jacket and rocks out his rendition of Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer during the playoffs.

• Angel Berroa, then playing with the Kansas City Royals, tackles Raymond during the 2007 All-Star game. Raymond responds with a pantomime of sticking his finger up Berroa's bum.

• During the playoffs, Raymond tosses a stingray at Boston Red Sox mascot Wally in a video spoof the duo shot titled "Why can't we be friends?"

• In another video titled "Raymond's house party," Raymond throws a party when Coach Joe Maddon leaves him the keys to the clubhouse as Fight for your Right by the Beastie Boys plays in the background.

23. WhoWantsTeixeiraDessert Posted: November 19, 2008 at 05:50 PM (#3012364)

Next thing you know they'll have Sting as their mascot. Ugh.

24. flournoy Posted: November 19, 2008 at 05:58 PM (#3012368)

Angel Berroa, then playing with the Kansas City Royals, tackles Raymond during the 2007 All-Star game. Raymond responds with a pantomime of sticking his finger up Berroa's bum.

This doesn't make any sense. Was this a AAA All-Star game or something?

25. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: November 19, 2008 at 06:09 PM (#3012378)

It was part of MLB's "Strike Out Colon Cancer" awareness effort.

26. Harmon "Thread Killer" Microbrew Posted: November 19, 2008 at 06:26 PM (#3012397)

It was part of MLB's "Strike Out Colon Cancer" awareness effort.

Woah, woah.

Sure he's fat and not as good as he once was, but calling Bartolo a "cancer"? Easy!

27. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: November 19, 2008 at 06:30 PM (#3012402)

I've never met a Raymond that didn't have a proper butt.

28. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: November 19, 2008 at 08:19 PM (#3012531)

Sure, just crush all my illusions, Doc.

I assumed you were sitting down...

29. Chase Utley, Shooty's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: November 19, 2008 at 09:49 PM (#3012584)

Next thing you know they'll have Sting as their mascot. Ugh.

Police Sting? Or Wrestling Sting?

30. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: November 19, 2008 at 09:59 PM (#3012594)

"Police Sting? Or Wrestling Sting?"

Tolkien Sting.

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Rays fire mascot Raymond

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