The Tampa Bay Rays hosted some special guests prior to their game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Steven Stamkos, Braydon Coburn, Alex Killorn, Brian Boyle, and Ben Bishop of the Eastern Conference Champion Tampa Bay Lightning joined the MLBers for batting practice this afternoon. The Bolts traded in their helmets and skates for ballcaps and bats in recognition of the support the Rays players offered during their trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
Stammer going hammer. #Stammertime pic.twitter.com/8R08x6shRi
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 23, 2015
Boyle and Killorn both went yard but batting practice belonged to the netminder. Ben Bishop belted four homeruns during his time at the plate and even took a trip around the bases.
#Rays and #TBLightning Odorizzi, Killorn, Elmore, Stamkos, and Souza after Bishop sends one over the wall during BP pic.twitter.com/AwopjkdUHU
— Will Vragovic (@willvrag) June 23, 2015
#TBLightning @Benbishop30 laughs as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during #Rays batting practice pic.twitter.com/Aj71TJIRAx
— Dirk Shadd (@DirkShadd) June 23, 2015
Most of the guys stuck around to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game:
.@TBLightning strikes, four times. Proud of the Bolts. #TeamTampaBay ⚡️💥 pic.twitter.com/EqsuRzNSRa
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 23, 2015
Lightning captain Steven Stamkos grew up playing baseball and remains a fan of the game. He has even been known to play in his hometown beer league during the summers. Stammer had a rough time at the plate today: developing a blister and seeing a shot bounce off the left field foul pole. The NHL star reflected on the experience:
“It’s a game that I love,” Stamkos said. “So I know what’s going on out there. These guys are tremendous athletes. And the way these guys can hit the ball, I’m sure they say the same thing about us on skates. This isn’t an easy sport to play.”
It wasn’t all fun and games. The subject of Stamkos’ impending contract negotiations came up and were seemingly put to rest:
“I’ll get back home this week and I’m sure we’ll go from there,” Stamkos said. “That stuff is going to take care of itself. I think it’s a bigger story now because we went so deep (into the playoffs). I’m not losing any sleep over it.”
Ben Bishop may have brought his lucky horseshoe to Tropicana Field as the Rays went on to defeat the Blue Jays 4-3.
(Feature Photo/Getty Images)
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