Raymond may look like a big shag carpet but he has had more staying power than some members of past Rays bullpens. And this Sunday, the team is celebrating Raymond's birthday with a pre-game parade and a party for the walking dust mop.

There's a catch: You have to be a member of the Rays Rookies, a club for kids 14 and under, which costs you $20. But membership does have its privileges. You can join the club from 11:40 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the day of the game and your kiddos get a T-shirt on the spot. The other club benefits: Tickets to four games for each member of the club (this Sunday is one of the days to use the tickets), a backpack, invites to special events (like this one) and other goodies.

Even if ou don't join the Rays youth squad, this Sunday's game has a nice freebie: The first 7,500 kids 14 and under get a Rays lunchbox. I'll see you there.

-- Sherry Robinson