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Kristie Ackert - Sports Reporter

Sports Reporter

After 25 years covering almost everything in the New York City sports scene. I’ve gone back to my roots. No, I am not a Florida native, I grew up in Central New York, but my first 15 years at the New York Daily News I was a sports general assignment reporter. That just means that I covered everything from high school basketball recruits (Kemba Walker was one of the most memorable), the New York City marathon, the New Jersey Devils’ 2012 Stanley Cup Finals run, the Giants Super Bowl runs and the Jets mostly struggles. I also covered the Yankees 2009 World Series and made multiple trips to Tampa to watch Derek Jeter and A-Rod rehab one of their injuries. I spent the last 10 years specializing as a baseball beat writer, six seasons on the Mets, and the last four covering the Yankees. With the Times, I am going back to doing a little of everything, including the Lightning, Bucs and, of course, the Rays. I like the variety and the challenge of learning new teams and I look forward to sharing that with you on all our platforms here at the Times.

  1. From left to right, Nathaniel, Wendy, Josh and David Lowe spend some time together before the Rays played the Rangers in June at Tropicana Field.
  2. With its fixed roof, catwalks and turf field, Tropicana Field presents unique challenges for opponents before they even face the Rays, who went 53-28 at home this season.
  3. Bucs linebacker Lavonte David celebrates after he forces the Eagles to lose yards during a third-quarter play on Monday night.
  4. Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales and quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) talk during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens in August in Tampa.
  5. Bucs punter Jake Camarda (5) and long snapper Zach Triner (97) participate in organized team activities in May at AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa.
  6. Lightning backup goaltender Jonas Johansson waits in net during training camp Thursday at TGH Ice Plex in Brandon.
  7. Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans (13) reels in a pass to beat Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of Monday's game at Raymond James Stadium.
  8. Bucs running back Rachaad White (1) fumbles the ball while being tackled by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) during the second quarter Monday at Raymond James Stadium.
  9. Rays relief pitcher Jason Adam reacts as he leaves the field with trainers during the ninth inning of Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.
  10. Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow reacts after he walks Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk, allowing Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette to score during the sixth inning Friday night at Tropicana Field.
  11. Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy talks with reporters on media day.
  12. Rays setup man Jason Adam threw a live batting practice session before Tuesday’s game against the Angels, the next step toward returning from a left oblique strain.
  13. Rays leftfielder Randy Arozarena reacts after hitting a two-run homer in the first inning of Tuesday's game against the Los Angels Angels at Tropicana Field.
  14. Rays leftfielder Luke Raley connects for a two-run double in the third inning of Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners at Tropicana Field.
  15. The Rays' Josh Lowe, who hit a double in the third inning, gestures as Mariners second baseman Josh Rojas looks on after attempting to tag him out on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field.
  16. Rays pitchers Shane Baz, center, and Josh Fleming, right, join teammates in making an "L" shape as they celebrate Luke Raley’s RBI triple during a June game against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field.
  17. The Rays' Yandy Diaz, center, celebrates with teammates Luke Raley, left and Josh Lowe, right, after hitting a walk off two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners Saturday at Tropicana Field.
  18. Rays catcher Rene Pinto celebrates in the dugout after his two-run home run off Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby during the seventh inning Friday at Tropicana Field.
  19. Austin Majors, left, 19, of Holiday talks to Rays manager Kevin Cash before Friday's game at Tropicana Field. The Rays signed Majors to an honorary contract as part of the fulfillment of his wish through the Children's Dream Fund.
  20. From left, Rays starters Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen,  Zach Eflin and relief pitcher Jake Diekman look on from the dugout during a recent game. McClanahan and Rasmussen are both sidelined after second Tommy John surgeries.
  21. The Rays hope to have infielder Taylor Walls back for the Mariners series that starts Thursday.
  22. Rays shortstop Taylor Walls played two games in Cleveland last week after being sidelined more than a month by an oblique injury.
  23. Rays relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge pauses after giving up a double before a pitching change in the eighth inning against the Red Sox on Monday afternoon.