Rays, Rowdies pledge $1 million to help Hurricane Ian victims

BOSTON — The Rays and Rowdies announced plans Tuesday night to donate $1 million to support victims of Hurricane Ian, as well as a series of events to collect additional donations of goods and funds.

“While we celebrate our fourth consecutive postseason appearance, we cannot forget all those suffering in the wake of Hurricane Ian,” Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said in a news release. “I’m proud that we are organizing, supporting and donating to relief efforts across Tampa Bay and grateful to this wonderful community for coming together to support those in need.”

Donation collection events will be held Thursday at Tropicana Field (enter lots 6 and 7) and WestShore Plaza from 3-7 p.m., in partnership with the cities of St. Petersburg and Tampa. Fans who donate will receive Rays postseason flags and yard signs.

A list of specific items requested for donations is available raysbaseball.com/Relief, including some toiletries, pet supplies, cleanup products and food. Bottled water will not be accepted.

The Rowdies will host a donation drive at their 7:30 p.m. Saturday home game, with collections outside the Al Lang box office starting at 4 p.m.

For the Wild Card Series that starts on Friday in Cleveland, the Rays are planning watch parties for Game 1 in Tampa at Sparkman Wharf, and Game 2 (and 3, if necessary) at the St. Petersburg Pier. The parties will start 30 minutes before first pitch; game times have not yet been set by Major League Baseball.

Here is information from the team on other events:

• Tampa banner unveiling: Mayor Jane Castor, Rays president Matt Silverman and mascot Raymond will unveil a Rays banner on the Tampa Municipal Services Building at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

• St. Petersburg flag raising: Mayor Ken Welch, Rays President Brian Auld and mascot Raymond will raise a Rays flag in front of St. Petersburg City Hall at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

• Flag and yard sign pickup: Starting Thursday during regular business hours at select Crown Automotive, Kane’s Furniture, Tijuana Flats and Kahwa Coffee locations, as well as area chambers of commerce. See RaysBaseball.com/Postseason for a full list.

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