A Tampa Bay couple planning to marry in Thonotosassa on 13 November are bringing their devotion to the Tampa Bay Rays into the wedding, with team jerseys, baseball-cap ice cream cups and the club’s mascot Raymond all part of the celebrations.
Brooke Steele and Gabriel Rodriguez have followed the Rays for years and say the team has become part of family life. They have taken their eight-year-old son to games at Tropicana Field, visited the mascots and even named their rescue puppy Baker after Rays pitcher Bryan Baker.
The couple recently hand-delivered an invitation to Raymond, who agreed to attend the ceremony. They also hope to wear specially made jerseys bearing “Mr.” and “Mrs.” on the back.
Tampa Bay Rays wedding plans
Other details will include serving ice cream in the small baseball-shaped caps familiar to supporters at the Trop. The sporting theme is intended to reflect the many memories the pair have built around the club during their relationship.
Steele said her faith in the Rays never wavered during a difficult season, insisting she had always believed the team was special.
Their connection to the club deepened during Tampa Bay’s American League Championship Series victory. Steele and Rodriguez were at Tropicana Field when the team secured its place in the World Series, an occasion they described as one of the best days of their lives.
For Rodriguez, the St Petersburg ballpark has become a place of comfort as well as sport, and a backdrop to important moments shared by the couple and their son.
He has also bought tickets to Game Five of the World Series after becoming caught up in the Rays’ post-season run. The couple hope to attend another game before their wedding, which will combine a major personal milestone with their support for the team.
