Home cooking is in full effect in Seattle.
The Mariners sent three players to the All-Star Game in 2023, with Luis Castillo being joined by reserves Julio Rodriguez and George Kirby. The oft-overshadowed Tampa Bay Rays got caught in the crossfire during the All-Star Game introductions after those three Mariners were introduced.
As Castillo, Rodriguez, and Kirby trotted down, Rays reserves Shane McClahahan and Wander Franco got skipped by the PA announcer and the Fox broadcast stayed on the former three players.
The oversight was pointed out by Rays writer Marc Topkin, and the Rays’ Twitter account didn’t miss its chance to give the team’s guys the treatment they deserve.
*ahem*
🗣️ FROM THE TAMPA BAY RAYS… WANDER FRANCO & SHANE McCLANAHAN pic.twitter.com/B8ixfGbg9U
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 12, 2023
The look from McClanahan says it all.
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Fortunately for Tampa, Randy Arozarena hammed up his time in the spotlight with his patented pose.
Randy’s ready for the #AllStarGame. Are you? pic.twitter.com/z4vkL7vBHx
— MLB (@MLB) July 12, 2023
The home team always gets a bit of favoritism, although it isn’t usually at the expense of other teams. It’s a good thing the Rays account was around to make sure one of baseball’s best teams in the first half of the season gets its due.
If nothing else, the Rays can grow this to their ever-growing list of times they were disrespected. The team does tend to thrive on that perception, so perhaps it will be good bulletin board material.
