FanHouse Raymond

The Tampa Bay Rays rose to prominence this past baseball season and reached the World Series before their year ended on a sour note by losing to the Philadelphia Phillies, but as it turns out, it won't be just Rays players and fans who finish the year with a bitter taste in their mouths. For poor Kelly Frank, the end of the World Series wasn't just the end of her dream of seeing the Rays win the World Series, it was also the end of her being able to call herself employed.

Now the name Kelly Frank probably doesn't ring a bell for you, but that's because you know her better by her stage name. She goes by the name Raymond, and she really knows how to shake her moneymaker, though the Rays recently told her she won't be shaking it for them again anytime soon.

Performer Kelly Frank, the woman who perfected Raymond's trademark butt shimmy, said she does not know why she was fired Monday after five seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays.

"I'm just as confused as everyone else," she said. "I really didn't get an explanation."

Not only did Kelly not get an explanation for her dismissal, but she's more confused than ever after being told by the organization that she "out-enthused" the Phillie Phanatic during the World Series. Fear not for Ms. Frank, though, as she'll continue to create mascot costumes for other teams like the Florida Gators and Denver Nuggets.

If there's any good news to come out of this, it's that all those male Rays fans who secretly found themselves turned on by Raymond's Butt Shimmy can take comfort knowing that it was a woman inside that costume.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the A's really do have the coolest mascot in all of sports. When he's not getting hyphy with the fans or winning dance-off competitions, he's traveling across the country to liven up his friends birthday parties. (And it's a good thing, because Raymond's parties look kind of boring -- a pinata? What, is he turning six?)

But there you have it: an elephant beatboxing and a moose dancing -- this is exactly why Al Gore invented the internet.

I am without a doubt, 100% against domestic violence ... but mascot violence? I'm generally all for it. At first I thought Angel Berroa was out of line by randomly tackling Raymond early in the video, but after watching what Raymond does afterward, I'm guessing he probably did something before the camera started rolling to deserve it.

I mean, seriously, if that's how you roll Raymond -- not that there's anything wrong with that -- you still need to get permission before you start going below the belt. Even the Phillie Phanatic looked disappointed.

Previously on FanHouse:
Predictably, Billy the Marlin Does Not Want to Go Fishing
Raymond Might Be the Smartest Mascot Ever
Phillie Phanatic Not a Phan Oph Dogs

'Byrn-in' it up.

Eric Byrnes, he of shaggy hair and reckless abandon, went 3-for-3 with a opposite-field homer in Arizona's 10-7 win against the Padres. Byrnes is batting .450 this spring on the field. I hear off it, he's batting 1.000 with the ladies. Ohhhhh yeah.

Sippin' on some Hennessey.

Brad Hennessey gave up three hits and one run in four innings of work in San Fransisco's 3-2 loss to the A's.

"Russ has pitched well this spring and he pretty much has it locked up," Hennessey said. "There's not a chance to start for the Giants right now. There are other teams out there with plenty of pitching needs. We'll see what happens."

Oh snap, son. Somebody just called out his team.

Hopefully for Tampa Bay, this doesn't carry over to the real season.

With yesterday's 5-3 loss to the Astros, the Devil Rays now sit at 1-10 in the Grapefruit League. Raymond needs to play more often. That should solve their problems.

Brian Anderson proving he can hit. For now.

Brian Anderson went 2-for-2 in Chicago's 12-7 win against the Mariners. He's hitting .348 on the spring. But be careful, Brian. Former punter Darin Erstad is primed to snatch that center field spot away from you!

What I know about mascots is this: They don't talk. They are sometimes fooled by simple tricks. They are slow witted and aloof. There is one mascot, though, who rises above the crop displaying superior intelligence. His name is Raymond, mascot of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Even with four fat fingers, he pens his own blog. That takes some serious keyboarding skill right there. He seems to be a master of promotion, at least according to a simple YouTube search. Is any other mascot strutting themselves out on the Web as much? Doubtful.

And, above all, as the video accompanying this post points out, he can win the heart of a woman at a Tropicana Field filled with several thousand, several hundred, about 76 fans in attendance.

If you peep this dude out at a bar, make sure to keep your lady on your hip. Raymond is on the prowl.