Wellness

Since 2018, the Rays have partnered with Team Smile, an advocacy group that partners dental professionals with professional athletic organizations to provide life-changing dental care to underserved children in their communities. In 2018-19, the Rays hosted more than 400 children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast and local foster care groups for a free dental day at Tropicana Field. In 2022-23, Team Smile provided free dental care to children from Campbell Park Elementary and John Hopkins Middle School. The children received dental work free of charge, including X-rays, screening and educational material on how to protect their teeth. The value of care provided since 2018 has totaled nearly $270,000.

The Rays proudly partner with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital to bring players, coaches and mascots several times throughout the season to raise the spirits of patients and their families.

In partnership with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, the Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund donated a total of 825 backpacks to students at Campbell Park Elementary School and Lakewood Elementary School. Each student received a backpack filled with school supplies.

The Rays suffered a tragic loss in early 2022, when bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez died by suicide. His passing was a sobering reminder of the importance of mental health and the silent form that mental health struggles can take. Since 2017, the Rays Baseball Foundation has donated $138,300 to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. Throughout the month of May, Rays players wear green ribbons on their jerseys to support Mental Health Awareness. The Rays and Orlando Health’s leadership teams also teamed up to participate in mental health first aid training.

In 2023, the Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund partnered with the ALS Association to host the ALS CEO Soak at Al Lang Stadium. The CEO Soak engaged business and community leaders to get soaked for ALS while raising critical funds and awareness for ALS Association’s mission.