Higgins, Azinger get first-pitch duties

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Rays Finally Decide Who’s Throwing Out 1st Pitch
Published 9/29/2008 by jason at SPORTSbyBROOKS
... for the golden opportunity. And there’s Paul above, kissing Boo Weekley upon hearing the great news. But who was awarded the grand prize of hurling the horsehide for the Rays’ first-ever playoff game? The lucky winner is none other than… John Higgins . Who? As Marc Lancaster of TAMPA BAY ONLINE explains , Mr. Higgins is currently a senior vice president with the club. So, did he win some kind of company raffle? Not quite - Higgins was the first employee hired by the Rays in 1995. And he won’t be alone on the Tropicana Field field, as Higgins will be joined by 51 other ...

The First First Pitch: It’s Higgins!
Published 9/29/2008 by David Chalk at Bugs & Cranks
So I had just been thinking to myself native Tampan baseball greats Gary Sheffield and Doc Gooden would be good candidates for the first pitch of ALDS Game One — I’d just been reading a Tribune story where Doc revealed he and his nephew Shef used to sleep in the same bed — when I saw the Devil Rays had already decided…. From Marc Lancaster: The ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of the ALDS at Tropicana Field will be delivered by team senior vice president Jonathan Quayle Higgins III, the first ...

Baseball Today: Tuesday, September 30
Published 9/30/2008 by Art Martone (amartone@projo.com) at Projo Sox Blog
... WHO?? After all the kvetching about who'd throw out the first ball prior to the Rays' inaugural postseason game, the team chose someone I guarantee wasn't mentioned by anyone: John Higgins. (Tampa Tribune) Click the link to find out who he is and why the Rays picked him. ...

Rays Choose A Lawyer And A Golfer; Who Could Be More Exciting? [MLB]
Published 9/30/2008 by Rick Chandler at Deadspin
... Sean Patrick and Patrick Ryan. A graduate of both Notre Dame and Duke? How could we not love him! The following were seriously considered put ultimately rejected when Higgins became available: • Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. • Mike Kashtan, owner of Mike Kashtan's Superior Auto Sales of Pinellas Park, FL. • Victor Gromoff (Jon Gruden's gardener). • Art Vandolay of Vandolay Industries. Higgins, Azinger Get First-Pitch Duties [The Tampa Tribune] ...

Paul Azinger Continues His Reign On America, Will Throw Out First Pitch at Rays Game
Published 9/30/2008 by shanebacon@gmail.com (Shane B.) at Dogs That Chase Cars
I guess when you win the first Ryder Cup in nine years for the United States and live remotely close to Tampa Bay, damnit, you're a Rays fan, and an Ammmerican!!!! Paul Azinger, king of all that is Nick Faldo, was picked to toss out one of the pitches in the Rays first ever playoff games, mostly because nobody notable is a Rays fan (no, Dick Vitale doesn't count). That won't stop Azinger from telling everyone that he's some huuuuge Rays fan that loves them and wants to marry them. Liar. “This is very special for me,” Azinger said. “I’ve ...