Throughout the entire month of May 2022, the Tampa Bay Rays have been wearing a green ribbon on the upper left corner of the front of their jerseys. The ribbon was added in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.
The Rays chose to bring attention to Mental Health Awareness following the January 2022 suicide of Jean Ramirez, a former Minor League ballplayer in the Rays system who, at the time of his passing, was serving as the club’s Major League-level bullpen catcher.
“To support raising mental health awareness in the community, the Rays will participate in various efforts on and off the field,” reads the club’s Mental Health Awareness page, in addition to the green ribbons throughout May, the Rays have also lit the roof of Tropicana Field green and added “JR” decals to their helmets for games played in April and May.
Earlier this year, during Spring Training, the Rays starting lineup all wore Ramirez’s #98 jersey for their exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 25. Those game-worn jerseys are available via auction right now (bidding ends tomorrow, May 18), with all proceeds benefitting the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.
If you or a loved one is in need of assistance, please call 1-800-273-8255 in the United States or 1-833-456-4566 in Canada.