Rays' Rivera, Raymond raise spirits at Tampa General

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Rene Rivera meets with Alex Abadi, 5, in Alex’s room at the Children’s Medical Center at Tampa General Hospital. The MLB player and the team’s mascot Raymond met with children to bring some joy to their recoveries. JAY CONNER/STAFF JAY CONNER/STAFF Tribune staff

“Rays Up” is the slogan of the Tampa Bay Rays and they sure managed to lift a lot of spirits Tuesday during a visit to the Children’s Medical Center at Tampa General Hospital.

Delighting the young patients were first-year Rays player Rene Rivera, the team’s starting catcher, and that furry blue veteran Raymond, the mascot.