Rays wear Blackhawks sweaters as part of travel theme for road trip to Toronto

Rays wear Blackhawks sweaters for trip

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon received an assist from the Chicago Blackhawks for a hockey theme road trip.

Several times each season the Rays hit the road with a different team dress plan, and Maddon decided that wearing hockey sweaters was the perfect idea for the flight to Toronto on Sunday.

When the Stanley Cup finalist Blackhawks heard about Maddon’s plan, they offered free red home jerseys for the entire team, which most accepted.

Maddon got a special uniform, a replica of one worn by Chicago forward John Madden. He called the Blackhawks’ participation “cool” and that the whole matter is “all in fun.”

The Rays posed for several photos, including a group shot and one just of the players wearing the Blackhawks’ uniform at Tropicana Field before departing.

A fan of the St. Louis Blues growing up, Maddon is now pulling for the Blackhawks to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers and win their first Stanley Cup title since 1961.