Fansided

The biggest superstition or ritual for each MLB team

By Brad Weiss

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 9: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees delivers the first pitch in the first inning during Game 4 of the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 9: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees delivers the first pitch in the first inning during Game 4 of the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Kathleen Plank, the ‘Cowbell Queen’ is ready to make some noise for the Tampa Bay Rays first game of the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, Friday, October 10, 2008. (Photo by Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images).
Kathleen Plank, the ‘Cowbell Queen’ is ready to make some noise for the Tampa Bay Rays first game of the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, Friday, October 10, 2008. (Photo by Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images). /

Tampa Bay Rays: The Cowbell

The Tampa Bay Rays have had some big-time success since they came into existence, despite the fact that ownership likes to strip the team of its high-priced talent. Still, the Rays have been to the playoffs four times, won the AL East twice and have an American League pennant to their name.

The idea for the Cowbell came about thanks to the well-known Saturday Night Live sketch, and Rays’ principal owner Stuart Sternberg thought to use it as a promotional idea. The idea caught on quickly, as road teams absolutely hate to hear the cowbells, which usually come out when a batter has two strikes on them or the Rays make a good play in the field.

The most famous cowbell ringer is Kathleen Plank, who is officially known to Rays fans as the “Cowbell Queen.” Plank was given the nickname by former Rays manager Joe Maddon, who wanted the crowd to be as loud as the Los Angeles Angels fans were when the Rally Monkey showed up.

Plank decided to bring four-dozen cowbells to her section and hand them out, making Tropicana Field louder than it had ever been. A Day 1 fan, Plank is a member of the team’s Fan Wall of Fame, and holds a special piece of Rays history.

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