OT - Name that Tampa Bay Ray and Michigan hockey fan
They're "players, coaches, and staff." And I don't think he's a player.
You don't think the guy who looks like he's 20 years old is player? I'd be shocked if he were a coach, and I don't think he's old enough to be the trainer. It looks like maybe it's J.P. Howell but I don't know know if he travels with the team now that he's injured, plus he went to Texas.
Even if he's not a player I'd still be curious to know who it is. A Michigan hockey jersey is not like a Michigan football/basketball t-shirt or jersey where you might see someone wearing it who has no knowledge of the program or school.
He looks too chubby to be JP Howell.
Also, the whole "staff" thing means he could work in the front office. He could be an intern. He could be an assistant GM. He might be in charge of selling tickets.
It's kind of interesting that only four players are wearing a Lightning jersey. I'm sure that most of the Hawks jerseys are because of the finals, but it's somewhat surprising that the local team didn't get more support.
When the Blackhawks heard about the Rays' plan to wear Hockey jerseys on their flight to Toronto, the Hawks offered free red home jerseys for all the players. Manager Joe Maddon is wearing a John Madden jersey.
I was just about to post this up... First thing I noticed was that beautiful block 'M' on the left side of the group.
Oh yeah and props to the one guy reppin the vintage Mario Lemieux jersey in the front on the right.
I wrote the photographer. Maybe he'll get back to us.
I accessed the photo on the AP wire but it didn't have the names.
A glitch in the matrix; mea culpa.
Reid Brignac.
I think J.P. Howell is a pretty good guess:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7572
http://espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6312
Plus, he's listed at 6'0", but you can imagine that being a slight stretch.
But, he grew up in California and went to Texas, so there's not an obvious connection.
Got a response, but not an answer.
The photographer wrote me back.
I don't recognize him either. He's not a MLB player but must be one of the staffers who travel with the team. I'll try to find out who he is next time I'm at a game.
Steven J. Nesius
Hmmm . . . how strange . . .
And to think I originally got negged for those comments above, in which I said that he didn't look like a player . . .
Final word: we don't have his name but we have his job:
"He's a TV producer for the team and was traveling with the Rays to Toronto. Don't know his ties to Michigan..."
So....MLB TV producer who likes M.
Case closed.
Excellent detective work, Misopogon.