Most MLB teams stay at the Vinoy Hotel when they go to play the Devil Rays, which many players say is… haunted!
After listening to teammates talk endlessly about the haunted hotel, young pitchers Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Broxton said they experienced weird occurrences in their rooms that couldn't be explained. However, neither would discuss the episodes Sunday. It's stupid," said Billingsley, who reportedly heard his toilet flush numerous times while he was in another room. "It's not worth talking about."
Other major leaguers and former major leaguers who have been spooked at the Vinoy include Jim Fregosi, Cito Gaston, Billy Koch, Gerald Perry, Scott Williamson, Jay Gibbons and Brian Roberts. Some Pittsburgh players were so frightened that they checked out of the hotel and stayed with a teammate's family when the Pirates were in town four years ago.
Who are these ghosts? Judging by the way they ineffectively haunt marginal, forgettable major leaguers, I'd say they're the Ghosts of Devil Rays Future. You just don't get that kind of mediocrity from other major league ghosts.
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They should have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.
who you gonna call ? ghostbusters! i apologize for that.
Too bad John Cusack can't throw a curveball.
If i was a ghost i wouldn't want to have the Pirates stay in my hotel either.
Also, the play of the Devil Rays Haunts my dreams every damn night.
If you order in-room porn… hell, I don't have the heart to finish that.
FWIW, the guy who designed the Vinoy built it as a tribute to his high school flame who died just after graduation. It's said that the ghost looks a lot like the guy…and there's usually a good-looking brunette on his arm.
Although you have to wonder what constitutes "good-looking" when it's a ghost.
I will, however, point out that I've stayed at many, many haunted, hourly-rate motels. Whatever room I check into, in the next room there's always this loud banging noise, and the sounds of people screaming for God or Jesus, followed by the faint murmur of money changing hands. Spooky.
I might be picking up where whowillsexmutumbo started but: "young pitchers Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Broxton said they experienced weird occurrences in their rooms that couldn't be explained." Such as waking up being covered in ectoplasm.
They must have scared the talent right out of Billy Koch.
Mom, Dad, I know its Thanksgiving, and I really dont want to ruin everyone's holiday, but I have to tell you guys something.
I'm a Devil Rays fan. I have been for years. The times I wore my Braves shirt to dinner…they were all a lie so you guys wouldn't suspect something. I've known since I was very young that there was something different in me. I didnt look at the Yankees and Red Sox the way other guys did. Then when I went to college, I met others just like me…others who weren't afraid to live the lifestyle they knew matched the way they wanted to live. Now I just have to let you guys know. I am a Devil Rays fan.
But for realz, the Vinoy is an awesome hotel if you can afford to stay there. The ghost stories have been around forever, but they always seem to haunt c-list celebrities, or athletes. Tomato, Tomahto
The Albany Great Danes refuse to stay at the Vinoy.
The only major leaguer I'd believe if he told me he saw a ghost at the Vinoy would be Elijah Dukes. He's a local, after all, and as we all know, he ain't even bullshittin'.
"Judging by the way they ineffectively haunt marginal, forgettable major leaguers, I'd say they're the Ghosts of Devil Rays Future."
And that flushing sound is the hopes of even a .400 season going down the drain.
roskolnikov, i would love to know why the albany great danes refuse to stay there
Vinoy hotel – Home of the thinnest walls ever
Is Billingsley sure those multiple flushes weren't the result of Brad Penny dominating one in someone else's backyard after leaving his dignity at the team buffet?
If it scared the Pirates, it must've been the ghost of a breaking ball, or possibly a Scott Boras client.
young pitchers Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Broxton said they experienced weird occurrences in their rooms that couldn't be explained.
Suddenly, there was a terrible roar all around us, and the sky was full with what looked like huge bats, all swooping and screeching and diving around the car, and a voice was screaming: Holy Jesus what are the goddamn animals.
Sounds like someone took their half of the sunshine acid.
Co60:
[en.wikipedia.org]
This is a great dane.
@Rask – I had no idea his real name was 'Scoobert'. Might be the best piece of useless info ever…..
Such as waking up being covered in ectoplasm.
That wasn't ectoplasm. Let's just say they were unwilling participants in a serious session of bukkake.
Zoinks!!!
I bet those were the ghosts of the careers of the brothers Canseco.
Everyone remembers José Canstrikeout. But they always seem to forget that he had a twin brother named Ozzie who was stuck in the Cardinals' farm system. Yeah, I was given the dubious honour of watching him play numerous games for the Louisville Redbirds. Ah the joys of my youth.
"Although you have to wonder what constitutes "good-looking" when it's a ghost."
Why Patrick Swayze, of course.
I'm sorry.
Billingsley has the wonderful distinction as being the only current major leaguer that I know…but Chad, don't fuck around with Rosemary's baby.
There's only one thing to be afraid of. Crooked real estate developers.