A widow’s first Rays game without her favorite teammate

A widow and Rays season ticket holder is on a  journey to her first Opening Day with her beloved teammate. WINK News introduced you to this Tampa bay Rays superfan last week.

She and her husband were season ticket holders and would travel from Port Charlotte to games together.

This is the first baseball season since her husband passed away so, she needs help making it to St. Petersburg. And WINK News was there to see her long-awaited return to Tropicana Field for another opening day.

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It’s hard to wipe the smile from Karabeth Schleich’s face. It’s opening day and she made it to Tropicana Field. She was able to watch her beloved Rays.

“It’s like coming home. Like coming home or the first day of school,” Schleich said.

And just like the first day of school, Karabeth saw familiar faces but also made some new friends.

Heather Shaughnessy drover Schleich from Port Charlotte to the game. As a former teacher, of course, Karabeth was going to teach Heather the history of her favorite team. “She’s got a Rays shirt today because I told her you can’t be a Boston Red Sox fan today,” Schleich said.

“I’ll be shouting for the Rays today, ” Shaughnessy said. “This is such a great thing to do, you know, get her to her first game without her husband on Opening Day.”

Her husband, Carl, passed away in November. So she put out an all-call because she needed someone to drive her to see the Rays this season. Heather, along with many others, signed up.

Carl may not actually be gone because he’s always on her mind. His name was on her balloon hat and she had her sweetie’s ashes in a necklace.

“I have him around my neck and I have him in my heart,” Schleich said.

Her favorite team also heard her story.  So, The Rays presented her with a customized jersey, an autographed photo from Tyler Glasnow and other souvenirs.

Then, these two made their way to the seats. Karabeth sat in seat one, which was her husband’s spot. “I’m going to hear him saying ‘you’re in my seat.’ ‘You need to move, you’re in my seat.’ ‘You need to be in the second seat and I’m in the first seat,'” said Schleich.

Karabeth cheered as loud as she could for her Rays. “Whether they win or lose I’m a Ray fan all the way,” Schleich said.

That fandom is how she stays connected to Carl at Tropicana Field.

Karabeth and Heather met for the first time on Opening Day and have plans to go to another game together. They’re gonna see Karabeth’s Rays take on Heather’s Red Sox on April 24.

The Rays ended up winning their Opening Day battle against the Baltimore Orioles 2-1.

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WINK News was also able to interview two Rays players who got their start in Southwest Florida.

Mike Zunino is the Rays’ starting catcher and graduated from Mariner High School.