Tampa Bay Rays Apologize After Team Mascot Holds Up This Insensitive Sign During Game

The Tampa Bay Rays mascot, Raymond Ray, has brought negative attention to the whole franchise after holding up an inappropriate sign Wednesday night during a match-up against the Baltimore Orioles.

Here's the sign that quickly resulted in an apology from the Rays organization. Via @asianmegan:

For those unaware, Steve Irwin, nicknamed "the Crocodile Hunter," was killed by a sting ray while shooting a new TV show in 2006. His heart was pierced by the serrated poisonous spine of a stingray.

On Thursday, the Rays released the following statement apologizing for Raymond's bad decision:

"Last night Rays mascot Raymond was handed an inappropriate sign brought to the game by a fan. Fans are welcome to bring signs into Tropicana Field provided they are not offensive. The Tampa Bay Rays regret that this particular sign was displayed in the ballpark, and we apologize for the lapse in judgment."

(H/T: USA Today)