You Want To Know What Class Is?

[love_that_reefer]

He's headed off to play for the rival Boston Red Sox now, but former Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli wants Rays fans to know how much he appreciated their support the past nine years.

Baldelli, who played in the World Series after missing most of last season because of a mitochondrial disorder that causes fatigue, took out a half-page ad in the St. Petersburg Times to express his gratitude this week.

"Nine years ago you welcomed me into your community. You greeted me as a name and embraced me as a person, and I leave you now as a friend," the sixth player selected in the 2000 amateur draft said in the handwritten ad, which appeared in Wednesday's editions.

"Giving thanks is a difficult thing to do as I have crossed paths with so many extraordinary people, but I will try."

Baldelli, who grew up in Rhode Island, agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract with the Red Sox this month. He went on to say that he'll always consider the Tampa Bay area his second home.

What a class act!! This is just an awesome story and Baldelli got a lot more respect from me. Boston is lucky to have a guy like this coming along after enduring years of Manny being you know what because I refuse to say it!

[Kiluckzle]

Baldelli's the man. Wasn't his disease misdiagnosed?

[love_that_reefer]

Yes it was. It is now viewed as a much more treatable disease. Forgot the name of it but its not like I could spell it either

[rockin500]

kerry wood did something similar last week in taking out a full page ad in the Sunday tribune to thank Cubs fans.

[love_that_reefer]

Awesome!!

[NYgiantsfan5689]

Rocco Baldelli has an issue where he has fewer mitochondria (the things that carry energy from one place to another) in his cells. So he gets tired/hurt a LOT quicker than everyone else. It's a shame, because he has such incredible potential. He's always been one of my favorite players and always will be. This only reinforces it

[realmofotalk]

To the fans of Los Angeles,

I'm riiiich BIATCH!!!

-Andruw

[realmofotalk]

On a serious note, I'm pleased that there are players like Baldelli and Wood who are thoughtful enough to do this for their longtime fans. The gesture shows that they care, and it gives us the best possible reason to ostracize the idiots who would boo them.

[Buckcheeks]

That isn't that uncommon, though.

[catman]

Rocco Baldelli is one of the "good guys" in baseball. I've always liked the way he plays the game and wish him the best in Boston.