Billy the Marlin – the mascot of the Florida Marlins – came to City Hall Tuesday to make a special announcement. The team has proclaimed August 28th Key West Day.
At that game, Mayor Teri Johnston will throw out the first pitch. At half time, a group of Key West kids will join Billy on the field during the seventh inning stretch to sing “Take me Out to the Ballgame.”
But wait, there’s more! Key Westers will get a special ticket price of $25, and $5 of that will be donated to the Key West Police Athletic League, or PAL. Commissioner Sam Kaufman announced the special pricing and the benefit to PAL.
“Key West, being baseball town USA,” said Florida Keys Media’s Rick Lopez, “is tied for the most state championships. Baseball is such a big part of the fabric of who we are. And the Marlins are our team.”
Lopez has been working closely with the organization to make this happen.
The Marlins will be playing the Cincinnati Reds on August 28th.
In the photo: Commissioners Mary Lou Hoover, Gregory Davila and Jimmy Weekley, Billy the Marlin, Commissioner Billy Wardlow and Rick Lopez.