142 Crew pays tribute to its departed Bubba

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 1, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Devil Rays may have replaced Bubba Trammell on the roster, but they can't fill the void felt by The 142 Crew, the outfielder's unofficial fan club and Tropicana Field cheering section.

Crew leader Ted Fleming said he was happy to see Trammell get a better opportunity, but sad to see him go. And very unhappy with what the Rays got back from the Mets for Trammell and Rick White. Pitcher Paul Wilson and outfielder Jason Tyner came to Tampa Bay.

The crew, which is based in the rightfield corner and hollered "Bub-ba!" with each of Trammell's at-bats, will show its displeasure in some form at tonight's home game.

"We're still kicking around a couple things," Fleming said. "I think there will be a mock funeral, starting in the rotunda at 6:45. We're going to dress in black and march to section 142. A little memorial type thing. We're going to have some fun with it."

They may also try their cheer backward. "But I don't know about that, since it was hard enough to get people to do, "Bub-ba!' " Fleming said. "I'm not sure about "Ab-bub!' " Eventually, he said, the crew, which is several hundred strong on some nights, may pick a new favorite.

You can bet it won't be general manager Chuck LaMar.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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