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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Success Drowns Out Rays' Famous Razzer

Tampa's 'happy heckler' straining to be heard during team's first World Serier

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(Newser) – Robert Szasz is one of baseball's most well-known hecklers but his insults can now hardly be heard over the racket at Tropicana Field, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Rays fan, who found fame as "the Happy Heckler" in the days when the team had sparse attendance, is finding his jeers at opposing players drowned out by cheers and cowbells as fans throng the stadium for the World Series.

Szasz' razzes were once clearly audible on TV broadcasts and players started giving him memorabilia in the hopes of getting an at-bat at peace. During the Rays' first-ever World Series game on Wednesday though, the famous bellow couldn't reach the Phillies' batters. "I can relax now, just watch the game," he says. "If they ever need me again, they know where to find me."

Philadelphia Phillies' Geoff Jenkins, center, and Eric Bruntlett, right, stretch during their practice at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008.
Philadelphia Phillies' Geoff Jenkins, center, and Eric Bruntlett, right, stretch during their practice at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A Devil Ray swims in a fish tank in right field at Tropicana Field before the start of Game 1 of the series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox, Friday, Oct. 10, 2008.
A Devil Ray swims in a fish tank in right field at Tropicana Field before the start of Game 1 of the series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox, Friday, Oct. 10, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
A large American flag is unfurled across the outfield at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. before Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008.
A large American flag is unfurled across the outfield at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. before Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Spectators arrive at Tropicana Field for Game 1 of the baseball World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008.
Spectators arrive at Tropicana Field for Game 1 of the baseball World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
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