At the Tampa Bay Rays, TRICIA Whitaker has solidified her place as a devoted fan favorite.
Since the 2019 season, the 33-year-old MLB sideline reporter has covered the Florida baseball team for Bally Sports.
Whitaker, an alumna of Indiana University, developed her broadcasting abilities while covering the Hoosiers.
After watching IU basketball, she developed a greater interest of sports and grew up close in Bloomington, Indiana.
As a young girl, Tricia was a devotee of baseball and football, especially the Chicago Cubs.
She also expanded after arriving at IU to fully immerse herself in the sports scene.
She explained to SI: “What did I not do? I remember my first event I covered at IU was shooting a tennis game.
“I knew nothing about tennis, but I went out and shot it for the student television station, and then I got an audition for their show Hoosier Sports Nite, which I think still exists.”
Before working as an intern with the Indiana Pacers, Whitaker covered Hoosier football. In January 2013, he was hired by WBAY-TV.
Before moving to Indianapolis, she spent two years covering the Green Bay Packers.
The reporter moonlighted as an IU Media School adjunct professor during her next role at CBS.
While in the fall of 2018 she noticed an opening at the Tampa Bay Rays while on a night out – and sent in an application.
Whitaker told SI: “I applied, and it took two months of auditioning and phone interviews and Skype interviews and in-person interviews, and finally they offered me the job.
“Here I am four years later, and I love it. This is the job I’ve always wanted, and I’m just really happy.”
She often posts snaps of her glamourous on-air outfits, with one fan replying to a recent pic: “Looking fabulous Tricia.”
Another gasped: “You look outstanding tonight. Go Ray’s God bless you and Ray’s team.”
While a third added: “She has the best job in the world!”
And a fourth commented: “Simply cute AF.”
In 2019, Whitaker broke her right foot after a freak accident during a Rays charity event.
Whitaker told her Instagram followers: “For once I’m reporting on my own injury news.
“I’ll be headed to the IL tomorrow with a fractured right foot.
