Granddaughter surprises 94-year-old with World Series trip

Sarah Bolin flew into Palmetto this week without notice. Her goal was to take her 94-year-old grandmother, Audrey Mahoney, to Game 3 of the World Series. The pair has followed the Tampa Bay Rays since the team began play in 1998. Bolin organized the trip after the Rays clinched their playoff berth.

Mahoney and Bolin shared a routine of watching games together at Tropicana Field while Bolin was growing up. That habit changed when Bolin's husband joined the Army. The family moved to domestic and overseas posts, making in-person attendance rare. The two now track the team through long-distance phone calls and text messages. Mahoney watches every pitch from a distance, according to family accounts.

“We text back and forth when something goes on,” Mahoney said. “When Diaz gets up and hits a home run or when a pitcher just doesn’t do his job.” Bolin tried to prepare Mahoney for the trip by mentioning the World Series six times after the Rays secured their spot. Mahoney interpreted those comments as statements about the team's standing, not an invitation to attend in person.

“Sarah was telling me we are going to the World Series,” Mahoney said. “She was so positive about it.” The surprise occurred when Bolin arrived at Mahoney's home unannounced. Bolin had lived away from Pinellas County for five years. Mahoney was unaware of the visit until Bolin appeared in her doorway.

Bolin presented Mahoney with a Rays jersey. She told Mahoney that she would wear it to the game on Monday night. Mahoney reacted with visible emotion. “You are not serious,” Mahoney said with tears in her eyes. The two will sit in Section 124 along the third-base line. They plan to watch roughly 40,000 fans fill the stands for the matchup.

The trip connects Mahoney to her own family history. Her mother attended a World Series in Cincinnati in 1940. Mahoney noted that she gets to experience a similar moment now. “It’s just beyond words,” Mahoney said. Bolin described the season as a mix of highs and lows for the family. She said the experience would be memorable for both of them. The pair will watch current players like Taylor Walls and Chandler Simpson while remembering franchise stars such as Kevin Kiermaier and Evan Longoria.