Tampa Bay Stuck At The Dump For Eternity
So it was announced today by the Tampa Bay Rays owner, Stuart Sternberg, that the Rays will not be able finalize any deals for a new stadium in Ybor city by the end of the month deadline. This means that the Rays will be playing at Tropicana Field until at least 2024 and will likely remain there through the 2027 lease the Rays have at the Trop. 2027?! Can you imagine having to play at that place for 9 more yrs. I think I mentioned in the A’s blog about their potential new stadium about how they had one of the worst stadium in all 4 major sports. While that still holds true, it doesn’t compare to the shithole that the Tampa Bay Rays play in. Imagine playing baseball in one of the most tropical states in the US and playing a gloomy, lifeless dome. Zero sunlight in that dome, zero. Most stadiums are nice when they are brand new but I feel like Tropicana Field has been pathetic since it opened in 1990. I mean just look at this place. It’s amazing that Tropicana still wants their name attached to it anyway.
Photo Credit: USA Today
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It’s a real shame that the Tampa Bay Rays are in this situation because year in and year out they are one of the most overachieving teams in the league based on their payroll. This speaks high volumes to the coaches and scouts in the organization. They’ve actually been able to put out quality product and yet are still one of the lowest ranked teams in attendance, which I would contribute mostly to their stadium situation. I actually think that given the right location, baseball in the city of Tampa could thrive. Just look at the Tampa Bay Lightning for example, a hockey team in a nontraditional market that has sold out all 18 of their home games so far this year. The city loves the Lightning and might could one day love the Rays if given the chance. In the end, with no stadium deal on the horizon for nearly the next ten years, I suspect we will be seeing the Rays playing in a new city outside of the state of Florida. Give Montreal the team they deserve.