The Tampa Bay Rays are finally leaving Tropicana Field! However, owner Stuart Sternberg has made the stupid decision to build it almost on the same site as their current stadium. Worst of all, the new home field will be another dome and not a retractable roof. This is despite many people in the Tampa Bay area saying the location is the main reason why they don’t attend games. Since being in St. Petersburg, the Rays have finished at the bottom of the league when it comes to attendance despite having great teams. While the Rays are finally leaving Tropicana Field, all they’ve done is put lipstick on a pig.
A Good Team Playing at the Worst Stadium
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Tampa Bay Rays have been one of baseball’s most consistent franchises. Despite having one of the lowest payrolls in the league, Tampa has appeared in two World Series. They’ve also made the postseason the last five years in a row. Despite their on-field success, the Rays get very little support. They are ranked as one of the worst-attended teams in Major League Baseball. Their current home, Tropicana Field, has been ranked by many publications as one of the worst stadiums in baseball.
Finally Building a New Stadium but in the Wrong Location
The Rays have announced a new stadium deal for St. Petersburg. The new stadium is planned to be ready for Opening Day in 2028.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 19, 2023
via @RaysBaseball pic.twitter.com/rp90YZ5ztu
After many years of negotiations, the Rays finally got the approval and funding to build a new ballpark. The ballpark will also have an entertainment district surrounding it. However, instead of building in Tampa Bay, the organization is opting to stay in St. Petersburg. Not only are they staying put, but the Rays are building a domed stadium near the site of Tropicana Field. May I remind you that this is the same team that broke a century old record for the least amount of people to attend a postseason game. Despite all these problems, they are choosing to stay. This is the pure definition of insanity.
The Rays Are Building an Outdated Venue
Up to this point, Tropicana Field is the last domed Major League Baseball stadium. There is a reason that no MLB team builds domed stadiums anymore. Baseball is a sport that is meant to be played outside. To deal with the weather, teams have built retractable roofs. This guarantees a game while also providing a real baseball game experience. All the Rays essentially did was the equivalent of someone wearing out-of-style clothing.
The Marlins Still Struggle with Attendance despite Building a New Stadium
Embed from Getty ImagesIf the Rays need a cautionary tale, they just need to look at their neighbor in South Florida, the Miami Marlins. Like the Rays, Miami struggled with attendance despite winning two World Series when they played at what is now Hard Rock Stadium. Despite opening LoanDepot Field in 2012, the Marlins still struggle with attendance. Heck, they drew over one million total people for the first time since 2017 this season. Given the Rays decision to stay in St. Petersburg, the same issues could continue to affect Tampa despite building a new ballpark.
Nothing Will Change with the Team despite Building a New Home
While any new stadium being built is considered an upgrade over Tropicana Field, all the Rays did was put lipstick on an ugly pig. People cited the location is why they don’t go to games yet the team decided to stay in that exact same spot. Despite having a new stadium, Tampa will continue to have attendance problems, play mid-afternoon postseason games, field teams with low payrolls, and can’t retain their best players. This is all because of their baffling decision to stay in St. Petersburg. If the Rays built the stadium either in Tampa or somewhere else, they’d be better off. Unless they prove me wrong beginning in 2028, they’ll once again prove that the region doesn’t deserve a team.
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