If Rays owner Stuart Sternberg decides Tampa Bay can never support Major League Baseball, he reportedly has a new home in mind: Montreal. (more…)
Tag Archives | tropicana field
Rays shift new-ballpark duties after Friedman departure
With Andrew Friedman departing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a restructuring of the Tampa Bay Rays front office has incoming president Brian Auld in charge of new-ballpark talks. (more…)
Time running out on key Rays funding component
With talks between St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Rays over a new ballpark dragging, a key part of any funding plan — bed taxes — is under siege by other county groups. The Pinellas County bed tax generates some $6 million a year to pay off Tropicana Field bonds. These bonds are scheduled to […]
New year, new day for new Rays ballpark?
With Rick Kriseman taking over the mayoral reins in St. Petersburg, many are expecting some sort of resolution to the Tampa Bay Rays ballpark situation — whether in St. Pete or Tampa. Outgoing Mayor Bill Foster isn’t leaving behind a very strong legacy, criticized as being indecisive and inflexible on big issues, including the future […]
Could MLB really return to Montreal sooner than later?
Many baseball insiders assume MLB will return to Montreal, but some — like agent Scott Boras — are pushing for an earlier return if the Tampa Bay Rays cannot solve their ballpark issues. Boras was pretty clear about Montreal serving as a better home to the Rays, as reported by Paul Sullivan of the Chicago […]
Rays unveil 2014 Tropicana Field upgrades
As promised, the Tampa Bay Rays unveiled some serious 2014 upgrades to Tropicana Field today, featuring 360-degree fan access and a new open center-field patio. The 360-degree pedestrian circulation will around the lower seating bowl at Tropicana Field. The improved circulation will provide easier access to and from ballpark gates, concessions and activity areas throughout […]
Final days of Metrodome, Candlestick Park at hand
Two former Major League Baseball venues have dates with the wrecking ball early next year, as the Metrodome and Candlestick Park are set to come down after the 2013 NFL season. The San Francisco Giants played at Candlestick Park between 1960 and 2000. It was originally built for baseball, with a nice open design. It […]
Rays to unveil Tropicana Field upgrades
The Tampa Bay Rays are unveiling several 2014 improvements to Tropicana Field today, including a 360-degree concourse and an open area in center field. From ABC Action News: According to details learned by ABC Action News, the Rays plans involve a path allowing fans to walk around the entire stadium without having to go through […]
Foster: MLB looking for reason to flee Tampa Bay
Not only do MLB owners want to see the Tampa Bay Rays leave Tropicana Field, they want to see the team leave Tampa Bay completely, according to outgoing St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster. As mayor, Foster led a dogged fight to ensure the Rays play out their entire lease at Tropicana Field, which runs through […]
Selig: I’ll let Rays ballpark talks unfold on their own
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig won’t participate in any Tampa Bay Rays ballpark talks at this time, saying new Mayor Rick Kriseman and Stuart Sternberg will take the lead. Kriseman, who defeated incumbent Bill Foster earlier this month in the St. Petersburg mayoral race, is considered to be more open-minded about a move of the Rays […]
Selig: No updates on Rays ballpark situation
There’s been no progress on a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark this fall, but MLB Commissioner Bud Selig says he plans to address the issue after the World Series. Earlier this year it appeared St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster was softening his stance that the Rays completely play out their lease at Tropicana Field. But […]
PETA revives call to close down stingray touch tank at the Trop
With another home run hit in the stingray touch tank past the outfield wall at Tropicana Field, PETA is calling on the Tampa Bay Rays to shut down the fan attraction. It’s not a new plea: PETA contacted the Rays about shutting down the tank earlier this year. Since it opened, three batters have managed […]
Rays: We won’t buy out Trop lease on St. Pete’s terms
No wonder talks over the future of the Tampa Bay Rays stalled: St. Pete officials say the team refuses to pay anything toward retirement of debt or a future demolition of Tropicana Field. Now, it’s defensible that the Rays pass on paying to demolish the Trop down the road: that’s the responsibility of the owner […]