Whatever they choose, it's a lost cause. About a month ago, the Trop's roof was shredded by Hurricane Milton, and the field cannot be used without a dome, as it has no drainage.
So, the public either shells out $57 million to rebuild a much despised ballpark, slated to be razed two years from now, or the hate-filled Rays become MLB's second floater team - along with the Oakland/Las Vegas A's. If you're scoring at home, that's a huge blinking sign that, no matter how much money the billionaire owner class has accumulated, the sport of baseball is rancid at its core.
Seriously, does anybody believe the cities of Tampa/St. Pete have no better needs for $57 million in public funding?
So, it's a done deal that the hateful Rays must find a place to play in 2025. Local poohbahs want them to stay in the area: they've suggested BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, home of the Threshers, the single-A Phillies.
That's stupid.
George M. Steinbrenner field - a 31 acre complex in central Tampa - is exactly what the Rays need, and every other proposed solution looks ridiculous, by comparison. If ever there was a reason for two MLB contoured ballparks to coexist in one urban area, this is it:
Hal Steinbrenner should step up and offer his father's namesake field to the cities of Tampa/St. Pete, and move the Yankee training facilities, as necessary, to other parts of the country. MLB should help finance this transition, or compensate the Yankees in some other way - a draft pick? international signing pool money? I dunno, Mallo Cup Coupons?
I'm not suggesting the Yankees hold anything for ransom. Yes, the Rays are a bleak, rage-filled, criminal enterprise, turned angrier each passing year. But for once, the Yankees should do the right thing.
Give the Rays a two-year home. Let the people of Tampa off the hook. It won't save us Juan Soto, or much of anything, over the next two years. But it's time to step up.
Let them eat cake.
ReplyDeleteWho needs a roof anyway. Such a spoiled lot!
ReplyDeleteHear, hear, Duque! Great idea. Of course, if MLB were run by decent people, it would announce they are shelling out the money to help the Rays ensure the new—miniaturized, all-luxury—park is done in one year, not two. But no can do, I'm sure—or no will do.
ReplyDeleteThe Rays are a bleak, rage-filled, criminal enterprise, turned angrier each passing year? Sounds like OUR* kind of people.
ReplyDeleteED, you're suggesting Hal Stainbrenner do something good and noble?
ReplyDeleteHe must be high on something someone said.
Montreal.
ReplyDeleteVery noble Mr. Duque.
ReplyDeletePublius: Montreal is a good choice. There's also a stadium in Oakland that's not being used.
Add a cheap upgrade and be done with it-
ReplyDeletehttps://www.mlb.com/rays/spring-training/ballpark
el duque: Do you have a link describing the "criminal enterprise"? LOL
ReplyDeleteMontreal gets my vote. In fact, move the franchise there permanently. I wouldn't give those clowns anything.
ReplyDeleteCan they rechristen the Montreal stadium Tropicana Park?
Great and logical idea. But do the rich, white guys in suits ever "do the right thing?" Do they ever show compassion and generosity? Hard to do if your personality is at the core sociopathic. Might Hal make this gesture if the league forced Soto to stay with the pinstripes?
ReplyDelete