Arrr! The Tropicana roof be fixin’ up by the Rays' 2026 season, but they’ll need a new ship for 2025!
2024-11-12
Arrr, me hearties! Hurricane Milton be givin' Tropicana Field a right good thrashin' last month! But fear not, this ancient ship o' a stadium be still standin' strong, like a hearty old sea dog, despite the roof lookin' like a tattered sail! Avast!
Arrr matey! Gather ye round fer a tale of misfortune that befell the fair land of Florida when the tempest known as Hurricane Milton struck in October. Troppin’ 'round Tropicana Field, the hallowed ground of the Tampa Bay Rays, the storm did wreak havoc aplenty, leavin’ naught but a battered roof and a ruckus in its wake!Though the grand dome’s bones be intact, it seems the roof be in dire need of replacement, costin’ a pretty sum of 55.7 million doubloons, sayeth the report delivered to the council. Eighteen of the ballpark's 24 fabric panels found their way to Davy Jones’ locker, and rainwater took its toll on the innards. The stadium, born in the year of our Lord, 1990, hath served the Rays since they first set sail in '98.
With dreams of a shiny new $1.3 billion stadium on the horizon, the council be ponderin’ their priorities whilst plunderin’ for coins to fix the current one! Our brave Mayor Welch be hopin’ the insurance and FEMA gold will cover the bulk of the expenses, but with a $22 million deductible, it looks like the taxpayers may be diggin’ deep into their treasure chests!
So, as the Rays seek a new home for their battles next season, let’s raise a mug to the spirit of baseball and the pirates of fiscal responsibility, arrgh!