Rays Begin Season at Steinbrenner Field

The Tampa Bay Rays began their 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field due to hurricane damage at Tropicana Field, hosting the Colorado Rockies in front of a sold-out crowd of over 11,000 fans. This move to the Yankees' spring training facility marks a temporary relocation for the Rays, who are expected to return to their home stadium in 2026, although the team's future in the region remains uncertain after pulling out of a new stadium deal. Opening Day featured highlights such as Kameron Misner's walk-off home run, showcasing the Rays' resilience. Fans and team management are adjusting to the smaller venue and outdoor conditions, which present unique challenges for the season. Despite challenges, the Rays aim to leverage strong pitching to succeed in the competitive AL East. The team plans to make the temporary stadium their own, despite its Yankees iconography, and hope for strong fan support to create a homefield atmosphere.