With the Yankees readying to face the Rays for the primary time this season on Thursday, Aaron Boone was requested if he’ll miss something about Tropicana Subject because the two groups received’t play there this 12 months.
“The Trop?” the Yankees supervisor replied.
Boone then paused for a full 10 seconds. The silence — and an accompanying smirk — answered the query higher than phrases probably might, however he ultimately settled on a verbal response.
“Probably just the catwalks,” Boone stated, completely sarcastic.
By no means thought of one in every of MLB’s finest ballparks, Tropicana Subject suffered great injury from Hurricane Milton final October. The storm shredded the domed stadium’s roof to items, amongst different devastation.
Now that the solar is up, right here’s a 360-degree view of the injury Hurricane Milton brought about to Tropicana Subject’s roof and the within of the ballpark. Completely heartbreaking 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZCtPHv6rE9
What occurred to The Trop is undoubtedly tragic. Nonetheless, the unlucky state of affairs has not carried out something to assist the venue’s poor repute amongst huge leaguers.
“I feel like you’re playing in one of those hotel atriums,” Yankees hitting coach James Rowson stated. “It just doesn’t have a baseball feel to it.”
(Editor’s Be aware: The writer of this story may be very a lot a fan of The Trop, as are many different members of the media because of the ballpark’s wonderful working circumstances.)
Now the Yankees are about to be the street group in their very own constructing for 4 video games, as they leased their lately renovated spring coaching complicated, George M. Steinbrenner Subject, to the displaced Rays this season. Because the Bombers ready for the oddity, they’d a tough time discovering good issues to say about their division rival’s precise residence.
“Oh, um… I don’t know,” Anthony Volpe stated when requested the identical query Boone answered. “I mean, there’s no rain. It’s not hot.”
Aaron Decide additionally struggled with the inquiry.
“Tropicana?” he stated, failing to carry again laughter. “Well, I’m hoping [the Rays] still got all the staff they had there. All the workers there were great.”
Decide was then informed the query was about The Trop itself, not the beautiful individuals who have labored there. After some extra laughs, he echoed Volpe’s sentiments.
“No rain delays,” Decide stated. “I think that was nice, especially playing in Tampa. There were so many times where you’d hear the thunder and lightning and rain outside during the games.”
However then Decide thought for a second, and he remembered that his first huge league Opening Day happened at The Trop in 2017.
“So that kind of holds a special place in my heart,” stated Decide, who now resides within the space. “I don’t hate it. Tampa’s home, so it’s always fun playing back there.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr. shared an analogous reminiscence, recalling that he recorded his first hit at The Trop. Volpe additionally appreciated that The Trop was a part of his first two seasons within the majors, a stretch that had him taking psychological notes of each new ballpark and expertise.
“I don’t mind it,” he insisted.
That stated, the Yankees are comfortable to be taking part in at GMS the remainder of the week, even when their spring residence received’t look the identical as they left it.
We knew this was occurring, nevertheless it’s surreal to truly see it. pic.twitter.com/j0ro1dktqs
Whereas a statue of George Steinbrenner and pinstriped retired numbers nonetheless enhance the ballpark’s exterior, the Rays went to work instantly on the finish of spring coaching, changing Yankees signage — amongst different parts — with their very own. Yankee logos stay on the seats at GMS, however will probably be laborious to seek out different NY and high hat insignias inside.
“That part will probably be weird, them trying to act like it’s their facility and their home ballpark when that’s where we feel so comfortable,” Volpe stated. “I know that their whole staff and our staff helping out really wanted to make them feel like it was their home, and they obviously paid for it.”
“It’s gonna be real awkward,” Rowson added.
First of a number of images right now with the brand new #Rays look to Steinbrenner Subject: pic.twitter.com/Ng9hxAD5vQ
Because the street group, the Yankees should use the visiting clubhouse and dugout.
Volpe stated he heard the visiting clubhouse was “horrible” previous to latest renovations, however Decide got here away content material after a walkthrough of the rework this spring.
“I wanted to see what it was going to look like and what we were kind of getting into,” he stated. “It’s definitely not as nice as what the home side is, but it’s up to standard for what we need.”
Decide stated the “weirdest thing” might be establishing store within the visiting dugout. He stated he’ll must be conscious of not by chance wandering towards the Rays’ bench.
There’s no shot of that taking place in the case of the areas that home Steinbrenner Subject’s varied facilities on the house aspect, together with a state-of-the-art batting cage, a fully-equipped weight room, a coaching room, a cafeteria filled with scrumptious meals, whirlpools, and a gamers’ lounge. The Yankees marveled at these areas after they opened this spring, however they won’t be granted entry in the course of the four-game sequence.
Volpe stated that former Yankee and present Ray Ben Rortvedt has shared rave opinions of the lodging, noting that Tampa Bay gamers “love it” at GMS, the place utilities are extra superior than they have been at Tropicana Subject.
“If you don’t like those facilities,” Volpe stated, “there’s something wrong with you.”
However requested if the Yankees might be jealous that they will’t use these luxurious zones, Volpe urged issues may very well be worse.
“Nah,” he stated. “We’re used to The Trop.”
