TAMPA — Because the Yankees ready for his or her first street sport at George M. Steinbrenner Subject on Thursday, their tenants appeared greater than cozy.
Gone have been all of the Yankees logos that when crammed the house clubhouse. That was to be anticipated with the Rays transferring on this season after Hurricane Milton destroyed Tropicana Subject, however the displaced membership already appeared proper at residence with varied creature comforts filling the room.
In the midst of the clubhouse ground sat a placing inexperienced. A close-by column held a dartboard, courtesy of Zack Littell. Three fishing poles hung between Littell and Shane McClanahan’s locker, whereas a charcoal caricature portrait of Yandy Díaz dangled from his stall. Shane Baz’s locker, in the meantime, featured an Iron Man Funko determine and baggage upon baggage of sweet.
His obvious candy tooth unhappy, Baz additionally had a “Candy Suggestion Box,” accompanied by an indication that learn, “I work for tips.”
“We knew we’d have this big open area to make the space our own,” Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe stated earlier than a 6-3 loss. “This is where we are for 81 games, and we’re going to figure out how to make it enjoyable.”
Whereas private objects are at all times good to have, having fun with the services at GMS was by no means going to be an issue for the Rays, who didn’t precisely play in baseball’s most beloved, up-to-date ballpark earlier than this.
Again in spring coaching, GMS debuted thousands and thousands of {dollars}’ value of renovations, together with a fully-equipped weight room, a coaching room filled with therapeutic massage tables and whirlpools, a cafeteria with scrumptious meals, and a gamers’ lounge. The Yankees made essentially the most of those areas in spring coaching, however they’re off-limits to the Bombers and different guests this season.
As a substitute, the Rays have the realm all to themselves.
“They did an amazing job renovating this spot, and everything’s essentially brand new. So we got pretty lucky in that regard,” Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger stated. “They did a great job with this place. It’s gorgeous.”
“It’s the nicest spring training facility I’ve been to,” added Rays catcher Ben Rortvedt, who performed for the Yankees earlier than the newest transforming.
Rortvedt stated he’s made explicit use of the tubs, whereas a number of Rays highlighted the burden room as Steinbrenner Subject’s finest amenity.
Starter Drew Rasmussen, nonetheless, appreciates how a lot pure gentle there’s behind the scenes. He referred to as it “a nice change of pace,” because the domed Tropicana Subject didn’t supply many views of the skin world.
Rortvedt, not enjoying in a stadium with a on line casino impact, agreed.
“We can actually look outside and see what time it is,” the backstop stated.
A number of Rays are additionally in love with the cafeteria, which was serving made-to-order meals and each day specials throughout Yankees spring coaching. The massive eating corridor, in addition to the burden room, overlooks one of many aspect fields at GMS and has indoor and out of doors seating.
“What they did with the cafeteria is awesome,” Rasmussen stated. “It’s kind of got a cafe vibe to it, which is pretty cool. A little bit different than The Trop, where you were just kind of closed in on four sides.”
Whereas some may argue GMS is extra luxurious than The Trop ever was, the Rays nonetheless know they’re not at an enormous league ballpark.
Lowe famous that the sight of aspect fields function a each day reminder that GMS continues to be a spring coaching complicated, and the dearth of an higher deck and restricted outfield seating hammers the purpose residence.
“It is different, and it is strange,” Lowe stated.
Different Rays missed their longtime residence, even when they’re loving their short-term one.
“The Trop holds a special place in a lot of our hearts,” Cleavinger stated, although the Rays are actually appreciative of how issues turned out given the unlucky circumstances.
Rortvedt used the phrases “extremely grateful,” whereas third baseman Junior Caminero stated, “We are blessed to be here.”
“We thank the Yankees for giving us the opportunity to be able to be here this year,” Caminero added. “This is a great facility.”
Rasmussen used related language, although he additionally made it some extent to say GMS doesn’t belong to their division rival anymore. At the very least not till subsequent spring.
“We are grateful and thankful to them, which is a funny thing to say, for allowing us to use the facility,” Rasmussen stated. “But in addition, so far as this common season goes, that is our residence, not theirs. They’ve the chance, in fact, to make use of it each spring, and it’s acquired Steinbrenner written on the stadium itself.
“But they’ve given us permission to call this home, and that’s what we’re doing.”
