ST. PETERSBURG, FL. – The dog-and-pony show that took place at St. Petersburg’s Dali Museum in June 2019 was as surreal as the artwork that is displayed throughout the building.
Ditto the idea that was revealed that afternoon, that of the Rays splitting a season between St. Pete and Montreal, and with two new stadiums hosting the club. Yet, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred seemed to, at least to some degree and despite numerous logistical issues, embrace the idea. MLB, though, mercifully put an end to the split-city discussion.
Now, here we are two-and-a-half years after the museum presentation and, well, it’s back to where we were.
What has to be encouraging to Rays fans, though, is that Tampa city officials recently warmed to the idea of a stadium in Ybor City that would host half a baseball season, the Rowdies, and whatever else.
Perhaps now, maybe – maybe – some serious momentum will ensue between the Rays’ ownership group and the city of Tampa (not to take St. Pete out of play) to get something done and with a full season in mind. That appears to be the direction Mayor Jane Castor would now like to travel.
As for Rays owner Stuart Sternberg, in a statement issued by the team Thursday afternoon, he said, “Our goal is – and always has been – for the Rays to thrive here in Tampa Bay, today and in future generations.”
Now let’s see that goal come to fruition.
Various stadium plans have been revealed and shelved over the past decade or so. That includes a proposal for Ybor City that was shot down in late 2018, leading to the circus at the Dali Museum several months later.
As the previous Ybor City stadium plan did, any blueprint from here on out will have to include a venue that has a roof, preferably retractable. That means costs will run well in excess of the $700 million price tag that was floated with a venue that would host half a baseball season. (Ah, yes, how much will the city and the Rays be willing to dish out in turning blueprints into reality?)
One thing is for sure, and that is the grains of sand are ticking through the hourglass. The Rays’ lease at Tropicana Field expires after the 2027 season and, coupled with the fact construction of a stadium will likely take more than two years – groundbreaking for Marlins Park, for example, was July 2009 with the team taking the field in April 2012 – leaving not too much time to identify a direction with which to traverse and get shovels in the ground.
Because of that, perhaps a location for the Rays’ new home in the bay area, a full-season home, can soon be identified and developed. When that day arrives, maybe Sternberg and other team officials will have something far less head-scratching to talk about, and perhaps he will do so at the Tampa Bay History Center on the Tampa Riverwalk.
Surreal? We will find out.
Visit Tampafp.com for Politics, Tampa Area Local News, Sports, and National Headlines. Support journalism by clicking here to our GoFundMe or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. It’s Free And Coming To Apple Users Soon