The Tampa Bay Rays, who despite having zero fan base, even less of a budget, and playing in a ballpark (Tropicana Field) that makes the much-maligned Oakland Coliseum seem like the field of dreams, have over recent years managed to piece together an on-field product that has seldom been less than competitive. When your divisional competition includes the New York Yankees, whose clubhouse snacks budget dwarfs the Rays’ entire payroll, that’s saying something.
The Rays didn’t make the postseason this year, which, given recent events, is arguably for the best. When Hurricane Milton came through the Tampa/St. Petersburg area on October 9, 2024, it shredded Tropicana Field’s roof. It may have done even more damage than that.
To our Rays family, fans and the entire Tampa Bay community. 💙 pic.twitter.com/X9fwjZdcRX
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 10, 2024
Although not…