Listening to Pat & Aaron this morning, they had Hillsborough county commissioner Ken Hagen on; he says they are meeting with the mayor this week to discuss finally bringing the Rays to Tampa/Hillsborough
The hurricane no doubt opened up the ability to pursue getting out of St. Pete. They had a number of places in Pinellas that they could have played but they made a deal with a division opponent. Why? Because it's Hillsborough County.
The DEAL that should NOW be happening is a NEW Stadium COMPLEX for both the Bucs and Rays at the AL Lopez TPA Site. The Rays and Bucs could share PARKING & The NEW Sports Village making the cost lower, and profits higher for more frequent uses. Both complexes be DOMED so to get more butts in seats on hot, humid days and get more events happening there, including it becoming an auxiliary location for the convention center The Historic Al Lopez site has had baseball there since the 1950s, its a CENTRAL Location with MANY KEY Roads ending or going near it; Dale, Suncoast, 275, the CCC & HF Bridges, etc. Its near the airport and its hotel district on westshore, and the New Midtown development. Those who did Midtown or Waterstreet need to work on that complex and that needs to be pushed! Hillsborough voters will be more inclined to support the Rays at that site, especially if the project is tied with the Bucs. That would have a higher starting cost, but working a single site would be more cost-effective, and again, sharing the same parking and amenities would lower costs for construction. These are the talks that are needed NOW. The Al Lopez Redevelopment Concept people have talked about is the BEST Solution for Tampa, and the teams, Bucs & Rays. It would be tragic if it didn't gain momentum. I'm sure once the Rays play there at the Yankee park, people will push for them to stay and build their new home either on the Yankees field itself, across the street or next door. That area is PRIMED for REDEVELOPMENT. Lets make that happen!
I am from Walldorf/GERMANY, I saw the RAYS at the Trop about a dozen times and in Toronto twice. Leaving Florida is NOT AN OPTION! Why? Because I am a DEVIL RAYS fan from the inaugural season, I am not kidding! I remember being in the Sarasota area for the first time in 2000 and asking where to buy tickets for the game, the person at the local office was surprised that the team still exists (no joke). Well that was years before reaching the World Series for the first time... TAMPA BAY - all the way!
This is wild! I’ve been coming to the trop since I was a kid. Starting falling in love with the Rays when I was 10. Now I’m 27. I really hope this battle comes to a great conclusive solution. I’d definitely would love them to stay where they are. Moving else where would be heartbreaking.
This isn’t an excuse, but the Rays team offices for the organization were actually located at the Trop on the 3rd & 4th floors facing the outside of the building. They were built to the buildings shell & thus had only drop ceilings in place, which were obviously not capable of withstanding the water after the roof was torn apart. Just wanted people to understand this when they say “what have the rays employees in the organization been doing.” Likely trying to figure out how to do their job after their offices were completely destroyed. (Check the pictures of the drop ceilings from after the hurricane and you’ll see how bad it is)
The rays should simply buying the yankees spring training facility. problem solved. they get into Tampa, there are no zoning issues. it will be cheaper than building a new stadium and all they'd have to do is slowly had 10 k more seats over time. 20 years from now they can just tear it down and build a 26 k stadium at the site. the yankees may do it because after 2 seasons at their stadium the stadium is going to have been heavily used. its already 30 years old. they can make great money selling it to the rays (500 million they paid 30 million to build it). They can pocket 400 million and just build a new facility for 100 million. baseball can also sweeten the deal for the yankees and give them an all star game over the next three years and maybe some other incentives.
Glad the deal is scrapped, $500 million from taxpayers for a team that doesn’t invest in its own players then turning around and raising their taxes to fund schools is unforgivable.
It's a male sword fight. Follow the money trail. Cheap owner vs corrupt politicians. Rip down the fairgrounds and build the stadium and make a walk way to the Hard Rock. Have Hard Rock be the main sponsor. They are printing money over there.
The state fair grounds aren't moving. The area by RayJay is already zoned and ready; Rays just need to make a deal with the Bucs and Yanks to build there by the airport which makes the most sense. Sadly your right the people who could make the choice are inept.
lol the world doesn’t operate in your fantasyland tho. When has Hard Rock ever expressed interest in this? Also they are probably legally barred from it considering gambling laws
Rays belong next to the Bucs were they're playing next year. The Bus, Rays, and Tampabay leadership need to stop being cheap, Demo the old stadiums and redevelop the Al Lopez TPA site into a modern sports complex for the Bucs and Rays, maybe keeping the Yanks. Bucs need a new stadium with a roof, and their lease is up soon. Everyone should be pushing for the best site option right now. Have a new Rays and Bucs stadium back to back or side to side off Dale by TPA. Make it the new Edition/Midtown site. As for St Pete: BEACHES OVER BASEBALL!
Since Pinellas County was already declared a federal disaster area, that would most certainly include Tropicana Field. It wouldn't take much for Pinellas County to inform the Rays that the Trop is getting torn down, with the likelihood that upwards of 75% of the teardown cost would be reimbursed by FEMA.
I think it would be very hard to root for a franchise that bailed on the city out of greed, yes the city or st.pete has it's issues with funding but Stu is a billionaire real-estate developer, he could figure out a way to build a stadium here if he really wanted to stay here. I think both sides are to blame but Stu is the one that has actively shopped around ideas of moving to places like montreal and once that deal fell through, he was all in on Tampa. Rooting for them after they went somewhere like Orlando or Nashville would be like texting your ex girlfriend everyday telling her how happy you are for her after she left you and got married to some rich dude.
Stu was responsible for cost overruns. Now Pinellas county has given him an out. This has to be one of the biggest political blunders we have ever seen. If they voted for the bonds we would be talking about how much more it has added to Stu's bottom line.
hes worth a couple of billion or more.however thats not all in cash.he is not going to spend every doller in his bank account for a 2 billion dollar stadium.maybe its time to think about charlotte or nashville.
@@raymondcoleman149 I understand how networth works but I'm pretty sure you don't have to pay it all upfront and if that's the case then get other investors involved and sell a percentage of the team if you can't afford a place for them to pay without a city paying for most of it. Nashville has the same problems with nowhere to put the stadium near downtown and I don't see charlette as a serious candidate either... Tampa is a top mlb tv market... they aren't going to waste that on a chance that Charlotte or Nash will build a fanbase especially when everyone I know from around there re already Braves fans
Logically one would think after what happened with the A's in Oakland just this past season, all the parties involved would find a way to get this hashed out and keep the Rays in the area. But unfortunately we are dealing with big money, politics, and massive egos. So all bets are off. All we can do is hope/pray.
@ I hope they do work it out, I love the team. I love the area. But this situation has been divisive to say the least. They need to come together either Tampa or St.Pete.
Why would the Rays stay in Tampa Bay. Fan attendance is one of the lowest in MLB. Other cities will give them a new stadium and probably better attendance. It’s just how it’s done. As a resident, Rays fan and outside observer i don’t see the Rays staying in the area. If we seriously wanted the Rays to stay in the area, we would have used the hurricane as an excuse to accelerate the build of a new stadium.
Fan attendance is low in St Pete. Nobody likes going to St Pete. The Rays have some of the best local TV ratings in baseball, but NOBODY in Tampa city/ Hillsborough Co goes to St Pete
@@johnxusmc1I agree. We will see this year. When they play in Tampa. I know it’s a small venue but it will probably sell out most games even with the weather.
I like the question on the podcast as I've been thinking about my future as a Rays fan. I don't think I could be a Rays fan if Stu is still owner of the team, the deal falls apart, and some of the worst accusations of this being self-sabotage emerge. Hypocritically and selfishly, I'd love for them to move to Tampa since I have family in Polk County still (or San Antonio since I'm in South Texas now), but I still wouldn't feel great about giving money to Stu.
i was a baltimore colts fan i was 15 when they left for indy.i never rooted for them again.in fact i rooted against them.i stopped watching football until the ravens moved to baltimore.and it took me about 3 years to become a real fan of football again.
The state of Maryland was totally at fault. The state house was going to pass a bill allowing them to steal the Colts from Irsay by eminent domain. Irsay had no choice but to escape the gulag before those crooks could pull the heist.
If they move to Tampa 🙏. Drop the bay from their name. The Pinellas County Commission did all of this because they found a viable option in TAMPA for 2025.
They got rid of a guy who was in the dog house several times during the season. Excellent defensive player with bad fundamentals.Missing cutoff man on many occasions Pimping Homer's and over emotional with bad at bats. Lots of strikeouts on away breaking balls. He is strictly a guess hitter. Never utilized his speed on the bases. I think we all have worked with guys like him. He is a likeable guy. But the emotional roller-coaster day to day gets old. Probably better to get him away from the younger players. Cash is sick of baby sitting after Wanders clubhouse issues. Hope Siri can mature and wish him the best with the Mets.
Orlando + Rays = AWESOME PERFECTION!!! Tampa/St Pete do not deserve the Rays or MLB. The Rays & MLB will thrive in Orlando! The Orlando Rays or the Orlando Dreamers!!!
Following the "franchise?" Hell, no. When the Expos left Montréal, they're not the Expos, just a business franchise. If the name was retained? Easier, but still no. I found another team, but I sat out 15 seasons in between.
Are you going to believe Latava. He never wanted the deal. On his Facebook he sent out a message saying “ someone needs to tell the Rays 2 hurricanes came through the area “. He first is stating it’s the hurricanes and now lack of communication. They also sent out statements about how disappointing it was the Rays chose George Steinbrenner field.
Not many other cities out there with an mlb type stadium waiting for a team. just go to montreal and test that market bud killed off once again. Could remain in al east and have nearby rival in jays.
The stadium in Montreal is being renovated for uses other than baseball. Even if they changed course to renovate it for MLB, you’re still dealing with an old stadium. So, your stuck with the same problem- need to have a place to play.
@PWdogdad the stadium is already setup for mlb baseball. Spring training games have been played in there since 2014. They didn't in 2020-22 though because of covid but they returned in 2023. 2024 and 2025 they won't be any games because of roof renovations costing $896M. If you really wanted a stadium in your city for something other than a major sports team, why spend that much? Why not build a new stadium for less? It's an interesting investment for a stadium that doesn't host any major sports team. It's even a interesting investment for 2-3 spring training games per year which is planned to continue games in 2026. Also it's the best place for any team to relocate to because you're not encroaching on anyone's territory. The entire french market of Quebec is completely untapped and Montreal is the 6th largest market in North America. Also consider Olympic Stadium has a mlb office and local staff working within to maintain the field. They've been told they're there specifically to prepare for the relocation of an east coast team. Also consider the proximity of Montreal to New York and Boston. The AL East has always felt New York, Boston, and Baltimore are within proximity, and then Toronto a little farther across the border. Then there's Tampa Bay which is way south in Florida that feels like the anomaly. An AL East team in Montreal would be ideal. If the Rays move to Montreal, all the teams are then close to each other without territorial disputes. Yankees fans and Red Sox fans would definitely make the 2.5 hr drive to Montreal to see their team play. Then there's Toronto and the rivalry that would create. The marketability would be lucrative. Stu sees this. He has always seen this. This is why he wanted the sister-city plan with Montreal a couple years back. Montreal is a low hanging fruit. Stu was looking for an excuse to get out of the Tampa Bay deal and the hurricane gave him one. Do you really think that if the renovations to Olympic Stadium weren't scheduled to continue through 2025 that the Rays wouldn't be there for next year? What I think is that the Rays will play out the year at Stienbrenner Field and then announce at the end of the season that for 2026 and beyond, they will be moving to Montreal. The writing is absolutely on the wall
@PWdogdad but yes, I do agree. Olympic Stadium is old. But I do think there would be a new deal in place eventually for a new stadium. Olympic Stadium is the best MLB ready option that exists right now
Listening to Pat & Aaron this morning, they had Hillsborough county commissioner Ken Hagen on; he says they are meeting with the mayor this week to discuss finally bringing the Rays to Tampa/Hillsborough
won't get excited about that until shovels are on the ground---been there too many times.
The hurricane no doubt opened up the ability to pursue getting out of St. Pete. They had a number of places in Pinellas that they could have played but they made a deal with a division opponent. Why? Because it's Hillsborough County.
Maybe the Rays, MLB, and anyone with half a brain will see this as an opportunity to re-explore building the new ballpark in Hillsborough County
Yes! Totally agree. MLB fans in Hillsborough have seen this for years.
The DEAL that should NOW be happening is a NEW Stadium COMPLEX for both the Bucs and Rays at the AL Lopez TPA Site.
The Rays and Bucs could share PARKING & The NEW Sports Village making the cost lower, and profits higher for more frequent uses.
Both complexes be DOMED so to get more butts in seats on hot, humid days and get more events happening there, including it becoming an auxiliary location for the convention center
The Historic Al Lopez site has had baseball there since the 1950s, its a CENTRAL Location with MANY KEY Roads ending or going near it; Dale, Suncoast, 275, the CCC & HF Bridges, etc.
Its near the airport and its hotel district on westshore, and the New Midtown development. Those who did Midtown or Waterstreet need to work on that complex and that needs to be pushed! Hillsborough voters will be more inclined to support the Rays at that site, especially if the project is tied with the Bucs. That would have a higher starting cost, but working a single site would be more cost-effective, and again, sharing the same parking and amenities would lower costs for construction. These are the talks that are needed NOW. The Al Lopez Redevelopment Concept people have talked about is the BEST Solution for Tampa, and the teams, Bucs & Rays. It would be tragic if it didn't gain momentum. I'm sure once the Rays play there at the Yankee park, people will push for them to stay and build their new home either on the Yankees field itself, across the street or next door. That area is PRIMED for REDEVELOPMENT. Lets make that happen!
I am from Walldorf/GERMANY, I saw the RAYS at the Trop about a dozen times and in Toronto twice. Leaving Florida is NOT AN OPTION! Why? Because I am a DEVIL RAYS fan from the inaugural season, I am not kidding!
I remember being in the Sarasota area for the first time in 2000 and asking where to buy tickets for the game, the person at the local office was surprised that the team still exists (no joke). Well that was years before reaching the World Series for the first time...
TAMPA BAY - all the way!
This is wild! I’ve been coming to the trop since I was a kid. Starting falling in love with the Rays when I was 10. Now I’m 27. I really hope this battle comes to a great conclusive solution. I’d definitely would love them to stay where they are. Moving else where would be heartbreaking.
This isn’t an excuse, but the Rays team offices for the organization were actually located at the Trop on the 3rd & 4th floors facing the outside of the building. They were built to the buildings shell & thus had only drop ceilings in place, which were obviously not capable of withstanding the water after the roof was torn apart. Just wanted people to understand this when they say “what have the rays employees in the organization been doing.” Likely trying to figure out how to do their job after their offices were completely destroyed. (Check the pictures of the drop ceilings from after the hurricane and you’ll see how bad it is)
Thank you, that's a great comment!
The rays should simply buying the yankees spring training facility. problem solved. they get into Tampa, there are no zoning issues. it will be cheaper than building a new stadium and all they'd have to do is slowly had 10 k more seats over time. 20 years from now they can just tear it down and build a 26 k stadium at the site. the yankees may do it because after 2 seasons at their stadium the stadium is going to have been heavily used. its already 30 years old. they can make great money selling it to the rays (500 million they paid 30 million to build it). They can pocket 400 million and just build a new facility for 100 million. baseball can also sweeten the deal for the yankees and give them an all star game over the next three years and maybe some other incentives.
Glad the deal is scrapped, $500 million from taxpayers for a team that doesn’t invest in its own players then turning around and raising their taxes to fund schools is unforgivable.
It's a male sword fight. Follow the money trail. Cheap owner vs corrupt politicians. Rip down the fairgrounds and build the stadium and make a walk way to the Hard Rock. Have Hard Rock be the main sponsor. They are printing money over there.
Nope. Makes too much sense.
The state fair grounds aren't moving. The area by RayJay is already zoned and ready; Rays just need to make a deal with the Bucs and Yanks to build there by the airport which makes the most sense. Sadly your right the people who could make the choice are inept.
lol the world doesn’t operate in your fantasyland tho. When has Hard Rock ever expressed interest in this? Also they are probably legally barred from it considering gambling laws
Rays belong next to the Bucs were they're playing next year. The Bus, Rays, and Tampabay leadership need to stop being cheap, Demo the old stadiums and redevelop the Al Lopez TPA site into a modern sports complex for the Bucs and Rays, maybe keeping the Yanks. Bucs need a new stadium with a roof, and their lease is up soon. Everyone should be pushing for the best site option right now. Have a new Rays and Bucs stadium back to back or side to side off Dale by TPA. Make it the new Edition/Midtown site. As for St Pete: BEACHES OVER BASEBALL!
Since Pinellas County was already declared a federal disaster area, that would most certainly include Tropicana Field. It wouldn't take much for Pinellas County to inform the Rays that the Trop is getting torn down, with the likelihood that upwards of 75% of the teardown cost would be reimbursed by FEMA.
If the Rays go, I don’t think it would be wise to tear down the Trop. Still many events that happen (concerts, monster jam, etc.)
I think it would be very hard to root for a franchise that bailed on the city out of greed, yes the city or st.pete has it's issues with funding but Stu is a billionaire real-estate developer, he could figure out a way to build a stadium here if he really wanted to stay here. I think both sides are to blame but Stu is the one that has actively shopped around ideas of moving to places like montreal and once that deal fell through, he was all in on Tampa. Rooting for them after they went somewhere like Orlando or Nashville would be like texting your ex girlfriend everyday telling her how happy you are for her after she left you and got married to some rich dude.
Stu was responsible for cost overruns. Now Pinellas county has given him an out. This has to be one of the biggest political blunders we have ever seen. If they voted for the bonds we would be talking about how much more it has added to Stu's bottom line.
@@jonathanjohns6829 yep not to mention the money Stu has already invested in the project
hes worth a couple of billion or more.however thats not all in cash.he is not going to spend every doller in his bank account for a 2 billion dollar stadium.maybe its time to think about charlotte or nashville.
@@raymondcoleman149 I understand how networth works but I'm pretty sure you don't have to pay it all upfront and if that's the case then get other investors involved and sell a percentage of the team if you can't afford a place for them to pay without a city paying for most of it. Nashville has the same problems with nowhere to put the stadium near downtown and I don't see charlette as a serious candidate either... Tampa is a top mlb tv market... they aren't going to waste that on a chance that Charlotte or Nash will build a fanbase especially when everyone I know from around there re already Braves fans
Breaking news: Jose Siri traded to the New York Mets for Pitcher Eric Orze.
As a result, Rays fans are now asking Siri to tell us about Eric Orze.😆🤣
I want to be optimistic the rays will figure it out! Tampa or St.pete
Logically one would think after what happened with the A's in Oakland just this past season, all the parties involved would find a way to get this hashed out and keep the Rays in the area. But unfortunately we are dealing with big money, politics, and massive egos. So all bets are off. All we can do is hope/pray.
@ I hope they do work it out, I love the team. I love the area. But this situation has been divisive to say the least. They need to come together either Tampa or St.Pete.
Just put them in Orlando. They have the money, the location and the desire.
Yes that is where they should be. They will have great crowds there.
Why would the Rays stay in Tampa Bay. Fan attendance is one of the lowest in MLB. Other cities will give them a new stadium and probably better attendance. It’s just how it’s done. As a resident, Rays fan and outside observer i don’t see the Rays staying in the area. If we seriously wanted the Rays to stay in the area, we would have used the hurricane as an excuse to accelerate the build of a new stadium.
Fan attendance is low in St Pete. Nobody likes going to St Pete. The Rays have some of the best local TV ratings in baseball, but NOBODY in Tampa city/ Hillsborough Co goes to St Pete
@@johnxusmc1I agree. We will see this year. When they play in Tampa. I know it’s a small venue but it will probably sell out most games even with the weather.
I like the question on the podcast as I've been thinking about my future as a Rays fan. I don't think I could be a Rays fan if Stu is still owner of the team, the deal falls apart, and some of the worst accusations of this being self-sabotage emerge. Hypocritically and selfishly, I'd love for them to move to Tampa since I have family in Polk County still (or San Antonio since I'm in South Texas now), but I still wouldn't feel great about giving money to Stu.
i was a baltimore colts fan i was 15 when they left for indy.i never rooted for them again.in fact i rooted against them.i stopped watching football until the ravens moved to baltimore.and it took me about 3 years to become a real fan of football again.
The state of Maryland was totally at fault. The state house was going to pass a bill allowing them to steal the Colts from Irsay by eminent domain. Irsay had no choice but to escape the gulag before those crooks could pull the heist.
I'm from Baton Rouge,Louisiana but I've been a Tampa Bay Rays fan since 2008,I'm not rooting for Nashville or Montreal or whoever.
They are done in Tampa.
If they move to Tampa 🙏. Drop the bay from their name. The Pinellas County Commission did all of this because they found a viable option in TAMPA for 2025.
Locked on Nashville / Montreal
Soon 🔜 😂🥃🔥
The city of Montreal will not spend a dime on helping to build a new ballpark.
A stadium in Pinellas county is NOT viable. A stadium if built, must be on the east side of the bay.
They traded Siri to the Mets and got nothing in return. All because arbitration would increase his salary and the Rays are too stingy to pay the man.
He had a .187 batting average. Do you expect a top prospect or all star
They got rid of a guy who was in the dog house several times during the season. Excellent defensive player with bad fundamentals.Missing cutoff man on many occasions Pimping Homer's and over emotional with bad at bats. Lots of strikeouts on away breaking balls. He is strictly a guess hitter. Never utilized his speed on the bases. I think we all have worked with guys like him. He is a likeable guy. But the emotional roller-coaster day to day gets old. Probably better to get him away from the younger players. Cash is sick of baby sitting after Wanders clubhouse issues. Hope Siri can mature and wish him the best with the Mets.
St. Pete will be underwater in 30 years
Orlando + Rays = AWESOME PERFECTION!!! Tampa/St Pete do not deserve the Rays or MLB. The Rays & MLB will thrive in Orlando!
The Orlando Rays or the Orlando Dreamers!!!
Following the "franchise?" Hell, no. When the Expos left Montréal, they're not the Expos, just a business franchise. If the name was retained? Easier, but still no. I found another team, but I sat out 15 seasons in between.
Are you going to believe Latava. He never wanted the deal. On his Facebook he sent out a message saying “ someone needs to tell the Rays 2 hurricanes came through the area “. He first is stating it’s the hurricanes and now lack of communication. They also sent out statements about how disappointing it was the Rays chose George Steinbrenner field.
Not many other cities out there with an mlb type stadium waiting for a team. just go to montreal and test that market bud killed off once again. Could remain in al east and have nearby rival in jays.
Montreal. The writing has been on the wall for a while
The stadium in Montreal is being renovated for uses other than baseball. Even if they changed course to renovate it for MLB, you’re still dealing with an old stadium. So, your stuck with the same problem- need to have a place to play.
@PWdogdad the stadium is already setup for mlb baseball. Spring training games have been played in there since 2014. They didn't in 2020-22 though because of covid but they returned in 2023. 2024 and 2025 they won't be any games because of roof renovations costing $896M. If you really wanted a stadium in your city for something other than a major sports team, why spend that much? Why not build a new stadium for less? It's an interesting investment for a stadium that doesn't host any major sports team. It's even a interesting investment for 2-3 spring training games per year which is planned to continue games in 2026.
Also it's the best place for any team to relocate to because you're not encroaching on anyone's territory. The entire french market of Quebec is completely untapped and Montreal is the 6th largest market in North America. Also consider Olympic Stadium has a mlb office and local staff working within to maintain the field. They've been told they're there specifically to prepare for the relocation of an east coast team.
Also consider the proximity of Montreal to New York and Boston. The AL East has always felt New York, Boston, and Baltimore are within proximity, and then Toronto a little farther across the border. Then there's Tampa Bay which is way south in Florida that feels like the anomaly. An AL East team in Montreal would be ideal. If the Rays move to Montreal, all the teams are then close to each other without territorial disputes. Yankees fans and Red Sox fans would definitely make the 2.5 hr drive to Montreal to see their team play. Then there's Toronto and the rivalry that would create. The marketability would be lucrative.
Stu sees this. He has always seen this. This is why he wanted the sister-city plan with Montreal a couple years back. Montreal is a low hanging fruit. Stu was looking for an excuse to get out of the Tampa Bay deal and the hurricane gave him one. Do you really think that if the renovations to Olympic Stadium weren't scheduled to continue through 2025 that the Rays wouldn't be there for next year? What I think is that the Rays will play out the year at Stienbrenner Field and then announce at the end of the season that for 2026 and beyond, they will be moving to Montreal. The writing is absolutely on the wall
@PWdogdad but yes, I do agree. Olympic Stadium is old. But I do think there would be a new deal in place eventually for a new stadium. Olympic Stadium is the best MLB ready option that exists right now