- Completed full rebrand of 11,000-seat stadium in 120 hours
- Over 3,000 Yankees logos replaced with Rays imagery
- Players discover hidden MLB star remnants in redesigned clubhouse
- Tampa Bay's first full-season outdoor home since 2008
When Hurricane Milton's 130-mph winds tore through Tropicana Field's roof last October, the Tampa Bay Rays faced an unprecedented challenge: creating a new home in their division rival's backyard. The 11,000-capacity Steinbrenner Field – typically home to pinstriped prospects each spring – underwent a remarkable five-day metamorphosis to become the Rays' emergency home stadium.
Crews worked around the clock from Sunday evening through Friday's first pitch, transforming every Yankees reference into Rays branding. Workers replaced 97% of visible NY logos, including the 14-foot interlocking letters above the dugouts with Tampa Bay's signature starburst motif. Players arrived to find therapy pools with submerged TVs and a dining area triple the size of their previous facilities.
We're finding relics everywhere,said third baseman Junior Caminero, who discovered Giancarlo Stanton's bat in his locker. The $2.1 million renovation included converting the Yankees' executive offices into media spaces and installing misting systems to combat Florida's April humidity – a feature never needed during spring training.
The relocation creates fascinating MLB logistics challenges. With only 39 of 77 clubhouse lockers in use, pitchers like Shane Baz have double the storage space. Umpires now dress in temporary trailers beyond left field, while visiting teams use the Yankees' former minor league facilities. Early attendance projections suggest a 22% increase over Tropicana Field's 2023 numbers, with 85% of season ticket holders transferring their plans.
Regional economists predict the move could generate $41 million in local revenue, particularly from Orlando-area fans now within a 90-minute drive. The Rays organization is closely monitoring fan engagement metrics ahead of potential permanent stadium talks. As pitcher Zack Littell noted: When 8,000 fans here sound louder than 16,000 at the Trop, it makes you rethink what home field advantage really means.