On October 9, Hurricane Milton struck Siesta Key, Florida. Initially a Category 5 hurricane, Milton weakened to a Category 3 before making landfall. The storm caused extensive damage, resulting in power outages, wind destruction, and flooding that forced many residents to evacuate. St. Petersburg and the Rays’ stadium, Tropicana Field, suffered significant impacts.
After the hurricane, the Trop’s roof had numerous torn sections, leading to large openings that allowed rain to flood the field. According to a damage assessment conducted on November 12, 2024, the total cost to repair the stadium is approximately $55.7 million. This figure includes $16 million for design, permitting, insurance, inspection, staffing, and construction contingencies. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch told the Tampa Bay Times, “My initial reaction is that it did fall on the lower cost side, and the fact that our folks think it could be done quickly is really the best-case scenario for us.”
Although repairs might proceed faster than expected, the Rays will not play their 2025 season at Tropicana Field; instead, they will relocate to Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, across from Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This temporary relocation closer to downtown Tampa has upset many Rays fans, who are disappointed they will not see the team play their 2025 season on their original home turf. Kasey Albritten from ABC Action News interviewed Don Couch, who expressed, “I really hope that the team can return soon.” This sentiment resonates with many fans in the Tampa Bay area; another supporter, Joe Burenthal, told ABC, “It’s nobody’s fault that the stadium is like that; it’s an act of God. Let’s all just work together.”
The Rays organization sent an email to the city, stating they expect to have the stadium repaired by Opening Day 2026. However, a serious lack of communication between city representatives and the Rays has rendered this timeline unclear. Some Rays players have visited Tropicana Field months after the hurricane. “Devastating,” said Rays catcher Ben Rortvedt, while former Rays manager Joe Madden remarked, “The situation is just horrible.” Despite this troubling news, the 2025 season is on.
The season officially started on March 27. With the Rays playing in a minor league stadium, some fans worry they will perform like a minor league team. Concerns also linger about the potential relocation of the Tampa Bay Rays. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has pressured Rays owner Stu Sternberg to sell the team. A member of the DeBartolo Jr. family, owners of the San Francisco 49ers, expressed interest in purchasing the team but declined to comment further.
Ultimately, the effects of Hurricane Milton have significantly impacted the Tampa Bay Rays organization and the Tampa community as a whole.