Tropicana Field Hosts First Playoff Game Since Hurricane Milton
Residents of Tampa had reason to celebrate over the weekend when the hometown Rays took to the field for their playoff game at Tropicana Field since the stadium was devastated by Hurricane Milton. Here is a look back at this major hurricane and how it impacted baseball in this part of the Florida Gulf Coast.
The Trop is Back Open for Playoff Business Following Milton's Destruction
Hurricane Milton carved a path through the Tampa-St. Petersburg area on October 9, 2024, packing wind gusts over 100 mph. The winds were so strong that most of the fiberglass roof of Tropicana Field was ripped to shreds. The field was forced to close for the entire 2025 season while repairs were made, forcing the team to play at nearby George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
Much of the heartache associated with Milton was forgotten for a brief moment on Saturday when the Rays took on the New York Yankees in St. Petersburg in Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series. The cherry on top was the Rays taking home the win by a score of 1 to 0 in the stadium that is affectionately known as The Trop.
What is ironic is that Steinbrenner Field is home to the New York Yankees for spring training.
It has been a long road to recovery for the Rays, losing their stadium for the 2025 season. The City of St. Petersburg approved nearly $60 million to restore Tropicana Field after Milton's destruction. Included in this budget was approximately $23 million to replace the damaged roof.
The Trop was good to the Rays this season. The team came out of the regular season with a record of 55 and 26 at home. This home field advantage helped to propel the Rays to the most wins in the American League at 98. The 55 home wins were good enough for a new franchise record. The team also tied the Milwaukee Brewers for the most home victories this year.
Tropicana Field has been a difficult spot for the Yankees to play this year. The team has struggled at this field, going 1 and 6 this season.
What is Next in the Series
The Rays will play host to the Yankees again on Monday evening at The Trop. Tampa Bay will put the ball in the hands of two-time All-Star Freddy Peralta for Game 2. The right-handed pitcher will go up against another righty in Cam Schlittler for the Yankees. As the likely American League Cy Young Award winner, Schlittler will be looked at to lock up the win to tie the series before it heads to the Bronx for Game 3 on Wednesday.
For now, everyone in Tampa is enjoying the return to The Trop, just as the two-year anniversary of Milton approaches. Looking back at Milton, the storm came ashore near Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane. Milton is best known as being a prolific tornado producer, spawning 45 confirmed twisters across the Sunshine State. The major hurricane was blamed for 38 deaths and $34.3 billion in damage.
Fans heading out to the game on Monday will want to prepare for the chance of scattered afternoon or evening thunderstorms. It will be a warm day with highs that approach the 90-degree mark and overnight lows that bottom out in the mid 70s.
Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.