MLB Opens Season Amid Tampa Bay Stadium Controversy

TAMPA, Florida — Major League Baseball (MLB) officially kicks off its 2025 regular season Thursday, though the spotlight is not solely on traditional matchups such as the Los Angeles Dodgers versus the Detroit Tigers or the New York Yankees against the Milwaukee Brewers. Rather, this season, attention pivots to the unexpected situations in Tampa, Florida, and West Sacramento, California, where the Rays and the Athletics, respectively, are playing in minor-league parks due to aging stadiums.

The Tampa Bay Rays, which won the American League pennant last season, are set to host their opening game this Friday at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ spring training facility, against the Colorado Rockies. Rays manager Kevin Cash expressed optimism regarding the season, stating, “We’re emphasizing the positives over the negatives. I give the guys credit. They seem genuinely excited about getting over to Tampa to start the season.”

Despite the excitement, the Rays face significant challenges ahead. With an aging Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg showing signs of deterioration and vulnerable to hurricane damage, the team’s future in the Tampa Bay area appears uncertain. The current season offers a glimpse into an unpredictable future, with funds necessary for repairs still pending city council approval. “I’m more concerned about our 2025 club,” Cash commented on the prospects of the future. “We’ve got to trust that other people are working on that.”

In West Sacramento, the Oakland Athletics are preparing for their first game at Sutter Health Park on Monday against the Chicago Cubs. The A’s relocation plans have already been announced, with the team set to move to Las Vegas by 2028 after struggles to secure a stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area. This season marks a significant disappointment in a long-standing saga for the franchise. They have faced delays in securing a new venue, with their current situation indicating a lack of immediate certainty.

The Athletics will share their new facility with the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, complicating their schedule with the potential disruption of games due to rain—something that has historically plagued venues in the region. Pitching coach Scott Emerson stated, “This could be a very long season,” hinting at the struggles ahead.

Complicating matters for the Rays, opening day starter Shane McClanahan is on the injured list due to a nerve issue in his left triceps. As a result, Ryan Pepiot, acquired in a trade with the Dodgers, will take over as the team’s starter. McClanahan expressed his frustration, saying, “I’m very frustrated that I’m going to be missing a little more time. It’s just a freak thing.”

As the Rays prepare for their first full season of outdoor games since 2008, they also brace for the unique challenges posed by the Florida climate, including heat and possible rain delays. MLB scheduled 19 of the Rays’ first 22 games in April at home to mitigate weather concerns as the season progresses.

Adding to the drama, the Rays are racing against time to convert Steinbrenner Field into their home facility following a one-day delay. The front office plans to remove any Yankees branding from the ballpark, ensuring that by the time the Yankees return for a series against the Rays on April 18, they will be greeted as the visiting team.

“I hope they have one of those timelapse cameras set up because it should be pretty entertaining,” Cash joked about the preparations. The 2025 opening day game at Steinbrenner Field is a sold-out event, with 11,026 fans expected, marking the 19th consecutive year the Rays have sold out their season opener.

As the season unfolds, the Rays’ future remains uncertain, overshadowed by stadium issues and player injuries. For now, all eyes are on Tampa as the franchise faces a pivotal year in Major League Baseball.