ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Even with plans for a new stadium in the works, fans will see some upgrades at Tropicana Field when they enter the doors on Opening Day. In the off season, the turf was replaced by a striped field. The stripes are meant to resemble a mowed grass field, similar to the … Read more
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When you come to Tropicana Field for a Tampa Bay Rays game this season, you will see a major change. For the first time at The Trop, fans will see a striped field. The turf will resemble a mowed grass field. Rubber pellets are being substituted for coconut husks in the … Read more
Welcome to spring training, one of the great inventions in history. You may think we’re kidding. But ask anyone who had to pick up a snow shovel in the last week if they think we’re kidding. It may be tempting to say: What about the wheel? What about the microwave? What about the iPhone? What … Read more
The Hall of Fame is made for players like Adrián Beltré. As a pure hitter, reliable slugger and slick third baseman, Beltré had few peers: No other infielder in the history of baseball has 3,000 hits, 400 homers and five Gold Glove awards. Beltré, now 44, was a lock for the Hall of Fame. As … Read more
This is a digital version of The Windup newsletter. Sign up here to receive this content directly in your inbox every morning. An update on Wander Franco, a look at a(nother) Japanese free-agent pitcher, we break down the Chris Sale trade and catch you up on what you might have missed over the holidays. I’m … Read more
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was detained on Monday in the Dominican Republic after he was interviewed by prosecutors about complaints that he had inappropriate relationships with young girls, a person briefed on the proceeding told The Athletic. Franco was being held ahead of a court appearance this week, according to reports by The … Read more
The bankrupt Diamond Sports Group, which holds the 2024 broadcast rights to 11 Major League Baseball teams through its Bally-branded regional sports networks, appears to be nearing a settlement with baseball’s commissioner’s office that could create relative certainty as to which MLB teams Diamond will broadcast next year. “We are in a position to believe … Read more
The Baltimore Orioles are going back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.The Orioles first learned they clinched a 2023 playoff berth during Sunday afternoon’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. That came with some help after the Texas Rangers fell to the Cleveland Guardians.The Guardians’ win put both the Orioles and the … Read more
BALTIMORE – For the postgame analysis of the Tampa Bay Rays’ filthy bullpen, we turn to one of their own, left-hander Jake Diekman. Colin Poche: “Twenty-inch carry on his heater.” Shawn Armstrong: “Nine different pitches.” Robert Stephenson: “97 whenever he wants.” Pete Fairbanks: “A psycho who throws 100.” Well, that’s one way to sum it … Read more
CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Bo Naylor doubled home Gabriel Arias with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, sending the Cleveland Guardians to a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. The Guardians trailed 2-1 entering the seventh, but Andrés Giménez led off with a single, stole second and came home on … Read more