It had been exactly 561 days since the team last played in their home ballpark and they just barely made it to the finish line in time for it to be ready for the game, as drywall was still being put up and paint in certain areas was still drying.
But it didn't matter to the fans. What mattered was that their home was back up and running once again.
“This is a great American comeback story. When I walked into this building for the first time, I myself wondered if baseball would ever be played here again,” said CEO CEO Ken Babby. “For our staff, for the city, for the community, and for our fans, this is a true homecoming. It's a real incredible moment for baseball.”
Three different Rays players hit home runs to give the fans a welcome back home gift that lifted them to their fifth win on the season as they currently sit with a 5-5 record - second in the American League East division behind the New York Yankees (7-1).
Cedric Mullins launched his first of the season and his first as a member of the team. Tampa's young superstar Junior Caminero hit his second of the season, while Jonathan Aranda hit his third.
Starting pitcher Shane McClanahan gave up two runs on one hit and finished with four walks and five strikeouts through four innings.
The Rays will be relocating to a new ballpark, which is expected to open for the 2029 season (details here).
