Tropicana Field
St. Petersburg, FL
Summer 2012
http//www.rays.mlb.com/
Game Day Atmosphere: If the Yankees weren't in town I doubt there would be much to say. There were probably just as many Yankee fans in the city and at the game as there were Ray fans.
Stay: In beautiful downtown St. Petersburg. Most hotels are only about 2 miles away from "The Trop."
View: Probably the worst of any of the stadiums we have seen thus far. The outside view is rather curious though with a slanted dome look. Inside, the stadium turf is discolored and there isn't much to look at.
Arrive: You have options for driving or taking public transportation. Most hotels seemed to be running shuttles since they are so close. If you drive, there is plenty of parking, but be prepared to wait for quite some time in getting out after the game.
Concessions: Just like the view, probably the worst of the stadiums we have visited.
Not advertised: Tickets are very easy to come by here, probably the easiest of any city. You would think that a big division rival game would merit a sellout crowd of about 40,000. But, even when the Rays were in the World Series they did not sell out their own stadium.
Not in the box score: Seeing future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter open up the game with a double and add to his 3,000+ hits was awesome. He still hustles down the line during each at-bat and he also has a "Spring Training Home" in local St. Pete. on the Davis Islands.
Final Box: Tampa Bay Rays 4 New York Yankees 3
Attendance: 21,742 Time: 2:57