Fans push Rays-in-Oakland talk after hurricane damage to Tropicana Field originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The roof of Tropicana Field, the longtime home of the Tampa Bay Rays, was destroyed by Hurricane Milton last week. So could the MLB franchise play next season in Oakland, which no longer has a team?
Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden highlighted the damage to the Rays’ stadium on Tuesday on X and asked his followers where they could watch the team play home games next season.
Hurricane Milton’s damage to the roof of Tropicana Field is greater than most people understand. It would cost 9 figures to replace it and moving to a new park in a few years doesn’t make sense. #Rays I can’t play there without a rain drainage system. Where will they play in 2025?
— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) October 15, 2024
A sizable portion of fans among the nearly 2,000 who initially responded — including noted writer Woody Paige — called for more baseball at the Coliseum.
How about playing in Oakland, my friend?
— Woody Paige (@woodypaige) October 15, 2024
There’s an empty stadium in Oakland!
— Carson (@carsoncantcode) October 15, 2024
Give us the Oakland Rays!
— shaquille oatmeal (@shaquil91357742) October 15, 2024
I hear there’s a ballpark available in Oakland.
— Jon Salomon (@JonSolomon35) October 16, 2024
Last month the A’s played their final game in Oakland, their home since 1968, and will move to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento – currently home to the River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants – before 2025. MLB seasons 2026 and 2027. Their proposed ballpark in Las Vegas is expected to be built in time for the 2028 campaign.
For the first time since 1959, the city is now without representation in the MLB, the NBA or the AFL/NFL.
But with Tropicana Field potentially out of commission for the 2025 season, MLB baseball might return to the Coliseum. Apparently fans aren’t against the idea.
