The transformation of Steinbrenner Field from Yankees to Rays mode made progress Monday, but plenty of work remains before Tampa Bay’s season opener on Friday.
The 120-hour transition kicked off Sunday, immediately after New York and Tampa Bay wrapped up spring training at the stadium.
The Rays are set to play their 2025 home schedule at the Yankees’ spring training facility in Tampa due to hurricane damage at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
By Monday afternoon, the scoreboard marquee on Dale Mabry Highway prominently displayed oversized images of Tampa Bay pitchers Shane McClanahan and Taj Bradley, along with a message of appreciation for the New York Yankees.
As Rays-themed advertisements went up around the ballpark, the “New York Yankees” wordmarks were removed from the team store at the front gates.
Dozens of workers in yellow Rays shirts were busy with final preparations, while vendors in the breezeways took inventory of Yankees merchandise and stocked Rays memorabilia on shelves and racks.
Perhaps the most striking change was the transformation of the stadium’s exterior signage. The massive 10-by-9-foot “YANKEES” letters facing passing traffic on the east side of the stadium were covered with “RAYS,” complete with Tampa Bay’s signature starburst logo. A similar change is planned for the west side.
The media will get a closer look on Wednesday, but the Rays are racing against the clock to complete the transition before they host the Colorado Rockies for Opening Day at 4:10 p.m. Friday.
The forecast for outdoor baseball in Tampa Bay: clear skies and a warm 83 degrees.
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