>> CAN PACK TO EVENING AT TROPICANA FIELD. THIS THE TAMPA BAY RAYS PLAYED THEIR FIRST GAME THERE SINCE HURRICANE MILTON DAMAGED THE STADIUM AND 2024. GULF COAST. SPORTS REPORTER BRADLEY SCHIMMEL WAS THERE FOR THE RETURN OF THE RAYS, INCLUDING A SPECIAL RETURN FOR ONE OF OUR LOCAL UM’S. >> IT’S BEEN OVER 970 DAYS SINCE WE’VE HEARD THAT SOUND. BUT FINAL SUGAR, SHANE IS BACK AT THE TROP. TOMMY JOHN SURGERY OR SURGERY AND HURRICANE MILTON. BUT FINALLY SUGAR SHANE AND THE RAYS ARE BACK WHERE THEY BELONG HERE AT TROPICANA FIELD IN 2024. HURRICANE MILTON SEVERELY DAMAGED THE TROP RESULTING IN OVER 55 MILLION DOLLARS IN REPAIRS LAST SEASON, THE RAYS PLAYED ALL OF THEIR HOME GAMES AT GEORGE STEINBRENNER FIELD. >> BUT ON MONDAY, THE TEAM PLAYED THEIR FIRST GAME AT THE TROP IN OVER 500 DATES. SO MUCH EXCITEMENT, EXCITEMENT TO BE BACK IN THE TROP. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE. >> FOR SEATS ARE STILL THERE IN THE SAME SPOT AND JUST TAKE IT ALL. AND IT WAS AN EMOTIONAL DAY WITH PLENTY OF FANS EXCITED TO WATCH THEIR TEAM TAKE THEIR HOME FIELD SUGAR. SHANE LOOKED PRETTY SWEET OUT THERE ALLOWING ONLY ONE HIT THROUGH 4 INNINGS OF THE TEAM DID WHEN SHANE EXPRESSED SOME FRUSTRATION WITH HIS PERFORMANCE. YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, I’M VERY THANKFUL TO BE BACK. BUT >> I’M TIRED OF THAT. I WANT TO PITCH BETTER I’M NOT HERE TO BE A FEEL-GOOD STORY. I’M HERE TO WIN A LOT OF BALL GAMES. TAMPA BAY I’M NOT HERE TO THE GUY THAT CAME BACK FROM A COUPLE INJURIES. I HATE THAT. I WANT TO PUT BEHIND ON A WEAPON TRY CHAIN WILL GET HIS NEXT OPPORTUNITY SUIT. BUT THE RAYS WILL CONTINUE THEIR SERIES AGAINST THE CHICAGO CUBS THIS WEEK. >> WELCOMING THE YANKS TO TOWN THIS WEEKEND REPORTING FR
Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays defeat Cubs 6-4 in long-awaited return to Tropicana Field
Updated: 12:03 AM EDT Apr 7, 2026
It’s been more than 970 days since baseball fans have been able to witness such a sight, but on Monday, Shane McClanahan was back on the mound at Tropicana Field.Between Tommy John surgery, nerve surgery, and Hurricane Milton, Sugar Shane and the Rays have been through a tough stretch, but they’re finally back where they belong.In 2024, Hurricane Milton severely damaged the Trop, resulting in over $55 million in repairs.Last season, the Tampa Bay Rays played all of their home games at George Steinbrenner Field, but on Monday, the team played its first game at Tropicana Field in over 500 days.Rays season ticket holder Karen Seibert said, “So much excitement, excitement to be back in the Trop, can’t wait to see if our seats are still there in the same spot, and just can’t wait to take it all in.”It was an emotional day, with plenty of fans excited to watch their team take the field at home.Sugar Shane looked pretty sweet out there, allowing only one hit through four innings.While the team did win, McClanahan expressed some frustration with his performance.“Obviously, I’m very thankful to be back, but I’m tired of that (expletive). I want to pitch better, I want to win. I’m not here to be a feel-good story; I’m here to win a lot of ballgames for the Tampa Bay Rays. I’m not here to be the guy that came back from a couple of injuries. I hate that. I want to put that (expletive) behind me. I want to go out there and be the pitcher I know I can be,” McClanahan said.McClanahan will get his next opportunity soon, but the Rays will continue their series against the Chicago Cubs this week, before welcoming the Yankees to town this weekend.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. —
It’s been more than 970 days since baseball fans have been able to witness such a sight, but on Monday, Shane McClanahan was back on the mound at Tropicana Field.
Between Tommy John surgery, nerve surgery, and Hurricane Milton, Sugar Shane and the Rays have been through a tough stretch, but they’re finally back where they belong.
In 2024, Hurricane Milton severely damaged the Trop, resulting in over $55 million in repairs.
Last season, the Tampa Bay Rays played all of their home games at George Steinbrenner Field, but on Monday, the team played its first game at Tropicana Field in over 500 days.
Rays season ticket holder Karen Seibert said, “So much excitement, excitement to be back in the Trop, can’t wait to see if our seats are still there in the same spot, and just can’t wait to take it all in.”
It was an emotional day, with plenty of fans excited to watch their team take the field at home.
Sugar Shane looked pretty sweet out there, allowing only one hit through four innings.
While the team did win, McClanahan expressed some frustration with his performance.
“Obviously, I’m very thankful to be back, but I’m tired of that (expletive). I want to pitch better, I want to win. I’m not here to be a feel-good story; I’m here to win a lot of ballgames for the Tampa Bay Rays. I’m not here to be the guy that came back from a couple of injuries. I hate that. I want to put that (expletive) behind me. I want to go out there and be the pitcher I know I can be,” McClanahan said.
McClanahan will get his next opportunity soon, but the Rays will continue their series against the Chicago Cubs this week, before welcoming the Yankees to town this weekend.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.