The image of former Rays outfielder Brett Phillips celebrating on Monday night is going to live in my mind for decades. Full pale-blue suit, arms outstretched, turned around to face the crowd above him, inexplicably in the middle of the upper deck, eyes closed and fists shaking, gleefully roaring into the new roof of Tropicana Field, reveling in the Tampa Bay Rays downing the New York Yankees in front of a sold-out crowd to take a 2-0 series lead in the American League Division Series.
The hometown hero, surrounded by his fellow locals, the embodiment of a bridge between club and community. Somewhere inside that primal yell and joyful smile was a tangible sense of relief, and of accomplishment.
That was the celebration of a man who had worked for this moment, and indeed he had. So had most of the 40,000-plus in attendance on Monday night in St. Pete. So too had the thousands watching at Ferg’s across the street, the fans in homes and bars across the region from Tampa to Clearwater to Sarasota, and the reported 50,000 people in Downtown St. Pete during Game 1 on Saturday night that caused the St. Petersburg Police Department to feel compelled to warn citizens about the large crowds.
Man, St. Pete needed that. Earned that. Deserved that. The city, the region, the franchise, and even the building itself needed a moment like that to say with conviction: we are back, one year and 361 days since Hurricane Milton ripped the roof off Tropicana Field, and nearly ripped the team out of Tampa Bay in the process.
In the two years since, homes have slowly been rebuilt, businesses have slowly reopened, and the scars of back-to-back devastating hurricanes have begun to fade. One win in a baseball game doesn’t erase the loss, nor does it even keep the team in St. Pete beyond 2028. But there was a real sense of catharsis that came from the Rays’ second consecutive win at home to open the ALDS playoff. Something about Monday night, the final home game before the series moves up to New York, felt a little different.
It was a statement win. The win in game 1 wasn’t a fluke. The Rays getting a rest during the Wild Card wasn’t just good luck. Perhaps most importantly to the psyche of the city, it was a statement that contradicted the Yankee belief that The Trop would be a home field for the Bronx Bombers. Rays fans didn’t just cheer on their own guys. They booed the hell out of the Yankees following comments from players who thought the fans would be on their side. And it showed. Errors by the Yankees and inspired play by the Rays had The Trop absolutely rockin’. There was a home field advantage, without question. St. Pete made sure of that.
Photo via Tampa Bay Rays
Monday night wasn’t the biggest win in franchise history, and it may not even end up being the biggest this week, but it certainly felt like one of the most meaningful the Rays have played. For fans who have been around for years, it was a return to prominence. For those who have moved here in the decade-plus since The Trop has seen a night like that, it was their first experience of what such an experience can feel like. For everybody, it was a moment to be proud of their team, their city, their region, and their collective resiliency. The Trop is back and so are we, those yells seemed to say.
And with the win came the promise that there would be a chance to do it again. St. Pete and Tampa are here to stay, hurricanes or not. From here, the absolute worst-case scenario on the field still brings a series-deciding Game 5 back to Tropicana Field for what would be an atmosphere the Yankees clearly want no part of.
The best case? I’ll avoid the jinx of talking trophies, but the way these Rays are playing, it isn’t crazy to think they could bring the best-of-seven World Series to St. Pete. And if they do, they will deserve it. So too will the fans – and former player – cheering from the nosebleeds, the bars, the living rooms, and anywhere they watch.
We’ll see more of the MLB Playoffs at The Trop this year, no matter how the next two games go. Which means at least one more chance to experience that joy all over again. Enjoy it, Tampa Bay. You earned it.
Photo via St. Petersburg Police Department