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Red Sox: On the road in American League East

By Rick McNair

Jul 20, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of the left field scoreboard showing the American League East standings prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of the left field scoreboard showing the American League East standings prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A gener view of Tropicana Field on opening day between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A gener view of Tropicana Field on opening day between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

TAMPA

If you are into the driving version of waterboarding then be my guest and go I-95. Otherwise, any sane or reasonably sane person would fly and there are many options for that. I have flown into Orlando and driven to Tampa/St. Petersburg. As one would expect this is Florida and the area has plenty of tourist options. Rooms can be found extremely cheap and they are not roach motels.

Tropicana Field is number 29 on my list of ballparks that need to find a large sink hole. Tops is Oakland, but Tropicana is a disgrace. There was a movement to replace Tropicana, but the lack of public support placed that in limbo. The interior of the Trop is difficult to describe, but I grew up near Weymouth Naval Air Station where they housed blimps. The park reminded me of that – a blimp hanger. And those catwalks!

There are actually expensive seats at The Trop, but they are behind home plate and have as much human occupation as the surface of Mars. Otherwise, the park can get cheap for seating. Real cheap. What kills is the aesthetics. I found the food at Tropicana exceptional and priced cheaper than any park I have visited. And they have Blue Bell Ice Cream.

Red Sox fans may joke about our numbers that show up at The Trop, but be aware that Rays fans have passion and game knowledge – there are just not many of them.

Next: Expect bullpen meltdowns to be the norm

Travel Tip: You have the game as part of an overall visit. A family vacation where one day is set aside for the ballpark.

RATING – C-

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