The Rays have spent the season turning road trips into something bigger than business, and by the time they reached the World Series, that habit had become part of the team’s identity. What started as casual dinners before Opening Day has rolled straight through the grind of the schedule and into Thursday’s media day, where players were quick to connect that routine with the club’s success.
“I think it’s been a huge reason as to why we’ve had such success,” starter Griffin Jax said during Thursday’s World Series media day availability. “I just didn’t realize the impact it was going to have.
We spend so much time together. In the past, I didn’t really understand why you’d want to do a team dinner after spending all day together.
“But now, going through a full season of doing them almost every single time we’ve gone on the road, it’s made a huge impact.”
That tradition took root in St. Louis, just before Opening Day.
The Rays arrived after a long spring and a long travel day, with seven more months of baseball still ahead. They had already logged plenty of time together in Port Charlotte, Fla., and the team dinner the next night was supposed to be the official plan.
Instead, about 20 players gathered in the hotel lobby and decided to go out on their own.
They’ve kept it going ever since, in every city they’ve visited from Opening Day to the World Series. Richie Palacios said the dinners usually include some baseball conversation, though “sometimes it’s who knows what.” Either way, he sees value in the time together.
“We’re with each other more than our families,” Palacios noted, “so we might as well enjoy our time together.”
Nick Martinez has been one of the drivers of that routine. The starter and clubhouse leader, who will get the ball for Game 1 on Friday at American Family Field, has handled much of the organization and was happy to report a strong response for Wednesday’s dinner.
“Getting the guys together is important. Creating that off-the-field chemistry translates to on the field,” said Martinez, who will start Game 1 on Friday at American Family Field. “It's easy to set up dinner, but we have a great turnout every time we set something up, and it speaks volumes of the guys in there.”
Kevin Kelly also pointed to Martinez as a steady force in the room, crediting him with “rallying guys” and helping make the atmosphere “more jovial” when the team is on the road. Drew Rasmussen joked that Martinez “has, at times, forced us to get together,” but he didn’t downplay what Martinez has meant to the group.
“The impact that he has on each and every single one of us, it can’t be overstated,” Rasmussen said. “He’s the best. I think you could walk down the line here and ask everyone their opinion of him, and you’re going to hear nothing but love and respect for who he is.”
The Rays were still sorting out their final World Series roster decisions Thursday afternoon, with the submission deadline set for Friday morning. Big changes aren’t expected, though they could undo the ALCS adjustment that sent left-hander Garrett Cleavinger to the bullpen and removed hard-throwing prospect Brody Hopkins.
There was also a matchup note worth watching against Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski. This season, he was tougher on left-handed hitters, who posted a .114/.189/.189 line against him, than on right-handers, who hit .209/.268/.314. That may keep the Rays from leaning too heavily on their left-handed bats in Game 1.
Off the field, the club is also set to open Tropicana Field for watch parties during Games 1 and 2 on Friday and Saturday. Team in-game host Nate Kurant will emcee the events, which will be held in the seating bowl with the game on the scoreboard. The club says the gatherings will include entertainment, giveaways, autographed items and other prizes, and the Cownose Clubhouse touch tank will be open until first pitch.
Fans can buy tickets for $10 and prepay for parking at RaysBaseball.com/Postseason. They’ll be able to play catch on the field, take photos, visit the visitors’ dugout, and buy food at the center-field concession stands and the Third Base Food Hall. Enhanced experiences are also available for $35 and $60.
In Other News...
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For Tampa Bay, that model is still the defining feature of the roster, and it is easy to see why the debate keeps coming back whenever the playoff field gets smaller and the richest clubs remain in it. The Rays have been able to stay competitive by squeezing production from young, inexpensive talent and maximizing every dollar, but the broader question is whether that approach can keep matching up against teams that can simply absorb mistakes and add more impact talent when they need it. [Read more 🡒]
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Chandler Simpson has been a central figure in that approach, giving Tampa Bay a true threat once he reaches. The bigger question is whether the Rays can also handle the other side of the equation, because Milwaukee comes in with a reputation for controlling the running game better than almost anyone. If Tampa Bay cannot keep that from becoming a factor, the Series may end up turning on whether its speed can create enough chaos to offset what the Brewers do best. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Fans Heading To The World Series Face A Brutal Parking Problem
With the World Series landing at Tropicana Field, the biggest headache for fans may not be inside the ballpark but outside it. Parking and transportation are expected to be a problem with large crowds converging on St. Petersburg, and local transportation companies say demand is already rising as they get ready for the event.
St. Pete Police are urging attendees to plan ahead and look at alternative ways to get there rather than counting on a simple drive-and-park routine. The advice is straightforward: give yourself extra time, consider rideshare or other transit options, and think about a drop-off plan before heading out, because getting in and out of the area is likely to be the part of the trip no one remembers fondly. [Read more 🡒]