On April 17, 2025, the New York Yankees played a game at Steinbrenner Field as the visiting team for the first time, hosting the Tampa Bay Rays, who are temporarily using the Yankees’ spring training facility. The arrangement arose after Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field in October. Yankees manager Aaron Boone described the situation as “a little odd” but emphasized the collaborative spirit between the teams. Despite the cramped clubhouse conditions for the Yankees, their recent renovation boasts an impressive 50,000 square feet of player amenities. Boone also sent a housewarming gift of tequila to Rays manager Kevin Cash.
TAMPA, Fla. — The New York Yankees are making their inaugural visit to their spring training venue.
New York returned to Steinbrenner Field for a four-game matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays, who are temporarily playing their home games at their AL East rival’s stadium due to unforeseen circumstances.
“I ran into [Rays manager] Kevin Cash on my way in, and I also saw a few Rays players,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone before Thursday night’s contest, which the Yankees won 6-3. “I’m not sure if surreal captures it, but it certainly feels a bit unusual, and I’m sure once the game kicks off and I take in the stadium views, it will all feel very real. It’s an actual game, and we’re all set to go.”
The Rays required a temporary venue after Hurricane Milton damaged the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on October 9. With repairs taking longer than expected, the Rays struck an agreement with the Yankees to utilize their open-air spring training facility in Tampa, which has a capacity of 11,026.
“I believe this is beneficial for baseball and the Rays,” Boone commented. “Our organizations collaborated effectively to make it work, and it’s the right move for everyone involved. When disasters like that occur, it transcends our competitive rivalry; they are one of our top opponents, but doing the right thing always brings a sense of fulfillment.”
The Yankees’ kindness means that Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and the rest of New York’s roster will share a cramped clubhouse for four days while the Rays enjoy spacious facilities. Typically, the dining area for visiting teams serves as the media cafe during spring training.
Last winter, the Yankees undertook a substantial renovation of the clubhouse, expanding player and staff spaces to 50,000 square feet. Features include a two-story weight room with expansive windows and a garage door, both indoor and outdoor stretching areas, a pingpong table, a barbershop, eight beds for athletic training, massage rooms, and a SwimEx pool along with hot and cold tubs equipped with TVs at water level, a sauna with red-light therapy, and four batting cages. Each player locker is equipped with a safe, USB, and USB-C ports. Additionally, there is a 70-seat meeting room, six private offices, and 12 desks for extra staff.
“Firstly, it’s incredible to have this as our spring training home; it really is fantastic, and the players are truly making the most of it this year,” Boone remarked. “However, once we transition out, our focus shifts to the season ahead, so I don’t allow myself to dwell on it too much.”
Boone had left a note for Cash before the Yankees departed to the north in March. He intended to accompany the note with a bottle of tequila but forgot, so he arranged to send it over before the game.
“Just a little housewarming gift,” Boone said.
What kind of tequila was it?
“The good stuff,” Boone replied with a grin.