In a series of tweets, the Tampa Bay Rays are publicly reacting to the news earlier today that Major League Baseball has shot down the idea of a split season between St. Petersburg and Montreal. This letter to Rays fans from owner Stu Sternberg makes it clear that they’re not happy.
Dear Rays Fans,
For more than two decades, the Rays have proudly served as Tampa Bay’s hometown team, supporting our community and uplifting our growing region. Our priorities are to win baseball games and keep the team in Tampa Bay for generations to come.
Today’s news that MLB’s executive council has rejected our Sister City plan is painful. We had focused our full attention to that effort.
We know that questions about our future in Tampa Bay will continue to surface and there are no simple immediate answers. What we can provide is our continued pledge to field winning teams, to invest in our community and to contribute to Tampa Bay being a great place to call home.
I am very grateful for the open-mindedness, support and encouragement we received from across Tampa Bay during our Sister City efforts.
If we harness that momentum and build upon it, together we will keep the Rays here in Champa Bay for generation upon generation.
–Stuart Sternberg, Principal Owner