James Shields listens to horror stories about Tropicana Field, shrugs his shoulders and smiles.
“We don’t complain,” the 26-year-old pitcher said, “because we have to play here.”
The Tampa Bay Rays have finally transformed the wackiest stadium in Major League Baseball into what manager Joe Maddon affectionately calls “The Pit,” a place where some flyballs never come down and opposing teams absolutely hate.
PHOTO: AP
Shields, who will start Game 1 of Tampa Bay’s playoff series against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, has developed a deep appreciation for what is also called The Trop.
The Rays have prospered in the domed ballpark as well, fashioning the best home record (57-24) in the majors en route to winning their first division title, the American League East, and earning home-field advantage for the opening round of the playoffs.
Opponents gripe about everything from the artificial turf to the infamous catwalks that support the roof of the 18-year-old stadium.
Goofy things can happen when batted balls bounce off — or occasionally became lodged in — the structures ranging from 18m to 60m above the field.
In 11 seasons, 96 fair balls have struck the catwalks — 11 this season, including nine by players on opposing teams.
That explains why some liken the place to a giant pinball machine.
Since MLB began allowing umpires to use video replay to review boundary calls in late August, two of the seven tests of the system have come at Tropicana Field, including the historic first that upheld Yankees star Alex Rodriguez’s home run to the catwalk on Sept. 4.
But not everyone was sold on the idea that it’s a tough place to win because of some of the quirky features.
“I’ll tell you why they win at home,” Toronto manager Cito Gaston said this year. “They win because they’ve got a good team.”
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