Rays' World Series homecoming at Tropicana Field ends in heartbreak
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Yandy Díaz looks on from the dugout during Game 3 of the 2026 World Series at Tropicana Field. Photo: Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Back at Tropicana Field, where palm trees swayed in the Florida fall breeze and clanging cow bells drowned out the crush of Brewers visitors, it was a beautiful day to be a Rays fan — until it wasn't.
Why it matters: A Tampa Bay homecoming wasn't enough to stave off Milwaukee in Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night.
- The Brewers won 10-1 and are now up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series. That makes tonight's game the last shot for the Rays to stay in the fight.
The big picture: It was a heartbreaking end to what was otherwise a historic day for St. Petersburg and the Trop hosting their first World Series since 2008.
- More than 40,000 fans, plus celebrities including Tom Cruise and Derek Jeter, packed beneath a dome that was in tatters just two years ago.
- And with new stadium plans looming in Tampa, it could be the last postseason run at the Rays' home since 1998.
The vibes: Rays fans began lining up about four hours before first pitch, including 81-year-old Jeanne Linville, who drove up from Naples to cross an item off her bucket list.
- Then there was Katie Richmyre, who traveled 1,640 miles from Ottawa, Canada, to watch the team and fanbase she fell in love with years ago while attending a game on vacation.
Inside the Trop, a DJ and dancers with "GET LOUD" signs greeted fans who packed what felt like every square inch of the building. Lines formed for commemorative T-shirts, cups and popcorn-filled helmets.
- Visiting fans hollering "Let's go Brewers!" were drowned out by cow bells and call-and-response cheers of "Tampa!" "Bay!"
Yes, but: There was no denying a healthy contingent of Brewers fans had made the trip south, lured by lower ticket prices.
Case in point: It was cheaper for Chris Harry and his family to buy $700 game tickets and $500 flights from Chicago than it would've been to attend a game in Milwaukee.
- "I skipped school in Janesville WI for this!" read the sign his 13-year-old son, Nicholas, brought to the game.
A brutal fifth inning saw Milwaukee score eight runs and droves of Rays fans call it a night.
- In the end, the home team squeezed out just one run in the ninth inning.
- If only there had been a 10th, said Rays fan Larry Chandler, who held a banner with his daughter and son-in-law that read, "Don't stop believe'n. Rays up!"
The bottom line: There may not have been a 10th inning, but there is Game 4 tonight.