A groundbreaking ceremony is held to build what will eventually be known as Tropicana Field, a venue for hosting baseball fans from Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg, before securing a major league franchise. The Florida Suncoast Dome, the ballpark’s original name, will be completed in 1990, but will not field a MLB team until eight years later when the expansion Devil Rays play their first game, although, at various times during the interim, it’s rumored the White Sox, Mariners, and Giants are making plans to be tenants in the Pinellas County facility.

On November 22, 1986 — A groundbreaking ceremony is held to build what will eventually be known as Tropicana Field, a venue for hosting baseball fans from Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg, before securing a major league franchise. The Florida Suncoast Dome, the ballpark’s original name, will be completed in 1990, but will not field a MLB team until eight years later when the expansion Devil Rays play their first game, although, at various times during the interim, it’s rumored the White Sox, Mariners, and Giants are making plans to be tenants in the Pinellas County facility.

Sources:
National Pastime

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