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As the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers prepare to open the World Series on October 23, fans in both cities are buzzing with anticipation, as neither team has ever captured a championship. In Tampa, officials have already started organizing parade plans should the Rays bring home the MLB title.
If the Rays win, the city of Tampa will host multiple parades to honor the team. The Florida (now Miami) Marlins remain the only Sunshine State franchise to win a World Series, having done so in 1997 and 2003. Tampa is planning another boat parade, a prospect that has fans excited after the Buccaneers' celebration in February 2021, during which a tipsy Tom Brady famously tossed the Lombardi Trophy from his boat to the one behind him. The Tampa Bay Lightning also held a boat parade in July 2021 to celebrate their back-to-back Stanley Cup championships; no parade was held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Tampa plans a water-based celebration, the neighboring city of St. Petersburg is organizing a traditional parade with streets lined with festive fans. However, the Rays have significant work ahead before any parade plans can be realized. Games 1 and 2 are set for October 23 and 24 in Milwaukee, and Floridians will get their first chance to cheer the Rays at home in Game 3 on October 26. The Rays also host Games 4 and 5 on October 27 and 28, before the series shifts back to Milwaukee for Games 6 and 7 if necessary. All World Series games will be televised on FOX.
Key Analysis
The dual parade plans highlight the unique dynamic between Tampa and St. Petersburg, two cities that share the Rays' fan base but have distinct approaches to celebration. The boat parade concept has become a signature for Tampa sports champions, from the Buccaneers' memorable Lombardi Trophy toss to the Lightning's Stanley Cup festivities. Meanwhile, St. Petersburg's traditional parade offers a more conventional way for fans to show their support. With the Rays still needing to win four games against the Brewers, these plans remain hypothetical, but they underscore the region's pent-up excitement for a potential first World Series title.
Originally reported by yahoo.