The Yankees played at their spring training home for a regular-season game, a complex situation after Hurricane Milton devastated Tropicana Field. The Rays now occupy George M. Steinbrenner Field, with the Yankees facing an unfamiliar visitors' setup, cramped facilities, and new signage. Despite some familiar elements from their past spring training, manager Aaron Boone expressed that it felt odd to adapt to the changes. The unique infield dirt and personnel changes in the locker space added to the strangeness as they transitioned to a competitive game atmosphere.
It's been quite odd, honestly," manager Aaron Boone said from the visitors dugout. "I don't know if surreal's the right word, but it's definitely a little bit odd.
There also was the fact that the Yankees walked into the cramped visitors clubhouse with no access to the more spacious home clubhouse or all the new facilities and amenities beyond it that underwent an overhaul last offseason.
The outfield dimensions still mirrored Yankee Stadium. Hal Steinbrenner still has his suite here.
There was even a new kind of dirt in the infield that was more in line with the playing surface at Tropicana Field than what the Yankees played on all spring.
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