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The Tampa Bay Rays will be home in 2026

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The St. Petersburg ballpark post Hurricane Milton.

By: Jim Williams – Capital Sports – Senior Columnist

After a season of displacement and weather delays, the Tampa Bay Rays are heading back to Tropicana Field in 2026. With new ownership in place and a long-term stadium search underway, the franchise is entering a pivotal chapter both on and off the field.

A Rain-Soaked Season at Steinbrenner Field

The Rays wrapped up their 2025 campaign with a 41–40 record at Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees. Despite the temporary venue, the team sold out 61 of 81 home games and drew 786,750 fans—a testament to the loyalty of the fanbase. However, the open-air setup led to 17 rain delays across 16 games, totaling nearly 18 hours of stoppage time.

Sports Talk Florida

Tropicana Field Repairs Near Completion

Tropicana Field, originally opened in 1990, suffered catastrophic roof damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024. The stadium’s iconic cable-supported dome—made of translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass—was shredded, forcing the Rays to relocate for the 2025 season. Repairs are now nearing completion, with the team set to return for its April 6 home opener against the Chicago Cubs.

New Ownership, New Vision

Led by Patrick Zalupski, the Rays’ new ownership group has begun exploring options for a new stadium that could open by 2029. While Tropicana Field will serve as the interim home, the long-term goal is a modern facility that addresses the franchise’s historical attendance struggles.

On-Field Struggles and Roster Moves

Tampa Bay finished the 2025 season with a 77–85 record, missing the playoffs. Despite past World Series appearances in 2008 and 2020, the team has struggled to maintain consistent postseason success. This offseason, the Rays released infielder Bob Seymour to pursue opportunities in Asia and returned left-hander Nate Lavender to the New York Mets after he cleared waivers.

Tampa Bay Rays – Looking Ahead to 2026

With Tropicana Field nearly restored and a new stadium on the horizon, the Rays are poised for a fresh start. The 2026 season will be a litmus test for fan engagement, roster development, and the franchise’s long-term viability in the Tampa Bay market.





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Tampa Bay Downs special: Let ’em Run live from Florida

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Tune în Wednesday for a special show from Tampa Bay Downs

Let ‘em Run Special Wednesday Podcast LIVE from Tampa Bay Downs

Midweek racing brings fresh opportunity, sharper opinions, and real-time insight from the track. This Wednesday, Let ‘em Run takes the show on the road with live analysis straight from Tampa Bay Downs. With strong angles, value-driven plays, and boots on the ground, this special edition delivers the kind of edge horseplayers look for during the week.

Be sure to tune in on Wednesday at 12:30 PM EST for our special “Boots on the Ground” segment. John Kostin will be live from Tampa Bay Downs and joined by guest handicapper Wadie Khalaf. Together, they will break down the card with a sharp focus on the Late P5 and key spot plays, including the always-popular Bro’s BRISnet Play of the Day. You can catch the show live on Sports Talk Media Network, along with multiple streaming apps and social channels. Let’s take a closer look at a few races that stand out.

Tampa Bay Downs | Wednesday 1/21/26

Race 2 | 12:20 PM EST

This race offers a strong opinion with limited value, but there is still a way to make it pay. The #5 Uncashed sits at 2-1 on the morning line and owns a +10 BRISnet Prime Power advantage over the rest of the field. That edge pushes the projected win percentage to around 55%. He also profiles as the lone “E” type in the race, which strengthens the pace advantage. Trainer numbers support the play as well, with a 31% win rate when sending out runners who won last time out.

Since the price will likely drop, the value shifts to a double play. The suggested approach is a $50 double using 5 with 9 and 10 in Race 3. The outside posts win often in that race, and the odds should offer a better return.

Race 8 | 3:55 PM EST

This race sets up nicely for another BRISnet-based angle and should provide a fairer price at post time. The #1 Paynter’s Prodigy sits at 3-1 and checks several important boxes. He is an “E” type, owns the highest last-race speed figure, and also tops the field in early TimeformUS Pace.

The only other true speed appears to be #12 Chico Charlie at 6-1, but that runner draws a tough, ground-losing outside post. The price on the #1 may drift up, as jockey Wesley Ho remains capable but does not draw heavy public support. That scenario could create solid betting value.

All three of us will share insights and opinions on the full Late P5 during the live podcast. Be sure to tune in. Bet smart, cheer hard, fast horses equal serious fun, and as always, Let ‘em Run.





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Dalton Smith: Britain has a new world champion

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Dalton Smith became world champion

A Statement Night in Brooklyn for Dalton Smith

On January 10, 2026, Dalton Smith announced himself on the world stage with a stunning knockout victory over Subriel Matias to claim the WBC Junior Welterweight World Championship. Fighting in Brooklyn, New York, Smith delivered a fearless performance in his United States debut and dismantled one of the division’s most feared punchers.

Smith stopped the Puerto Rican powerhouse in the fifth round with a brutal sequence of chopping right hands. The finish capped a fight that evolved from a sharp, technical opening into an all-out war, with both men trading heavy shots. When the moment arrived, Smith imposed his will and closed the show against the 33-year-old champion.

Built for the Big Stage

Smith entered the fight with a growing reputation for knockout power, fast hands, and a proven chin. Against Matias, he matched intensity and confidence from the opening bell. As the rounds wore on, Smith controlled the exchanges and turned pressure into opportunity, becoming the first fighter to knock Matias out.

Matias arrived with a reputation as a destroyer, but Smith refused to retreat. He stood his ground, answered fire with fire, and changed the trajectory of the junior welterweight division.

Roots in Sheffield

Born February 8, 1997, in Sheffield, England, Smith grew up in a sports-driven household. Football came first, but boxing quickly took hold. His father, Grant Smith, and grandfather, Brian Smith, introduced him to the Steel City Gym around 2003, setting the foundation for his career.

Smith thrived as an amateur. He collected national titles, earned a medal at the 2014 European Youth Championships, and captured the ABA title in 2018. Those accomplishments marked him as one of Britain’s elite prospects.

The Professional Rise

Smith turned professional in 2019 after signing with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing. He debuted in Nottingham against Luka Leskovic and earned a points win. Momentum followed fast. Seven straight victories, many by knockout, pushed him into the national spotlight.

In 2021, Smith captured the English title with a sixth-round stoppage of Lee Appleyard. He followed that by winning the WBC International Silver super lightweight title in 2022, forcing Ray Moylette’s corner to halt the fight in round ten. Eight months later, Smith claimed the British title with a devastating sixth-round finish against Sam O’Maison.

From Contender to Champion

Victories over Sam Maxwell and former WBC Silver champion Jose Zepeda elevated Smith into elite company. In 2025, wins over Walid Ouizza and Mathieu Germain sealed his world title opportunity.

Smith entered the Matias fight undefeated at 19-0 with 14 knockouts. Matias stood at 23-2 with 22 knockouts. The collision delivered fireworks, and Smith emerged as the last man standing.

With the win, Dalton Smith became the fifth active British world champion, joining a growing list of elite names and signaling the arrival of a new force at 140 pounds.





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USMNT Watch: Wright, Agyemang & Weah shine in Europe with crucial goals

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Marseille’s US forward #22 Timothy Weah celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between SCO Angers and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at the Stade Raymond-Kopa in Angers, central Framce, on January 17, 2026. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP)

The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) players continued to impress across Europe this weekend, finding the scoresheet in some of the continent’s most competitive leagues.

Goals from France’s Ligue 1, England’s Championship, and the German Bundesliga highlighted another strong round of performances abroad.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching and set to be hosted on home soil, this surge in form couldn’t come at a better time as American players better prepared and more competitive than ever before.

Sports Talk ranks the best performers who found the scoresheet across Europe.

Patrick Agyemang

The former Charlotte forward scored a crucial goal in the English Championship to power Derby County to a 1-0 win against Preston North End.

The 25-year-old who has been in fine form since he moved to England last July, broke the deadlock for the Rams with his header in the 82nd minute.

The effort was Agyemang’s seventh Championship goal of the season on his 23rd outing.

Haji Wright

Wright was the second American to light up the Championship over the weekend…

He came off the bench to grab the match-winning goal for Coventry City that ended his goal drought since October in their 2-1 defeat of Leicester City.

Introduced by Frank Lampard in the 67th minute, the 27-year-old continue with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s cross to secure three points for Coventry in the 85th minute.

His last goal was against Sheffield Wednesday on October 4 and he has now bagged nine goals in 23 league games this term.

Haji Wright of Coventry City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Coventry City at The Den on October 01, 2025 in London, England.

Timothy Weah

The versatile winger was among the goals as Olympique Marseille ran rampant in the French Ligue 1 with a 5-2 triumph against Angers.

Weah finished off a brilliant team movement with his header in the 40th minute to give Marseille a 4-0 lead at halftime.

The Juventus loanee has been a key figure in De Zerbi’s defensive set-up this season and his versatility on the flanks has seen him score two goals and provide an assist in 15 Ligue 1 matches this season.

James Sands

The New York City loanee opened his Bundesliga goal account in St. Pauli’s 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund.

With St. Pauli trailing 2-0, Sands tried to inspire a comeback with his goal in the 62nd minute but it was not enough as Dortmund grabbed a late winner in the stoppage time.

The American defender played from start to finish in the game that was his 16th appearance in the German top division this season.

Brenden Aaronson & Antonee Robinson

Aaronson and Robinson faced off in the Premier League as Leeds United hosted Fulham at Elland Road.

The game ended in favour in Aaronson as Leeds secured a hard-fought 1-0 for thier first league win of the new year.

Aaronson and Robinson played the entire 90 minutes but the former was replaced in stoppage time.





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