ST. PETERSBURG -- Tropicana Field was packed out on Monday night as the Rays attempted to clinch a spot in the 2026 World Series, 18 years to the day that they last won the American League Championship Series inside their home stadium.
There were many familiar faces in the crowd for ALCS Game 6 against the Guardians, including at least three players who know what it’s like to win the pennant with the Rays.
B.J. Upton, who starred on Tampa Bay’s 2008 American League championship club, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Then, during the game, cameras caught pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Randy Arozarena in attendance. Both were members of the ‘20 Rays team that made the World Series.
Arozarena had one of the best postseasons in MLB history that year and was a fan favorite until he was traded to the Mariners during the 2024 season. After that trade went down, Arozarena memorably took in a Rays game from the left-field stands.
Glasnow was traded to the Dodgers prior to the 2024 season after spending six seasons with Tampa Bay. Outfielder Jonny DeLuca was part of the Rays’ return in that deal, and he had a sacrifice fly to get the Rays out to an early lead in Game 6.
Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk was also in the building to cheer on childhood friend Jonathan Aranda. Kirk and the Rays first baseman played Little League baseball together while growing up in Tijuana, Mexico.
Earlier in this series, Aranda described Kirk as someone he considers a best friend and a brother. He watched Kirk and the Blue Jays take on the Dodgers during the 2025 World Series, so it was only fair that Kirk returned the favor Monday.
Said Aranda: “It was a big thing for me to go see him, for us to see each other in the World Series. In that moment last year, I kind of visualized myself in the same scenario. So now fast-forward it a year later, I use it as motivation right now.”