ST. PETERSBURG — Commissioner Rob Manfred vowed Sunday that major-league baseball would remain committed to the Tampa Bay market as long as Rays owner Stu Sternberg remains committed to a franchise bedeviled by persistent attendance issues.
In his first visit to Tropicana Field as commissioner, Manfred suggested the Rays need a new facility that is more ”centrally located,’’ as the organization intensifies its search for potential stadium sites.
“This is a market that is very important to major-league baseball,’’ Manfred said before Sunday’s season opener against Toronto. “We have a great ownership group here in Tampa Bay and we look forward to great success in the market.