Tampa Bay Rays Tropicana Field “First Pitch” (1998) Panoramic Poster – Everlasting Images

First Pitch
March 31, 1998
Opening Night at Tropicana Field – Photographer Rob Arra
Note the ball in motion

After more than two decades of waiting out close-calls, near-misses, and outright betrayals, it had finally arrived – Major League Baseball Opening Day in Tampa Bay! The magnificent Tropicana Field has finally come alive, as more than 45,000 fans are packed in to watch history unfold. After emotional opening ceremonies, it was time for the first pitch. As Wilson Alvarez uncorks a fastball past Brian Hunter of the Detroit Tigers and into the mitt of catcher John Flaherty…SNAP! The moment is preserved for all-time, and is now available for your wall!

With this spectacular panoramic poster, you are transported back to that historic Monday in Tampa Bay sporting history. Like all prints in photographer Rob Arra’s Everlasting Images series, every single detail is in perfect focus, and The Trop has never looked so good! From the fans on their feet cheering on history, to the majestic domed roof, to the players on the field (including Alvarez, Flaherty, Fred McGriff, Miguel Cairo, Kevin Stocker, Wade Boggs, Mike Kelly, Quinton McCracken, and David Martinez), and the actual pitch in motion on its way to the plate, this is the ultimate look at the home of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. With the special Devil Rays “Inaugural Season 1998” logo, and the “First Pitch” commemorative title, this is the ultimate poster for the wall of any true fan!