Rays owner apologizes for sign about Montreal

HOUSTON—The Rays have dropped plans to post a sign at Tropicana Field during the post-season that would tout their proposal to split future seasons between Tampa Bay and Montreal.

Principal owner Stuart Sternberg announced the change on Tuesday’s Rays radio pre-game show, apologizing to the fans for making “a big mistake” with the idea to put a sign on the back wall to serve a “visible symbol” of the sharing plan.

A major part of the negative reaction to the sign plan, which the Rays made public Saturday and said was designed to get media coverage for the splitcity concept, was that it would take attention away from the team competing in the playoffs. The Rays will host American League Division Series games Oct. 7 and 8.