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Rays-Red Sox Game Delayed by the Worst Sound You’ve Ever Heard

Tim Capurso|
Rays outfielder Jake Mangum at the plate.
Rays outfielder Jake Mangum at the plate. | Screengrab Twitter @PitchingNinja

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Tampa Bay RaysBoston Red Sox

It's been a bit of a rough year for MLB teams playing at temporary stadiums.

On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays' game against the Boston Red Sox was delayed for an unusual reason: an unbearable ringing sound was emanating through the stadium speakers at the Rays' temporary home of George M. Steinbrenner Field.

With two outs in the bottom of the second inning and the Red Sox leading 3-1, Rays outfielder Jake Mangum stepped up to the plate. But instead of hearing his walk-up music, Mangum heard the 21st century equivalent of nails on a chalkboard

His facial expression says everything you need to know about what it was like to hear this excruciating noise. Here's video of the moment, courtesy of Rob Friedman on X. But be warned before you click—it is extremely annoying, to the point of pain.

As the ringing persisted for about 40 seconds, fans covered their ears in the stands. The personnel at George M. Steinbrenner Field finally got the grating sound to stop, which garnered a loud cheer from the crowd.

That has to go down as one of the most unusual delays you'll see at an MLB game.

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Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated, primarily covering MLB, college football and college basketball. Before joining SI in November 2023, Capurso worked at RotoBaller and ClutchPoints and is a graduate of Assumption University. When he's not working, he can be found at the gym, reading a book or enjoying a good hike. A resident of New York, Capurso openly wonders if the Giants will ever be a winning football team again.

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