For the first time in nine days, the Tampa Bay Rays were back at Tropicana Field to play a game at home.
It’s been a stress-filled week for the players, who left town not knowing what would remain when they returned.
The Rays hope their return to St. Pete can bring some energy back into the community, which includes lots of people still without power and others picking up the pieces from Hurricane Irma.
The team would love to end the season with a win streak to get into the playoffs.
But whether they make it or not, Rays players think they can put smiles back on peoples’ faces.
"Mother Nature- it's a scary thing when she acts up and creates such a powerful storm," Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier said. "Hopefully we can help as many people as possible, and hopefully people can come out to the game and take their minds off of things for a bit."
"To be playing baseball still is an incredible thing," Rays third baseman Evan Longoria said. "And we welcome everybody to come in and seek refuge here if they don't have that back home yet."
A number of players have already been active in helping out the community since the team returned home Thursday.
One of them is outfielder Corey Dickerson, who helped pass out pizzas to police and firefighters as a thank you for their hard work during the hurricane.
"It was hard to play during that time, but also a lot more hard for the community that's here," Dickerson said. "We're ready to give back."
"Anything we can do as an organization- going and shaking hands, delivering food, whatever it is- I think those are nice gestures that we should be proud to do."
The Rays are also continuing their efforts to raise money for those affected by the storm.
You can directly donate to their relief effort fund at YouCaring.com/RaysIrmaRelief.