Rays’ Pete Fairbanks Blasts ‘Horrible’ Baseballs from Rockies’ Humidor at Coors Field

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVApril 6, 2024

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Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks called out what he believed were “horrible” baseballs that came out of the humidor at Coors Field during Friday’s 10-7 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

Fairbanks came on in the ninth with the Rays up 7-6 and allowed three straight walks before making way for Jason Adam. After the game, the right-hander said the baseballs he was given on the mound weren’t up to his liking and “overall bad,” citing a general inconsistency.

Bally Sports Sun: Rays @BallyRaysPete Fairbanks was not too happy with the consistency of the baseballs that were coming in during the bottom of the 9th. pic.twitter.com/5OHAyCVtq0

The Rockies have long utilized a humidor at Coors Field to help counteract the effects of the high altitude in Denver. The goal is to prevent the baseballs from drying out quickly in the thinner air. While Coors Field remains a hitter-friendly park, it’s nowhere near the kind of launching pad it was in the pre-Humidor 1990s.

Still, Rockies reliever Peter Lambert, who’s much more accustomed to the conditions, admitted there can be an adjustment with the baseballs.

“There’s definitely a difference. It’s definitely different,” he told reporters. “Sometimes, it can be a little more dry and the ball can feel a little more chalky, for sure.

The Rays have two more games against Colorado before they head to Southern California for a three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels. It’s safe to assume Fairbanks will be happy when Tampa Bay is closer to sea level.