Why Jason Adam’s return to the Trop was different than other ex-Rays

ST. PETERSBURG — Jason Adam made the same walk as other former Rays upon returning to Tropicana Field, going past the clubhouse that was his home to the visitor’s locker room down the hall.

And he used the same word as many others to describe it:

“Weird.”

But Adam, who was traded to the Padres on July 28, stands out for a couple reasons:

First, his career truly was shaped by his 2 ½ seasons with the Rays.

They saw something in the then 30-year-old, who had bounced around the minors and between the Royals, Blue Jays and Cubs in the majors with limited opportunity,...