If cleanliness is next to godliness, as English theologian John Wesley preached in 1778, then food vendors at Tropicana Field – home of the Tampa Bay Rays – have lost their religion.

There’s only one thing to take away from the Sports Illustrated article that ranked major league ballpark food safety on the number of health department violations: Before attending a Rays game, stop at Subway.

You’re pretty much guaranteed the person working there won’t touch your hot dog and take your money without washing his or her hands in between.

Well, 100 percent guaranteed, unless Subway starts selling hot dogs.

That was one of the violations at the Trop that SI uncovered through examination of public records. Those found during the most recent inspections were used by the magazine in making its rankings.

Simple violations were offenses that broke municipal food codes. The more serious “critical violations” were tied to the spread of food-borne illnesses. Major League Baseball’s median number for violations was 58. For critical violations, 24.

With respect to the Rays, remember those two numbers.

So who’s at the top? Whose preparation and handling were deemed Food Network quality? And whose would earn the scorn of Pig-Pen? That’s assuming no one really cares about stadiums in the middle.

A team that’s 10-0 or 0-10 is infinitely more interesting than one that’s 8-8. It’s the same with ratings of ballpark food safety, and according to SI’s list, the folks dishing it up at Safeco Field in Seattle are the industry’s white tablecloth standard.

The operation was flagged for a measly five violations. Just one was critical, for food held at an improper temperature. Utensils stored improperly earned two violations.

Given it was built in 1912, that Fenway Park came in second might surprise some. It had 30 violations, only two critical. Notable infractions included a dirty ice machine and broken dishwasher.

The list continued: the Red Sox followed by the Astros, followed by the Rockies, followed by the Diamondbacks, followed by the Cardinals, followed by the Blue Jays.

Would anyone follow the Rays?

Nope. Last in attendance. Last in food safety. Sports Illustrated got information from 28 of 30 local health departments. Only Progressive Field in Cleveland and Comerica Park in Detroit failed to respond to public records requests.

And it wouldn’t have made a bit of difference. The Rays have established their own Mendoza Line for grime.

During its most recent inspection, Alameda County Coliseum, home of the Oakland Athletics, had 131 violations. Sixty-three were critical. Rank: 27th.

Below them, the Rays.

Way below.

Would 241 total violations, 105 critical, kill your appetite? According to the data, two food areas each racked up more than 20 violations. Live insects were found, as was black mold on the inside of an ice bin.

Somewhere in there is a bad joke – hey, know why the Trop has so many empty seats? Have you tried the food there lately?

When the story broke, the Rays sprang into action. They issued a statement.

“Each aspect of the fan experience is very important to us, and that includes food quality and safety. We understand that (concessionaire) Centerplate has taken corrective action for all of these violations and will be taking additional steps to ensure food safety.”

That’s reassuring. Don’t want Sal Monella on anyone’s roster.