Jump to content

Tampa Bay Rays

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected fromTampa Bay Devil Rays)

Tampa Bay Rays
2024 Tampa Bay Rays season
Team logoCap insignia
Major league affiliations
Current uniform
Retired numbers
Colors
  • Navy blue, light blue, yellow, white[1][2][3]
Name
  • Tampa Bay Rays (2008–present)
  • Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998–2007)
Ballpark
Major league titles
World Series titles(0)None
AL Pennants(2)
AL East Division titles(4)
Wild card berths(5)
Front office
Principal owner(s)Stuart Sternberg
PresidentBrian Auld
Matt Silverman
President of baseball operationsErik Neander
General managerVacant
ManagerKevin Cash
Websitemlb /rays

TheTampa Bay Raysare an Americanprofessional baseballteam based in theTampa Bay area.The Rays compete inMajor League Baseball(MLB) as a member club of theAmerican League(AL)Eastdivision. The Rays are one of two major league clubs based in Florida, alongside theNational League(NL)’sMiami Marlins.Since its inception, the team's homeballparkhas beenTropicana FieldinSt. Petersburg, Florida.

Following nearly three decades of unsuccessfully trying to gain anexpansionfranchise or enticing existing teams torelocateto theTampa Bay area,an ownership group led byVince Naimoliwas approved on March 9, 1995. The team began play as theTampa Bay Devil Raysin the1998 Major League Baseball season.

The team's first decade of play was marked by futility; they finished in last place in the AL East in all but the 2004 season, when they finished second to last.[4]Following the 2007 season,Stuart Sternberg,who had purchased controlling interest in the team from Vince Naimoli two years earlier,[5]changed the team's name from "Devil Rays" to "Rays", now meaning both manta rays and rays of sunshine;[1][6]a manta ray logo appears on the uniform sleeves while a sunburst appears on the uniform front. The 2008 season saw the Rays post their first winning season, their first AL East championship, and their first American League pennant (defeating the rivalBoston Red Soxin theALCS), though they lost to thePhiladelphia Philliesinthat year's World Series.Since then, the Rays have played in the postseason eight more times, winning the American League pennant again in 2020 and losing to theLos Angeles Dodgersinthat year's World Series.The Rays are one of five MLB teams to not have a World Series title yet, the others being theSan Diego Padres,Colorado Rockies,Milwaukee Brewers,andSeattle Mariners.

The Tampa Bay Rays' chiefrivalsare theBoston Red Soxand theNew York Yankees,which also play in the AL East. Regarding the former, there have been severalnotable on-field incidents.[7]The Rays also have an in-stateinterleaguerivalry with the National League (NL)'sMiami Marlins(originally the Florida Marlins).

Through 2024, the Rays' all-time record is2,091–2,179(.490).[8]

History

[edit]
Main article:History of the Tampa Bay Rays
See also:Baseball in the Tampa Bay area

Background and push for an expansion team

[edit]

TheTampa Bay areahas a long association with amateur and professional baseball. Tampa and St. Petersburg were among the first hosts ofMajor League Baseballspring trainingin the 1910s, theTampa SmokersandSt. Petersburg Saintswere two of the founding members of theminor leagueFlorida State League(FSL) in 1919, and several other communities in the area also hosted FSL teams in the following years. However, it was not until a period of explosive population and economic growth after World War II that the area was considered as a possible location for major professional sports.

The push to bring major league baseball to the Tampa Bay area can be traced to the late 1960s, when civic leader andSt. Petersburg Timespublisher Jack Lake wrote a series of editorials arguing thatSt. Petersburgcould and should support a franchise.[9]However, though Tampa was awarded the expansionTampa Bay Buccaneersby theNational Football Leaguein 1974, the region suffered through many unsuccessful attempts to acquire a major league baseball team through expansion or relocation in the 1970s to the early 1990s. TheOakland A's,Minnesota Twins,Chicago White Sox,Texas Rangers,Kansas City Royals,andSeattle Marinersall seriously considered moving to either Tampa or St. Petersburg, but they all elected to remain in place, usually with the enticement of a new publicly-funded ballpark.[9][10]In response, the city of St. Petersburg decided to build theFlorida Suncoast Dome(now called Tropicana Field) in the mid-1980s for the express purpose of luring a major league team with a move-in ready facility. The building opened in 1990, but it would be several more years before the area gained a major league franchise.[11][page needed]

When MLB announced plans to add two expansion teams for the1993 season,it was widely assumed that one would be placed in the Tampa Bay area, most likely St. Petersburg. However, the region's effort was split into two ownership groups with competing applications: the "Tampa Bay Whitecaps" group led byRoy Disneyand the Kohldepartment storefamily that proposed hosting the franchise at the Florida Suncoast Dome in St. Petersburg, and the "Florida Panthers" group led by former Texas Rangers part-owner Frank Morsani that planned on building a new ballpark adjacent toTampa Stadium,home of the Buccaneers.[12]The league declined to award a franchise to either group, and instead placed franchises inDenver(Colorado Rockies) andMiami(Florida Marlins).[13]Morsani sued MLB, claiming he had been promised an expansion team in exchange for dropping his plans to relocate the Twins or Rangers to Tampa.[14]Ultimately, he sold the "Panthers" trademark to Marlins ownerWayne Huizenga,who would later use it for hisMiami-based professional hockey team.[15]

Tampa-based investorVince Naimolihad negotiated a deal to buy theSan Francisco Giantsand move them to St. Petersburg in 1992, but MLB owners unexpectedly voted to block the deal.[16]Naimoli sued major league baseball fortortious interferencefor intervening, and in part to settle the suit, MLB awarded his ownership group anew expansion franchiseon March 9, 1995, the same day that theArizona Diamondbackswere awarded toPhoenix.[17][18]The new franchise would take to theartificial turfof St. Petersburg's newly rechristened Tropicana Field during the1998season.

Naimoli initially planned to call the team the "Tampa Bay Sting Rays" but the naming rights were already held by the minor leagueMaui Stingrays.The Maui club offered to sell the name for $35,000, but rather than make the deal, Naimoli opted for a different species ofrays,and the new franchise was introduced as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The name was not welcomed in all quarters; thedevil rayis not nearly as common in waters nearTampa Bayas the ubiquitouscownose stingray,and several pastors of local Christian churches told theTampa Bay Timesthat the inclusion of the word "devil"offended them. However, fans approved the name in a telephone poll set up by Naimoli, who had offered to change the name to the" Manta Rays "if the public chose the alternative.[19][20]

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays namedChuck LaMar,the former assistant general manager of theAtlanta Braves,as its firstgeneral manager;Larry Rothschild,a former pitching coach for the Marlins andCincinnati Reds,was named the team's first manager on November 7, 1997. In theExpansion Drafton November 18, 1997, the Devil Rays acquired their first player in pitcherTony Saunders.Among the team's 34 other draft picks was future star outfielderBobby Abreu;however, Abreu was soon dealt to thePhiladelphia Philliesfor utility infielderKevin Stockerin a trade generally regarded among the worst in recent MLB history.[21][22]The team acquired several veteran stars in trades orfree agentsignings before their first season including pitcherWilson Alvarezand two Tampa natives in first basemanFred McGriffand third basemanWade Boggs,both future members of theBaseball Hall of Fame.[23]

1998–2005: The Devil Rays and early struggles

[edit]

The Devil Rays played their first game on March 31, 1998, against theDetroit Tigersat Tropicana Field, before an opening day crowd of 45,369.Wilson Álvarezthrew the first pitch andWade Boggshit the team's first home run, though the Devil Rays ended up losing 11–6. The next day, the Devil Rays won their first victory, defeating Detroit 11–8, thanks torookiepitcher (and futureAll-Star)Rolando Arrojo.Despite briefly being over.500 in their first 19 games (a first for an expansion team in their inaugural season), the team would go on to lose 99 that year, ending with the second-worst record in the league (just above their neighbors, the Marlins, who lost 108).[24]

Carl Crawfordwas one of the Rays' first breakout stars

The Devil Rays continued to struggle in their next few seasons, with many of their veteran players, including the "Hit Show" of sluggers (McGriff,Vinny Castilla,Jose CansecoandGreg Vaughn), being past their prime—though Wade Boggs would mark his 3000th career hit, a home run, against theCleveland Indianson August 7, 1999.[25]Having led the Devil Rays through two last-place, 69-wins seasons in1999and2000,Rothschild was fired partway through the2001 seasonand replaced byHal McRae.Despite the change, the team continued to decline, and the2002 seasonwould lead to a franchise-worst 55–106 record, despite the emergence of key players likeAubrey Huff,Toby Hall,andCarl Crawford.McRae was moved to a front office position after the season.

Lou Piniella,a Tampa native who had previously led the Reds to aWorld Series,replaced McRae as manager for the2003 season,winning 63 games. Thenext year,Piniella's Devil Rays finished with a 70–91 record, just above theToronto Blue Jaysto claim in 4th in the American League East—the first time in franchise history the team was out of last place. Crawford established himself as a breakout star, leading the American League in triples (19) and, for the second year in a row, stolen bases (59). In the2005 season,Crawford's production at the plate was matched by newcomersJorge CantúandJonny Gomes,though the team was let down by its pitching staff (despite the arrival ofScott Kazmir) and finished 67–95.

Tensions between the owners and management came to a head after the dismal 2005 season. Piniella became frustrated with the ownership group's lack of commitment to the team, stating that they were "not interested about the present" but "about the future." He took issue not only with Naimoli (whose repeated promises of payroll increases had not been met), but with a new group of investors led byStuart Sternberg.[26]After the 2005 season, Sternberg purchased a controlling interest in the team and released Piniella, buying out the last year of his contract for $2.2 million.[27]

2006–2015: The Rays, Joe Maddon, and first postseason appearances

[edit]

For the2006 season,Sternberg hiredJoe Maddon,formerly of theAnaheim Angels,to replace Piniella as manager. Sternberg also fired LaMar and most of the front office, replacing him withAndrew Friedman(as Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations). Nevertheless, the team continued to struggle for the first two years of Maddon's tenure, finishing 61–101 and 66–96 in 2006 and2007 season.

Evan Longoriaowns many Rays franchise records, including games played, home runs, RBIs, andWAR.

The team was rebranded before the2008 season,abandoning its nickname and green-white color scheme for a new existence as theTampa Bay Rays.Dropping the "Devil", the new Rays name referred to a ray of sunshine (for theSunshine Stateof Florida), and the team adopted anavy,Columbia blueandgoldcolor scheme. Sternberg finally delivered on his promises to increase the team's payroll, raising it to $43 million (still the lowest payroll in baseball).[28]The team, anchored by Crawford, Kazmir, and pitcherJames Shields,was bolstered by new additions of pitchersMatt GarzaandDavid Price(a first round draft pick),[29]outfielderBen Zobrist,and third base prospectEvan Longoria.The Rays started the season strongly with their best record in franchise history, and became the first team in modern Major League history (since 1900) to hold the best record in the league through Memorial Day, after having the worst record in the league the year before.[30]The Rays briefly fell behind theBoston Red Soxbut, with the best home record in Major League Baseball, manage to qualify for at least the ALWild Cardon September 20—the team's first-ever postseason berth.[31]The Rays would ultimately end the season two games above the Red Sox in the AL East, their first divisional title.

The2008 American League Division Serieswas the Rays' first playoff series victory, defeating theChicago White Soxin 4 games. Besting the Red Sox in theAmerican League Championship Seriesin 7 games, the Rays advanced to theWorld Seriesfor the first time. However, the team's good fortunes came to an end, and they were defeated four games to one by thePhiladelphia Phillies.

Tampa Bay in the2008 World Series

Going into the2009 season,the American League champions again posted a winning record, 84–78, but were unable to return to the postseason, in part due to injuries to Longoria,Akinori IwamuraandCarlos Peña.The Rays performed much better the following year, aseasonthat saw Matt Garza throw the franchise's firstno-hitter(against Detroit)[32]They again won the AL East, finishing with the best record in the AL, but were eliminated in theALDSby the Rangers.

The Rays lost veterans like Garza, Peña, and Crawford in the 2010–11 offseason, but nevertheless finished the2011 seasonwith the ALwild card,having just barely beat out the Red Sox with a 12th-inningwalk-off home runby Evan Longoria against the Yankees. The team was again eliminated by the Rangers in theALDS.The Rays missed out on the postseasonthe next yeardespite a 90–72 record, though David Price became the first Rays pitcher to earn theCy Young Award.The team returned to the postseason in2013(after aGame 163tiebreaker against Texas), in part thanks to new additionsWil MyersandChris Archer.However, they were again defeated in theALDS,this time by the eventualWorld Serieschampions, the Red Sox.

After 2013's failed championship bid, the Rays entered a period of decline; 2014 saw their first losing record (77–85) since 2007. Price was traded away to theDetroit Tigers,though the Rays received prospectWilly Adamesin return.[33]GM Andrew Friedman left Tampa Bay to for a front office role with theLos Angeles Dodgers;[34]this activated an opt-out clause in Maddon's contract, who also opted to leave Tampa Bay despite efforts to re-sign him.[35]Maddon finished his tenure with a record of 754 wins and 705 losses.[36]

2015–present: The Kevin Cash era

[edit]

The Rays namedKevin Cashas Maddon's successor on December 5, 2014; he would be the youngest manager in league.[37]Cash's first season in2015saw strong performances from Chris Archer, who became a Cy Young contender, and center-fielderKevin Kiermaier,who won his firstGold Glove Award;however the team ended the season with an 80–82 record. The team fared more poorly in thenext year;they finished last in the AL East for the first time since 2007, winning only 68 games in a season marred by injuries (including to Kiermaier) and a 3–24 stretch between June 16 and July 16.2017again saw strong performances from Archer andAlex Cobb(returning fromTommy John surgerythe year before), and the team rebounded to match its 2015 record.

The 2017 season also sawErik Neandertake over as general manager fromMatthew Silverman,and he would continue the Rays' strategy of aggressive trade moves. Heading into2018,the Rays traded Evan Longoria, long considered afranchise player,to the Giants, and starterJake Odorizzito the Twins.[38]More trades would come as the season went on, asMatt Andriesewas dealt to Arizona; Archer was traded to thePittsburgh Piratesfor pitcherTyler Glasnow,outfielderAustin Meadows,and prospectShane Baz.Despite the departure of much of their existing rotation, Glasnow andBlake Snellanchored the teams pitching staff; Snell, who led all AL pitchers in wins (21) and ERA (1.89), won the franchise's secondCy Young Award.The team also pioneered the concept of the "opener,"by which the pitcher who begins the game only pitches an inning or two before being relieved by the" bulk man "who often pitches into the late innings. Though criticized by some baseball traditionalists, the innovative strategy helped the Rays finish the year with the second-best team ERA in the American League.[39]Though the Rays won 90 games in 2018, they did not qualify for the playoffs.

Snell, Lowe, and the second AL Pennant (2019–2021)

[edit]

Cash led the Rays to his first postseason in2019,building off an impressive 19–9 start to win 96 games. The pitching staff, anchored by starters Glasnow, Snell, and veteranCharlie Morton,led the American League with a 3.65 ERA. They defeated Oakland in the2019 AL Wild Card Game,but they were defeated by theHouston Astrosin a five-gameALDS.

Randy Arozarenain2020set all-time records for mosthitsandhome runsin a single postseason

Despite the postseason defeat, the Rays retained much of their core going into the2020 season,which had been shortened to 60 games as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic.Despite a 5–7 start, the Rays rebounded to win 35 of their last 48 games, thanks to the rotation, the bullpen, and an offensive breakout fromBrandon Lowe.At the end of the regular season, the team posted an AL-best 40–20 record, winning its first divisional title since 2011 and again advancing to the postseason.

The Rays went on to defeat the Yankees in the five-gameALDS,thanks toMike Brosseau's go-ahead eighth inning home run off Yankees pitcherAroldis Chapman;during the regular season, Chapman had instigated a bench-clearing altercation by throwing over Brosseau's head. The postseason was dominated byRandy Arozarena,who set new records for postseason home runs (10), hits by arookieand by any player in a single postseason (29), and total bases (64). In a rematch of 2019, the Rays defeated the Astros in the seven-gameALCS,and went on to meet the Dodgers in theWorld Series.The Rays won Game 4 of the series in near-miraculous fashion; down 6–7, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and down in the count 1–2,Brett Phillipssingled off LA closerKenley Jansenfor his first career postseason hit, scoring Kiermaier to tie the game, and Arozarena to score the winning run and tie the series at two.[40]Despite the heroics, the Rays lost the next two games to the Dodgers and were defeated in their second bid for aWorld Series.

In the offseason, the Rays unloaded much of their pitching core; Morton was lost to free agency and Snell was traded to theSan Diego Padres.The roster would change even more after opening day;Willy Adameswas traded to theMilwaukee Brewersand Glasnow underwentTommy John surgerythat would place him on the injured list through 2022. Nevertheless, the team welcomed many rookies, including starting pitcherShane McClanahan,who had debuted in the 2020 postseason. The Rays finished the season with a record of 100–62, which was the best record in the American League and the third-best record in baseball. They won the AL East for the second consecutive year and were matched against the Wild Card Game winner in Boston. They beat the Red Sox in Game 1, punctuated by a steal of home plate by Arozarena. However, the team were eliminated by Boston in theALDSafter Boston won the next three games, which included the last two ending in walkoff fashion with a 13th inning home run in Game 3 and a series-ending walkoff sacrifice fly in Game 4.

Wild card berths and postseason flameouts (2021–present)

[edit]

Recurring injuries marred the2022 season.Despite shining performances from the pitching staff—including McClanahan, who was considered a Cy Young candidate and started the2022 All-Star Gamefor the AL, andDrew Rasmussen,who flirted with aperfect gameon August 14—the team finished third in the AL East behind Toronto and New York. The team did make history on Sep 15 when it fielded the first all-Latino lineup in MLB history—coincidentally, onRoberto ClementeDay—in an 11–0 victory over the Blue Jays.[41]The Rays still qualified for aWild Cardberth, but lost to Cleveland in a two-game series where the Rays scored one total run; the second game was characterized as a "historicpitcher's duel",as it was the first postseason game to go 14 innings without a run scored beforeOscar Gonzalezhit a walkoff home run in the 15th inning.[42]

The2023 seasonalso started promising, as the Rays managed to tie the modern era (post-1900) record for most consecutive wins to start a season with thirteen.[43]Yandy Díaz,hitting.330, earned the franchise's firstAmerican League batting title.However, injuries decimated the starting rotation, as McClanahan, Rasmussen, andJeffrey Springsall went down withTommy John surgery,and a dismal July (where they went 8–16) saw the Rays fall behind the Orioles in the division race; they ended with 99 wins, two wins behind the 101 of Baltimore. Tampa Bay hosted theeventual world champion Texas Rangersin another two-gameWild Cardloss where the Rays never led at any point with just one run scored yet again.

In 2024, muddled in a season where they could not stay definitely over.500 (which included losing the services ofWander Francodue to allegations of sexual abuse), the Rays traded away multiple players at the deadline, which included Randy Arozarena.

Season results

[edit]
Main article:List of Tampa Bay Rays seasons

The records of the Rays' last five seasons inMajor League Baseball.

American Leaguechampions* Divisionchampions^ Wild cardberth¤
MLB
season 		Team
season 		League[44] Division[44] Regular season Post-season Awards
Finish[a] Wins[b] Losses Win% GB[c]
2019 2019 AL East 2nd ¤ 96 66 .593 7 WonALWC(Athletics)
LostALDS(Astros) 3–2
2020 2020 AL * East ^ 1st 40 20 .667 — WonALWC(Blue Jays) 2–0
WonALDS(Yankees) 3–2
WonALCS(Astros) 4–3
LostWorld Series(Dodgers) 4–2 		Kevin Cash(MOY)[45]
2021 2021 AL East ^ 1st 100 62 .617 — LostALDS(Red Sox) 3–1 Randy Arozarena(ROY)[46]
Kevin Cash(MOY)[45]
2022 2022 AL East 3rd ¤ 86 76 .531 13 LostALWC(Guardians) 2–0
2023 2023 AL East 2nd ¤ 99 63 .611 2 LostALWC(Rangers) 2–0

These statistics are current through the2023 Major League Baseball regular season.

Rivals

[edit]

AL East

[edit]

Tampa Bay's primary rivals are theBoston Red Soxand theNew York Yankees.[47]

Boston Red Sox

[edit]
Main article:Rays–Red Sox rivalry

TheRed Sox/Rays rivalry dates back to the 2000 season, when Devil RayGerald Williamstook exception to being hit by a pitch thrown by Boston pitcherPedro Martínezand charged the mound, resulting in a game full of retaliations and ejections on both sides.[48]There have been several other incidents between the teams during the ensuing years, including one in 2005 that resulted in two bench-clearing fights during the game and a war of words between then-Devil Rays managerLou Piniellaand then-Boston pitcherCurt Schillingthrough the media in the following days.[49]The rivalry reached its highest level to date during the 2008 season, including a brawl during a June meeting inFenway Park[50]and a seven-game American League Championship Series between the teams that ended in the Rays' first ever pennant win.

New York Yankees

[edit]

As a fellow member of the AL East division, theYankeesand Rays play many times each season. There has always been some feeling of a rivalry between the teams because the Yankees makeTampatheirspring traininghome, as well as having a minor league team in theTampa Tarpons;home and fan loyalty in theTampa Bay areahas historically been divided, especially amongtransplantsfrom the northeastern U.S.[51]The rivalry became more heated in spring training of 2008, when a home plate collision between Rays outfielderElliot Johnsonand Yankees catcherFrancisco Cervelliwas followed the next day by spikes-high slide by Yankees outfielderShelley Duncaninto Rays' second basemanAkinori Iwamura,prompting Rays outfielderJonny Gomesto charge in from his position in right field and knock Duncan to the ground.

In a 2020 incident atYankee Stadium,Yankee closerAroldis Chapmanthrew a 101-mph fastball over the head of Rays batterMike Brosseau,leading to the ejection of Rays manager Kevin Cash and the clearing of benches. Chapman earned a three-game suspension. In response to the incident, Cash said that, if it continued to happen, the Rays had "a whole damn stable" of pitchers capable ofthrowing 98 miles an hour.Later that year, the Rays and Yankees would meet in postseason for the first time in the2020 American League Division Series,which Tampa Bay won in five games; the go-ahead run, in the eighth inning of Game 5, was a home run by Brosseau off of Chapman.

In the heat of the2022division race, there were several confrontations as the Rays neared the first-place Yankees. Days after the YankeeJosh Donaldsontraded barbs with Rays starterJeffrey Springs,benches cleared when Donaldson wasnearlyhit by a pitch.[52][53]In 2023, tensions erupted in a series at Tropicana Field, where the Yankees hit five Rays batters in three games. Benches cleared twice in one inning on August 27 after Randy Arozarena was hit byAlbert Abreu;Arozarena, who had been hit by Abreu in May, said he believed it was intentional. Yankee pitcherIan Hamilton(who earlier hitJonathan Aranda) said of the Rays, "If they want to come over here [to our clubhouse], they can come over here," while Tampa Bay's Brandon Lowe said the Rays shouldn't "worry" about a "last-place team" like the Yankees. "They're trying to ignite something over there, whatever. It's not worth our time at this moment."[54][55]

Citrus Series

[edit]
Main article:Marlins–Rays rivalry

The Rays also have a geographical,interleaguerivalry with theMiami Marlins.Tampa Bay currently leads the series, 81–60.[56]

Ballparks

[edit]

Tropicana Field

[edit]
Main article:Tropicana Field
The Rays play their home games at Tropicana Field.

The Rays have played atTropicana Fieldsince their inception in 1998.[57]The facility, which was originally called the "Florida Suncoast Dome", was built in the late 1980s to attract an MLB team through either relocation or expansion. After St. Petersburg was awarded an expansion franchise in 1995, the dome underwent extensive renovations and naming rights were sold toTropicana Products,which was based in nearbyBradenton.

Tropicana Field underwent further renovations in 2006 and 2007 afterStu Sternberggained controlling ownership of the team. Most of the changes sought to improve fans' game-day experience. For the players, the biggest change was the installation of a newField Turfsurface in 2007, which was replaced in turn with a new version ofAstroTurffor the 2011 season.

New ballpark

[edit]
Main articles:Rays Ballpark,Ybor Stadium,andGas Plant Stadium

The Rays' current ownership has stated that Tropicana Field does not generate enough revenue, and that its location in St. Petersburg is too far from theTampa Bay area's primary population center inHillsborough County.[58]Rays attendance has historically ranked among the lowest compared to all MLB teams including seasons following a playoff berth.[59]Rays attendance at Tropicana Field slightly improved in two seasons following playoff berths between 2008 and 2013 but dropped in two other seasons following playoff berths in the same span.[59]After the Rays earned the best AL record in 2010, average attendance in 2011 dropped by 4,100 per game.[59][60]In 2019 the Rays average attendance was 14,552 per game.[59]

In 2007, the team announced a plan to build a covered ballpark at the current site ofAl Lang Fieldon the St. Petersburg waterfront, and a localreferendumwas scheduled to decide on public financing.[61]However, in the face of vocal opposition, the Rays withdrew the proposal in 2009 and stated they had abandoned all plans for a ballpark on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, preferring a location nearer to the center ofPinellas Countyor across the bay inTampa.[62]

Since 2009, local officials, media, and business leaders have explored possibilities for a new stadium for the Rays somewhere in the Tampa Bay area.[63]However, St. Petersburg mayorBill Fosterrepeatedly insisted that the Rays honor their use agreement with the city, which runs through 2027 and prohibits the team from entering into talks with other communities, resulting in a protracted stalemate.[64]Foster was replaced by Mayor Rick Kriseman in 2013.[65]

In October 2014, Sternberg, frustrated with efforts to build a new stadium in the Tampa Bay area, had discussions with Wall Street associates about moving the Rays toMontreal,which has been without a Major League Baseball franchise since theMontreal Exposmoved to Washington, D.C. in 2005 to become theWashington Nationals.[66][67]On December 9, 2014, reports surfaced that owner Stuart Sternberg will sell the team if a new stadium is not built.[68]

On February 9, 2018, the team said thatYbor Cityis their preferred site for a new stadium.[69]However, at the December 2018 Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, Sternberg announced that plans for the proposed stadium in Ybor fell through, meaning the Rays were still on track to play at Tropicana Field until 2027.[70][71]Later in December 2018, the team sent a letter to Mayor Kriseman, foregoing an extension to search for a new stadium outside of the city.[72][73]

On June 20, 2019, Major League Baseball's executive council gave the team permission to explore playing early-season home games in the Tampa Bay area and later-season home games inMontreal—the former home of the National League'sMontreal Exposuntil 2004—with 2024 the earliest prospective date such an arrangement was thought to be feasible.[74][75]The plan would have entailed spending spring training and the first two months of the regular season in an open-air stadium in Tampa, before moving north for the rest of the season.[76]It would have been the first time a Major League team "split" seasons in two different cities since the Expos played 22 games inPuerto Ricoduring the 2004 season. The last time any team in North America'smajor professional sports leagues"split" their season on (what was intended to be) a permanent basis was theNational Basketball Association'sKansas City Kings,which played three seasons partially inOmaha.[77]

Team presidentMatt Silvermanannounced the Rays' intention to display a "Tampa Bay/Montreal" graphic in the right field foul territory at Tropicana Field during the 2021 MLB postseason to promote the team's split-city concept for the future,[78]although those plans were dropped shortly after alongside an apology from owner Stuart Sternberg, who said he made "a real mistake, in trying to promote our sister-city plan with a sign right now in our home ballpark".[79]

In January 2022, MLB commissionerRob Manfredinformed Sternberg that the split-season plan would not be allowed to proceed. Sternberg went on to say that the franchise would resume to explore sites around the Tampa Bay area as well as a new city altogether.[80]

On September 19, 2023, the Rays announced that they plan to build anew ballparkin St. Petersburg adjacent to Tropicana Field as part of the redevelopment of the Gas Plant District and will open for the 2028 season. It is expected to be a 30,000 seat fixed roof stadium which will cost $1.3 billion.[81]

Logo and uniform history

[edit]

1998–2000: Devil Rays rainbow

[edit]
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays uniform used from 1998–2000

During their first three seasons, the Devil Rays wore traditional white home and gray road uniforms with the text "Devil Rays" (home) and "Tampa Bay" (road) in an unconventional multicolor "rainbow" across the chest. The intended inaugural caps were also unusual: black with a purple brim at home and all black on the road, with both versions featuring a devil ray graphic and no letters at all.[82]However, for most games, the team wore their all-black alternate caps, featuring a smaller ray and the letters "TB" for both home and road games, with the purple-brimmed caps only occasionally seeing use late in the season. During the 1999 and 2000 seasons, the Devil Rays wore an alternate black jersey featuring the same rainbow text as the white and gray uniforms.[83]

2001–2007: Rays greens

[edit]
Dioner Navarro(left) andCasey Fossumwearing the 2001–2007 home and road uniforms.

In 2001, the Devil Rays dropped the multicolor text and de-emphasized purple in favor of more green. They also changed the font on their jersey tops and shortened the name on the home whites to read simply "Rays" while keeping "Tampa Bay" on the road grays.[84]

In 2005, the home uniforms were again tweaked to include still more green. The primary home whites became a sleeveless jersey worn with green sleeved undershirts, and the primary home caps were changed from black to green. In addition, a small ray with a long tail was added under the name "Rays" on the chest of the home jerseys.[85]

2008–present

[edit]
Rays primary logo, 2008–2018

The current Rays primary uniform has been used with little change since the team officially shortened its name from "Devil Rays" to "Rays" for the 2008 season. The home jersey is a traditional white with the name "Rays" in dark blue across the chest and a yellow "sunburst" on the letter "R". The Rays' road uniform is gray, also with a sunburst and the team name across the chest. Both feature dark blue piping and caps featuring a white "TB" logo.[86]

The Rays' first alternate jersey also features the name "Rays" and a yellow sunburst on chest, but is a dark blue material withColumbia bluepiping, white characters for the player name, and player numbers that are simply a white outline. This alternate jersey is worn both at home and on the road with either white or gray pants. The Rays' second alternate jersey is similar, but is a light Columbia blue. This second alternate was usually worn only for Sunday home games with white pants, paired since 2018 with an alternate dark blue cap with the team's classic "devil ray" logo. The second alternate was modified for the 2022 season by replacing the "Rays" wordmark with the sunburst logo on the right chest.[87]

Starting in 2023, the Rays abandoned the gray road jerseys in favor of their 1998 "Rainbow" Devil Rays uniforms, which the team had been wearing on occasional home games since 2018. The road jerseys are now either the navy blue or Columbia blue tops with gray pants. The team announced that the throwbacks would be worn on Opening Day, as part of the team's celebrations for its 25th anniversary season, as well as at all Friday home games.[88]

Home uniform (2008–present), worn byDavid Price.
Road uniform (2008–2022), worn byEvan Longoria.
Navy alternate (2009–present), worn byJi-man Choi.
Columbia blue alternate (2010–2021), worn byCorey Dickerson.
Columbia blue alternate (2022–present), worn byChristian Arroyo.
Devil Rays alternate (2023–present), worn byNick Ciuffo.
City Connect(2024–present), worn byTaj Bradley.

"Turn Back the Clock" Nights

[edit]

The Rays first staged "Turn Back the Clock" promotions with a retro theme andthrowback uniformsearly in their existence, and it has become an annual tradition since 2006.[89]

After the 2008 rebranding, the Rays first revisited the Devil Rays name in 2009, wearing the "rainbow" uniforms from their 1998 inaugural season.[89]They returned to the rainbow uniforms in 2018 in honor of the franchise's twentieth anniversary,[90]and continued to wear them on designated throwback days in the 2019, 2021, and 2022 seasons, paired with an alternate dark blue hat bearing the throwback "devil ray" logo. Starting in 2023, the rainbow Devil Rays uniforms were added to the official uniform rotation.[88]

From 2012 to 2017, the Rays sported specially designed 1980 Tampa Bay Rays "faux-back" uniforms that represented what the team might have worn had the franchise existed during the late 1970s and early 1980s. These uniforms were patterned after those of theSan Diego Padresfrom the late 1970s, but with the Rays' name (including a circular yellow sunburst) and team colors of gold, navy, and powder blue.[91][92][93]In 2014, the Rays debuted a road version of the fauxback in an interleague game against theChicago Cubs,this one with gold sleeves instead of navy. This version of the fauxback was later worn for two home games in 2017.[94]

In addition to their own uniforms, the franchise has also worn the uniforms of other historical local teams. The Rays have worn the uniforms of theTampa Tarponsof theFlorida State League(in 1999, 2006, and 2010), theSt. Petersburg Pelicansof theSenior Professional Baseball Association(in 2008), theSt. Petersburg Saints(in 2000 and 2007) andTampa Smokersof theFlorida International League(in 2011), and theUniversity of Tampa Spartans(in 2000).[89]

The Rays' opponents on Turn Back the Clock night have also occasionally worn throwbacks from the same era as the Rays' retro uniforms. For example, theHouston Astroswore their 1980s "Rainbow Guts" uniforms, theNew York Metswore the road uniforms of their 1969 championship team,[95]theChicago White Soxwore their red and white home uniforms from the 1970s, and theBaltimore Orioleswore their rare all-orange uniforms from the early 1970s.[96]Perhaps the most memorable such game was on June 23, 2007, when the Devil Rays wore St. Pete Saints uniforms from the early 1950s, and theLos Angeles Dodgerswore the gray road uniforms of theWorld Series-winning 1955Brooklyn Dodgers to honorDon Zimmer,who played on that Dodger team and was a senior adviser for the Rays prior to his death. Rays management also gave away abobbleheadat the game featuring a young Zimmer in a Dodgers uniform and an older Zimmer in a Devil Rays uniform.[97]

City Connect

[edit]

In 2024, the Rays introduced their "City Connect"uniforms. The uniform, jersey and pants, is mostly dark. The jersey features" Tampa Bay "across the jersey, the first since 2007 as the Devil Rays, in black lettering outlined in neon. The wordmark is from their road uniforms from 1998 to 2000. The cap features theSunshine Skyway Bridge,which crosses into St. Petersburg, Florida, along withStingraybelow, referred to as the "skyray". Another logo features three palm trees and a pelican, both of which have several ties to the area. The three palms logo can be seen on a Florida Historical Marker, such as the one located at Perry Harvey Sr. Park, also known as the "Bro Bowl",Florida’s first public skatepark, and the first to be listed on any national registry of historic sites. The pelican is featured on the flag of St. Petersburg, and it is a nod to theSt. Petersburg Pelicans,who played in the Florida State Negro Baseball League in the 1940s and ‘50s.[98]

Team media

[edit]

Radio

[edit]

WDAE(620 AM) has been the flagship station of the Rays radio network since 2009. The play-by-play announcers areAndy Freedand Neil Solondz.Dave Willsserved as a play-by-play announcer for 18 seasons before his death in March 2023.[99]Rich Herreraserved as the host during pre- and post-game shows for the Tampa Rays Baseball Radio Network from 2005 to 2011.[100]The (Devil) Rays original radio team consisted ofPaul OldenandCharlie Slowes,who broadcast games from 1998 to 2005. Slowes went to theWashington Nationals,where he is now lead announcer, while Olden pursued a photography career before replacingBob Sheppardas the public address announcer atYankee Stadiumin 2008.[101]

Television

[edit]

Bally Sports Sun,previously known as Fox Sports Sun, broadcasts the Rays' games on television. Through the 2008 season, many games also aired onIon Televisionaffiliate broadcast stations throughout the state of Florida, withWXPX-TVin Tampa as the flagship. However, after the 2008 season, Fox Sports signed an agreement to become the exclusive local broadcaster of the Rays, and will air 155 games per year through 2016.[102]

Dewayne Staats(play-by-play) and former MLB pitcherBrian Anderson(color commentary) are the TV voices of the Rays. For the first 11 seasons of the franchise, Staats teamed with former MLB pitcherJoe Magraneon the Rays' TV broadcasts. Magrane departed after conclusion of the 2008 season to take a position at theMLB Network.Former minors catcher and MLB managerKevin Kennedythen served as the primary color commentator in 2009 and 2010, with Brian Anderson filling in on some road trips, after which Anderson took over as the everyday commentator from 2011.[103]

Awards

[edit]

Staats, Magrane, Wills, Olden and Slowes have all been nominated for theFord C. Frick Award,the broadcasters' path to theBaseball Hall of Fame.[104]

The Rookie

[edit]

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays were featured in the movieThe Rookie,a 2002 drama directed byJohn Lee Hancock.It is based on the true story of pitcherJim Morris,who had a brief but famousMajor League Baseballcareer with the team.[105]Morris spent parts of two seasons with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as a reliever, pitching 15 innings in 21 games, with an earned run average of 4.80 and no decisions.[106]

Rays fandom

[edit]
Raymond, the Rays' first mascot, pictured in 2007.

Mascots

[edit]

The Rays have two primary mascots, Raymond and DJ Kitty.

Raymond was introduced during the team's inaugural season in 1998, and is referred to as a "seadog."[107]Raymond interacts with fans throughout the stadium prior to each home game, and can be seen rallying fans throughout games, either by walking through the stands, or climbing on top of the home dugout. After each Rays win at home, Raymond will wave a large "Rays Win" flag in the outfield.

DJ Kitty was introduced in 2010, initially through a video that would play on the scoreboard whenever the game situation called for a rally, in which a large anthropomorphic cat, wearing a Rays jersey, appeared on the screen wielding aturntablesimilar to those used by rapDJs.Loud music is played over the PA system while the arrival of DJ Kitty is proclaimed on display boards throughout the ballpark. Similarly to Raymond, DJ Kitty will interact with fans and pose for pictures in the stadium prior to each home game, and participates in activities with Raymond, including a mascot race and other between-inning entertainment. The character was created by Rays entertainment director Lou Costanza in an attempt to rally the Rays players and the fans at Tropicana Field.[108]

More Cowbell

[edit]

The Rays' Cowbell was originally a promotional idea thought up by principal ownerStuart Sternberg,who got the idea from theSaturday Night Livesketch.Since then, it has become a standard feature of home games, something akin to theSacramento Kingsof theNBAand the bells their fans ring during games. Road teams have often considered the cowbell a nuisance. The cowbells are rung most prominently when the opposing batter has two strikes, when the opposing fans try to chant, and when the Rays make a good play.[109]

Professional wrestlers

[edit]

Rays games are frequently visited byprofessional wrestlers,as there are a large number of wrestlers living in theTampa Bay Area.The Nasty Boys(Brian KnobsandJerry Sags),Brutus Beefcake,andHulk Hoganall appear on a semi-regular basis at Rays games.John Cenaappears on occasion.

The Rays held a "Legends of Wrestling Night" on May 18, 2007, featuring several wrestling matches after the game, an 8–4 loss to theFlorida Marlins.Outfielder and wrestling fanJonny Gomesran interference for the Nasty Boys during the main event.[110]

A second "Wrestling Night" was held on April 19, 2008, after a 5–0 win over theChicago White Sox.Gomes participated again, this time making a post-match save for the Nasty Boys.[111]

Team slogans

[edit]

During Joe Maddon's tenure as the Rays manager, he and the team coined several slogans, including the mantra9=8for the 2008 season, explained by Maddon as meaning that if nine players play nine innings of hard baseball every day, that team would become one of the eight teams who qualify for the postseason. Prior to 2008 season, the Rays had never had a winning season in franchise history, much less a postseason appearance. The slogan morphed throughout the2008 MLB postseasonas the Rays surpassed their previous team record for wins in a single season by more than 30 wins, and ultimately clinched the AL East division title for their first postseason appearance in franchise history. After they clinched their postseason spot, it became9=4,to represent the teams advancing to the LCS. When they won theALDS,it became9=2,for the teams advancing to the World Series. When they won theALCS,it became9=1,representing the possible World Series Championship, although the Rays fell to thePhiladelphia Philliesin five games. For the 2009 season, Maddon introduced a new slogan, '09 > '08,to represent that the season would be "greater" than the previous year.[112]

Also while Maddon was the Rays' manager, Rays players and coaches sportedmohawkhaircuts, nicknamed "rayhawks". The trend started during their2008 World Seriesrun, and continued for several years until Maddon's departure following the 2014 season.[113]

Roster

[edit]
Tampa Bay Rays 2025 spring training roster
40-man roster Non-rosterinvitees Coaches/Other

Pitchers


Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders







Manager

Coaches

60-day injured list

Restricted list

40 active, 0 inactive, 0 non-roster invitees

7-, 10-, or 15-dayinjured list
 * Not on active roster
 †Suspended list
 Roster,coaches,andNRIsupdated October 1, 2024
 Transactions •Depth chart
 →All MLB rosters

Minor league affiliations

[edit]
Main article:List of Tampa Bay Rays minor league affiliates

The Tampa Bay Raysfarm systemconsists of sevenminor leagueaffiliates.[114]

Class Team League Location Ballpark Affiliated
Triple-A Durham Bulls International League Durham, North Carolina Durham Bulls Athletic Park 1998
Double-A Montgomery Biscuits Southern League Montgomery, Alabama Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium 1999
High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods South Atlantic League Bowling Green, Kentucky Bowling Green Ballpark 2009
Single-A Charleston RiverDogs Carolina League Charleston, South Carolina Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park 2021
Rookie FCL Rays Florida Complex League Port Charlotte, Florida Charlotte Sports Park 2009
DSL Rays Dominican Summer League Boca Chica,Santo Domingo Tampa Bay Rays Complex 2016
DSL Tampa Bay

Awards, league leaders, and individual records

[edit]
See also:Tampa Bay Rays award winners and league leaders

Baseball Hall of Famers

[edit]
Tampa Bay Rays Hall of Famers
Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Wade Boggs
Fred McGriff

  • Players and managers listed inboldare depicted on their Hall of Fame plaques wearing a Devil Rays or Rays cap insignia.
  • * Tampa Bay Rays listed as primary team according to the Hall of Fame

Tampa Bay Rays Hall of Fame

[edit]

The Rays established a franchise Hall of Fame in 2023.[115]

Key
Class Year of induction
Bold Inducted intoBaseball Hall of Fame
Tampa Bay Rays Hall of Fame
Class No. Name Position Tenure with team
2023 66 Don Zimmer Coach / advisor 2004–2014
12 Wade Boggs 3B 1998–1999
8
13		 Carl Crawford LF 2002–2010
2024 – Dave Wills Team broadcaster 2005–2023
19 Fred McGriff 1B 1998–2001, 2004

Florida Sports Hall of Fame

[edit]
Main article:Florida Sports Hall of Fame
Rays in the Florida Sports Hall of Fame
No. Name Position Tenure Notes
11, 56 Hal McRae Coach/Manager 2001–2002 Elected mainly on his performance withKansas City Royals,born in Avon Park
12 Wade Boggs 3B 1998–1999 Elected mainly on his performance withBoston Red Sox,attendedHenry B. Plant High Schoolin Tampa
14 Lou Piniella Manager 2003–2005 Born in Tampa
22 Johnny Damon OF 2011 Raised in Orlando
24 Tino Martinez 1B 2004 Elected mainly on his performance withNew York Yankees,born and raised in Tampa, attended University of Tampa
29 Fred McGriff 1B 1998–2001, 2004 Elected mainly on his performance withAtlanta Braves,born in Tampa

Retired numbers

[edit]
Don Zimmer had his #66 retired by the Rays.

The Tampa Bay Rays have retired three numbers. These numbers are displayed to the left of the center field scoreboard and "K Counter" on a small wall.

Jackie Robinson's number 42 was retired by all of Major League Baseball in 1997 (a year before the Rays' inaugural season), thus outsideJackie Robinson Day,no Rays player has ever donned that number permanently.

12
Wade
Boggs
3B
RetiredApril 7, 2000
Don
Zimmer
Coach
RetiredApril 6, 2015
42
Jackie
Robinson
All MLB
HonoredApril 15, 1997

Selected individual franchise single-season records

[edit]

Statistics below are through the end of the 2023 season.

Main article:Tampa Bay Rays team records
  • Highest batting average:.330,Yandy Díaz(2023)
  • Most games: 162,Aubrey Huff(2003),Evan Longoria(2014), andDelmon Young(2007)
  • Most hits: 198, Aubrey Huff (2003)
  • Highest slugging %:.627,Carlos Peña(2007)
  • Most doubles: 47, Aubrey Huff (2003)
  • Most triples: 19,Carl Crawford(2004)
  • Most home runs: 46, Carlos Peña (2007)
  • Most RBIs: 121, Carlos Peña (2007)
  • Most stolen bases: 60, Carl Crawford (2009)
  • Most wins: 21,Blake Snell(2018)
  • Lowest ERA: 1.89, Blake Snell (2018)
  • Strikeouts: 252,Chris Archer(2015)
  • Complete games: 11,James Shields(2011)
  • Shutouts: 4, James Shields (2011)
  • Saves: 48, Fernando Rodney (2012)

Team salaries

[edit]

Opening Day payrolls for 25-man roster (since 1998):[116][117][118]

Opening Day Salary
Year Salary
2022 $78,245,400[119]
2021 $70,836,327[120]
2020 $28,290,689[121]
2019 $52,150,800[122]
2018 $67,482,000[123]
2017 $69,982,520
2016 $57,097,310
2015 $73,649,584
2014 $82,035,490
2013 $51,903,072
2012 $64,173,500
2011 $41,053,571
2010 $71,924,471
2009 $63,313,034
2008 $43,820,597
2007 $24,123,500
2006 $35,417,967
2005 $29,679,067
2004 $29,556,667
2003 $19,630,000
2002 $34,380,000
2001 $56,980,000
2000 $64,407,910
1999 $37,812,500
1998 $25,317,500

See also

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ab"Time to shine: Rays introduce new name, new icon, new team colors and new uniforms".RaysBaseball(Press release).MLB Advanced Media.November 8, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon August 13, 2011.RetrievedNovember 13,2023.
  2. ^Chastain, Bill (February 7, 2018)."Rays set to celebrate 20th anniversary in '18".RaysBaseball.MLB Advanced Media.RetrievedFebruary 8,2018.Prominent among those items was the 20th anniversary logo that will appear on the left sleeve of all Rays 2018 regular-season jerseys and caps. The home-plate shaped patch features the number 20, a sunburst and a variation of the original fish – all in the Rays' modern colors.
  3. ^"Rays All-Time Uniforms and Logos".RaysBaseball.MLB Advanced Media.RetrievedFebruary 11,2019.
  4. ^"Tampa Bay Rays Team History & Encyclopedia".Baseball-Reference.
  5. ^"Devil Rays' ownership transfer approved".ESPN.Associated Press. November 17, 2005.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  6. ^Toribio, Juan (December 1, 2021)."Here's the history of the Rays' team name".RaysBaseball.MLB Advanced Media.RetrievedNovember 13,2023.
  7. ^Reuter, Joel (June 11, 2013)."Is Red Sox-Rays the Most Underrated Heated Rivalry in Baseball?".Bleacher Report.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  8. ^"Tampa Bay Rays Team History & Encyclopedia".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedSeptember 30,2024.
  9. ^abGordon, Peter M."How The Devil Rays Came to Tampa Bay – Society for American Baseball Research".Society for American Baseball Research.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  10. ^Deeson, Mike (December 9, 2014)."St. Pete's long road to get a baseball team".wtsp.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  11. ^Andelman 2015.
  12. ^Andelman 2015,pp. 253–255.
  13. ^Chass, Murray(June 11, 1991)."Baseball Ready to Add Miami and Denver Teams".The New York Times.RetrievedOctober 28,2011.
  14. ^"Suit claimed MLB reneged on expansion".ESPN. Associated Press. September 26, 2003.RetrievedOctober 28,2011.
  15. ^Giulotti, Ed (April 1, 1991)."Local Fans Give Huizenga 13,000 Votes of Confidence".South Florida Sun Sentinel.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  16. ^Chass, Murray (November 11, 1992)."BASEBALL; Look What Wind Blew Back: Baseball's Giants".The New York Times.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  17. ^"Baseball investor gets day in court".The Washington Times.AP. December 29, 2001.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  18. ^Top, Marc (August 26, 2019)."Original Rays franchise owner Vince Naimoli dies at age 81".Tampa Bay Times.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  19. ^"Christians have no sympathy for devil".Tampa Bay Times.RetrievedFebruary 4,2022.
  20. ^Pittman, Craig (March 10, 1995)."What's in a name? Fans see plenty".Tampa Bay Times.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  21. ^"Bobby Abreu".baseballbiography.RetrievedSeptember 12,2008.
  22. ^"The 30 worst trades in MLB history".December 7, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2015.
  23. ^Topkin, Marc (March 31, 2018)."Anniversary party: Devil Rays roster for the 20-years-ago today opener".Tampa Bay Times.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  24. ^"Franchise Timeline".Tampa Bay Rays.
  25. ^Topkin, Marc (August 8, 1999)."3000!".St. Petersburg Times. Archived fromthe originalon October 1, 2007.RetrievedJune 18,2007.
  26. ^Topkin, Marc (August 25, 2005)."New owner draws Lou's rap".St. Petersburg Times.RetrievedJune 8,2021.
  27. ^"Devil Rays buy out Piniella's final season for $2.2M".Associated Press. September 30, 2005.RetrievedJune 8,2021.
  28. ^Rays: Payroll will rise; question is, how much?
  29. ^Fitt, Aaron (June 15, 2007)."Price's excellence almost defies words".Baseball America.RetrievedJune 30,2007.
  30. ^Foss, Darren (August 17, 2008)."Rays Shine during dream season".Bleacher Report.RetrievedJune 8,2021.
  31. ^"Liriano pitches 7 innings as Twins beat Rays 4–1".Archived fromthe originalon September 26, 2008.
  32. ^Marc Topkin (July 25, 2010)."Garza has Rays first no-hitter".St. Petersburg Times.Archived fromthe originalon July 30, 2010.RetrievedJuly 25,2010.
  33. ^Beck, Jason (July 31, 2014)."Tigers land huge Deadline prize in Price".Major League Baseball.Archived fromthe originalon August 8, 2014.RetrievedJuly 31,2014.
  34. ^"Andrew Friedman named Dodgers' president of baseball operations, Colletti becomes advisor".Major League Baseball.RetrievedOctober 26,2015.[permanent dead link]
  35. ^Chastain, Bill (October 24, 2014)."Maddon opts out of contract, leaves Rays".Major League Baseball.Archived fromthe originalon November 5, 2015.RetrievedApril 10,2021.
  36. ^"Joe Maddon".Baseball Reference.Sports Reference LLC.RetrievedDecember 15,2014.
  37. ^"'Dynamic' Cash gets call as Rays manager ".ESPN.December 5, 2014.RetrievedMay 9,2021.
  38. ^Topkin, Marc (December 20, 2017)."The rebuild begins in earnest: Rays trade Evan Longoria to Giants".Tampa Bay Times.RetrievedJune 14,2021.
  39. ^Topkin, Marc (February 16, 2019)."Rays Tales: Are we really talking this much about the opener?".Tampa Bay Times.RetrievedJanuary 18,2022.
  40. ^Castrovince, Anthony (October 25, 2020)."UNBELIEVABLE! Rays walk off in G4, tie WS".MLB.RetrievedOctober 25,2020.
  41. ^"Rays field MLB's first all-Latino lineup on Clemente Day".MLB.September 15, 2022.RetrievedOctober 9,2022.
  42. ^"Rays Lose Historic Pitcher's Duel 1-0 on Oscar Gonzalez's Home Run in 15th Inning".Sports Illustrated.October 8, 2022.RetrievedOctober 9,2022.
  43. ^"Tampa Bay Rays tie MLB post-1900 record for 13 consecutive wins at a season's start, beat Boston Red Sox 9-3".USA Today.
  44. ^ab"Tampa Bay Rays History & Encyclopedia".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedSeptember 28,2008.
  45. ^ab"Manager of the Year Award Winners".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedNovember 10,2020.
  46. ^"Rookie of the Year Award Winners".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedNovember 24,2021.
  47. ^Ryan, Bob (October 19, 2008)."Tampa Bay steps up as new rival".The Boston Globe.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  48. ^Topkin, Marc (October 9, 2008)."Rays-Red Sox rivalry dates to 2000".Tampa Bay Times.Archived fromthe originalon October 13, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  49. ^Cafardo, Nick(April 27, 2005)."Schilling and Piniella exchange barbs".The Boston Globe.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  50. ^Romano, John (October 9, 2008)."Message pitch in Boston helped carry Rays' season".Tampa Bay Times.Archived fromthe originalon October 13, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  51. ^Cristodero, Damian (March 7, 2005)."Rays: Fans as scarce as wins".St. Petersburg Times.Archived fromthe originalon December 27, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  52. ^"Yankees, Rays benches clear after Josh Donaldson is nearly hit by pitch".New York Post. September 4, 2022.
  53. ^James O'Brien[@jomboy_] (September 2, 2022)."Donaldson saying throw the fastball again, you won't. Springs saying I just threw you 3, how many you want?"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  54. ^"Rays brush off 'a last-place team,' top Yanks after benches clear".ESPN. Associated Press.
  55. ^@TriciaWhitaker (August 27, 2023).""Looking at it, it's a last-place team against a team that's in contention. They're just trying to ignite something over there… Not worth our time at this moment. We're focused on bigger things right now…" Brandon Lowe with a big picture perspective about the two dugout clearing scuffles between the Rays and Yankees today "(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  56. ^"mcubed.net: MLB: Series records: Miami Marlins against Tampa Bay Rays".RetrievedSeptember 30,2014.
  57. ^"Tampa Bay Rays home".mlb.RetrievedAugust 21,2020.
  58. ^Sharockman, Aaron; Nohlgren, Stephen (September 5, 2008)."Why replace the Trop?".Tampa Bay Times.Archived fromthe originalon September 6, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  59. ^abcd"Rays reach Series, but face familiar question over new park".baynews9.RetrievedNovember 23,2020.
  60. ^"Tampa Bay Rays MLB Team History – Major League Baseball – ESPN".ESPN.ESPN.RetrievedNovember 23,2020.
  61. ^Williams, Pete (November 28, 2007)."Rays unveil plans for new stadium".Major League Baseball Advanced Media.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.[dead link]
  62. ^Gonzalez, Alden (May 22, 2009)."St. Pete waterfront ballpark a no-go".Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Archived fromthe originalon December 5, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  63. ^Nohlgren, Stephen (March 16, 2010)."ABC Coalition make its Tampa Bay Rays stadium pitch to Pinellas County".Tampa Bay Times.Archived fromthe originalon October 16, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  64. ^Puente, Mark (September 6, 2013)."Mayor Bill Foster says talks with the Tampa Bay Rays aren't going well".Tampa Bay Times.RetrievedJune 1,2024.
  65. ^"Rick Kriseman tops Bill Foster in St. Petersburg mayor's race".Tampa Bay Times.RetrievedApril 30,2021.
  66. ^Madden, Bill (October 25, 2014)."MLB commish Bud Selig's nightmare is Cubs dream as Joe Maddon leaves Rays".New York Daily News.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  67. ^"Report: Rays owner discussed move to Montreal".TSN.October 26, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  68. ^"Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said he will sell team if new stadium not built".Sports Illustrated.December 9, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 12,2017.
  69. ^"Stuart Sternberg: Tampa's Ybor City is top choice for next Rays ballpark".
  70. ^Topkin, Marc (December 11, 2018)."Rays say current Ybor stadium project is dead, remain committed to Tampa Bay area – for now".Tampa Bay Times.Times Publishing Company.RetrievedDecember 12,2018.
  71. ^Lacques, Gabe (December 11, 2018)."Rays' new stadium proposal dead – and clock ticking on alternatives to Tropicana Field".USA Today.Gannett Company.RetrievedDecember 12,2018.
  72. ^Frago, Charlie; Soloman, Josh (December 18, 2018)."It's official: Tampa Bay Rays tell St. Petersburg they are finished looking elsewhere, for now".Tampa Bay Times.Times Publishing Company.RetrievedDecember 20,2018.
  73. ^"Rays to St. Pete: Finished looking elsewhere, for now".ESPN.December 19, 2018.RetrievedDecember 20,2018.
  74. ^Feinsand, Mark (June 20, 2019)."Rays to explore idea of TB-Montreal split season".RaysBaseball.MLB Advanced Media.RetrievedJune 21,2019.
  75. ^Passan, Jeff (June 20, 2019)."Rays to explore splitting games with Montreal".ESPN.ESPNInternet Ventures.RetrievedJune 21,2019.
  76. ^Romano, John (January 20, 2022)."The long and winding road to Tampa Bay's elusive Rays stadium".Tampa Bay Times.Times Publishing Company.RetrievedJanuary 31,2022.
  77. ^Newberry, Paul (October 1, 2021)."Column: Rays' sister-city plan a really, really dumb idea".USA Today.RetrievedJanuary 31,2022.
  78. ^Petosa, Sam (September 28, 2021)."Rays To Promote Montreal Split Games Plan During 2021 Playoffs".WRUF.ESPN Radio.
  79. ^"Rays change course, won't display Montreal sign at Trop during playoffs".Sportsnet.September 28, 2021.
  80. ^Gonzalez, Alden (January 20, 2022)."Tampa Bay Rays say split-season plan with Montreal rejected by MLB".ESPN.RetrievedJanuary 20,2022.
  81. ^Berry, Adam (September 19, 2023)."Rays announce deal for St. Petersburg ballpark".MLB.MLB Advanced Media.RetrievedNovember 13,2023.
  82. ^"National Baseball Hall of Fame – Dressed to the Nines – Uniform Database".exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org.
  83. ^"Rays All-time Uniforms".MLB.MLB Advanced Media, LP.RetrievedJune 1,2024.
  84. ^"National Baseball Hall of Fame – Dressed to the Nines – Uniform Database".exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org.
  85. ^"National Baseball Hall of Fame – Dressed to the Nines – Uniform Database".exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org.
  86. ^"National Baseball Hall of Fame – Dressed to the Nines – Uniform Database".exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org.
  87. ^"Will this be the last great AL East race? - Tampa Bay Times".tampabay.
  88. ^ab"Rays Drop Road Greys, Make Devil Rays Throwbacks Official Alternate Uniform".sportslogos.net.March 7, 2023.RetrievedMarch 8,2023.
  89. ^abc"Q&A: Tampa Bay Rays wear variety of throwback uniforms".Tampa Bay Times.Archived fromthe originalon October 16, 2012.RetrievedAugust 28,2011.
  90. ^"20 ways the Rays will commemorate their 20th anniversary".Tampa Bay Times.
  91. ^"Rays Turn Back the Clock with a fake throwback jersey".Tampa Bay Times.June 30, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 27,2013.
  92. ^Matt Moore wins again, Rays cruise past White Sox.Bay News 9 (July 6, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
  93. ^Rays' throwback uniforms to a time when they didn't exist.Content.usatoday (June 20, 2012). Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
  94. ^"Rays Join Cubs' Throwback Weekend With 'Fauxback'".SBNation.August 9, 2014.
  95. ^"Lots of fun at the ballpark".Ocala Star-Banner.RetrievedAugust 1,2017.
  96. ^"Rays will turn back the clock Aug. 13 with Village People".Tampa Bay Times.Archived fromthe originalon July 5, 2010.
  97. ^"Rays celebrate Turn Back the Clock Night; Zimmer bobblehead, former Dodgers mates featured at Rays-Dodgers game".Tampa Bay Rays.Archived fromthe originalon March 10, 2012.
  98. ^"Skateboarding culture inspires Rays' City Connect uniforms".MLB.RetrievedApril 29,2024.
  99. ^"Neil Solondz Steps Up To Succeed The Late Dave Wills In The Rays Radio Booth".March 17, 2023.
  100. ^"Rich Herrera" 98.7 The Fanhttp://tampa.cbslocal /2012/08/02/rich-herrera-the-fan-cbs/
  101. ^Anthony Mccarron (November 29, 2009)."Paul Olden, public address announcer at Yankee Stadium, gets nod from 'Voice of God' Bob Sheppard".New York: NYDailyNews.
  102. ^Maury Brown."Long Rays Forecast: FSN Florida Signs 8-Year Extension with Tampa Bay".bizofbaseball.Archived fromthe originalon December 16, 2008.RetrievedNovember 12,2008.
  103. ^Jones, Tom (October 5, 2010)."Brian Anderson to become Tampa Bay Rays' full-time TV analyst".St. Petersburg Times.Archived fromthe originalon March 3, 2016.RetrievedOctober 6,2010.
  104. ^"Ford C. Frick Award".baseballhall.org.National Baseball Hall of Fame.RetrievedJune 1,2024.
  105. ^Drennan, Jonathan (August 3, 2020)."Jim Morris: 'Anything is possible in this life. I'm living proof of that'".The Guardian.RetrievedJune 1,2024.
  106. ^"Jim Morris Player Page".baseballreference.Sports Reference LLC.RetrievedJune 1,2024.
  107. ^"Rays Mascots".MLB.RetrievedAugust 7,2021.
  108. ^Virginia Johnson (October 7, 2010)."DJ Kitty is the Tampa Bay Rays best kept secret".Bay News 9.RetrievedOctober 7,2010.
  109. ^FOX."Tampa Bay news, weather forecast, radar, and sports from WTVT-TV – FOX 13 News – FOX 13 Tampa Bay".FOX13news.
  110. ^"Notes: Gomes enjoys Wrestling Night".Tampa Bay Rays.[dead link]
  111. ^"'Wrestling Night' returns to The Trop ".Tampa Bay Rays.
  112. ^Goodall, Fred (February 17, 2009)."This Year Mantra: '9 > 8'".The Ledger.RetrievedJune 1,2024.
  113. ^"Mohawk fever spreading among Rays".Major League Baseball.RetrievedJune 5,2016.
  114. ^"Tampa Bay Rays Minor League Affiliates".Baseball-Reference.Sports Reference.RetrievedOctober 20,2023.
  115. ^Topkin, Marc."Rays to formally open team Hall of Fame Sunday by inducting Don Zimmer".Tampa Bay Times.RetrievedApril 2,2023.
  116. ^"Cot's Baseball Contracts: Tampa Bay Rays".mlbcontracts.blogspot.
  117. ^"Tampa Bay Rays Salaries".USA Today.June 18, 2016.
  118. ^Tampa Bay Rays 2013 Player Salaries and Team Payroll – ESPN.Espn.go. Retrieved on July 23, 2013.
  119. ^Topkin, Marc (April 7, 2022)."Rays 2022 salaries: The $78 million men".Tampa Bay Times.Tampabay.RetrievedApril 7,2022.
  120. ^"MLB 2021 Payroll Tracker".
  121. ^"MLB 2020 Payroll Tracker".
  122. ^Topkin, Marc (March 27, 2019)."Rays 2019 salaries: The $52 million men".Tampa Bay Times.Tampabay.RetrievedMarch 27,2019.
  123. ^Topkin, Marc (March 28, 2018)."Rays salaries: The $67.5 million men".Tampa Bay Times.Tampabay.RetrievedSeptember 30,2018.

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toTampa Bay Rays.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by American League champions
2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by American League champions
2020 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tampa_Bay_Rays&oldid=1249260978"