Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
	2024 Tampa Bay Rays season
Established	1998
based in St. Petersburg, Florida
Major league affiliations
American League (1998–present) East Division (1998–present); ;
Retired numbers	12, 66, 42
Colors
	Navy Blue, Columbia Blue, White, Gold ;
Name
	Tampa Bay Rays (2008–present);
	Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998-2007);
Other nicknames
	The Rays;
Ballpark
	Tropicana Field (1998–present); ;
Major league titles
World Series titles (0)
AL Pennants (1)	2008 • 2020
Division titles (1)	2008
Wild card berths (0)	none
Front office
Owner(s)	Stuart Sternberg
Manager	Kevin Cash
General Manager	Erik Neander

The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team that plays in St. Petersburg, Florida. They play in the American League East division. From 1998 until November 2007, They were known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In 2008, the team changed their name to the "Rays". Their home stadium is Tropicana Field located in St, Petersburg.

History

Joe Madden, manager of the Rays from 2006 to 2014

The Rays played their first game on March 31, 1998 against the Detroit Tigers (as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays), which they lost 11-6.^[1] They were one of the least successful teams in the Major Leagues until 2008, when they finished in first place in the American League East and had one of the best records in baseball. They made it to the World Series but were beaten by Philadelphia in five games. Evan Longoria brought the team's first AL Rookie of the Year award to the team on November 10, 2008. The Rays returned to the World Series in 2020 but lost again, this time to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.

On November 8, 2007, the team changed its name to Tampa Bay Rays. The "Devil Ray" mascot was a type of stingray. While this is still a mascot of theirs, the new "Rays" name is said to represent the sunshine in Florida.

Rivalries

The Rays have rivalries with two teams. The Boston Red Sox is one due to the 2008 American League Championship Series, the other is the Florida Marlins due their in-state location. When the Rays and Marlins meet during inter-league play (when the American League (Rays) and National League (Marlins) play each other) it is known as the "Citrus Series".

Season records

Year	Wins	Losses
1998	63	99
1999	69	93
2000	69	92
2001	62	100
2002	55	106
2003	63	99
2004	70	91
2005	67	95
2006	61	101
2007	66	96
2008	97	65
Total	742	1,037

Tampa Bay Rays Media

Carl Crawford was one of the Rays' first breakout stars
Evan Longoria owns many Rays franchise records, including games played, home runs, RBIs, and WAR.
Tampa Bay in the 2008 World Series
Randy Arozarena in 2020 set all-time records for most hits and home runs in a single postseason
The Rays play their home games at Tropicana Field.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays uniform used from 1998-2000
Raymond, the Rays' first mascot, pictured in 2007.
Don Zimmer had his #66 retired by the Rays.