Tampa Bay Rays

Quick Facts

  • Founded: 1998

  • Original Name/City: Tampa Bay Devil Rays

  • Current Ballpark: Tropicana Field

  • World Series Titles: 0

  • Franchise Nicknames: The Rays

A History of the Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay franchise joined Major League Baseball as an expansion team in 1998, originally known as the Devil Rays. The early years were a significant struggle, as the team finished in last place in the competitive AL East in nine of its first ten seasons.

Playing their home games in the domed Tropicana Field, the club found it difficult to build a winning tradition or attract a consistent fanbase, despite featuring homegrown stars like Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli. The team was largely seen as one of baseball's least successful franchises.

The turning point came in 2008. The franchise underwent a complete rebrand, shortening its name to the "Rays" to represent a ray of sunshine on the Florida coast and adopting new colors and logos. That same year, led by a core of young talent including Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford, and James Shields, and managed by the innovative Joe Maddon, the team shocked the baseball world. They won the AL East, defeating the rival Red Sox in a dramatic seven-game ALCS to capture their first American League pennant, and completing one of the most dramatic single-season turnarounds in sports history.

Since that 2008 season, the Rays have established a new identity. Despite consistently having one of the league's lowest payrolls, they have become a model of modern efficiency and analytical innovation. The organization consistently finds undervalued players and pioneers new strategies, such as the "opener," to create a competitive advantage.

This "Moneyball" approach has allowed them to consistently compete with high-spending powerhouses, leading to numerous postseason appearances, a second AL Pennant in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and a reputation as one of the smartest and most resilient organizations in all of professional sports.

Franchise Timeline

  • 1998: Founded as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the AL East expansion.

  • 2008: Shortened name to Tampa Bay Rays and made first World Series appearance.

  • 2020: Won their second American League Pennant.

Legendary Players

Evan Longoria (2008-2017)

  • The first true superstar in franchise history, Longoria was the face of the Rays for a decade. He won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2008, leading the team to its first World Series. A three-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, his dramatic, walk-off "Game 162" home run in 2011 to clinch a playoff spot is the most iconic moment in team history.

Carl Crawford (2002-2010)

  • The first homegrown star the franchise produced, Crawford was a dynamic offensive force. Known for his incredible speed, he led the American League in stolen bases four times and triples four times. A four-time All-Star, he was the most exciting player of the early "Devil Rays" era.

David Price (2008-2014)

  • The first overall pick in the 2007 draft, Price became the franchise's first true ace. The hard-throwing left-hander won the 2012 AL Cy Young Award and was a key piece of the team's rise to contention. He famously earned the final four outs of the 2008 ALCS to send the Rays to the World Series.

Kevin Kiermaier (2013-2022)

  • Embodying the Rays' modern philosophy of run prevention, Kiermaier established himself as one of the greatest defensive centerfielders of his generation. He won four Gold Gloves and a Platinum Glove, known for his incredible range, acrobatic catches, and powerful throwing arm. He was the defensive captain and a clubhouse leader for nearly a decade.