Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays
2013 Tampa Bay Rays season
Established	1998
based in St. Petersburg, Florida
Major league affiliations
American League (1998–present) East Division (1998–present)
Current uniform
[[Image:|center|275px]]
Retired numbers	12, 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
Division titles (1)	2008
Wild card berths (0)	none
Front office
Owner(s)	Stuart Sternberg
Manager	Joe Maddon
General Manager	Andrew Friedman

The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team that plays in St. Petersburg, Florida. From the team being started in 1998 until November 2007, it was known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Their home stadium is Tropicana Field.

History

Joe Madden, current manager of the Rays

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. 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.

On November 8, 2007, the team changed its name to Tampa Bay Rays.

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.^[source?] 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".^[source?]

Current roster

Tampa Bay Rays 2010 Spring Training roster
40-Man Roster				Spring Training Non-Roster Invitees		Coaches/Other
Pitchers 50 Grant Balfour 47 Jeff Bennett -- Jesse Chavez 37 Randy Choate 31 Lance Cormier 58 Wade Davis 22 Matt Garza -- Jeremy Hellickson 39 J. P. Howell 57 Jacob McGee 34 Jeff Niemann 14 David Price -- Ramón Ramírez 33 James Shields 21 Andy Sonnanstine 51 Mitch Talbot 59 Dale Thayer -- Alexander Torres 35 Dan Wheeler		Catchers 28 John Jaso -- José Lobatón 30 Dioner Navarro 11 Shawn Riggans -- Kelly Shoppach Infielders  8 Jason Bartlett 15 Reid Brignac 29 Elliot Johnson  3 Evan Longoria 23 Carlos Pena -- Sean Rodriguez 18 Ben Zobrist Outfielders 13 Carl Crawford 26 Gabe Gross -- Desmond Jennings 20 Matt Joyce 27 Gabe Kapler 38 Fernando Perez 10 Justin Ruggiano  2 B. J. Upton Designated hitters 16 Willy Aybar  5 Pat Burrell				Manager 70 Joe Maddon Coaches 77 Scott Cursi (coach)  6 Tom Foley (third base) 25 George Hendrick (first base) 48 Jim Hickey (pitching)  4 Dave Martinez (bench)  7 Bobby Ramos (bullpen) -- Derek Shelton (hitting) 61 Don Zimmer (coach) 60-day disabled list None * Not on active roster † 15-day disabled list Roster updated 2009-12-01 Transactions • Depth Chart Team Article

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

Other websites

• Tampa Bay Rays Official Home Page