Think you know all there is to know about the Tampa Bay Devil Rays? Well, you may be surprised to learn that although this team has only been around since the late 90s they have made sure to work diligently at starting to carve out a niche for their franchise. Established in 1998, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays held the name until 2008, at which time their name was changed to Tampa Bay Rays. Team colors are navy blue, Columbia blue, white and gold. Known affectionately as “The Rays”, the Tampa Bay Rays were awarded inclusion into the minor leagues back in 1995 when they tapped Chuck LaMar as their assistant general manager. A year later, the team was playing their first minor league game in the 1996 season.
The following year, for the expansion draft held in November, 1997, the Tampa Bay Rays acquired 35 new players. More players were added to the team in the years to come, like Kevin Stocker, who was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies nearly as quickly as he was acquired. The next year, their first game in March, 1998 was against the Detroit Tigers. The crowd was a sizeable 45,369 and Wade Boggs made the first home run in the team’s history. They didn’t win the open header but the season went well that year and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays went on a 19-game winning streak before suffering nearly 100 losses that same year.
Some other great names associated with this team include Randy Winn, Jose Canseco, Greg Vaughn, Miguel Cairo and Vinny Castilla. Boggs is the only member of the team whose number has been retired to date and it came as no surprise. In 1999, Boggs racked up his 300th hit on a home run. He is the only member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to ever do so. Boggs was later also inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in the year 2005.
The 2004 season was the best finish for the team ever with a record of 70-91. Front office and management changes in the time frame after the 2005 season ended brought new blood in. Chuck LaMar was fired and the focus turned to the younger players like Carl Crawford, Jorge Cantu and Rocco Baldelli. Many trades would come next as the team changed hands with their leaders. Outfielders, infielders, shortstops and utility players alike were put on the block and traded to other teams in exchange for perceivably better players.
Although the team was subsequently involved in two rare triple plays in the 2006, they did end the season with a winning record at home of 41-40. It was the first time the team accomplished such a feat and it resulted in an increase in home attendance.
Tropicana Field, located at One Tropicana Drive in St. Petersburg, Florida has been the home of the Rays since it’s opening in 1990. Prior to that, the venue was known by the names of the Florida Suncoast Dome from 1990 to 1993 and the Thunderdome from 1993 to 1996. Astro turf was the original playing surface but the field currently surfaced with FieldTurf and has a dirt infield. Seating capacity in 1998 was 45,369 but with upgrades to seating, added amenities and refashioned concessions, was changed to 43,772; a total that does not include the tarp covered seats.
Tropicana Field has been home to other Tampa teams including the Tampa Bay Storm and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ironically enough, when the stadium was finished, it did not have any tenants. It wasn’t until 1993 that the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning came along and later in 1995 before the Tampa Bay Rays moved in.
Ticket America can help you land the best seats in the house with Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets for some of the hottest games coming up this season. Experiencing Tropicana Field in person makes every game lively and intense and Ticket America can take you there.
Article from articlesbase.com
www.overtimesportswear.com Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon coined the phrase 9=8 for his Tampa Bay Rays players coming down the stretch. It means 9 players playing 9 innings will equal the team taking one of the eight places in the playoffs. The Rays followed through and made the playoffs now you can have this really cool t-shirt which references the phrase on this awesome Tampa Bay Rays T Shirt. Click on the link above.
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