Since
joining the American League in 1998 the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have
yet to have there first winning season, until 2008! The Rays have
shocked the baseball world in 2008 and came from nowhere with little
expectations. In September the Rays now have the Yankees in the rear
view mirror as well as a lead on the Red Sox, who would have ever
thought? The Rays have done it on fundamental baseball basically.
Under head coach Joe Maddon the Rays have had a dream year basically.
With a talented roster featuring players such as Matt Garza, Scott
Kazmir, Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton, and more the fans
in Tampa Bay finally have a reason to rejoice.
Be
sure to check out my new Tampa Bay Rays fan site, RayFanSite.com.
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Bay Devil Rays Information
The Tampa
Bay Devil Rays are a Major League Baseball team, with its base
of operations being in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Devil
Rays play at Tropicana Field which was originally known as the
Florida Suncoast Dome. It was renamed Tropicana Field in 1996
when Tampa Bay was award a Major League franchise.
The Tampa
Bay Devil Rays team were formed in 1998. The team name was chosen
in a phone poll, with “Mana Rays” coming in a close
second.
Tropicana
Field originally featured Astroturf, but changed to Fieldturf
in 2000. Where Astroturf is basically like a hard carpet, Fieldturf
is like a fake grass.
Devil Rays
played their first regular season baseball game against Detroit
Tigers losing 11-6 on March 31, 1998.
The Devil
Rays are yet to win their division, or make the playoffs. * Tampa
Bay has retired just one number in there short history. Wade Boggs’
#12 was retired after he was with the team from 1998-1999. BUY
DEVIL RAYS TICKETS The 2002 season was memorable for the Tampa
Bay Devil Rays, but it was because of something that the team
would like to forget. At seasons end, the Devil Rays had a record
of 55-106, marking the first time in 20 years that a Major League
Baseball franchise lost 100 games in consecutive seasons. In one
of the few player-for-manager swaps in history, the Devil Rays
traded All-Star Randy Winn to the Seattle Mariners for Manager
Lou Piniella. The 2003 season marked the beginning of the Lou
Piniella era in Tampa Bay, but it did not mark a turning of the
tides. The Devil Rays finish the season 63-99, barely missing
their third consecutive season with 100 losses. Outfielder Rocco
Baldelli had a solid rookie year, and finish strong in Rookie
of the Year voting. The 2004 season was just like the previous
seasons, the Devil Rays struggled to stay away from the 100 loss
mark. Ending the season with a record of 59-73, the Devil Rays
only succeeded in winning 14 more games than they had the previous
year. The rebuilding process is still in the works for the Devil
Rays as they attempt to retool for the 2005 season.
<p>Carlos Pena went 21 at-bats, and 23 plate appearances, into the spring before getting his first hit. But he wasn't too concerned because he was making a lot of contact.</p>
<p>After striking out 163 times (third most in the AL) last season and hitting only .227, his main goal for this spring has been to put the ball in play more often.</p>
<p>And with only six strikeouts in his first 26 plate appearances, Pena has been pleased with his progress.</p>
<p>"I've been feeling great all spring and working on the things I wanted to work on. So right on track, right on schedule," Pena said. "What are victories to me to others are just outs. It all depends whatever your intent it."</p> <p>Manager Joe Maddon was so unconcerned, he didn't know Pena was hitless until a reporter asked at the 0-for-18...
With each hit allowed, Chad Gaudin's slim chance of winning the No. 5 spot in the New York Yankees' rotation was slipping away. Gaudin gave up seven singles, including consecutive hits to Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena and Ben Zobrist that led to a run in the sixth inning, and a Yankees split squad lost to the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 Friday night.
Durable left-hander J.P. Howell might not be ready to open the regular season with the Tampa Bay Rays because of a weak shoulder. Howell has won more games in relief than any other pitcher over the last two seasons, but he has yet to pitch this spring. Manager Joe Maddon said Friday that fitness tests taken in February revealed a lack of strength in Howell's shoulder.
Carl Crawford knew what to expect before Tampa Bay played the Yankees on Thursday night: A crowd of New York writers were waiting to talk to him about the possibility he'll become one of the most appealing free agents in baseball after the 2010 season. Crawford went 0 for 2, walked and stole a base in the Rays' 6-4 loss to the Yankees.
While the Tampa Bay Rays got their first look at closer Rafael Soriano in Wednesday's 5-2 exhibition victory, the Minnesota Twins maintained some hope they might get to see their own closer, Joe Nathan, at some point. Once the game started, however, Sean Rodriguez closed most of that discussion with two more hits, two more runs and a spectacular diving catch for the Rays.
The race for the fifth job in Tampa Bay's pitching rotation is still too close to call. Candidates Wade Davis and Andy Sonnanstine combined with reliever Dan Wheeler on a four-hitter Tuesday night, shutting down a Boston split squad 7-0 for the Rays' third victory over the Red Sox this spring.
As good as Rick Porcello was last year for the Detroit Tigers, he thinks he's a better pitcher in 2010. So far, the results back that up. On Sunday, the 21-year-old right-hander, who won 14 games in 2009 as a rookie, threw four scoreless innings in a 9-6 win over Tampa Bay. Porcello has yet to allow a run in nine exhibition innings over three appearances.
Ricky Nolasco had a solid outing and the Florida Marlins scored four runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-5 on Saturday. Nolasco scattered four hits over four innings, striking out four and yielding one run to drop his spring ERA to 2.57. Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino went 2 for 3 with an RBI single off of Rays starter Matt Garza in the third inning.
Tampa Bay right-hander James Shields joked he's already told his wife that nothing is going to change his plans to be the Rays' opening-day starting pitcher. Not even the expected birth of the couple's second daughter next month. The Rays open the season at home against Baltimore on April 6 -- four days before the baby's due date.
The Philadelphia Phillies-Tampa Bay Rays spring training game has been canceled because of rain. Friday's cancellation means Tampa Bay's franchise-record streak of nine straight exhibition wins will remain intact at least another day. The Rays are scheduled to host the Florida Marlins in Port Charlotte on Saturday.
The Tampa Bay Rays have optioned left-handed pitcher Jake McGee to the minor leagues and reassigned shortstop Tim Beckham and catcher Nevin Ashley to minor league spring training camp. The team announced the moves after Thursday's 4-1 split-squad victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays did not say which affiliate McGee will be assigned to.
A relaxed Andy Sonnanstine gave the Tampa Bay Rays a glimpse of the pitcher that helped them get to the World Series. The right-hander, who lost his spot in the starting rotation last season after helping the Rays win the AL pennant in 2008, pitched four scoreless innings in Thursday's 4-1 split-squad victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Dioner Navarro and the Tampa Bay Rays were hoping for the best after a simple pickoff play in the third inning. Navarro was struck by a pickoff throw during the Rays' 16-15 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday and departed with an injured left thumb. Navarro was hit when Jack Taschner threw over to first.
Cuban Leslie Anderson has agreed in principle to a contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays said Thursday that some details of the deal with the 27-year-old first baseman-outfielder are still being worked out. Anderson is a former member of the Cuban national team.
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/mlb/SIG=13iujmrf0/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=capress-bba_red_sox_garciaparra_retires-107197335&prov=capress&type=lgns"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/capress/e3/thumbe.3e237d4e0f0c2dfb338e8192346a636d/capress-bba_red_sox_garciaparra_retires-107197335.jpg" width="130" height="101" alt="Former Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra(notes) takes questions from reporters during a news conference at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Fla., Wednesday, March 10, 2010. The 1997 American League MVP signed a one-day contract with his former team Wednesday, then announced he's ending his 14-year career. Garciaparra will become an analyst for ESPN. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Steven Senne)" align="left" border="0"></a></p><p>FORT MYERS, Fla. - Nomar Garciaparra rejoined the Red Sox for one day and then retired, ending a 14-year career in which he won two batting titles with Boston and was once a beloved player in the city.</p><br clear="all" />
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/mlb/SIG=11reps8b8/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=300310102&prov=ap"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100310/thumb.8dde2b0dac6a4fd3ba7ed38ab8ef5354.rays_red_sox_spring_baseball_flsr124.jpg" width="115" height="130" alt="Tampa Bay Rays' Joaquin Benoit(notes) delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Fla., on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. The Rays defeated the Red Sox 8-6." align="left" border="0"></a></p><p>Tampa Bay Rays prized left-hander David Price, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, left Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the second inning after being hit on the right hand by the barrel of a shattered bat. According to Rays team spokesman Rick Vaughn, Price had an abrasion on his right thumb and will not need stitches.</p><br clear="all" />
Tampa Bay Rays prized left-hander David Price, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, left Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the second inning after being hit on the right hand by the barrel of a shattered bat. With no outs and Kevin Youkilis on first base for the Red Sox, Adrian Beltre's bat splintered on a pitch from Price.
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/mlb/SIG=11rjef39k/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=300309101&prov=ap"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100309/thumb.26c82147d8734418903232b185230b96.rays_orioles_baseball_flco106.jpg" width="130" height="59" alt="Tampa Bay Rays' Sean Rodriguez(notes), left, dives back ahead of the tag by Baltimore Orioles first baseman Garrett Atkins(notes) during first inning of a Major League Baseball spring training game Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in Sarasota, Fla." align="left" border="0"></a></p><p>Rays right-hander Jeff Niemann breezed through his start Tuesday. The Baltimore Orioles made it easy on him. Niemann became the first Tampa Bay pitcher to complete four innings this spring, leading the Rays to an 8-3 victory against the Orioles. Niemann threw just 36 pitches while allowing one run and two hits.</p><br clear="all" />
Hank Blalock will get an opportunity to rekindle his career with the Tampa Bay Rays. The two-time All-Star agreed to a minor league contract and reported to spring training on Tuesday. Blalock hit .234 with 25 homers and 66 RBIs in 123 games for the Texas Rangers last year. He missed much of the previous two seasons with injuries and is a .269 career hitter with 152 homers and 535 RBIs.
Since
joining the American League in 1998 the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have
yet to have there first winning season, until 2008! The Rays have
shocked the baseball world in 2008 and came from nowhere with little
expectations. In September the Rays now have the Yankees in the rear
view mirror as well as a lead on the Red Sox, who would have ever
thought? The Rays have done it on fundamental baseball basically.
Under head coach Joe Maddon the Rays have had a dream year basically.
With a talented roster featuring players such as Matt Garza, Scott
Kazmir, Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton, and more the fans
in Tampa Bay finally have a reason to rejoice.
MLB
Gear