History of Tampa Bay Rays in Timeline
The Tampa Bay Rays are a professional baseball team in the Tampa Bay area, Florida. They compete in Major League Baseball's American League East division. The Rays are one of two major league teams in Florida, the other being the Miami Marlins. The team's home stadium since its founding has been Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
1900: Modern Era Record for Consecutive Wins
In 2023, the Tampa Bay Rays tied the modern era (post-1900) record for most consecutive wins to start a season with 13.
1900: Historic Achievement
In a testament to their remarkable turnaround, the Tampa Bay Rays became the first team in Major League Baseball history since 1900 to hold the best record in the league through Memorial Day after finishing with the worst record the previous year.
1919: Formation of the Florida State League
The Tampa Smokers and St. Petersburg Saints became founding members of the minor league Florida State League (FSL) in 1919, solidifying the Tampa Bay area's presence in professional baseball.
1955: Brooklyn Dodgers Win World Series
The Brooklyn Dodgers won the World Series in 1955.
1969: New York Mets Win World Series
The New York Mets won the World Series in 1969.
1974: Tampa Bay Awarded NFL Franchise
While the region sought an MLB team, Tampa was awarded the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers by the National Football League in 1974.
1980: Rays Debut "Fauxback" Uniforms Inspired by the 1980s
The Tampa Bay Rays' "fauxback" uniforms drew inspiration from the style of the 1980s, particularly the San Diego Padres' uniforms.
1990: Florida Suncoast Dome Opens
The Florida Suncoast Dome, later renamed Tropicana Field, opened in 1990 with the aim of attracting an MLB team.
1992: Naimoli's Attempt to Purchase Giants Blocked
Vince Naimoli's attempt to buy and relocate the San Francisco Giants to St. Petersburg in 1992 was blocked by MLB owners.
1993: MLB Expansion Bypasses Tampa Bay
Despite high hopes, MLB's expansion in 1993 did not include Tampa Bay, with franchises awarded to Denver and Miami instead.
March 9, 1995: Tampa Bay Awarded MLB Franchise
On March 9, 1995, after nearly three decades of attempts, the Tampa Bay area was officially awarded an MLB expansion franchise, marking the beginning of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
1995: St. Petersburg Awarded MLB Franchise
St. Petersburg was awarded an expansion franchise in 1995, leading to the construction of the Florida Suncoast Dome (later Tropicana Field).
November 7, 1997: Devil Rays Appoint First Manager
On November 7, 1997, Larry Rothschild was named the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' first manager.
November 18, 1997: Devil Rays Participate in Expansion Draft
The Devil Rays participated in the Expansion Draft on November 18, 1997, selecting pitcher Tony Saunders as their first player.
1997: Jackie Robinson's Number 42 Retired
Major League Baseball retired Jackie Robinson's number 42 across all teams in 1997, a year before the Tampa Bay Rays' inaugural season. Consequently, no Rays player has ever worn the number 42 permanently, except on Jackie Robinson Day.
March 31, 1998: Devil Rays Play First Game
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays played their inaugural game on March 31, 1998, against the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field, losing 11-6.
1998: Tampa Bay Rays Inaugural Season
The Tampa Bay Rays, originally named the "Devil Rays," began playing at Tropicana Field in 1998.
1998: Opening Day Payrolls Since 1998
The provided data pertains to the Tampa Bay Rays' opening day payrolls for their 25-man roster starting from 1998.
1998: Devil Rays to Play at Tropicana Field
The newly formed Tampa Bay Devil Rays were set to play their home games at the renamed Tropicana Field starting in the 1998 season.
1998: Raymond the Mascot is Introduced
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays introduced their mascot, Raymond the "seadog," during their inaugural season in 1998.
1998: Rays Debut Road Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays debuted their original road uniforms in 1998, featuring "Tampa Bay" across the chest.
1998: Rays Debut "Rainbow" Devil Rays Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays debuted their iconic "Rainbow" Devil Rays uniforms during their inaugural season in 1998.
1998: Devil Rays' Inaugural Season
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays played their first season in Major League Baseball in 1998, debuting the "rainbow" uniforms.
1998: Tampa Bay Devil Rays Begin Play
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays officially began play in the 1998 Major League Baseball season, marking their entry into the league.
1998: Rays Announce First Radio Broadcast Team
Paul Olden and Charlie Slowes were announced as the first radio broadcast team for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998.
August 7, 1999: Wade Boggs Achieves 3000th Hit
Wade Boggs achieved his 3000th career hit, a home run, while playing for the Devil Rays against the Cleveland Indians on August 7, 1999.
1999: Alternate Black Jersey Introduced
The Devil Rays introduced an alternate black jersey with the same rainbow text as their primary uniforms in 1999.
1999: Rays Wear Tampa Tarpons Throwback Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays wore the uniforms of the Tampa Tarpons of the Florida State League in 1999 as part of a throwback promotion.
2000: Alternate Black Jersey Continues
The Devil Rays continued to wear their alternate black jerseys during the 2000 season.
2000: Devil Rays Finish Last in AL East
The Devil Rays finished last in the AL East for the second consecutive year in 2000 under manager Larry Rothschild.
2000: Rays Continue Wearing Original Road Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays continued to wear their original road uniforms, with "Tampa Bay" on the chest, until 2000.
2000: Rays Wear St. Petersburg Saints and University of Tampa Spartans Throwback Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays wore the uniforms of the St. Petersburg Saints and the University of Tampa Spartans in 2000 as part of throwback promotions.
2000: Rays-Red Sox Rivalry Begins
The rivalry between the Tampa Bay Rays (then Devil Rays) and the Boston Red Sox began, marked by a game with multiple retaliations and ejections after Gerald Williams charged the mound following being hit by a pitch from Pedro Martínez.
2001: Rothschild Fired, McRae Takes Over
Larry Rothschild was fired as manager during the 2001 season and replaced by Hal McRae.
2001: Uniform Changes and Name Shortening
The Devil Rays made significant changes to their uniforms in 2001, including simplifying the color scheme and shortening the team name on their home jerseys to "Rays."
2002: "The Rookie" Movie Featuring the Tampa Bay Devil Rays is Released
The film "The Rookie," which tells the real-life story of Jim Morris and his time with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, was released in 2002.
2002: Devil Rays Set Franchise-Worst Record
The Devil Rays finished the 2002 season with a franchise-worst record of 55-106.
2003: Lou Piniella Becomes Manager
Lou Piniella was appointed as the new manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003, replacing Hal McRae. Piniella, who had previously led the Cincinnati Reds to a World Series victory, brought his experience to the team in hopes of improving their performance.
2004: Devil Rays Achieve Second-to-Last Place
In 2004, the Devil Rays achieved a second-to-last place finish in the AL East, marking one of the few times they avoided last place in their early years.
2004: Montreal Expos' Split Season
The Montreal Expos played a portion of their 2004 season in Puerto Rico.
2005: Further Uniform Modifications
The Devil Rays continued to tweak their uniforms in 2005, incorporating more green and adding a ray graphic to their home jerseys.
2005: Rays-Red Sox Rivalry Continues
The rivalry between the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Boston Red Sox continued with two bench-clearing fights during a game and a public feud between then-manager Lou Piniella and Boston pitcher Curt Schilling.
2005: Montreal Expos Relocate to Washington, D.C.
The Montreal Expos relocated to Washington, D.C., in 2005, becoming the Washington Nationals.
2005: Ownership Tensions and Piniella's Departure
The 2005 season was marked by escalating tensions between the ownership, led by Vince Naimoli, and manager Lou Piniella. Piniella expressed frustration over the ownership's reluctance to invest in the team's present, leading to his eventual release after the season concluded. Stuart Sternberg emerged as the new owner, signaling a change in direction for the franchise.
2005: Rich Herrera Joins Rays' Radio Network
Rich Herrera became the host of the pre- and post-game shows for the Tampa Bay Rays radio network in 2005.
2005: Breakout Season for Crawford and Arrival of Newcomers
In 2005, Carl Crawford continued to shine for the Devil Rays, showcasing his offensive skills alongside newcomers Jorge Cantú and Jonny Gomes. Despite their contributions, the team's pitching struggles hindered their overall success.
2006: Joe Maddon's Arrival and Front Office Overhaul
The 2006 season saw significant changes within the organization as new owner Stuart Sternberg brought in Joe Maddon as manager, replacing Lou Piniella. Sternberg also orchestrated a major front office shakeup, hiring Andrew Friedman to lead baseball operations. Despite these changes, the team's struggles persisted.
2006: Rays Establish "Turn Back the Clock" Promotion
The Tampa Bay Rays initiated their annual "Turn Back the Clock" promotion, featuring retro uniforms, in 2006.
2006: Rays Wear Tampa Tarpons Throwback Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays wore the uniforms of the Tampa Tarpons of the Florida State League in 2006 as part of a throwback promotion.
2006: Tropicana Field Renovations Begin
Tropicana Field underwent renovations in 2006 to improve the fan experience under new owner Stu Sternberg.
May 18, 2007: Rays Hold "Legends of Wrestling Night"
On May 18, 2007, the Tampa Bay Rays hosted a "Legends of Wrestling Night" featuring wrestling matches after their game against the Florida Marlins, which they lost 8-4. Rays outfielder Jonny Gomes participated in the event, running interference for the Nasty Boys during the main event.
June 23, 2007: Rays and Dodgers Honor Don Zimmer with Throwback Uniforms
On June 23, 2007, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Los Angeles Dodgers wore throwback uniforms to honor former player and coach Don Zimmer. The Devil Rays wore St. Pete Saints uniforms, while the Dodgers donned their 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers uniforms.
2007: Last-Place Finish and Continued Rebuilding
The Tampa Bay Rays struggled in 2007, finishing last in the AL East. The team's challenges highlighted their ongoing rebuilding process.
2007: Rays Wear St. Petersburg Saints Throwback Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays wore the uniforms of the St. Petersburg Saints in 2007 as part of a throwback promotion.
2007: New Field Turf Installed
A new Field Turf surface was installed at Tropicana Field in 2007 as part of ongoing renovations.
2007: Rays Drop "Tampa Bay" from Road Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays stopped using "Tampa Bay" on their road uniforms after the 2007 season.
2007: Continued Struggles Under Maddon
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays continued to face challenges in 2007, finishing with a disappointing 66-96 record. Despite the efforts of manager Joe Maddon and the new front office, the team was unable to turn their performance around.
2007: New Ballpark Proposal Announced
The Rays announced plans to build a new ballpark at Al Lang Field in 2007 but faced opposition.
2007: Last Place Finish and a Period of Transition
The 2007 season saw the Tampa Bay Devil Rays finish last in the AL East, marking a low point for the franchise. The team's struggles led to changes in leadership and roster composition, signaling a period of transition.
2007: Devil Rays Rebranded as Rays
Following the 2007 season, the team underwent a significant rebranding, changing their name from "Devil Rays" to "Rays", symbolizing both manta rays and rays of sunshine.
April 19, 2008: Rays Host Second "Wrestling Night"
On April 19, 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays hosted their second "Wrestling Night," featuring wrestling matches after their 5-0 victory against the Chicago White Sox. Outfielder Jonny Gomes again participated, making a post-match save for the Nasty Boys.
2008: Rays-Yankees Rivalry Heats Up
The rivalry between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees intensified during spring training, with a home plate collision and a spikes-high slide leading to confrontations between players.
2008: Rays Achieve First Winning Season, AL East Championship, and AL Pennant
The 2008 season marked a turning point for the Rays as they achieved their first-ever winning season, clinched their first AL East championship, and secured their first American League pennant.
2008: Rays Wear St. Petersburg Pelicans Throwback Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays wore the uniforms of the St. Petersburg Pelicans of the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 2008 as part of a throwback promotion.
2008: Current Rays Uniform Introduced
The Tampa Bay Rays introduced their current primary uniform in 2008, featuring the shortened "Rays" name and a sunburst logo.
2008: Rays Rebrand
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays underwent a rebranding in 2008, dropping "Devil" from their name.
2008: Rays-Red Sox Rivalry Peaks
The rivalry between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox reached its peak, including a brawl in June and a seven-game ALCS that resulted in the Rays' first pennant win.
2008: First World Series Appearance
Riding high on their historic season, the Tampa Bay Rays achieved a historic milestone in 2008 by reaching their first-ever World Series. However, their remarkable run came to an end as they fell to the Philadelphia Phillies.
2008: Rebranding to Tampa Bay Rays and Franchise Turnaround
In 2008, the team underwent a significant transformation, rebranding themselves as the Tampa Bay Rays and adopting a new color scheme. The change in identity coincided with increased payroll flexibility, allowing for key additions to the roster. These changes sparked a remarkable turnaround, leading them to their first-ever playoff appearance and AL East division title.
2008: Fox Sports Becomes Exclusive Local Broadcaster for Rays
Following the 2008 season, Fox Sports secured an exclusive agreement to broadcast Tampa Bay Rays games locally, ending their partnership with Ion Television.
2008: "Rayhawks" Trend Begins
During their successful 2008 World Series run, Tampa Bay Rays players and coaches started sporting mohawk haircuts, which became known as "rayhawks." The trend continued for several years until manager Joe Maddon's departure after the 2014 season.
2008: Rays Introduce "9=8" Mantra
During the 2008 season, Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon and the team introduced the slogan "9=8." Maddon explained the mantra as meaning that if nine players gave their all for nine innings, the team would be one of the eight to make the postseason. The slogan evolved throughout the postseason, becoming "9=4", "9=2", and "9=1" to represent the dwindling number of teams as the Rays advanced.
2008: Rays Attendance Struggles
Despite a playoff berth, the Rays' attendance at Tropicana Field remained among the lowest in MLB in 2008.
2008: Paul Olden Becomes Yankee Stadium Announcer
After pursuing photography, Paul Olden became the public address announcer at Yankee Stadium in 2008.
2008: Joe Magrane Leaves Rays' TV Broadcasts
Joe Magrane left his position as a commentator for the Tampa Bay Rays' TV broadcasts after the 2008 season.
2009: Stadium Stalemate Begins
A stalemate ensued between the Rays and St. Petersburg officials regarding a new stadium in 2009.
2009: Rays' New Slogan: '09 > '08
Following their successful 2008 season, Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon introduced a new slogan for the 2009 season: "'09 > '08." The slogan represented the team's ambition to make the 2009 season even better than the previous year.
2009: Kevin Kennedy Joins Rays' TV Broadcasts
Kevin Kennedy became the primary color commentator for the Tampa Bay Rays' TV broadcasts in 2009.
2009: Ballpark Proposal Withdrawn
The Rays withdrew their proposal for a new ballpark at Al Lang Field in 2009 due to public opposition.
2009: Injuries Hinder Rays' Season
The Tampa Bay Rays faced setbacks in 2009 as injuries to key players, including Evan Longoria, Akinori Iwamura, and Carlos Peña, hampered their performance. Despite posting a winning record, they were unable to replicate their success from the previous year and missed the playoffs.
2009: Rays First Revisit Devil Rays Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays first wore their Devil Rays throwback uniforms in 2009, marking the return of the rainbow design.
2009: WDAE Becomes Rays' Flagship Radio Station
WDAE (620 AM) became the flagship radio station for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009.
2010: Rays Achieve Best AL Record
The Tampa Bay Rays achieved the best record in the American League in 2010.
2010: Rays Wear Tampa Tarpons Throwback Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays wore the uniforms of the Tampa Tarpons of the Florida State League in 2010 as part of a throwback promotion.
2010: Roster Changes and Continued Success
The 2010-11 offseason saw the departure of key players like Matt Garza, Carlos Peña, and Carl Crawford from the Tampa Bay Rays. However, the team's ability to develop and acquire talent remained strong.
2010: Introduction of DJ Kitty
In 2010, the Tampa Bay Rays introduced a new mascot, DJ Kitty, to rally players and fans at Tropicana Field. The anthropomorphic cat mascot, wearing a Rays jersey and wielding a DJ turntable, appeared on the scoreboard and interacted with fans during games.
2010: Brian Anderson Fills in as Color Commentator for Rays
Brian Anderson served as a fill-in color commentator for some of the Tampa Bay Rays' road games in 2010.
2011: Brian Anderson Becomes Full-Time Color Commentator for Rays
Brian Anderson took on the role of the full-time color commentator for the Tampa Bay Rays' TV broadcasts in 2011.
2011: Attendance Decline After Successful Season
Despite having the best AL record in 2010, the Rays experienced a significant drop in attendance in 2011.
2011: Longoria's Dramatic Home Run and Playoff Berth
In a thrilling finish to the 2011 season, Evan Longoria etched his name into Rays lore with a walk-off home run against the New York Yankees, securing the AL wild card berth for Tampa Bay. Despite their playoff appearance, the team's journey ended in the ALDS with a loss to the Texas Rangers.
2011: Rich Herrera Leaves Rays' Radio Network
Rich Herrera left his position as the host of the pre- and post-game shows for the Tampa Bay Rays radio network in 2011.
2011: AstroTurf Replaces Field Turf
The Field Turf at Tropicana Field was replaced with a new version of AstroTurf in 2011.
2011: Rays Wear Tampa Smokers Throwback Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays wore the uniforms of the Tampa Smokers of the Florida International League in 2011 as part of a throwback promotion.
2012: Rays Introduce "Fauxback" Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays introduced their "fauxback" uniforms, a fictional design inspired by the 1980s, for the 2012 season.
2013: David Price's Cy Young Award and Playoff Appearance
The year 2013 marked a significant individual achievement for the Tampa Bay Rays as David Price secured the franchise's first Cy Young Award. The team's success continued as they earned a playoff berth after a tiebreaker game against the Texas Rangers but ultimately fell short in the ALDS against the eventual World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox.
2013: New Mayor in St. Petersburg
Rick Kriseman became the mayor of St. Petersburg in 2013, succeeding Bill Foster.
2013: Attendance Fluctuations Continue
The Rays saw attendance fluctuate after playoff appearances, with a notable drop in 2013 despite making the postseason.
2013: End of an Era
After their playoff run in 2013, the Tampa Bay Rays experienced significant changes that marked the end of an era.
October 2014: Montreal Relocation Considered
Sternberg explored moving the Rays to Montreal in October 2014 as a potential solution to the stadium issue.
December 5, 2014: Kevin Cash Takes the Helm
On December 5, 2014, the Tampa Bay Rays appointed Kevin Cash as their new manager. Cash's arrival ushered in a new era for the team as he became the youngest manager in the league.
December 9, 2014: Sternberg Threatens to Sell Team
Stuart Sternberg, frustrated with the lack of progress on a new stadium, threatened to sell the Rays on December 9, 2014.
2014: First Losing Season Since 2007 and Departures of Key Figures
The Tampa Bay Rays faced a challenging 2014 season, finishing with their first losing record (77-85) since 2007. The year was also marked by significant departures, including the trade of David Price and the exits of general manager Andrew Friedman and manager Joe Maddon.
2014: Rays Debut Road Version of "Fauxback" Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays unveiled the road version of their "fauxback" uniforms during an interleague game against the Chicago Cubs in 2014.
2015: Strong Performances Amidst a .500 Season
The 2015 season saw solid performances from Tampa Bay Rays players like Chris Archer, who emerged as a Cy Young Award contender, and Kevin Kiermaier, who earned his first Gold Glove Award. Despite these individual achievements, the team finished with an 80-82 record.
2016: Fox Sports' Contract with Rays Expires
Fox Sports' contract to broadcast Tampa Bay Rays games expired in 2016.
2017: Rays Last Wear "Fauxback" Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays continued to wear their "fauxback" uniforms until 2017.
2017: Rebounding from a Difficult Season
In 2017, the Tampa Bay Rays rebounded from a disappointing previous season, matching their 2015 record. The team's improvement was aided by the return of Alex Cobb from injury and the continued strong performance of Chris Archer.
2017: Erik Neander Becomes General Manager
Erik Neander took over as general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017, succeeding Matthew Silverman. Neander's tenure would be marked by a continuation of the team's strategic approach to trades and roster management.
February 9, 2018: Ybor City Identified as Preferred Site
The Rays announced Ybor City as their preferred location for a new stadium on February 9, 2018.
December 2018: Ybor City Plans Fall Through
Plans for a new stadium in Ybor City collapsed in December 2018, leaving the Rays' future uncertain.
2018: Rays Introduce Alternate Jerseys
In 2018, the Tampa Bay Rays debuted a new alternate jersey featuring a dark blue material with Columbia blue piping.
2018: Aggressive Trades and Blake Snell's Cy Young Season
The Tampa Bay Rays made significant moves in 2018, trading away franchise player Evan Longoria and starters Jake Odorizzi and Matt Andriese. Despite the roster shakeup, the team remained competitive, thanks in part to the emergence of Blake Snell, who won the AL Cy Young Award. They also introduced the "opener" strategy, which garnered attention for its unconventionality. Despite winning 90 games, they missed the playoffs.
2018: Rays Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Throwback Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2018 by wearing their throwback Devil Rays uniforms.
2018: Rays Revive "Rainbow" Uniforms for 20th Anniversary
The Tampa Bay Rays brought back their "Rainbow" Devil Rays uniforms for their 20th anniversary season in 2018.
June 20, 2019: Split-City Proposal Approved
MLB approved the Rays' plan to explore splitting their home games between Tampa Bay and Montreal on June 20, 2019.
2019: Rays' Attendance Remains Low
The Rays' average attendance remained low in 2019, averaging 14,552 fans per game.
2019: Rays Continue Throwback Tradition
The Tampa Bay Rays continued to wear their throwback Devil Rays uniforms on designated days in 2019.
2019: Rays' 2019 Postseason Run
The Tampa Bay Rays had a remarkable postseason run in 2019, with key moments like Mike Brosseau's home run against the Yankees and Randy Arozarena's record-breaking performance. They ultimately became the American League Champions for the second time in franchise history.
2019: Playoff Return and Strong Pitching Performance
Under manager Kevin Cash, the Tampa Bay Rays returned to the postseason in 2019, fueled by an impressive start to the season and a dominant pitching staff. They secured a wild card victory against the Oakland Athletics but were eventually eliminated by the Houston Astros in the ALDS.
2020: Aroldis Chapman Incident
New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman threw a pitch over the head of Tampa Bay Rays batter Mike Brosseau, leading to Chapman's suspension and escalating tensions between the teams. The Rays later defeated the Yankees in the ALDS, with Brosseau hitting a go-ahead home run off Chapman.
2020: Shane McClanahan's MLB Debut
Shane McClanahan made his MLB debut in the 2020 postseason with the Tampa Bay Rays.
2020: Rays Win Second AL Pennant
The Rays continued their success in 2020, winning their second American League pennant but falling short in the World Series.
2020: Rays' 2020 Season
The Tampa Bay Rays had a strong 2020 season despite the COVID-19 pandemic shortening the season. They won the American League East for the first time since 2011 and went to the postseason after going 40-20.
2021: Split-City Graphic Controversy
The Rays' attempt to promote the split-city concept during the 2021 postseason drew criticism and was subsequently abandoned.
2021: Rays Continue Throwback Tradition
The Tampa Bay Rays continued to wear their throwback Devil Rays uniforms on designated days in 2021.
January 2022: Split-City Plan Rejected
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred rejected the Rays' split-season proposal in January 2022.
2022: Rays' 2022 Season Continued
The Tampa Bay Rays had a historically significant season in 2022, fielding the first all-Latino lineup in MLB history on Roberto Clemente Day. Despite facing recurring injuries, they achieved a third-place finish in the AL East. Their season concluded with a Wild Card Series loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
2022: Rays Modify Alternate Jersey
The Rays modified their second alternate jersey in 2022 by replacing the "Rays" wordmark with the sunburst logo.
2022: Rays' 2022 Season
The Tampa Bay Rays had a 100-62 record in 2022, securing their second consecutive AL East title. The season saw notable roster changes, including the emergence of rookie Shane McClanahan. However, their postseason run ended with a loss to the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS.
2022: Rays-Yankees Rivalry Continues
Tensions continued between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, with near-hit batsmen incidents causing benches to clear.
2022: Rays Continue Throwback Tradition
The Tampa Bay Rays continued to wear their throwback Devil Rays uniforms on designated days in 2022.
March 2023: Dave Wills Passes Away
Longtime Tampa Bay Rays broadcaster Dave Wills died in March 2023.
September 19, 2023: New St. Petersburg Ballpark Announced
The Rays announced plans for a new ballpark in St. Petersburg, set to open in 2028.
2023: Rays Add Throwback Uniforms to Rotation
The Tampa Bay Rays officially added their throwback "Rainbow" Devil Rays uniforms to the regular uniform rotation in 2023.
2023: End of 2023 Season Statistics
The provided statistics represent the Tampa Bay Rays' performance through the end of the 2023 Major League Baseball season.
2023: Rays' 2023 Season
The Tampa Bay Rays had a 99-win season in 2023, including a franchise-record 13 consecutive wins to start the season. Yandy Díaz won the franchise's first AL batting title. However, the season was marred by injuries to their starting pitchers, and they lost in the Wild Card Series to the Texas Rangers.
2023: Tampa Bay Rays Establish Franchise Hall of Fame
The Tampa Bay Rays established their franchise Hall of Fame in 2023.
2023: Rays Bring Back 1998 Throwback Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays began wearing their 1998 "Rainbow" Devil Rays uniforms for all road games and Friday home games starting in the 2023 season.
2023: Rays-Yankees Rivalry Continues
In 2023, the rivalry between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays continued to escalate with multiple hit batsmen and heated exchanges, highlighting the competitive tension between the two teams.
2024: Rays Trade Players, Including Randy Arozarena
In the 2024 season, the Tampa Bay Rays struggled to stay above .500 and traded away multiple players, including Randy Arozarena, at the trade deadline. The team also lost Wander Franco due to allegations of sexual abuse.
2024: Earliest Possible Date for Split Season
The Rays aimed to begin the split-city arrangement as early as 2024.
2024: Rays Introduce "City Connect" Uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays introduced their "City Connect" uniforms in 2024, featuring design elements that represent the Tampa Bay area.
2027: Rays' Use Agreement Expires
The Rays' use agreement with Tropicana Field, set to expire in 2027, became a point of contention in stadium negotiations.
2027: Rays to Remain at Tropicana Field
With the Ybor City plans abandoned, the Rays were set to continue playing at Tropicana Field until 2027.
2028: New Ballpark Opening
The new ballpark in St. Petersburg is expected to open for the 2028 season.