Rays Preview 2023 by Times Total Media

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

RAYS 25 YEARS

Photo illustration by SEAN KRISTOFF-JONES | Times

BLASTS FROM THE PAST

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | Tampa Bay Times

RAYS 25 YEARS

Despite a rocky first decade, Rays rank high among expansion teams

ST. PETERSBURG n a previous life, they were baseball’s favorite punchline. Back when their colors were garish and their name was hellish, the original Devil Rays were the most pathetic excuse for an expansion franchise in Major League Baseball history. Tampa Bay had, inarguably, the worst first decade of any of baseball’s 14 expansion teams. Worse than Casey Stengel’s Mets. Worse than the Seattle Pilots, who fled to Milwaukee after a single season. It wasn’t just the unfathomable .399 winning percentage across 10 sea-

JOHN ROMANO Columnist

sons, it was all the front office buffoonery and all the empty seats that distinguished the Devil Rays from your garden variety expansion losers. And yet, look at them now. From 2008-22, the Rays won more games than any team in the American League other than the Yankees. Their philosophies and strategies have been widely emulated, and their eight postseason

appearances are the most of any non-traditional franchise. The empty seats, regrettably, haven’t gone away. Tampa Bay’s remarkable turnaround, which coincided with Stuart Sternberg’s purchase of the team prior to the 2006 season, got us thinking as the team completed its 25th season: Where do the Rays rank compared to the first quarter-century of other expansion teams? Did the Rays do better than most, or did their ignominious first decade drag them down? Obviously, the answer is subjective. So is the criteria. Do you put more weight on postseason suc-

Associated Press (1996)

cess, or on the consistency of contending in the regular season? Should the eight teams from baseball’s first two expansions (in 196162 and 1969) get special consideration because they did not have the benefit of the free agent marketplace? Or how about the 10 teams that began in an era before there were wild cards? Should teams get extra points for producing Hall of Famers? For MVPs or Cy Young Award winners? And what about division strength? There are four expansion teams in the AL West compared to two in the AL East. Because, heaven knows, MLB’s traditional franchises have fared

much better than expansion teams in the last 50-plus years. If you use 1969 as a starting point — which was the season the Mets became the first expansion team to win a World Series — there have only been 13 non-traditional winners in October. That means the other 40 World Series titles have been split among baseball’s 16 original franchises. Keeping all of these thoughts in mind, we have ranked the 14 expansion teams in order of the most impressive 25-year starts in MLB history. (Numbers reflect only the first 25 years of the franchise.)

Associated Press (1984)

Associated Press (1995)

Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez reacts after tagging out the Yankees’ Tim Raines in Game 3 of the ALDS.

The Padres’ Tony Gwynn was a bright spot for a team that didn’t have many in its first 25 seasons.

Even with players like Ken Griffey Jr., a World Series berth has been forever elusive for the Mariners.

14. Texas Rangers (Washington Senators)

13. San Diego Padres

12. Seattle Mariners

Years: 1961-1985 Record: 1,759-2,211 (.443) MVP: 1 Cy Young: 0 Rookie of the Year: 1 Postseason appearances: 0 Pennants: 0 World Series titles: 0 The rundown: What do you say about an expansion team that had a losing record in 10 of its first 11 seasons, then packed up and moved 1,300 miles away? Turns out, the air in Texas wasn’t any better because the Rangers went another 24 seasons without reaching the playoffs before finally breaking through in 1996. Six expansion franchises have never won a World Series (Padres, Brewers, Mariners, Rockies, Rays) but the Senators/Rangers have been at it the longest.

Years: 1969-1993 Record: 1,783-2,203 (.447) MVP: 0 Cy Young: 3 Rookie of the Year: 2 Postseason appearances: 1 Pennants: 1 World Series titles: 0 The rundown: The Padres do not get nearly enough acclaim for their awfulness. They went 52-110 in their debut season and did not have a winning record until their 10th season. They wondrously reached the World Series in 1984, but then went another dozen seasons without making the playoffs. Their saving grace was drafting the incomparable Tony Gwynn in the third round in 1981.

Years: 1977-2001 Record: 1,831-2,094 (.466) MVP: 2 Cy Young: 1 Rookie of the Year: 3 Postseason appearances: 4 Pennants: 0 World Series titles: 0 The rundown: It was tempting to put the Mariners at the bottom of this list. It was not just the fact that they did not reach the World Series in their first 25 years — and still have not — it was the idea that they were born during free agency. While expansion teams in the 1960s had to build the old-fashioned way, the Mariners had the same opportunities as the Blue Jays, Marlins, Rockies, Diamondbacks and Rays. And still did not capitalize.

Tampa Bay Times | Wednesday, March 29, 2023 |

RAYS 25 YEARS

Associated Press (1981)

Associated Press (1973)

Associated Press (1980)

Expos slugger Gary Carter hits a two-run homer in Game 3 of the NLCS versus the Phillies.

Even with players like Nolan Ryan, here throwing a no-hitter against Detroit, the Angels underachieved.

The Astros didn’t hang on to players like Joe Morgan, right, during the early seasons and paid a price.

11. Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos)

10. Los Angeles Angels (California Angels, Anaheim Angels)

9. Houston Astros (Colt 45s)

Years: 1969-1993 Record: 1,948-2,034 (.489) MVP: 0 Cy Young: 0 Rookie of the Year: 2 Postseason appearances: 1 Pennants: 0 World Series titles: 0 The rundown: Fans in Montreal would argue that the Expos deserve to be higher on this list. And maybe they should. They drafted or signed a remarkable six Hall of Famers (Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Vladimir Guerrero, Randy Johnson, Tim Raines and Larry Walker) between 1972-1993. Yet for all their success in building a farm system, their only playoff appearance in their first 25 years was the strike-interrupted 1981 season.

Years: 1961-1985 Record: 2,059-1,921 (.481) MVP: 1 Cy Young: 1 Rookie of the Year: 0 Postseason appearances: 2 Pennants: 0 World Series titles: 0 The rundown: Early Angels were something of a revelation. While New York, Houston and Washington initially floundered in the first round of expansion in the early 1960s, the Angels had two winning records in their first four seasons. And after that? Zzzzzzzz. They had a handful of stars (Nolan Ryan, Rod Carew, Don Baylor, Bobby Grich) in the late 1970s, but always underachieved. Kinda like today’s Angels.

Associated Press (1981)

Years: 1962-1986 Record: 1,923-2,064 (.482) MVP: 0 Cy Young: 1 Rookie of the Year: 0 Postseason appearances: 3 Pennants: 0 World Series titles: 0 The rundown: You could make an argument that the Astros have had the most success of any expansion team in history. They are the only one of those 14 franchises with an overall winning record. But the majority of that success has been built in recent seasons, not in the first 25 years. The Astros traded away their first two superstars (Joe Morgan and Jimmy Wynn) and went more than 40 years before winning a playoff series.

Associated Press (1995)

Associated Press (1997)

Milwaukee’s Robin Yount leaps over New York’s Dave Winfield during a double play in Game 2 of the ALDS.

First baseman Andres Galarraga celebrates after the Rockies beat the Giants to clinch a wild-card spot.

The Marlins celebrate their 3-2, 11th-inning victory over the Indians in Game 7 of the World Series.

8. Milwaukee Brewers (Seattle Pilots)

7. Colorado Rockies

6. Miami Marlins (Florida Marlins)

Years: 1969-1993 Record: 1,924-2,061 (.483) MVP: 3 Cy Young: 2 Rookie of the Year: 1 Postseason appearances: 2 Pennants: 1 World Series titles: 0 The rundown: It would be facetious, but not entirely wrong, to say the most consequential thing to come out of the first 25 years of this franchise was Ball Four, Jim Bouton’s seminal diary of the lone season of the Seattle Pilots. The Brewers drafted a pair of Hall of Famers (Robin Yount and Paul Molitor) within four years of each other in the 1970s, but did not have too many other lasting moments.

Years: 1993-2017 Record: 1,871-2,117 (.469) MVP: 1 Cy Young: 0 Rookie of the Year: 1 Postseason appearances: 4 Pennants: 1 World Series titles: 0 The rundown: The Rockies got off to a great start. They earned a wild card in their third season and had winning records in three of their first five seasons. For a while, they looked like the model expansion team. But the Blake Street Bombers kind of lost their vibe after that. Along with the Marlins, they remain the only current franchises to have never won a division title.

Years: 1993-2017 Record: 1,870-2,111 (.470) MVP: 1 Cy Young: 0 Rookie of the Year: 4 Postseason appearances: 2 Pennants: 2 World Series titles: 2 The rundown: They are farther down this list than you might expect for a franchise that won the World Series twice in its first 11 seasons, but the Marlins are a bit of an enigma. Those two championship seasons, when they were wild cards, were practically their only highlights. They had no other playoff appearances during that span. In fact, even today, the franchise has never won a division title.

Times (2008)

Associated Press (2001)

James Shields tips his cap to the crowd after leaving Game 2 of the World Series with the Rays up big.

Luis Gonzalez celebrates driving in the winning run in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series.

The Mets’ Jerry Grote hugs Jerry Koosman after beating the Orioles in Game 5 of the World Series.

5. Tampa Bay Rays (Devil Rays)

4. Arizona Diamondbacks

3. New York Mets

Years: 1998-2022 Record: 1,912-2,034 (.485) MVP: 0 Cy Young: 2 Rookie of the Year: 4 Postseason appearances: 8 Pennants: 2 World Series titles: 0 The rundown: Despite a horrendous first decade of baseball and endless attendance woes, the Rays have more postseason appearances than any other expansion franchise through 25 seasons. In Stuart Sternberg’s 17 seasons as the team’s managing general partner, the Rays have reached the playoffs eight times with a .525 winning percentage that is fifth best in MLB during that span.

Years: 1998-2022 Record: 1,914-2,034 (.485) MVP: 0 Cy Young: 5 Rookie of the Year: 0 Postseason appearances: 6 Pennants: 1 World Series titles: 1 The rundown: After 25 seasons, their regular-season record is almost identical to expansion twin Tampa Bay, and the Diamondbacks have fewer postseason appearances than the Rays, but that single World Series title carries enormous weight. Spending free agent money far more wisely than Tampa Bay in the early years, the D-Backs were world champions just four years into franchise history.

Years: 1962-1986 Record: 1,794-2,187 (.451) MVP: 0 Cy Young: 4 Rookie of the Year: 4 Postseason appearances: 4 Pennants: 3 World Series titles: 2 The rundown: The original Mets of 1962 were a ragtag collection of former Dodgers and Yankees meant to appeal to wistful New York fans. Those Amazing Mets finished with a dreadful 40-120 record. Yet, from that inauspicious beginning, the Mets became the first expansion team to win a World Series, capturing the title in 1969 behind the pitching of Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman. (And a kid in the bullpen named Nolan Ryan.)

Associated Press (1993)

Joe Carter celebrates his winning three-run home run in Game 6 of the World Series against Philly.

Associated Press (1969)

2. Toronto Blue Jays

1. Kansas City Royals

Years: 1977-2001 Record: 1,947-1,979 (.496) MVP: 1 Cy Young: 3 Rookie of the Year: 1 Postseason appearances: 5 Pennants: 2 World Series titles: 2 The rundown: Under the direction of Hall of Fame general manager Pat Gillick, the Blue Jays methodically built a farm system that soon became the envy of baseball. Toronto finished above .500 for the first time in 1983, and that began a streak of 11 consecutive winning seasons that culminated in back-to-back World Series titles in 1992-93.

Years: 1969-1993 Record: 2,059-1,921 (.517) MVP: 1 Cy Young: 2 Rookie of the Year: 1 Postseason appearances: 7 Pennants: 2 World Series titles: 1 The rundown: The gold standard for expansion franchises. While three other teams won two World Series titles in their first quarter-century, the Royals were consistently in contention even before free agency provided a shortcut to winning. Lou Piniella was the AL Rookie of the Year in Kansas City’s first season, and George Brett was MVP in the team’s 12th season. The Royals are the only expansion team with a winning record through the first 25 years.

Associated Press (1985)

Bret Saberhagen, right, embraces George Brett after pitching a shutout to win the World Series.

Contact John Romano at jromano@tampabay.com. Follow @Romano_TBTimes.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | Tampa Bay Times

RAYS 25 YEARS

MARKS OF DISTINCTION

BY MARC TOPKIN | Times Staff Writer

he Rays say they don’t try to be different, that it just happens in their ongoing battle to win more games with limited resources, leading to innovative strategies and significant roster churn. And they do quite well, reaching the postseason eight

times in the last 15 years, including four straight. Add in the quirkiness of Tropicana Field, attendance woes and other issues, and they are truly one of the most interesting teams in the majors. Here, to mark their 25th anniversary, are 25 things — good and bad — that set them apart:

For openers As much as any of the myriad strategic innovations the Rays have tried, the opener plan literally changed the game — for better or worse depending on your perspective. Hatched from conversations principal owner Stuart Sternberg and Wall Street colleagues/future top Rays executives Matt Silverman and Andrew Friedman started before they took control of the team in October 2005, the Rays in May 2018 unveiled the plan most other teams would soon copy. Rather than run out an inadequate option as their fourth or fifth starter and hope they could find a way to get into the fifth or sixth innings, the Rays would change the way innings were distributed. Their plan was to use a reliever to get the first three to six outs, then, at a favorable spot in the lineup, bring in a pitcher — sometimes of opposite-handedness to flip the opposing lineup — to work bulk innings. And if that worked and the Rays had the lead, they would then be aggressive in bringing in their top relievers. It worked perfectly in its official debut, as righty Sergio Romo, left, struck out the side in the first, then lefty Ryan Yarbrough took over and allowed only four hits and one run over six-plus innings. Overall, the Rays have used an opener 151 times and are 91-60 (.603) in those games.

Raymond and DJ Kitty Maybe it’s just that one furry, odd-looking mascot would be enough. Please.

Processing and analyzing Wanting to include as many smart people from their organization in the decision-making process, the Rays in 2019 introduced Jonathan Erlichman, right, as the game’s first process and analytics coach. Erlichman, a Canadian who didn’t play baseball beyond T-ball, is in uniform and in the dugout during games. They have been to the playoffs four straight times since he came aboard.

More cowbell Given the sparse crowds at Tropicana Field, the Rays look for ways to create noise and energy. One strategy that paid off can be traced back to 2006, when the team played a clip of the popular Saturday Night Live skit featuring Christopher Walken as a record producer insisting a song needed “more cowbell.’’ Fans started bringing their own cowbells to shake, and the team would do cowbell giveaways.

IVY CEBALLO | Times (2022)

Raymond, in all his fuzzy, oddball glory, is more than enough mascot for one franchise to handle.

Last call

A polarizing figure

As much as the Rays regularly churn their roster, they occasionally pick up a veteran at the tail end of his career. Sometimes it works out well for both parties, sometimes not. Among the players who finished their big-league careers as Rays: Roberto Alomar (spring training), Tampa-raised Hall of Famers Wade Boggs and Fred McGriff, Hideki Matsui, Manny Ramirez, Ozzie Guillen, John Rocker.

Original owner Vince Naimoli, right, deserves immense credit for his diligence and investment in finally securing a a franchise for Tampa Bay in the 1995 expansion process. But he turned out to be a big part of the problem given a series of missteps that alienated fans and sponsors, a boorish personality and hard-charging style. Tales of his insistence on cost-saving methods, harassing employees and getting into confrontations abounded. That included trying to stop media from bringing concession stand food into the press box and seeking to have a scout who wandered into the executive bathroom just off the press box banned for life. Also, he once had all the Tampa Bay Times newspaper boxes that were in and around the stadium (as part of a sponsorship agreement) stacked on the loading dock because he didn’t like a parody article in that day’s edition.

Remember them? The Rays also have had a collection of big-name players who had such small roles you may not remember they once played in Tampa Bay: Julio Franco, Jose Bautista, Juan Guzman, Dwight Gooden, Hideo Nomo, Norm Charlton.

New math Former manager Joe Maddon was always looking for a theme, an inspiration or at least a T-shirt idea. He kind of got all three when he came up with 9 = 8 going into the 2008 season. The basic premise is that if players go hard for nine innings they can end up one of the then-eight teams that make the postseason. Deeper, it also suggested they could do so by getting nine more wins via better pitching, hitting and defending. That year they clinched their first playoff berth with their 93rd win, 27 more than the year before.

Sunshine city The Rays’ traditional lighting of the Tropicana Field roof orange after wins is one that has great appeal ... and hopefully continues in some form in their new stadium.

Also a polarizing figure Current principal owner Stuart Sternberg gets divergent reviews depending on the audience. Some tout him for the team’s continued unlikely success and community involvement while others taunt him for the routinely low payrolls and absence of an agreement for a new stadium. The team’s performance since he took over in October 2005 is unquestioned.

Times (2019)

When the Rays are victorious, Tropicana Field’s roof will glow orange for all of downtown St. Pete to see. It’s a pretty cool, and uniquely Rays, tradition.

Tampa Bay Times

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 |

RAYS 25 YEARS What’s old is new again The original Devil Rays uniforms with the multi-hued logos were dismissed and ridiculed at the time, then ditched after three seasons for a dark green color scheme. But now they’re back as throwback jerseys and caps, and have become hot items, with the team planning to wear them for Friday home games.

Shift happened The Rays were at the start of the shift revolution, aggressively repositioning infielders to areas where data showed the ball was more likely to be hit. As other teams started putting an infielder in short rightfield or up the middle, the Rays sought new frontiers, putting three infielders between second and third for some right-handers and going with a four-across outfield. New rules this year will limit that, but creative-thinking teams such as the Rays will find the next way.

Hines real estate group

Fans have seen many renderings of proposed Rays stadiums over the years, on both sides of the bridge.

Splitsville Another move by the Rays to narrow the competitive disparity was to make liberal use of platoons in the lineup construction. In simple terms, two players who did limited things well — such as one hitting righthanders consistently and the other lefties — were a much more affordable option than one star who could do both.

Just managing The Rays have an interesting group of managers: Larry Rothschild, Hal McRae, Lou Piniella, right, Joe Maddon and Kevin Cash. Cash has been the most successful. Maddon was the best talker. And Piniella the most fiery and colorful, with some legendary temper tantrums on the field that are missing from today’s game.

Ones who got away The Rays don’t seem to miss often on player personnel decisions, but there are a few big names who got away, including: Buster Posey (who they didn’t draft first in 2008, taking Tim Beckham), Josh Hamilton (who they left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft after his repeated drug issues), right, Trea Turner (who they got in trade from San Diego as a first-year pro and immediately flipped to Washington to get Steven Souza Jr.).

Birth of the Zorilla In pioneering the use of players in a super utility role, the Rays made Ben Zobrist a star. Acquired from Houston in 2006 as a light-hitting shortstop, he literally grew into a dominant force, playing everywhere but pitcher and catcher during nine seasons, and piling up a 35.3 WAR that is third highest in franchise history.

The never-ending story Like a dark cloud, the search for a new stadium has been hanging over the Rays since 2007, albeit with an end seemingly in sight soon one way or the other. The Rays have sought to have one built on the St. Petersburg waterfront with a sail-like covering, in a dome in Ybor City, elsewhere in Tampa as part of a proposed team-sharing plan with Montreal and now adjacent to the current site as part of a massive downtown redevelopment, while also keeping talks going with Tampa interests.

Reliever Renovation Co. The Rays have had a remarkable run of success picking up relievers who were struggling or not being used properly and unlocking extreme success. This goes back to Grant Balfour in 2008, and includes Fernando Rodney and Rafael Soriano and even Jason Adam last year.

Proceed with caution Making trades is getting tougher for the Rays, as the success they have had in making deals has resulted in other teams reluctant to engage. The 2018 trade that send Chris Archer to Pittsburgh for Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows and prospect Shane Baz has been the gold standard, though injuries and issues have limited the return. Getting Jeffrey Springs from Boston in spring 2020 was a heist. And now it looks like deals of spare parts for prospects Curtis Mead (from Phillies) and Junior Caminero (Guardians) could pay off huge.

Signing class Much like the Cleveland team has done, the Rays are always looking to lock up young players to long-term deals in an effort — albeit risky — to save money on later seasons. When they signed Wander Franco for a guaranteed $182 million in November 2021, he was the fifth player with less than a full year in the majors that they inked to a multi-year contract.

Mapquest How is it that through 25 seasons, some people, including in the media, still don’t get, or care enough to know, that the Rays play in St. Petersburg and not Tampa?

Red carpet treatment

TIMES (2014)

Ben Zobrist, here at second, played just about every position under the dome for the Rays.

Among celebrities who have attended games at Tropicana Field: Paula Abdul, Stephen King, Chris Rock, Mitt Romney, Susan Sarandon, Cheryl Tiegs, Kate Upton and Dick Vitale. Among those performing Trop concerts: Joan Jett, Miranda Lambert, Avril Lavigne and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Times (2000)

The “Hit” Show, from left: Jose Canseco, Vinny Castilla, Greg Vaughn and Fred McGriff.

The ‘Hit’ Show It seemed like a good idea, expect for the jingle, after a rough first two seasons to bulk up the lineup. So the Devil Rays traded for Vinny Castilla and signed Greg Vaughn to join Jose Canseco and Fred McGriff with the expectation that the four sluggers would make a smashing, well-muscled team. Instead they often went down swinging, and the “Hit Show” should have added a consonant.

Real-life slide show In their effort to keep payroll down, the Rays frequently churn their roster, which includes trading away their best and most popular players. That includes four of their top-six career WAR leaders: No. 1 Evan Longoria, No. 3 Ben Zobrist, No. 5 David Price, No. 6 James Shields. They also let No. 2 Carl Crawford, No. 4 Kevin Kiermaier and No. 9 B.J. Upton leave as free agents.

Remembering Dave Wills Tributes have been and will continue to pour in for radio announcer Dave Wills, who spent 18 seasons in the booth before passing away unexpectedly March 5. The Rays will wear a batting helmet decal all season and start a scholarship program in his honor. Contact Marc Topkin at mtopkin@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Rays.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 |

Tampa Bay Times

RAYS 25 25

Associated Press (2009)

Leftfielder Carl Crawford denies the Rockies’ Brad Hawpe during this Rays-heavy All-Star Game.

DIRK SHADD | Times (2021)

Randy Arozarena catches the Red Sox sleeping, stealing home during the ALDS opener.

Times (2008)

The grounds crew gets Tropicana Field ready for the Rays’ first World Series appearance.

25. Here’s the catch

BEST of

TIMES From the first pitch to Wander Franco’s smashing debut, the Rays have provided a treasure trove of moments that mattered.

he Rays have been at this now for 25 seasons, plus three years of prep work between the awarding of the franchise and first pitch. MARC From the early euphoria through TOPKIN the dark green Devil Rays days, Rays through the missteps of original owner Vince Naimoli and the missed fastballs by the Hit Show, to the remarkable transformation of the Rays under Stuart Sternberg’s group, with the two World Series reached. Through 3,946 regular-season games (and 1,912 wins), 17,522 runs scored (and 4,075 home runs), 35,138 innings pitched (and 29,145 strikeouts). Plus eight trips to the postseason, with two American League pennants, four AL East titles, seven playoff series (or wild-card game) celebrations, 28 October victories total. With 45 All-Star selections, four AL rookies of the year, two two-time managers of the year, a pair of Cy Young award winners and a couple of AL Championship Series MVPs. (Also, two Hall of Famers from their inaugural game lineup.) And one official no-hitter (while being on the other side of six), an MLB record-tying six stolen bases in a game, a half-dozen homers three times. And from this, we picked the 25 greatest moments. Even that phrase is a bit nebulous, in whether the definition is most significant, most dramatic, most surprising or just most, well, great. We’re sure of only two things: We probably left something out, and you won’t agree with the rankings.

Times (1998)

Wilson Alvarez delivers the first pitch in franchise history to Detroit’s Brian Hunter at Tropicana Field.

July 14, 2009 Carl Crawford headlined the Rays’ large contingent — five players, manager Joe Maddon and the full coaching staff — at the 2009 AllStar Game by earning MVP honors, primarily for a spectacular home run-robbing catch. (The next year was pretty cool, too, as three Rays were in the AL All-Star starting lineup, with David Price on the mound, Evan Longoria at third and Crawford in left.)

24. Start of something June 22, 2021 There’s a chance time will prove otherwise, but the date Wander Franco made his bigleague debut, at age 20, after two years as the game’s top prospect, seems like something worth commemorating. Maybe one day from Cooperstown. Franco, who pulled into the Trop parking lot in a Rolls-Royce, delivered a three-run home run, a double and a walk. The Rays certainly saw enough that season, as five months later they signed him to a record contract for a guaranteed $182 million over 11 years and up to $223 million over 12.

23. Daring dash Oct. 7, 2021 Randy Arozarena raced into the postseason spotlight again in the 2021 AL Division Series by stealing home in the opener against the Red Sox. With lefty Josh Taylor on the mound and the Red Sox defense in an exaggerated shift, Arozarena took advantage of being unchecked to record arguably the first straight steal of home in a postseason game since Jackie Robinson in the 1955 World Series. Having gone deep in the fifth, Arozarena also became the first player to hit a home run and steal home in a postseason game.

22. No average Joe Nov. 15, 2005 Under new ownership after eight dismal seasons, the Rays made a bold move in hiring Joe Maddon as their next manager after parting ways with Lou Piniella. Maddon, known for his creative mind, progressive thinking and funky glasses, had never managed full time at the major-league level, having spent 31 years in the Angels organization. All Maddon did was lead the previously cellar-dwelling Rays to four playoff appearances in six years (including the 2008 World Series) and win two AL manager of the year awards, with a .754-.705 (.517) record over nine seasons. They made another surprising, and successful, choice when Maddon left, hiring Tampa native Kevin Cash to take over in 2015. Cash has led the Rays to four consecutive playoff berths — including 2020-2021 AL East titles and a second World

Times (2020)

Mike Brosseau, right, gets payback in the playoffs with his homer in the ALDS against the Yankees.

Series trip — and became the first to win back-to-back AL manager of the year awards, posting a 640-554 (.536) record over eight seasons.

21. Hello, World, again Oct. 20, 2020 The Rays made a second trip to the World Series 12 years after the first, but there was little pomp and extremely odd circumstance given the pandemic that delayed and cut short the 2020 season. The Rays, after eliminating the Jays and Yankees, clinched the pennant by surviving a seven-games-in-seven-days ALCS against the Astros played in San Diego, then flew to Arlington, Texas, to face the Dodgers in a neutral-site Series. They lost in six games, with a controversial decision by manager Kevin Cash to remove Blake Snell in the sixth inning of Game 6 a factor.

20. Hello, World Oct. 22, 2008 The community that spent 20 years trying to get in the game was now the center of the baseball universe, as a real, live World Series game was played in St. Petersburg. The Rays, who eliminated the White Sox and Red Sox along the way, went down early and lost the opener with Scott Kazmir on the mound, but got to play again the next day and beat the Phillies behind a strong James Shields outing. It was anything but sunny in Philadelphia as the Rays, playing in miserable weather conditions and an extended delay, lost three straight and were eliminated.

19. Dan the Man Sept. 9, 2008 Dan Johnson made quite a Rays debut after being called up from Triple-A. Slated to be in the starting lineup at Fenway Park, flight delays from Scranton, Pennsylvania, delayed him enough that manager Joe Maddon had to change plans. Serendipitously, that made Johnson available to pinch hit in the ninth. He delivered a tying homer off Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, leading the Rays to a win that kept them from dropping out of first place at a key point in their worst-to-first turnaround.

18. Crunch time March 8, 2008 Minor-leaguer Elliot Johnson crashing into Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli in the ninth inning of a spring game was the first sign the Rays were no longer going to be pushed around. The Rays fought back when the Yankees retaliated four days later, and flexed their muscle and new-found resolve when they got into a wild brawl that June with the Red Sox, all on the way to their first playoff berth.

Times (1999)

Wade Boggs makes history by becoming the first player to reach 3,000 hits on a home run.

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Wednesday, March 29, 2023 |

Tampa Bay Times

YEARS 15

Associated Press (2013)

Jose Lobaton saves the day with his homer in the ninth inning in Game 3 of the ALDS in Boston.

7. Alex the great

ct. 2, 2013 fter getting hit on the head by a line drive in une, Alex Cobb didn’t know if he would pitch gain in 2013. Much less start — and deliver a ritty and dominating performance — in one f the biggest games of the season, working 2/3 shutout innings in the wild-card win at leveland. Delmon Young and Desmond Jenings had the key hits.

6. Wild times

ct. 2, 2019 Making it back for a cameo in the regular-seaon finale after being sidelined since July 22, andy Diaz made quite an impact in the 2019 L wild-card game at Oakland. He homered n the fifth pitch of the game, silencing the reviously roaring crowd of 54,005, then gain his next time up in the third. That led he Rays to a 5-1 win in their first postseason ppearance in six years (and under managr Kevin Cash) and started a streak of four traight years of playing in October.

5. Ice cream social

ct. 7, 2013 he Rays worked hard to get into the 2013 ostseason, but their chances were melting way after dropping the first two games of the est-of-five ALDS in Boston. They seemed to e licked when they blew a one-run lead in he ninth inning of Game 3, but catcher Jose obaton served up a walk-off homer, which plashed into the touch tank, to allow them to lay another day, then enjoyed his celebratory ce cream, which became a clubhouse thing.

4. Playing overtime

ept. 30, 2013 he Rays had to win on the final day of the eason in Toronto for the right to fly to Texas or a Game 163 playoff with the Rangers, who ad eliminated them in 2010 and 2011. The eward was a chance to reach the playoffs or the fourth time in six seasons, and their wo biggest stars stepped up in a 5-2 win n the 14th tiebreaker game in MLB history. van Longoria hit a two-run homer and David rice pitched a complete game, punctuating he final out against the Rangers by elling, “That’s what I’m talking bout!”

3. Man of steal

May 3, 2009 arl Crawford was on he run all afternoon, ying a major-league ecord that still tands, by stealing x bases against oston. He singled four mes and walked once, wiping second five times nd third once, and said after-

Associated Press (2013)

Evan Longoria sprays the crowd with champagne after the Rays clinch their first playoff berth.

8. A no-no of their own

to make history with the expansion Devil Rays, and that he did, reaching the 3,000-hit milestone in dramatic fashion. He became the first of the then-22 players in the club to gain entry with a home run, going deep off Cleveland’s Chris Haney. Boggs made an emotional trip around the bases, saluting his mother, who was killed in a 1986 car accident, then dropping to his knees and kissing home plate, then embracing his father, wife and son.

12. Helpful takeover Oct. 6, 2005 After spending most of eight seasons as one of the game’s least successful and worst-run franchises, the Rays were under new management. The Stuart Sternberg-led group, headed by Andrew Friedman and Matt Silverman, took over and promised to do things differently and better. A re-branding and a name-shortening two years later were well received, and their onfield success even more so, as they have made the playoffs eight times in the past 15 seasons.

11. Delivery after a long labor March 9, 1995 After two decades of trying to secure a franchise, the Tampa Bay area was finally invited to play ball. An ownership group led by Tampa businessman Vince Naimoli — having taken “a path of 10,000 steps, 10,000 phone calls, 10,000 frustrations” — was awarded one of two expansion teams that was to begin play in 1998. “I think,” Naimoli said after the announcement at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, “this is the greatest day in Tampa Bay history.”

10. Party time Sept. 20, 2008 It had become a matter of when, not if, but that didn’t dull the excitement. Seeing Evan Longoria cradle a foul popup by the Twins’ Joe Mauer against the stands behind third base, clinching the Rays’ first playoff berth, was breathtaking, especially for those who had been with the franchise through the dark days. The Trop crowd roared, and the party in the clubhouse raged, an impressive showing for first-timers.

9. It’s Randy’s world Oct. 17, 2020 Having squandered a three-games-to-none lead against the Astros in the ALCS, the Rays needed something in Game 7 to change the momentum. Naturally it came from Randy Arozarena, who continued his record-smashing postseason by delivering a two-run homer in the first inning. That gave the Rays a lead they wouldn’t relinquish in winning their second AL pennant. Arozarena hit .321 with four homers and six RBIs over the week to win the ALCS MVP award, the first rookie position player to do so. And that was all part of his amazing 20-game postseason, where he hit .377 with a record 10 homers and 14 RBIs.

Associated Press (2020)

It’s a bird, it’s a plane ... nah, it’s just a jubilant Brett Phillips after his World Series heroics.

Times (2008)

Teammates pour beer and champagne on David Price after beating Texas in a tiebreaker game.

ward that had he been aware he would have tried to set a record: “I probably would have broken it if I knew.”

July 26, 2010 Having been no-hit twice that season, and once the year before, the Rays finally got to do the celebrating. Matt Garza — the 2008 ALCS MVP — threw their first, and in 25 seasons, only official no-hitter, blanking the Tigers in a one-walk, 120-pitch gem. (Five Rays combined to no-hit Cleveland on July 2, 2021, in a scheduled seven-inning second game of a doubleheader, but MLB said it didn’t count as a no-hitter.)

7. In a pinch Sept. 28, 2011 Evan Longoria’s Game 162, 12th-inning homer understandably is the bigger moment recorded in history, but Dan Johnson made it all possible three innings earlier. Down to his — and the Rays’ — last strike, with the Yankees having a 96 percent win probability, Johnson delivered another dramatic homer, stunning the baseball world in lining a Corey Wade pitch just inside the rightfield pole for a tying homer, setting the stage for the wild ending that sent the Rays to the playoffs.

6. The first first pitch March 31, 1998 Twenty years of cruel twists and crushing turns in the pursuit of a franchise for Tampa Bay culminated joyously at 5:05 p.m. with a fastball from Wilson Alvarez to Detroit’s Brian Hunter — low and inside — to the delight of a sellout crowd of 45,369 at Tropicana Field. That the Rays lost 11-6 hardly mattered, because this was the start of something.

5. Sweet revenge Oct. 9, 2020 Mike Brosseau didn’t want to call it revenge, which was fine because everyone else did it for him. Having nearly been hit in the head in by a 101-mph Aroldis Chapman fastball in a Sept. 1 game at Yankee Stadium, the Rays infielder struck back at a most dramatic and opportune time. Facing Chapman with the score tied and one out in the eighth inning of the deciding game of the 2020 ALDS, battling back from an 0-2 count and through 10 pitches, Brosseau blasted a homer to send the Rays to the next round and the Yankees home. “Hands down the greatest moment I’ve been a part of in baseball,” manager Kevin Cash said at the time.

4. A milestone homer Aug. 7, 1999 Tampa product Wade Boggs came home

Times (2011)

Evan Longoria’s walkoff homer in Game 162 was a signature moment for him and the franchise.

3. Baseball was fun Oct. 24, 2020 The Rays were winners in one of the wildest-ever endings to a World Series game after trailing 7-6 with two outs and two on in the ninth inning of Game 4 vs. the Dodgers. A single by Seminole native Brett Phillips — who hadn’t had an at-bat in nearly three weeks or a hit in a month — scored the tying run. And as centerfielder Chris Taylor misplayed the ball, Randy Arozarena — after falling down rounding third and getting back up — slid home safely head first, slapping his hand on the plate. Phillips celebrated with an airplane run through the outfield and nearly passed out. It was just the third game in Series history won on a walk-off by a team trailing down to its final out, the Dodgers taking 1988’s Game 1 and 1947’s Game 4.

2. Game 162 Sept. 28, 2011 Evan Longoria hit the modern-day shot heard ’round the world, his 12th-inning, one-out homer capping a wild comeback from a 7-0 deficit. The Rays not only beat the Yankees but — with the Red Sox loss at Baltimore, on one of the greatest nights in baseball history — clinched the AL wild-card playoff berth and a trip to Texas. Longoria joined Bobby Thomson of the 1951 Giants as the only players to hit a walkoff homer in the final regular-season game to put his team in the playoffs.

1. ALCS clincher Oct. 19, 2008 In a climactic Game 7 at Tropicana Field, with the Rays clinging to a 3-1 lead and a man on, 23-year-old rookie lefty David Price threw the pitch, Boston’s Jed Lowrie hit the ground ball, then Akinori Iwamura made the pickup and raced to step on second base. The Rays — the Tampa Bay Rays — won the American League pennant and were going to the World Series. This improbable season, as late radio broadcaster Dave Wills memorably screamed, did indeed have another chapter. Contact Marc Topkin at mtopkin@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Rays.

Times (2008)

Akinori Iwamura leaps after recording the final out of the ALCS, sending the Rays to the World Series.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | Tampa Bay Times

RAYS 25 YEARS

List of greats, franchise feats certainly open for debate BY MARC TOPKIN

Times Staff Writer

We’ve compiled our list of the greatest moments in Rays history. Here is what some of those involved, in various ways, saw as the best (comments were edited for brevity and clarity):

Rob Manfred MLB commissioner “Brett Phillips’ hit during the (2020) World Series. Honestly, that would be in my top 10 baseball moments, not just Rays moments.”

Stuart Sternberg Rays principal owner since October 2005 “To be fair, the greatest moment had to be the first pitch (in 1998). During my tenure, the greatest moment was Aki (Iwamura) catching the ball (for the final out of the 2008 ALCS). Too many things coalesced together, and it happened, and it was just amazing. “It was that one time when you didn’t know until the ball got in the glove. You see a ball off the bat, you usually know if it’s going to be a hit. That ball got hit and I didn’t know what to think, and then he caught it. So you had all that, right? And after losing Game 5 and Game 6, coming as far as we did, and having it be the Red Sox, I could go on and on and on. “Getting to the World Series, to me, is the feat. Winning the World Series is obviously the goal, but getting there is the feat. The greatest feat is winning the AL East. But getting to the Series is what defines you historically.”

Times (2008)

After the Rays top the Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS, principal owner Stuart Sternberg, with manager Joe Maddon at his right, celebrates.

Kevin Kiermaier Blue Jays centerfielder, long-time Ray “Mike Brosseau’s homer in San Diego (off Aroldis Chapman in 2020’s ALDS-clinching Game 5 win over the Yankees). I know it was a crazy year with no fans or anything (due to the pandemic), but

that was the favorite moment of my career. I think of all my firsts, my first homer, my first this or that, but nothing will ever be able to top that moment. Nothing. My heart rate has never been higher. Just a level of excitement. “And I know how our dugout was, our clubhouse was that night, the after-party. It was

the best night of my career, bar none. And I think I’m speaking for a lot of people — that was incredible.”

Dewayne Staats Rays TV broadcaster since 1998 “The biggest moment was Evan Longoria’s home run in (2011’s) Game 162. We should also get in there Wade Boggs’ homer for 3,000 hits, Dan Johnson’s homer, Matt Garza’s no-hitter.”

Rocco Baldelli Twins manager, former Rays player and coach (and noted Kevin Cash provocateur) “Cash probably thinks it was his first day on the job, and even if it was, we would never say it. But it’s hard not to think that clinching a playoff berth (for the first time) in 2008 — Evan Longoria catching the pop-up behind third base. It’s hard not to look at that and say that was maybe the most monumental moment as a team. “Collectively, for everyone off the field, on the field, fans, anyone that cares about the Tampa Bay Rays, you almost couldn’t believe what was going on in front of your eyes. … From that moment, it’s like things are different. There is kind of before that moment and after that moment.”

Times (2020)

Mike Brosseau, right, is mobbed by teammates after his revenge homer in the playoffs against the Yankees. out, three-run shot to cut the Yankees’ lead to 7-6) was also huge. There were so many things that went on in that game that people don’t realize — Sam Fuld pinch-hit and walked (with the bases loaded, ahead of Longoria’s homer), and Dan Johnson pinch-hit for Sam in the ninth (and hit the two-out, twostrikes, game-tying homer). … “Another thing that stands out was when we won the AL East in 2010 and flying home and we were greeted at the airport by fans. That was something.”

Derek Shelton

Dave Wills

Pirates manager, former Rays hitting coach “The greatest moment during my tenure is the walkoff Longo hit in Game 162. A lot of people put stock in that homer, but the homer he hit in the eighth (a two-

Radio broadcaster who died March 5, in a submission for the team’s 25th anniversary book “The first three seasons (2005-2007, when he started) were a little rough, to say the least. In 2008, I can

think of so many magical moments: Cliff Floyd’s walkoff against the White Sox, Carl Crawford’s grand slam against the Cubs, Dan Johnson’s first pinch-hit homer, the playoff clincher against the Twins and of course the ground ball to Aki, ‘the 0-1 to Lowrie on its way…’ “And since then, the 2010 Division winners, Dan Johnson 2.0 (in 2011’s Game 162) Evan’s walk-off, David Price’s CG against Texas in (2013’s) Game 163, Jose Lobaton’s walk off in the (2013) ALDS against Boston. And who will ever forget Brett Phillips’ hit and Randy (Arozarena)’s romp around the bases (in the 2020 World Series). As I was writing this, I was getting goosebumps!” Contact Marc Topkin at mtopkin@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Rays.

Times (2008)

From left, Rays relief pitcher J.P. Howell, outfielder Gabe Gross and outfielder Eric Hinske celebrate the 7-2 triumph over the Twins that clinched the first playoff berth.

Tampa Bay Times

RAYS 25 YEARS

DIRK SHADD | Times (2021)

Fans cheer as the Rays line up for introductions prior to taking on the Red Sox in Game 1 of the AL Division Series.

They have endured losing seasons and stadium roulette, and enjoyed career milestones and playoff success.

KRISTIE ACKERT | Times

Nancy and Michael Percifield patiently waited for the Rays to become a reality.

KRISTIE ACKERT | Times

Elliott and Marilyn Satinoff are excited about what this season will bring.

KRISTIE ACKERT | Times

Teresa Hehemann has been to every game at Tropicana Field in which fans were allowed.

THE FAITHFUL

FANS BY KRISTIE ACKERT

Times Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG — They were here before there ever was a team. Long before that first game at Tropicana Field in 1998, before the Rays became the scrappy team that has won two American League pennants, there were baseball fans in Tampa Bay just waiting for a team to root for. “I had hoped that we would eventually get a team and we’re huge baseball fans. So the idea of Major League Baseball here was wonderful,” said Michael Percifield, who handed over money for season tickets years before the Rays were a reality. “After a while, they asked us do we want our money back or do we want to just leave it on deposit? So we said leave it on deposit. “That happened twice before we finally were awarded a franchise. So then we had our seats and we’ve been in them since Day 1.” Devotees like Percifield believed that if MLB brought baseball to Tampa Bay, more fans would come. It hasn’t exactly been easy though. Around the league, the Rays are mocked for the Trop attendance. Only the Marlins and A’s had fewer fans in 2022. Tampa Bay finished 28th in average attendance at 13,927. And as the hardcore Rays faithful know, a lot of those numbers can include the influx of Yankees and Red Sox fans when those teams are in town. A fact that can rankle some. “The Yankees and the Red Sox fans, since they won about 20 years ago, they started to show up en masse, too, because they moved here,” said another original fan, Mitch Kanaan. “Some of the people that live here kind of resent that, because you live here now and you have to root for the locals. “I was a Pirate fan for all my life, but even when the Pirates come here, I don’t make a lot of noise in the

game, because I just think it’s hypocritical.” Those who have been here for the entire ty embraced the moments like Wade Boggs getting his 3,000th hit, the 2008 American League Championship Series clincher and Game 162 in 2011. “Our favorite memory, of course, is when they won the 2008 ALCS and participated in a World Series; that’s a no-brainer,” said Elliot Satinoff, speaking for his wife Marilyn and family. “We had a wonderful time. “Hopefully they will repeat the American League championship. We think they have a good team. The pitching is excellent. The defense is excellent, maybe a little weak in the offense, but pitching, in our opinion, is a very important part of the game.” There have also been some low points for this loyal core of fans, especially off the field when the future of the team has been bandied about between politicians and MLB over the last few years. “It was hurtful to hear about the split season (plan), maybe half a season here and half in Montreal,” Teresa Hehemann said. “And actually, I was happy to hear when MLB finally came out and said that it’s not happening. So I am glad they will work on something either here or over in Tampa. I hope it stays here in the St. Pete area.” Hehemann is a self-described super fan. She has followed the team on the road, become friendly with players like Kevin Kiermaier (now with the Blue Jays) — who sent flowers to her mother’s funeral — and has never missed a game at Tropicana Field. “I’ve had two employers who have made it possible for me to be able to attend the games by me working certain days and having others off,” Hehemann said. “... And I love it.” Through years of waiting, all the ups and downs, it’s been interesting, as the Rays’ most famous fan put it in a way that only he can.

“I’ll tell you what, watching these guys for the last 25 seasons, it’s been awesome, baby! With a capital A,” said renowned NCAA basketball announcer Dick Vitale in a video commemorating the 25th anniversary. “I’m on the edge of my seat, over-the-roof excited and enthused with energy. I’m ready for another season. ... RAYS UP, baby!” Contact Kristie Ackert at kackert@tampabay.com.

| Wednesday, March 29, 2023 |

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Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | Tampa Bay Times

RAYS 25 YEARS

YOUR TAMPA BAY RAYS

ALL-TIME LINEUP Sifting through performances from a quarter century, we present the best at each position, plus starters, relievers and a manager.

BY MARC TOPKIN | Times Staff Writer

he list of players who appeared in a game for the Rays over their first 25 seasons is 572 deep. That spans familiar faces, such as Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford and Ben Zobrist, who participated in more than 1,000 Tampa Bay games each, and an eclectic collection of 18 who appeared in just one, including long-time big-leaguers Julio Franco and Juan Guzman. From that group, we set out to assemble the all-time Rays team. Our base criterion was simple: players would be evaluated

just on what they did when playing for the Rays. So, for example, though Wade Boggs and Fred McGriff had Hall of Fame careers overall, they didn’t do enough as Rays to make this cut. From there it got a little fuzzier. We tried to keep players in positions they appeared regularly, if not primarily, but we had to make a few adjustments to include a couple that were definitely among the 20 best. With input from several current and former longtime Rays staffers, 25-year TV broadcaster Dewayne Staats and statistical experts Sarah Langs (mlb.com) and Mark Simon (Sports Info Solutions), here is the final product:

POSITION PLAYERS

Catcher Toby Hall

First base Carlos Peña

Second base Brandon Lowe

Shortstop Julio Lugo

Third base Evan Longoria

Rays stats: 586 games, .262 avg., .681 OPS, 44 HRs, 251 RBIs, 5.7 WAR John Jaso and Mike Zunino hit better in smaller samples, and Dioner Navarro made an All-Star team, but Hall was the Rays’ most consistent catcher, making five opening day starts over parts of seven seasons. Hall produced without much power and kept the running game under control. Also considered: Navarro

Rays stats: 726 games, .230 avg, .843 OPS, 163 HRs, 468 RBIs, 18.1 WAR Peña set single-season records in 2007 for homers (46) and RBIs (121), and ranks among the franchise career top four in both, plus on-base percentage in two stints over five seasons. He was an AllStar, Silver Slugger and twotime, top-10 AL MVP finisher, and won a Gold Glove for his silky smooth defense. Also considered: Fred McGriff

Rays stats: 395 games, .249 avg., .830 OPS, 84 HRs, 237 RBIs, 11.8 WAR In fewer than 400 games over parts of five seasons, Lowe already has compiled an impressive resume, with a 39-homer performance, an All-Star selection, two top-10 AL MVP finishes. Plus he ranks as the franchise leader with a .495 slugging percentage. Also considered: Ben Zobrist

Rays stats: 505 games, .287 avg., .770 OPS, 40 HRs, 212 RBIs, 13.5 WAR One of the tougher decisions, with more production over a longer Rays tenure giving Lugo the edge over Jason Bartlett (400 games, .752 OPS, 10.4 WAR). Lugo also ranks among the franchise leaders in hits (550, ninth) and steals (88, sixth). Also considered: Jason Bartlett

Rays stats: 1,435 games, .370 avg., .823 OPS, 261 HRs, 892 RBIs, 51.2 WAR The best-ever Rays player was the most obvious choice for the all-time team, holding franchise records for games, homers, RBIs, runs (780), doubles (338), walks (569), extra-base hits (618) and total bases (2,630). Plus, he won rookie of the year and three Gold Gloves, made three All-Star teams and had four top-11 AL MVP finishes. Also considered: Yandy Diaz

Leftfield Carl Crawford

Centerfield Kevin Kiermaier

Rightfield Matt Joyce

DH B.J. Upton

Utility Ben Zobrist

Rays stats: 1,235 games, .296 avg., .781 OPS, 104 HRs, 592 RBIs, 35.6 WAR The second-best player in Rays history was another obvious choice, holding team records for batting average (.296), hits (1,480), triples (105) and stolen bases (409). He made four All-Star teams, won Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, finished seventh in the 2010 AL MVP voting and led the AL in steals four times. Also considered: Desmond Jennings

Rays stats: 914 games, .248 avg., .715 OPS, 82 HRs, 316 RBIs, 31.8 WAR A closer call than you might think, as B.J. Upton played more games in center and provided much more offense. But Kiermaier’s defensive dominance set him apart, and if not for injuries he would have won more than three Gold Gloves and one Platinum. Plus, his WAR is twice as high as Upton’s. Also considered: B.J. Upton

Rays stats: 633 games, .250 avg., .777 OPS, 76 HRs, 280 RBIs, 10.3 WAR There was no standout choice, with 12 Rays (including Ben Zobrist) starting between 146-350 games in rightfield. Steven Souza Jr. had the most games, and Aubrey Huff the most production, but Joyce the best overall performance. Plus, he made an All-Star team. Also considered: Steven Souza Jr.

Rays stats: 966 games, .255 avg., .758 OPS, 118 HRs, 447 RBIs, 15.6 WAR Upton’s power and speed — averaging 19 homers and 36 steals over six seasons — made him a key part of three Rays playoff teams. Though he spent most of his time in center, the Rays’ philosophy of shifting players around led to this somewhat manufactured move to the DH spot to get him on the team. Also considered: Jose Canseco

Rays stats: 1,064 games, .264 avg., .783 OPS, 114 HRs, 511 RBIs, 35.3 WAR Joe Maddon turned Zobrist into the model for the super utilityman, and he flourished, compiling the third best WAR in franchise history while starting at seven positions and DH. He ranks in the top five in hits (1,016), on-base percentage (.354) and runs (565). Plus, he made two All-Star teams and had three top-18 AL MVP finishes. Also considered: Aubrey Huff

Times (2020)

Tampa Bay Times

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 |

STARTING PITCHERS

LHP David Price

RHP James Shields

LHP Scott Kazmir

LHP Blake Snell

RHP Chris Archer

Rays stats: 82-47, 3.18 ERA, 170 starts, 1,1432/3 IP, 1065 K, 21.3 WAR Price was the workhorse starter for parts of six seasons, highlighted by the 2012 AL Cy Young for his 20-win season. That after winning 19 and finishing second in 2010, and making three straight All-Star teams (and four in five years). He ranks first in franchise history in ERA, second in wins and innings, third in strikeouts.

Rays stats: 87-73, 3.89, 217 starts, 1,4542/3 IP, 1,250 K, 19.7 WAR Being the franchise leader in wins, losses (73), starts, innings and complete games (19) illustrates Shields’ durability and determination to take the ball, even though the results weren’t flashy. He made the 2011 All-Star team, and finished third in the Cy Young voting. Plus, he had their first World Series win.

Rays stats: 55-49, 3.92 ERA, 144 starts, 834 IP, 874 K, 16.5 WAR Kazmir debuted at age 20 after being acquired from the Mets in July 2004, and he lived up to the hype, posting 10-plus wins in three straight 95-plus loss seasons, then helping spark the 2008 worstto-first turnaround. He also made two All-Star teams.

Rays stats: 42-30, 3.24 ERA, 108 starts, 556 IP, 648 K, 11.6 WAR Snell demonstrated his dominance in a dazzling 2018 season, going 21-5, 1.89 and winning a Cy Young award, and then struck out 32.1 percent of batters faced for three seasons. He posted a team-record low .223 opponents average.

Rays stats: 55-69, 3.71 ERA, 182 starts, 1,0821/3 IP, 1167 K, 11.4 WAR Despite a losing record, including a 19-loss 2016 season, Archer made two All-Star teams, has the second-most career starts and strikeouts, and has the first- (252), second- (249) and fifth-most (233) strikeouts in a season. Also considered: Alex Cobb, Matt Garza, Matt Moore, Jake Odorizzi

Roberto Hernandez

Jake McGee

Alex Colome

Fernando Rodney

Joel Peralta

Rays stats: 8-16, 3.43 ERA, 207 G, 101/122 Saves, 4.9 WAR He was signed as a free agent to bring savvy and experience to the expansion Devil Rays. His team-record 101 saves include 43 (in 47 chances) for a 1999 team that won only 69, as he made the All-Star team and got Cy Young votes. He averaged 69 appearances for his three seasons.

Rays stats: 21-11, 2.77 ERA, 297 G, 26/40 saves, 5.8 WAR McGee holds the franchise record for appearances and, though not pitching often in save situations, struck out 31 percent of hitters and did much of the tough work against left-handed hitters.

Rays stats: 17-18, 3.21 ERA, 196 G, 95/111 saves, 4.4 WAR Colome was a converted starter who developed into an ace reliever, with 95 saves, a 2.86 ERA and 152 strikeouts in 145 innings over a 2½-season run, including a majors-leading 47 saves in 2017.

Rays stats: 7-6, 1.91 ERA, 144 G, 85/95 saves, 4.2 WAR Given how the Rays churn relievers, two seasons was enough to earn a spot. Rodney’s 2012 season alone may have done it as he converted a team-record 48 of 50 saves, shooting his imaginary arrow to celebrate, allowed only five earned runs (0.60) ERA over 76 appearances and finished fifth in the AL Cy Young voting.

Rays stats: 11-22, 3.58 ERA, 296 G, 10/24 saves, 1.9 WAR A case can be made for Danys Baez, who logged 71 saves in two seasons, but Peralta earned a spot with his yeoman’s work in usually difficult situations over four seasons, making a majors-most 80 appearances for the 2013 wildcard team and the second most in team history. Also considered: Danys Baez, Grant Balfour, Rafael Soriano

RELIEVERS

MANAGER Joe Maddon Rays stats: 754-705 (.517) over nine seasons, four playoff appearances (13-17) There isn’t much difference between the success of Maddon and current manager Kevin Cash. Cash has a slightly better record, 640-554 (.536) over eight seasons, is 15-17 in the postseason and also led the team to four playoff appearances, including one World Series. Both have won two manager of the year awards. Cash impressed by learning on the job and has posted five straight winning records. Maddon gets a slight edge based on his role in the Rays’ remarkable 2008 transformation from cellar dweller to annual contender, introducing and incorporating all the new and unorthodox methods necessary. Also considered: Kevin Cash Contact Marc Topkin at mtopkin@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Rays.

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Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | Tampa Bay Times

RAYS 25 YEARS THE ALL-TIME, ALL-AREA RAYS LINEUP

HOME-GROWN

ROSTER

All points of the bay area, from Seffner to Seminole, are represented from the past 25 seasons.

BY JOEY KNIGHT

Times Staff Writer

FOR AT LEAST TWO GENERATIONS (and possibly three), our back yard has spawned enough elite baseball talent to produce a big-league roster consisting solely of area talent. As far back as 40 years ago, our lineup would have featured the likes of Tampa natives Lou Piniella and Steve Garvey, among others. But the birth of the Rays, the passage of time and the preservation of that wellspring of area talent has allowed us to localize things even further. Today, we can compile a Rays all-time roster (coaches and managers included) consisting exclusively of players hailing from our region. Consider this an all-area Rays team, complete with a starting lineup, starting right- and left-handed pitchers, some reserves and a modest coaching staff. The parameters: Each member of the team had to play for a high school or college program in the Tampa Bay Times’ primary four-county circulation area (Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas).

1B Fred McGriff

2B Christian Arroyo

SS Jason Romano

Local tie: Jefferson High (Class of 1981) The Crime Dog’s Hall of Fame resume already featured more than 400 home runs and four All-Star Game appearances when the Braves sold him to the expansion Devil Rays in 1998. The franchise’s first true slugger, he totaled 78 home runs and 291 RBIs from 19982000, then returned for a 27-game cameo in 2004.

Local tie: Hernando High (Class of 2013) Our team’s got to have a second baseman, and Arroyo — the former Giants first-round pick who arrived in the Evan Longoria deal — played eight error-free games there during his 36-contest stint (2018-2019) with Tampa Bay.

Local tie: Hillsborough High (Class of 1997) Because we couldn’t find a local product who actually played shortstop for the Rays, we fudged a little with this former Saladino Award winner. Romano, who played only four games (one hit) with Tampa Bay in 2004, did play some shortstop with the Rockies two years before.

3B Wade Boggs

C Bobby Wilson

OF Matt Joyce

Local tie: Plant High (Class of 1982) Boggs spent the final two seasons of his 18-year Hall of Fame career back home, collecting his 3,000th hit with a home run to rightfield off Cleveland’s Chris Chaney on Aug. 7, 1999. He played only 90 games that season, but still hit .301.

Local tie: Seminole High (Class of 2001) and St. Petersburg College Wilson, whose decade in the big leagues included stints with seven different clubs, played parts of the 2015 and 2016 seasons with Tampa Bay. In 2016, he hit .230 with four home runs before the Rays let him go to make room for prospects.

Local tie: Armwood High (Class of 2002) The second Hawks alumnus to reach the big leagues, Joyce spent parts of six seasons with his hometown club, hitting .250 with 76 home runs, 280 RBIs and a .342 on-base percentage. He was an all-star in 2011, when he totaled 19 home runs and a career-best 75 RBIs.

OF Brett Phillips

OF Denard Span

DH Tino Martinez

Local tie: Seminole High (Class of 2012) How can we forget the franchise’s all-time leader in exuberance? Phillips simply didn’t hit well enough (.179 over 210 games) during his Rays stint that covered parts of three seasons, but we’ll always have his 2020 World Series walk-off in Game 4.

Local tie: Tampa Catholic (Class of 2002) Span, joining Bally Sports’ coverage of the Rays, played 43 games for his hometown club in the last of his 11 bigleague seasons (2018). None was more memorable than Game 1, when his bases-loaded, eighth-inning triple on opening day lifted the Rays to a 6-4 win against the Red Sox at home.

Local tie: Jefferson High (Class of 1985) With McGriff entrenched at first base, we slide his fellow Jefferson alum to a DH role. A two-time AllStar and four-time World Series champion, Martinez returned home when the Cardinals dealt him to Tampa Bay in a trade. In his lone season as a Devil Ray, he hit .262 with 23 home runs and 76 RBIs.

LHP Shane McClanahan

RHP Doug Waechter

Manager Kevin Cash

Local tie: USF (2016-18) The Friday night starter for the Bulls in 2018 (when he struck out 120 in 76.1 innings), McClanahan has posted 10- and 12-win seasons the past two years, and started the 2022 MLB All-Star Game.

Local tie: Northeast High (Class of 1999) A Devil Rays third-round pick in 1999, Waechter went 14-25 with a 5.62 ERA in parts of four seasons as a Tampa Bay starter before shoulder surgery derailed his tenure. He has since earned three Emmys for his work on Rays broadcasts with Bally Sports.

Local tie: Gaither High (Class of 1996) The franchise’s second-winningest manager (640554) gets the clear nod over Jesuit High alumnus Lou Piniella, whose three-year Tampa Bay tenure (200285) didn’t exactly enhance his Hall of Fame chances. Cash has led the Rays to four consecutive postseason berths, equaling the franchise total in the 17 seasons prior to his arrival.

In the bullpen

On the bench

Coaching staff

RHP Ryan Garton (Mitchell High): Logged 5.26 ERA in 44 relief appearances with Rays in 2016 and 2017 RHP Dave Eiland (Zephyrhills High): Primarily a starter, went 6-12, 6.54 ERA for Rays from 1998-2000 RHP Dwight Gooden (Hillsborough): 6.63 ERA in eight starts with Devil Rays in 2000 RHP Phoenix Sanders (USF): Compiled 3.07 ERA in 14.2 relief innings for Rays in 2022 RHP Ryan Webb (Clearwater Central Catholic): Amassed 5.19 ERA in 17.1 relief innings for Rays in 2016

1B Casey Kotchman (Seminole High): Hit .306 (.800 OPS) in helping lead 2011 Rays to postseason OF Kenny Kelly (Tampa Catholic): Crusaders’ threesport sensation appeared in two games for Devil Rays in 2000 OF Elijah Dukes (Hillsborough): Homered in first two games for Rays in 2007; departed amid disturbing offfield allegations

Lou Piniella (Jesuit): Went 200-285 in three seasons (2003-2005) as Rays manager Ozzie Timmons (Brandon High, University of Tampa): Former Rays player was club’s first base coach from 2018-2021 Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.

Tampa Bay Times |

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 |

13X

RAYS 25 YEARS

Can the game changers become World beaters?

ST. PETERSBURG wenty-five seas o n s l a t e r, the game has changed. And you can thank, or blame, the Rays for much of the rebellion. Shifts. Positional flexibility. Catcher framing. Longterm contracts for rookies and vanquished sentimentality for veterans. Re-imagined pitching staffs and re-emphasized defense. Baseball operations departments with Ivy League pedigrees and mathematical wizards with input in gametime decisions. The Rays did not necessarily invent all of these concepts, but they came close to perfecting a lot of them. Along the way, they won a lot of games, a handful of divisions and a couple of pennants. They also convinced a lot of owners, general managers and fans to buy into a more evidence-based way of approaching a game that had often had a staid and romantic way of doing things. In retrospect, that may one day be viewed as Tampa Bay’s greatest contribution to baseball. Owner Stuart Sternberg and his outsidethe-box collection of thinkers revolutionized a sport simply by asking the same old questions and daring to chase new answers. But that was never their goal. At least, not the revolutionary aspect. They were just seeking a more efficient and dependable way of winning with a franchise that did not have the economic advantages of some of the other teams in the American League East. “We knew we couldn’t win the same way that other teams with greater financial resources do if we tried to follow their formula,” said team president Matt Silverman. “We developed a culture of entrepreneurship, of creativity, and of calculated risk-taking that, as it started to succeed, snowballed into something that’s been surprisingly successful for a long period of time. “There’s a genuine sense of curiosity and an interest in testing. We will test the status quo, we will challenge the status quo. Not for the sake of doing it, but for the sake of trying to find ways to stretch our payroll, stretch our resources and win more games than we should.” They have done that. They have won more games per dollar spent than any other team, and it’s not even close. They have achieved much of what they once envisioned, but one goal remains elusive. For all of their success, the Rays have fallen just shy of winning a World Series. They fell three wins short in 2008, and two wins short in 2020. So have they overlooked something? Is there a flaw in the plan? Is there a secret

JOHN ROMANO Columnist

to winning the World Series that the Rays have yet to uncover? “Until we win one,” Silverman said, “that’s going to be the question.” Since 2008, seven teams have made the postseason at least seven times. Six of those teams have gone on to win a World Series. The Rays are the lone outcast. Is that just bad luck, or is there an inherent shortcoming in their design? Besides, obviously, having a payroll that is dwarfed by most other contenders. “The better teams tend to win more often in the playoffs than the lesser teams,” Rays general manager Peter Bendix said. “Last year is a great example. The Astros were the best team in baseball, and they won the World Series. But the Phillies almost beat them, and they only won 87 games. “You want to be the best team in baseball because you’re going to have the best odds of winning the World Series. But the difference between those odds and the Phillies with 87 wins is not as big as the difference in the talent levels between those two teams.” From Andrew Friedman to Silverman to Erik Neander to Bendix, the Rays have always had the philosophy that the 162-game regular season is the greater challenge and the postseason is more of a crapshoot. In an analytical sense, that’s true. The best team will almost always prevail over six months, but aberrations are possible in a seven- or fiveor three-game playoff series. Now, you can lessen the chances of a postseason anomaly by building an overwhelming roster, but the Rays do not have that luxury. They’re trying to get to October every season — because you can’t win it if you’re not in it — but if they overspend in any single season they will pay the price in future seasons. They made that gamble in 2021 by trading for Nelson Cruz in July, and his postseason performance did not match expectations. That cost the Rays a pitching prospect — Joe Ryan — who would have come in handy last season and in the years to come. “I think the misconception is that all we’re trying to do is make the playoffs, that if we make the playoffs it’s a successful season,” Bendix said. “We’re trying to win the World Series, and we think the best way to do that is make the playoffs as often as we can. But we’re still trying to win the World Series. “If you told me we could trade 10 prospects and that would guarantee us the

DIRK SHADD | Times (2008)

The Rays celebrate after defeating the Phillies during Game 2 of the World Series, a showcase event they have reached twice in 25 years. Despite all of their innovations and postseason berths, the Rays have yet to win it all.

World Series this year? Sign me up. We’re doing that 100 percent. But it doesn’t work that way, right?” So the Rays will keep challenging conventions. They will keep evolving. They will keep pushing the envelope. And, if all goes well, the next 25 years will deliver that final answer. Contact John Romano at jromano@tampabay.com. Follow @Romano_TBTimes.

IVY CEBALLO | Times (2022)

The Rays have had plenty of chances to celebrate over the years, like Taylor Walls’ walk-off homer that brought Kevin Kiermaier and Manuel Margot out of the dugout.

14X

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 |

Tampa Bay Times

RAYS 25 YEARS Q&A | Stuart Sternberg, Rays principal owner

A silver-centric chat

BY MARC TOPKIN

Times Staff Writer

s principal owner Stuart Sternberg eagerly prepares for the 18th Rays season under his purview, he, like the rest of the organization, is also looking back a bit. The franchise is celebrating its 25 th anniversary year, having started at the Devil Rays in 1998 and now having completed 25 seasons. So to stay on theme, we’ve focused some of our annual preseason Q&A with Sternberg about 25th anniversaries. Here is what Sternberg, whose group bought into the team in 2004 and took control in October 2005, had to say (some comments were edited for brevity and clarity):

DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times (2022)

Where does principal owner Stuart Sternberg think the Rays will be in 50 years? Still thriving in Tampa Bay.

Where were you on March 31, 1998, when the Devil Rays played their first game? We had three kids at the time (four now) and were probably in the process of moving into a new home in Rye, N.Y. I was 38, and working on the floor of the (New York) stock exchange.

rule changes, such as the pitch clock), and it’s all great. The largest thing was obviously — and certainly we’ve been a reasonable part of it, and it’s happened in every industry — sort of the computerization, mechanization, process-oriented baseball approach. But it’s not unique to baseball.

Were you aware there was a new team in Tampa Bay, and one in Arizona? I absolutely was. I remember following it. I just recall not being engrossed with it at the time. There was just a lot of family and business stuff.

What do you think baseball looks like 25 years hence? I think it will be closer to the sport it is today than football and basketball are. Baseball has a great way of having the 90 feet between bases, the 60 feet, 6 inches (to home plate) work through many, many, many iterations of generations of physical change. And the size of the field and the way it all comes into play. Whereas the others are, especially basketball, boxed into a smaller area, and the height of the rim. So I think there could be some significant changes there. And football because of the violence and potential of all those issues (could change).

What did you think on March 31, 1998, that you’d be doing on March 30, 2023 (opening day)? If there was a list of 100 things, this was 116th. How has your life changed in the last 25 years? It’s really my kids aging that changes you. And not working on Wall Street, which was really a grindit-out situation in a lot of ways. But I’d say oddly enough for the most part, in a good way, I don’t think my life has changed dramatically. Other than having a fourth child. (Sandy, 32; Jake, 31; Natalie, 27; Ella, 23.)

What did you get your wife, Lisa, for your 25th wedding anniversary? Well, I know it wasn’t luggage or a speaker or an ice cream holder because I had gotten those three things (for her) at various points and almost got thrown out of the house. … It was probably a watch. We like to mark occasions, but I like to think I’m a giving person throughout the year.

What’s something you’ve had for 25 years? I’m a bit of a pack rat and hoarder, so I have a lot of things for 25 years — whether it’s ticket stubs or old CDs, certainly sweaters, maybe the shirt I’m wearing.

Since the 25th anniversary is silver, are you big on investing in that? I was many years ago, a bunch of times, but I haven’t been focused on the silver market as much in the last 25 years.

Who/what have you been watching for 25 years? Larry David, right, in some form. That’s around when Curb Your Enthusiasm started.

And where will the Rays be playing in 25 years, for their 50th anniversary? I’m pretty certain they’ll be here.

What has been the biggest change in baseball over the last 25 years? The biggest change over the last 10 years has been what we’re seeing right now in front of us (with all the

Of all the promotions and things the Rays are doing for the 25th anniversary, which do you consider the coolest? The 25th anniversary book that we’re putting out. It’s a huge amount of effort and love going into it, and it forces us all to look back on 25 years, and it’s been pretty cool to do that.

(their oldest son) briefly at Busch Gardens. It was the most terrifying moment of my life — he was 21/2-3 years old. We’d come down every couple years, go to Sarasota or stay at the Don (Cesar hotel on St. Pete Beach). I remember saying to the kids that a baseball team was going to play in that building (the then-Florida Suncoast Dome, now Tropicana Field). I had taken them around to enough baseball stadiums by then that they didn’t believe that was a baseball stadium.

A little bit of a trick question: What’s something you’d like to have very badly that’s made of silver? The World Series trophy.

What musicians have you been listening to for 25 years? Obviously Bruce Springsteen. There’s a lot of people obviously not still making music that I listen to, older stuff. Of those still making music, Bob Dylan is another one.

Here, as in where? In Tampa Bay. When was the first time you came to the Tampa Bay area? It was around 1993. We lost Sandy

Contact Marc Topkin at mtopkin@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Rays.

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