Tampa Bay Devil Rays History

1995-Present
March 9, 1995 At a meeting in West Palm Beach, FL, Major League Baseball owners officially welcome the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks as the 13th and 14th expansion teams in Major League history by a vote of 28-0.

April 27, 1995 The Devil Rays and the City of St. Petersburg agree on a 30-year lease for the team to play their home games at the ThunderDome.

July 19, 1995 The Devil Rays name Chuck LaMar as senior vice president of baseball operations and general manager. LaMar helped build the Atlanta Braves into a powerhouse, first as Director of Scouting and Player Development and later as Assistant General Manager.

September 26, 1995 The Devil Rays sign their first player - Adam Sisk, a 6-4 right-handed pitcher from Edison Community College in Fort Myers, Florida.

November 2, 1995 The Devil Rays unveil their official 1998 game uniforms during a special "fashion show" at the Florida Aquarium.

January 30, 1996 The Devil Rays name their first two managers: Tom Foley, who played 13 seasons in the Major Leagues, will manage at Butte in the Pioneer League and Bill Evers, with 16 years of managing or coaching experience in the minor leagues, will lead the St. Petersburg club in the Gulf Coast Rookie League.

May 7, 1996 The Devil Rays announce they will host Spring Training in St. Petersburg in 1998, becoming the first team in the "modern era" to host spring training in their home city. The National League's St. Louis Cardinals will leave after training in St. Petersburg since 1946.

June 3, 1996 The Devil Rays begin their first mini-camp as 24 players, all free agents signed before the June draft, assemble at Huggins-Stengel complex in St. Petersburg under the watchful eye of the Rays' coaching staff directed by field coordinator Tom Foley.

June 4, 1996 Outfielder-first baseman Paul Wilder becomes the Rays' first ever draft pick as the team participates in its first free agent amateur draft. Devil Rays Managing Partner Vince Naimoli announces the selection while in the team's "war room" at the Stouffer-Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg. The Rays eventually select 97 players, the fifth highest total ever taken in the 32-year history of the June draft.

June 18, 1996 The Hudson Valley Renegades, the Rays' cooperative team in the New York-Penn League with the Texas Rangers, faces the New Jersey Cardinals at Skylands Park in Augusta, NJ, in the first game involving Rays players. Catcher Chris Anderson, the Devil Rays' 66th-round draft choice from Southeast Oklahoma State University, delivers an RBI single in the second inning for the first hit ever by a Devil Rays player. The Renegades lose 7-6 in 10 innings.

June 19, 1996 A Gulf Coast League record crowd of 7,582 are on hand at Al Lang Stadium as the GCL Devil Rays host their Yankee counterparts in the first Devil Rays game. A 10-1 loss doesn't dampen the festive atmosphere nor the unbridled affection that is showered down on the young Rays. News Radio 970-WFLA and SportsChannel Florida broadcast the game live. Eighteen-year-old right-hander Pablo Oretga throws the first Devil Rays pitch (a ball).

June 19, 1996 Butte infielder Jim Kerr hits the first home run in Devil Rays history in the Copper Kings' Pioneer League opener against Idaho Falls.

June 20, 1996 The Gulf Coast League Devil Rays earn the first win in the history of the organization with a 4-3 triumph over the GCL Astros. Eighteen-year-old Jose Rodriguez from the Dominican Republic gets the win.

October 3, 1996 Tropicana Field is born. The Devil Rays and Tropicana Dole Beverages North America, of nearby Bradenton, FL, announce an agreement to rename the ThunderDome. The City of St. Petersburg receives more than $13 million as a result of the agreement.

October 7, 1996 Vince Naimoli and St. Petersburg Mayor David Fischer preside over the official groundbreaking ceremony for the 15- month, $63 million Tropicana Field renovations.

October 15, 1996 The Devil Rays name Jamie Reed as Major League head trainer, the first on-field hire for the 1998 Major League Devil Rays.

November 21, 1996 Durham (NC) officially becomes the Devil Rays Triple-A franchise for 1998 as that city was awarded one of two expansion franchises for Triple-A by the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues. The Devil Rays and Capitol Broadcasting Co., Inc. jointly own the new Durham franchise that will continue to be called the "Bulls."

January 16, 1997 Major League Baseball owners, at their meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, place the Devil Rays into the American League by a vote of 28-2. The Devil Rays become the American League's 15th franchise.

January 25, 1997 The Devil Rays sign former Boston Red Sox outfielder Gregg Blosser, from Sarasota, the organization's first player with Major League experience.

February 10, 1997 The Devil Rays sign a working agreement with the Mexico City Tigers of the Mexican League.

March 13, 1997 John Kaufman, Tom Bergan, Matt Williams, and Jamie Ybarra combine to throw a no-hitter as the Rays defeated the Phillies, 6-0, in the team's first ever minor league Spring Training game.

April 21, 1997 The Devil Rays sign right-handed pitcher Rolando Arrojo, the ace of the Cuban Natiional Team.

August 28, 1997 The Devil Rays become only the second major league club to sign a working agreement with a Japanese League team, signing a two-year contract with the Seibu Lions with a four-year option extending through 2002.

October 15, 1997 Major League Baseball approves a resolution creating a 16-team National League and a 14-team American League for the 1998 season. The Devil Rays are placed in the American League Eastern Division with the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.

November 7, 1997 The Devil Rays name Florida Marlins pitching coach Larry Rothschild as the club's first manager.

November 11, 1997 The Devil Rays acquire outfielder Mike Kelly from the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named later in the club's first-ever trade involving a Major League player. Kelly becomes the first player added to the Rays' 40-man Major League roster.

November 18, 1997 The Devil Rays select 35 players in the Major League Expansion Draft, held in Phoenix, Arizona. The Rays select left- handed pitcher Tony Saunders from the Florida Marlins with the first pick in the draft. At the conclusion of the draft, the Rays trade four of their selections and wind up with four frontline players: first baseman Fred McGriff, right- handed pitcher Roberto Hernandez, shortstop Kevin Stocker, and catcher John Flaherty.

The Rays also name five members of their major league coaching staff: first base coach Billy Hatcher, third base coach Greg Riddoch, pitching coach Rick Williams, bench coach Frank Howard and hitting coach Steve Henderson.

November 22, 1997 The infield dirt is poured at Tropicana Field.

December 3, 1997 The Devil Rays sign free agent pitcher Wilson Alvarez to a five-year contract.

December 6, 1997 Individual tickets for the 1998 season go on sale to the general public. Opening Day sells out in 17 minutes.

December 9, 1997 The Devil Rays sign free agent third baseman Wade Boggs.

February 15, 1998 Fifty-one players, including 41 pitchers, take the field at 9:35 a.m. at the Devil Rays Spring Training Complex, nee Busch Complex, as the team's first Major League Spring Training camp opens. The players work out for three-hours. Catcher Cesar Devarez suffers the team's first injury ­ a dislocated left knee cap.

February 17, 1998 The Florida Power Walkway is unveiled at Tropicana Field. The walkway is a 900-foot tropical ceramic tile mosaic, the largest of its kind in Florida and among the top five in the United States. With special lights and music it serves as a one-of-a-kind entrance to a major league ballpark. It is made up of 1,849,091 tiles.

February 26, 1998 In their first Spring Training game, the Devil Rays defeat Florida State University at Al Lang Stadium. The Rays use 30 players in the win over Florida State, rallying from a 3-1 deficit with a five-run eighth inning. Right-hander Matt White is the Rays starting pitcher and right-hander Jason Johnson gets the win. Quinton McCracken leads off the game for the Rays with a single to right field.

February 27, 1998 Al Lang Stadium is renamed Florida Power Park, Home of Al Lang Field. The Rays lose, 2-1, to the Florida Marlins in their first Major League Spring Training game. Bubba Trammell's home run completed the scoring for the home team.

March 2, 1998 Tampa Bay wins its first Major League Spring Training game, 6-2, over visiting Kansas City. Left-hander Ryan Karp is the winner as the Rays win it with a four-run rally in the seventh inning.

March 26, 1998 The Devil Rays finalize their 1998 Opening Day roster: Pitchers (11): Wilson Alvarez, Rolando Arrojo, Dan Carlson, Rick Gorecki, Roberto Hernandez, Albie Lopez, Jim Mecir, Tony Saunders, Dennis Springer, Ramon Tatis, Esteban Yan Catchers (2): John Flaherty, Mike DiFelice Infielders (7): Wade Boggs, Miguel Cairo, Aaron Ledesma, Fred McGriff, Bobby Smith, Paul Sorrento, Kevin Stocker Outfielders (5): Rich Butler, Mike Kelly, Dave Martinez, Quinton McCracken, Bubba Trammell

The Cuesta-Rey Cigar Bar is christened at an evening extravaganza at Tropicana Field, becoming the first cigar bar at a Major League ballpark.

March 27, 1998 In the first exhibition game at Tropicana Field, the Rays beat Atlanta, 5-0, in front of 26,519. Rolando Arrojo beats Tom Glavine and Russ Mormon hits the first home run, a 380-foot shot to left-center.

March 31, 1998 It all begins. The Rays lose to the Detroit Tigers 11-6 in Tampa Bay's first regular season Major League game. Hall-of- Famers Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Al Lopez and Monte Irvin throw out ceremonial first pitches. Tampa Gospel singer Belinda Womack sings the National Anthem for a capacity crowd of 45,369. Wilson Alvarez throws the first pitch in Devil Rays history - a ball to Detroit's Brian Hunter.

April 1, 1998 Paul Olden's "Say hello to victory Tampa Bay" hits the airwaves as the Rays defeat Detroit, 11-8, for their first-ever victory. Cuban ace Rolando Arrojo earns the victory in his first Major League game.

April 8, 1998 The Rays record 10 hits but strand 13 runners on base, losing to Detroit in their first road game, 3-1, at Tiger Stadium.

April 11, 1998 Chicago area native Rick Gorecki leads the Devil Rays to their first road victory with a 5-1 win over the White Sox at Comiskey Park.

April 19, 1998 The Devil Rays improve to 10-6 with a 6-0 victory at Anaheim, becoming the first expansion team ever to be four games over .500 at any point in their inaugural season.

June 21, 1998 Raymond, the team's mascot, debuts prior to the Devil Rays-Red Sox game at Tropicana Field.

July 1, 1998 Rookie Rolando Arrojo is named to the American League All-Star team. Arrojo becomes just the second rookie from an expansion team to be named an All-Star and the first Cuban pitcher since Luis Tiant in 1976.

The Devil Rays sign free agent Jose Canseco.

June 2, 1999 The Devil Rays select outfielder Josh Hamilton (Athens Drive HS, Raleigh, NC) with the #1 overall pick in the June draft.

August 7, 1999 Third baseman Wade Boggs becomes the first player to reach 3,000 hits with a home run, homering off Cleveland's Chris Haney at Tropicana Field.

September 7, 1999 The Devil Rays extend the contract of Chuck LaMar, senior vice president for baseball operations and general manager, through 2004.

September 14, 1999 The Devil Rays extend the contract of manager Larry Rothschild through 2001.

November 11, 1999 Wade Boggs announces his retirement during a press conference at Tropicana Field, ending his sure-to-be Hall-of-Fame career.

December 13, 1999 The Devil Rays trade pitcher Rolando Arrojo and infielder Aaron Ledesma to the Colorado Rockies for All-Star third baseman Vinny Castilla and 7-1/2 hours later sign free agent slugger Greg Vaughn.

April 7, 2000 The Devil Rays host the Cleveland Indians at Tropicana Field. It is the first professional baseball game played on Field Turf, artificial grass that has all the characteristics of natural grass.

June 2, 2000 First baseman Fred McGriff becomes the 31st player in Major League history to reach 400 career home runs, homering off New York's Glendon Rusch at Shea Stadium.

August 10, 2000 Hudson Valley righthander Doug Waechter throws the first 9-inning no-hitter in the history of the Devil Rays organization. Waechter beats Pittsfield (Mets) at Hudson Valley.

September 17, 2000 The game at Tropicana Field between the Devil Rays and Oakland Athletics is postponed because of weather conditions related to Hurricane Gordon. It is believed to be the third game in a domed stadium postponed by weather. The others: June 15, 1976 a game between Houston and Pittsburgh is postponed when the city of Houston is hit by 10 inches of rain making transportation to the Astrodome impossible. Also on April 14, 1983 the roof of the Metrodome collapses under the weight of heavy snow forcing the postponement of a game between the Twins and Angels.

September 23, 2000 First baseman Fred McGriff homers off Toronto's Roy Halladay at SkyDome, joining Frank Robinson as the only two players in Major League history to hit 200 home runs in both leagues.

January 8, 2001 The Devil Rays acquire outfielder Ben Grieve and cash from Oakland in three-team, nine-player deal, sending pitcher Roberto Hernandez to Kansas City and pitcher Cory Lidle to Oakland.

February 6, 2001 The Rays unveil new uniforms at a "fashion show" at Baywalk in downtown St. Petersburg.

April 18, 2001 Larry Rothschild, who compiled a 205-294 record in three-plus seasons as manager, is fired and replaced by bench coach Hal McRae. McRae agrees to a four- year contract through the 2003 season.

Lee May also replaces Jose Cardenal as first base coach. Darren Daulton moves from catching instructor to bullpen coach. First base coach Terry Collins becomes third base coach with former third base coach Billy Hatcher becoming the bench coach.

Boston takes a 9-1 victory at Tropicana Field in McRae's first game at the helm.

April 19, 2001 Right-handed pitcher Travis Phelps makes his Major League debut at Tropicana Field, working two scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox. Phelps, drafted in the 89th round of the 1996 draft, becomes the lowest-selected player to ever reach the big leagues.

April 21, 2001 Hal McRae earns his first victory as manager with a 6-5 win over Baltimore at Tropicana Field.

May 22, 2001 The Devil Rays hire John McHale, Jr. as the club's first chief operating officer. McHale comes to the Rays after serving as chief executive officer for the Detroit Tigers from 1995-2001.

June 5, 2001 The Devil Rays select right-handed pitcher Dewon Brazelton with the #3 overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft. Brazelton went 13-1 with a 1.44 ERA in 14 starts during his junior season at Middle Tennessee State. The six-foot-four-inch, 215 pound right-hander struck out 148 batters while walking just 22 over 119 innings. He also went 6-0 with a 0.65 ERA for Team USA.

July 25, 2001 The Devil Rays acquire left-handed pitcher Nick Bierbrodt, outfielder Jason Conti and cash considerations from Arizona in exchange for right-handed pitcher Albie Lopez and catcher Mike DiFelice.

July 27, 2001 The Devil Rays acquire right-handed pitcher Manny Aybar and a player to be named later (infielder Jason Smith) from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for first baseman Fred McGriff and cash considerations.

August 4, 2001 Glenn Ezell is named bullpen coach, replacing Darren Daulton, who resigns for personal reasons.

August 25, 2001 The Devil Rays sign first-round draft pick Dewon Brazelton to a four-year, $4.8 million major league contract.

September 11, 2001 Major League Baseball postpones all scheduled games for a week after terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and western Pennsylvania.

October 7, 2001 The Devil Rays are shut out 1-0 by the New York Yankees to finish the season with a 62-100 mark - the club's first 100-loss season. Pitching coach Bill Fischer is dismissed before the season's final game.

October 25, 2001 Former Rays player and future Hall-of-Famer Wade Boggs resigns as hitting coach. Tom Foley is promoted to third base coach from his position as minor league field coordinator, replacing Terry Collins. Jackie Brown is named pitching coach.

November 14, 2001 Former Major League catcher Milt May becomes the Rays' fourth hitting coach, replacing Wade Boggs.

November 19, 2001 The Devil Rays hire Cam Bonifay as director of player personnel. Bonifay, who served the past eight seasons as senior vice president and general manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates, will oversee all of the club's scouting and player development as well as assist GM Chuck LaMar at the Major League level in this newly created position.

April 2-4, 2002 The Rays open their season with a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field. It is the best start in the team's five-year history.

April 25-May 10, 2002 The Rays lose a franchise record 15 games in a row. In the first loss, 6-2 to Minnesota, the Rays were one out from a victory. Stephen King was in the stands.

April 27, 2002 Derek Lowe of the Red Sox no-hits the Rays in a 10-0 win at Fenway Park. It is the first time Tampa Bay has been held without a hit.

May 11, 2002
Randy Winn ends the Rays' losing streak with a three-run, walk-off home run to beat the Orioles 6-4.

May 21, 2002 Joe Kennedy throws a shutout to beat the Mariners at Seattle. The 1-0 game ends a string of 186 straight games in which Rays starters had failed to go the distance, a Major League record.

June 11, 2002 Rookie third baseman Jared Sandberg hits two home runs in the fifth inning against the Dodgers, becoming the 39th player in Major League history to do so. Even Jared's uncle, Ryne Sandberg, never hit two homers in one inning.

July 20, 2002 Twenty-year-old outfielder Carl Crawford becomes the youngest Devil Ray to make his Major League debut. Crawford hits three triples in his first week in the Majors and becomes the first Tampa Bay player ever to accomplish that.

Sept. 30, 2002 Despite being recalled from Triple-A Durham on May 28, Aubrey Huff finishes with a rush and leads the team in batting average (.313), home runs (23), slugging percentage (.520), and on-base percentage (.364). He also falls just a few at-bats short of qualifying for the league batting championship. He would have finished seventh.

Sept. 30, 2002The Rays finish 55-106 and last in the AL East for the fifth straight season.

Sept. 31, 2002 Hal McRae, just a few weeks short of two years as manager of the Rays, is moved into the front office as a special assistant to general manager Chuck LaMar.

Oct. 28, 2002 The Rays give Tampa native Lou Piniella a four-year, $13 million contract to be their third manager. The two-time AL Manager of the Year had asked out of the final year of his three-year deal with Seattle to work closer to his family. The Rays have to give up their only All-Star, Randy Winn, to Seattle to obtain the rights to negotiate with the Mariners, but the Rays get minor league infielder Antonio Perez in return.

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