- 2008
-
Shorten Name to “Rays”
Prior to the 2008 season, the team unveiled new uniforms along with a name change. After considering other options such as the “Aces,” “Bandits,” “Cannons,” “Dukes,” “Stripes,” and Stuart Sternberg’s personal favorite, the “Nine,” the team’s new name was officially announced to be the “Tampa Bay Rays.” The new team colors were “navy, Columbia blue and a touch of gold” ...
History of the Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) East division. Since its inception, the team’s home venue has been Tropicana Field.
Following nearly three decades of unsuccessfully trying to gain an expansion franchise or enticing existing teams to relocate to the Tampa Bay area, an ownership group led by Vince Naimoli was approved on March 9, 1995. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays began to play in the 1998 Major League Baseball season.
Established
1998
City
Tampa Bay
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1998 – 1999 / American League
Team History
2008 – Present / Tampa Bay Rays
1998 – 2007 / Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Nickname
Rays – On November 8, 2007, the club announced that they were dropping the “Devil” part in order to identify themselves primarily with the rays of the sun, Florida being the Sunshine State.
Championship
World Series 0
Stadium
1998 – Present / Tropicana Field
Owner
2005 – Present / Stuart Sternberg
1998 – 2005 / Vince Naimoli
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
12 / Wade Boggs
42 / Jackie Robinson
66 / Don Zimmer
*Blue is this team’s history