Highlights

On March 9, 1995, Major League Baseball officially awarded an American League expansion franchise to a Tampa Bay-based ownership group headed by Vince Naimoli. In some ways, that moment has been the greatest in franchise history. First known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the team played its first major-league game on March 31, 1998, an 11-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. In the years since, the franchise has never won more than 70 games in a single season. Following the 2007 season, the team officially changed its name from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Tampa Bay Rays.
But hope may not be unreasonable. In...
But hope may not be unreasonable. In...
On March 9, 1995, Major League Baseball officially awarded an American League expansion franchise to a Tampa Bay-based ownership group headed by Vince Naimoli. In some ways, that moment has been the greatest in franchise history. First known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the team played its first major-league game on March 31, 1998, an 11-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. In the years since, the franchise has never won more than 70 games in a single season. Following the 2007 season, the team officially changed its name from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Tampa Bay Rays.
But hope may not be unreasonable. In late 2005, New York-based financial services whiz Stuart Sternberg became the team's principal owner and installed new upper management, including team president Matt Silverman and general manager Andrew Friedman. In turn, Silverman and Friedman hired a new manager, Joe Maddon. The new owners and management have tried new strategies to lure new fans, including offering free parking at Tropicana Field and by playing a three-game regular-season series in May 2007 at Disney's Wide World of Sport. Though the team's won-loss totals haven't improved, the franchise's minor-league system is rated among baseball's best for talented young players.
But hope may not be unreasonable. In late 2005, New York-based financial services whiz Stuart Sternberg became the team's principal owner and installed new upper management, including team president Matt Silverman and general manager Andrew Friedman. In turn, Silverman and Friedman hired a new manager, Joe Maddon. The new owners and management have tried new strategies to lure new fans, including offering free parking at Tropicana Field and by playing a three-game regular-season series in May 2007 at Disney's Wide World of Sport. Though the team's won-loss totals haven't improved, the franchise's minor-league system is rated among baseball's best for talented young players.
Displaying items 1-12 of 1237
» View wpix.com items only
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11-104
Next >
-
Yankees Headed To Post-Season, Clinch 16th Playoff Trip in 17 Years
It's official. The New York Yankees are headed to the playoffs following a win over the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday. It will be the Bronx Bombers' 16th trip in 17 years to the post-season. Eduardo Nunez hit a tying home run in the eighth inning, Robinson...Tags: Travel, New York Yankees, Baseball, James Shields, American League East
-
|Story
Tags: File Sharing, American League East, Major League Baseball, Brett Gardner, Robinson Cano
-
It's Your Money: Summer Travel Deals
PIX11.comYour summer vacation could be just a hop, skip and a drive away! Andrea Minarcek, senior editor of Budget Travel magazine will be here with here with five travel deals not far from home. MONTAUK Hamptons Hideaway, from $169 The 26-room Solé East Beach...Tags: Tourism and Leisure, Trips and Vacations, Fenway Park, Travel Deals, Human Interest
-
Yankees' Derek Jeter Hits Home Run For 3,000th Career Hit
The Hartford CourantDerek Jeter's importance to the Yankees and his place in baseball history has often defied statistical definition. But he now has a significant number to go next to his name. Jeter collected his 3,000th career hit on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, a home...Tags: Arts and Culture, Lou Gehrig, Curtis Granderson, History, Sports
-
Granderson, Garcia Have Redemption Nights In Yankees Win
PIX11.comA two run home run, a game changing catch. Those are two ways to fix the mistakes of the previous night's game. On Tuesday night, Curtis Granderson lost sight of a fly ball late in the game. That error led to a Tampa Bay Rays rally and eventual...Tags: New York Yankees, Joe Girardi, Freddy Garcia, Evan Longoria, Athletes
-
Yankees announce 2011 coaching staff
pix11.comThe New York Yankees announce the remainder of Joe Girardi's 2011 team coaching staff. Mike Harkey (bullpen coach), Mick Kelleher (first base coach), Kevin Long (hitting coach), Tony Pena (bench coach) and Rob Thomson (third base coach) all return to...Tags: Joe Girardi, All Stars, Spring Training, Sports, Behavioral Conditions
-
NY Yankees 2011 Season Schedule
pix.comThe New York Yankees begin the regular season at home against the Detroit Tigers on March 31, 2011. They will play 13 of their first 16 games at Yankee Stadium. The Subway Series against the New York Mets at the stadium will take place May 20-22, 2011....Tags: New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers
-
A long time coming: Phillies win the World Series
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - From losingest team to longest game, the Philadelphia Phillies are World Series champions. Strange as that sounds. Strange as it was. Brad Lidge and the Phillies finished off the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in a three-inning sprint Wednesday...Tags: Pedro Feliz, Philadelphia Phillies, World Series, Sports
-
No Hits For Jeter, But Yanks Sweep Rays
AP Baseball WriterDerek Jeter got a standing ovation — when he came on the field for his pregame wind sprints at the start of a very long day. He didn't give fans more to cheer about, failing to gain ground on Lou Gehrig. Jeter went 0 for 8 with a walk and remained...Tags: Joe Girardi, Mark Teixeira, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, Sports
-
Konerko: .400 out of sight
Although he leads all of baseball with a .399 batting average, Paul Konerko doesn't believe he — or anyone else — will hit .400. "The only way I can see it happening is a guy who has one of those years where he was hurt almost the whole...
Tags: John Danks, Baseball, Dave Martinez, Chicago White Sox, Adam Dunn
-
Series preview: White Sox at Rays
All games on WSCR-AM 670. Season series: Tied 4-4 in 2011. Monday: 2:10 p.m., CSN. LH Chris Sale (5-2, 2.50) vs. LH Matt Moore (1-4, 5.07). Tuesday: 6:10 p.m., CSN. RH Philip Humber (1-2, 5.80) vs. RH James Shields (6-2, 3.63). Wednesday: 12:10 p....
Tags: B.J. Upton, Orlando Hudson, Philip Humber, Matt Joyce, Sports
-
Orioles close out homestand with 4-2 loss to Royals
The Baltimore SunAmid all the good feelings about the Orioles’ fast start, their current perch atop the American League East and Sunday’s announcement of center fielder Adam Jones’ contract extension, the reality remains that the Major League Baseball...Tags: Tim Collins, American League East, Johnny Giavotella, Trips and Vacations, Xavier Avery
Sep 21, 2011
|Story| WPIX-LTV
Sep 22, 2011
|Story| Reuters
Jun 30, 2011
|Story| WPIX-LTV
Jul 9, 2011
|Story| Hartford Courant
Jul 21, 2011
|Story| WPIX-LTV
Jan 11, 2011
|Story| WPIX-LTV
Nov 15, 2010
|Story| WPIX-LTV
Oct 30, 2008
|Story| WPIX-LTV
Sep 7, 2009
|Story| WPIX-LTV
May 27, 2012
|Story| Chicago Tribune
May 27, 2012
|Story| Chicago Tribune
May 27, 2012
|Story| Baltimore Sun
Original site for Tampa Bay Rays topic gallery.