Tampa Bay Rays facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tampa Bay Rays
2025 Tampa Bay Rays season
Established in 1998
Team logo Cap insignia
Major league affiliations
American League (1998–present) East Division (1998–present)
Current uniform
Retired numbers	12 66 42
Colors
Navy blue, light blue, yellow, white
Name
Tampa Bay Rays (2008–present) Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998–2007)
Ballpark
George M. Steinbrenner Field (2025–present) Tropicana Field (1998–2024)
Major league titles
World Series titles (0)	None
AL Pennants (2)	2008 2020
AL East Division titles (4)	2008 2010 2020 2021
Wild card berths (5)	2011 2013 2019 2022 2023
Front office
Principal owner(s)	Stuart Sternberg
President	Brian Auld Matt Silverman
President of baseball operations	Erik Neander
General manager	N/A
Manager	Kevin Cash

The Tampa Bay Rays are a professional baseball team from the Tampa Bay area in Florida. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the American League (AL) East division. The Rays are one of two MLB teams in Florida, the other being the Miami Marlins. Starting in 2025, their home stadium will be George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. This change happened because Tropicana Field was damaged by Hurricane Milton.

The team started playing in the 1998 Major League Baseball season as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. This happened after many years of trying to bring a major league team to the area.

For their first ten years, the team often finished in last place. After the 2007 season, the team's owner, Stuart Sternberg, changed the name from "Devil Rays" to "Rays." The new name refers to both manta rays and rays of sunshine.

In 2008, the Rays had their first winning season. They won their division and the American League pennant, but they lost the 2008 World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies. They won the American League pennant again in 2020 but lost the 2020 World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Rays are one of five MLB teams that have not yet won a World Series title.

The Tampa Bay Rays have big rivalries with the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, who are also in their division. They also have a rivalry with the Miami Marlins, another Florida team.

History of the Tampa Bay Rays

How the Team Started

The Tampa Bay area has always loved baseball. For many years, people tried to bring a major league team to the region. The city of St. Petersburg even built a stadium called the Florida Suncoast Dome in the 1980s, hoping a team would move there.

In 1995, MLB decided to add two new teams. One of them was awarded to an ownership group led by Vince Naimoli. This new team was called the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They started playing in 1998 at the stadium, which was renamed Tropicana Field.

The name "Devil Rays" caused some discussion. Some people didn't like the word "devil." But fans voted to keep the name. The team's first manager was Larry Rothschild, and their first general manager was Chuck LaMar.

Early Years: The Devil Rays (1998–2005)

The Devil Rays played their first game on March 31, 1998. They lost to the Detroit Tigers. The next day, they won their first game. Even though they started well, the team struggled for many years. They often finished in last place in their division.

Key players like Aubrey Huff, Toby Hall, and Carl Crawford started to emerge during these years. In 2003, Lou Piniella, a manager from Tampa, took over. In 2004, the team finished out of last place for the first time.

After the 2005 season, Stuart Sternberg bought most of the team. He wanted to make big changes.

The Rays and Their First Playoff Runs (2006–2015)

In 2006, Sternberg hired Joe Maddon as the new manager. He also hired Andrew Friedman to lead the baseball operations. The team still struggled in 2006 and 2007.

Before the 2008 season, the team changed its name to the Tampa Bay Rays. They also changed their colors to navy blue, light blue, and gold. Sternberg increased the team's budget. New players like Matt Garza, David Price, Ben Zobrist, and Evan Longoria joined the team.

The 2008 season was amazing. The Rays had their best record ever and made it to the playoffs for the first time. They won their division and then beat the Boston Red Sox to win the American League pennant. They played in the 2008 World Series but lost to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Rays continued to play well. In 2010, they won their division again. Pitcher Matt Garza threw the team's first no-hitter. They made the playoffs again in 2011 and 2013, but they were eliminated early. In 2012, David Price won the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in the American League.

After the 2014 season, manager Joe Maddon left the team.

The Kevin Cash Era (2015–Present)

Evan Longoria holds many Rays team records, including games played and home runs.

The Rays hired Kevin Cash as their new manager in December 2014. He was the youngest manager in the league. In 2015, pitcher Chris Archer and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier had strong seasons.

The team struggled in 2016 but improved in 2017. In 2018, the Rays traded away some key players, including Evan Longoria. However, pitchers Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow stepped up. Blake Snell won the team's second Cy Young Award. The team also started using a new pitching strategy called the "opener." This is where a pitcher starts the game for only an inning or two, and then another pitcher takes over for most of the game.

Second AL Pennant (2019–2021)

In 2019, the Rays won 96 games and made the playoffs again. They beat the Oakland Athletics in the Wild Card game but lost to the Houston Astros.

The 2020 season was shorter because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rays had the best record in the American League and won their division. They beat the New York Yankees in the playoffs. Randy Arozarena had an amazing postseason, setting new records for home runs and hits. The Rays won the American League pennant again by beating the Astros. They went to the 2020 World Series but lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In 2021, the Rays won 100 games and their division for the second year in a row. They had many new young players. However, they lost to the Boston Red Sox in the playoffs.

Recent Playoff Appearances (2021–Present)

The Rays made the playoffs again in 2022 and 2023 as a Wild Card team. In 2022, they made history by having the first all-Latino lineup in MLB history. In 2023, Yandy Díaz won the team's first American League batting title. However, the team lost in the Wild Card series both years.

Season Results

Here are the Rays' results from their last five seasons in Major League Baseball.

These numbers are up to date through the 2024 regular season.

Team Rivals

American League East Rivals

The Rays have big rivalries with the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. Both teams are in the same division.

Boston Red Sox

The rivalry with the Red Sox started in 2000 with some on-field arguments. Over the years, there have been several heated moments. The rivalry was strongest in 2008 when the teams had a fight during a game. They also played each other in a seven-game playoff series, which the Rays won.

New York Yankees

The Yankees and Rays play many times each season because they are in the same division. The Yankees also have their spring training in Tampa, which adds to the rivalry. In 2008, there were some fights during spring training games.

In 2020, a Yankees pitcher threw a very fast pitch over a Rays batter's head. This led to a big argument. Later that year, the Rays beat the Yankees in the playoffs. In 2022 and 2023, there were more arguments and hit batters between the two teams.

Citrus Series

The Rays also have a rivalry with the Miami Marlins, another team in Florida. This is called the "Citrus Series." The Rays have won more games in this series.

Team Ballparks

Tropicana Field

The Rays played their home games at Tropicana Field for many years.

The Rays played at Tropicana Field from 1998 until 2024. This stadium was built to attract a baseball team to St. Petersburg. It was originally called the "Florida Suncoast Dome." After the Rays were formed, it was renamed Tropicana Field.

The stadium had some updates over the years to make it better for fans and players. However, in October 2024, Hurricane Milton caused a lot of damage to the roof of Tropicana Field.

Steinbrenner Field

Because Tropicana Field was damaged, the Rays announced they will play their 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. This stadium is usually the spring training home for the New York Yankees.

Steinbrenner Field was chosen because it is the best stadium in the area to host regular MLB games. It has been updated with better clubhouses and playing areas. It can hold about 11,000 fans.

Future Ballpark Plans

The Rays' owners have said that Tropicana Field did not bring in enough money. They also felt its location was not ideal for fans. The team's attendance has often been among the lowest in MLB.

For many years, the team has been looking for a new stadium location. There were talks about building a new stadium in St. Petersburg or Tampa. In 2019, MLB even allowed the team to explore playing part of their season in Montreal. However, this "split-season" plan was not approved.

On September 19, 2023, the Rays announced plans to build a new stadium in St. Petersburg. It will be next to Tropicana Field and is expected to open for the 2028 season. This new stadium will have a fixed roof and seat about 30,000 fans. It is planned to cost $1.3 billion.

Team Uniforms and Logos

Early Years: Devil Rays Rainbow (1998–2000)

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays uniform from 1998-2000.

In their first three seasons, the Devil Rays wore white home and gray road uniforms. The team name "Devil Rays" (home) or "Tampa Bay" (road) was written in a colorful "rainbow" style across the chest. They also had black alternate jerseys with the same rainbow text.

Green Colors (2001–2007)

Dioner Navarro (left) and Casey Fossum wearing the 2001–2007 home and road uniforms.

In 2001, the Devil Rays changed their uniforms. They used more green and less purple. The home jerseys just said "Rays" on the front. In 2005, they added even more green. The home jerseys became sleeveless with green undershirts.

Current Look (2008–Present)

Rays primary logo, 2008–2018

Since 2008, when the team became the "Rays," their main uniform has been mostly the same. The home jersey is white with "Rays" in dark blue and a yellow "sunburst" on the letter "R." The road uniform is gray with the same design. Both have dark blue caps with a white "TB" logo.

The Rays also have alternate jerseys. One is dark blue with "Rays" and a yellow sunburst. Another is light Columbia blue. Since 2023, the team has also brought back their original "Rainbow" Devil Rays uniforms for some games.

Home uniform (2008–present), worn by David Price.

Road uniform (2008–2022), worn by Evan Longoria.

Navy alternate (2009–present), worn by Ji-man Choi.

Columbia blue alternate (2010–2021), worn by Corey Dickerson.

Columbia blue alternate (2022–present), worn by Christian Arroyo.

Devil Rays alternate (2023–present), worn by Nick Ciuffo.

City Connect (2024–present), worn by Taj Bradley.

Throwback Nights

The Rays often have "Turn Back the Clock" nights where they wear old-style uniforms. Sometimes they wear their original "rainbow" Devil Rays uniforms. They have also worn special "faux-back" uniforms that look like what a Tampa Bay team might have worn in the 1980s.

The team has also worn uniforms from other local historical teams, like the Tampa Tarpons and the St. Petersburg Saints. Sometimes, the opposing team also wears throwback uniforms from the same era.

City Connect Uniforms

In 2024, the Rays introduced their "City Connect" uniforms. These dark uniforms feature "Tampa Bay" across the chest in neon-outlined black letters. The cap has the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and a Stingray design. Another logo shows three palm trees and a pelican, which are symbols of the Tampa Bay area.

Rays Fandom and Traditions

Raymond, the Rays' first mascot, pictured in 2007.

Team Mascots

The Rays have two main mascots: Raymond and DJ Kitty.

• Raymond was introduced in 1998. He is a "seadog" who interacts with fans and waves a "Rays Win" flag after home victories.
• DJ Kitty was introduced in 2010. He is a large cat mascot who appears on the scoreboard and interacts with fans, often playing music.

More Cowbell

The Rays' "Cowbell" tradition started with owner Stuart Sternberg. Fans ring cowbells loudly, especially when the opposing team's batter has two strikes or when the Rays make a good play. This can be annoying for opposing teams!

Professional Wrestlers

Many professional wrestlers live in the Tampa Bay area, so they often visit Rays games. Famous wrestlers like Hulk Hogan and John Cena have appeared. The Rays have even held "Legends of Wrestling Night" events with wrestling matches after the game.

Team Slogans

When Joe Maddon was manager, the team used slogans. In 2008, their slogan was 9=8. This meant that if nine players played hard for nine innings, the team would be one of the eight teams to make the playoffs. As they won more, the slogan changed to 9=4 (for the teams in the Championship Series), then 9=2 (for the World Series), and finally 9=1 (for the championship).

Rays players and coaches also started wearing mohawk haircuts, called "rayhawks," during their 2008 playoff run. This trend continued for several years.

Minor League Teams

The Tampa Bay Rays have a "farm system" of seven minor league teams. These teams help develop young players for the main MLB team.

Team Records and Awards

Baseball Hall of Famers

Rays Hall of Fame

The Rays started their own Hall of Fame in 2023.

Retired Numbers

Don Zimmer had his #66 retired by the Rays.

The Tampa Bay Rays have retired three numbers. These numbers are shown at their stadium. Jackie Robinson's number 42 was retired by all of Major League Baseball in 1997.

Wade Boggs 3B Retired April 7, 2000 Don Zimmer Coach Retired April 6, 2015 Jackie Robinson All MLB Honored April 15, 1997

Individual Season Records

These are some of the best single-season records for Rays players, through the end of the 2023 season.

• Highest batting average: .330, Yandy Díaz (2023)
• Most games played: 162, Aubrey Huff (2003), Evan Longoria (2014), and Delmon Young (2007)
• Most hits: 198, Aubrey Huff (2003)
• Most home runs: 46, Carlos Peña (2007)
• Most RBIs (Runs Batted In): 121, Carlos Peña (2007)
• Most stolen bases: 60, Carl Crawford (2009)
• Most wins (pitcher): 21, Blake Snell (2018)
• Lowest ERA (Earned Run Average): 1.89, Blake Snell (2018)
• Most strikeouts: 252, Chris Archer (2015)
• Most saves: 48, Fernando Rodney (2012)

Images for kids

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  Carl Crawford was one of the Rays' first breakout stars

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  Tampa Bay in the 2008 World Series

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  Randy Arozarena in 2020 set all-time records for most hits and home runs in a single postseason