Well it’s almost been nine months since my last entry on this topic. Spring is in the air though and makes me think of baseball. I wanted to continue with my series on each MLB team. Today we finish the AL east with the team who finished last in their division last year, the Tampa Bay Rays.
On October 15th, 1997 MLB approved a resolution creating a 16 team National League and a 14 League American League for the 1998 season. The Devil Rays were placed in the American League East with the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles and Blue Jays. On November 7th, the Devil Rays named Florida Marlins pitching coach Larry Rothschild as the club’s first manager. Rothschild is now the pitching coach for the Cubs. On December 6th, individual tickets for the 1998 season went on sale and opening day sold out in 17 minutes.
March 13th, 1998, the Devil Rays played their first game but lost to the Detroit Tigers 11-6. On April 1st, The Devil Rays defeated the Tigers 11-8 for their first ever victory. Rolando Arrojo earns his first MLB win. On April 18th, 2001, Larry Rothschild was fired after a 205-294 record. He was replaced by bench coach Hal McRae ho agreed to a 4 year contract. In 2002, the Devil Rays finished the season in last place in the AL east for the fifth straight season. On September 31st, Tampa Bay moves Hal McRae into the front office to be a special assistant. About a month later, the Devil Rays signed Lou Piniella to a 4 year, $13 million contract.
The Devil Rays finished the 2007 season in last, again. This year the Devil Rays shortened their name to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Info from http://www.mlb.com/
Visit the Rays website http://www.rays.com/
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