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 late 2005, New York-based financial se...
But hope may not be unreasonable. In late 2005, New York-based financial se...
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 412
» View OrlandoSentinel.com items only
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11-20
•
Next >
-
Smoltz, Red Sox Reach Deal
Associated PressAfter more than two decades with the Atlanta Braves, John Smoltz is likely to finish his stellar career wearing a different uniform. In a stunning end to one of baseball's longest runs, Smoltz reached preliminary agreement on a contract with the Red...Tags: New York Yankees, History, Boston Red Sox, Soccer, A.J. Burnett
-
Red Sox Close To Adding Baldelli
The Red Sox are close to signing free agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli, ESPN reported Wednesday. The move is expected to be announced tonight at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner, where Baldelli will be honored with the Tony Conigliaro Award. Baldelli,...Tags: Boston Red Sox, Tennis, Philadelphia Phillies, Jerry Hairston, Health Treatments
-
Phils' spring training game tickets to go on sale
Individual tickets for Phillies spring training games will go on sale at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8. The Phillies will play 18 games at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., including two World Baseball Classic exhibition games on Wednesday, March 4 (1:05...Tags: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, All Stars, Spring Training
-
Will Teixeira do what Giambi couldn't for Yanks?
wallace.matthews@newsday.comI could swear I was at this news conference seven years ago. Same stuffy room, same stale cold cuts, same variety of high-priced free-agent first baseman on the dais, same sense of unbridled and unrealistic optimism in the room. Even the same target -...Tags: Dave Winfield, Brian Cashman, Multi-Sport Events, All Stars, C.C. Sabathia
-
Pat Burrell agrees to terms with Rays
The Associated PressThe Tampa Bay Rays added a big bat for the middle of their batting order, agreeing Monday to a $16 million, two-year contract with Pat Burrell. The 32-year-old spent the past nine seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, who defeated the Rays in the World...Tags: Philadelphia Phillies, Baseball, Major League Baseball, All Stars, Pat Burrell
-
We think: Bright House cable deal gives fans a reason to cheer
Central Florida got a wonderful gift wrapped up under its TV screen on New Year's Eve: Dwight Howard and SpongeBob. The Orlando Magic all-star center and the cartoon icon will be part of the Bright House Networks lineup in 2009, thanks to last-minute...Tags: Bright House Networks, New Year's Day, National Basketball Association, Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
-
'Experts' say Dolphins can't win. I say, 'Why not?'
MIAMI — If there is one immutable law of football, it is to never bet on a team whose motto is "Why Not Us?" Take heart, Dolphins fans. Some immutable laws are meant to be broken. Miami should beat Baltimore in today's playoff opener simply...Tags: Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens, Ray Lewis, Dolphin Stadium, National Football League
-
Tampa Bay Rays give Pat Burrell 2-year, $16M deal
Of The Associated PressPat Burrell went from one World Series team to the other. The Tampa Bay Rays added a big bat to the middle of their lineup, agreeing Monday on a $16-million, two-year contract with Burrell. The 32-year-old slugger spent the past nine seasons with the...Tags: Philadelphia Phillies, Baseball, Jason Giambi, New York Yankees, Bars and Clubs
-
Burrell joins Rays; Bradley close to deal with Cubs
From Sun news servicesThe Tampa Bay Rays added a big bat for the middle of their batting order, as the American League champions agreed to a two-year, $16million contract with Pat Burrell. Burrell, 32, spent the past nine seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, who defeated...Tags: Mike Scioscia, All Stars, Chris Carpenter, American League, Baseball
-
Rays have interest in signing Griffey Jr.
Where will Ken Griffey Jr. land next after his short stint with the White Sox last season?
The defending American League champion Tampa Bay Rays are one team that has expressed an interest, Griffey's agent Brian Goldberg told SI.com.
A friend of...Tags: Baseball, Chicago White Sox, Major League Baseball, Bobby Abreu, Ken Griffey Jr.
-
Rays, Burrell agree on 2-year deal
The Associated PressPat Burrell went from one World Series team to the other. The Tampa Bay Rays added a big bat to the middle of their lineup, agreeing Monday on a $16 million, two-year contract with Burrell. The 32-year-old slugger spent the past nine seasons with the...Tags: Philadelphia Phillies, Baseball, Major League Baseball, All Stars, Pat Burrell
-
Pat Burrell agrees to $16 million, 2-year contract with AL champion Tampa Bay Rays
AP Sports WriterST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Pat Burrell went from one World Series team to the other. The Tampa Bay Rays added a big bat to the middle of their lineup, agreeing Monday on a $16 million, two-year contract with Burrell. The 32-year-old slugger spent...Tags: Philadelphia Phillies, Baseball, Jason Giambi, New York Yankees, Bars and Clubs
Jan 8, 2009
|Story| Hartford Courant
Jan 8, 2009
|Story| Hartford Courant
Jan 7, 2009
|Story| Allentown Morning Call
Jan 7, 2009
|Column| Newsday
Jan 5, 2009
|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Jan 5, 2009
|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Jan 4, 2009
|Column| Orlando Sentinel
Jan 6, 2009
|Story| Allentown Morning Call
Jan 6, 2009
|Story| Baltimore Sun
Jan 4, 2009
|Story| Chicago Tribune
Jan 5, 2009
|Story| Associated Press
Jan 5, 2009
|Story| Associated Press
Front Page