Originally a part of the 1998 expansion led by Vince Naimoli, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays began playing ball in March of 1998. Chuck LaMar was named the Senior VP of Baseball Operations and GM and Larry Rothschild was the team’s first manager and Tony Saunders was the first player drafted on a team that fielded Wade Boggs, Fred McGriff and Wilson Alvarez.

In 2007, majority owner Stuart Sternberg made major changes to the franchises image. The club changed names from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Tampa Bay Rays and club colors also went from black, green and blue to navy blue, Columbia blue and gold.

The franchise has won one American League Pennant (2008) and one Division Title (2008).

PAST SEASONS

Coming off their 84-78 2009 season, the Rays franchise kept the team pretty much intact and attempted to delve further into the MLB Playoffs. With the Rays 1-game out of first place this late in the 2010 MLB season and an 8-game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the Wildcard chase.

The team has been relying on the pitching of David Price who has thrown 75 of his last 107 pitches for strikes. "Unbelievable," second baseman Sean Rodriguez said. "That is the Price we have come to know and love right there."

Injuries have not been a problem this season with only three players, OF Gabe Kapler, RHP Grant Balfour and LHP J.P. Howell on the DL.