Fan mail address
Tampa Bay Rays
Tropicana Field
1 Tropicana Drive
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
USA
Address information
Tropicana Field
(Baseball Stadium)
1 Tropicana Drive
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
USA
Phone: (727) 825-3137
Fax: (727) 825-3111
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in St. Petersburg, Florida, competing in the American League (AL) East Division. The team was established in 1995 as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and began playing in 1998 as an expansion team. Initially struggling to find their footing, the Rays transformed from perennial underdogs into a formidable franchise known for their innovative strategies, competitive spirit, and consistent presence in the postseason. They changed their name from the Devil Rays to simply the Rays in 2008, a shift symbolizing a fresh start and marking the beginning of a highly successful era.
The team’s early years were marked by numerous challenges, including a series of losing seasons, limited resources, and competition in a division with high-budget teams like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Despite notable players like Fred McGriff, Jose Canseco, and Wade Boggs, the Devil Rays finished last in their division from 1998 to 2007. The franchise also struggled to attract fans to Tropicana Field, a dome in St. Petersburg, leading to financial difficulties. The 2007 season ended with a record of 66–96, and a decision was made to overhaul the team’s approach.
In 2008, the franchise dropped “Devil” from its name, adopting the more upbeat “Rays” and rebranding itself with a fresh logo and uniforms. That year, the Rays executed one of the greatest turnarounds in MLB history, finishing the regular season with a 97–65 record and winning the AL East for the first time. Under manager Joe Maddon and general manager Andrew Friedman, the Rays adopted a new focus on analytics and player development, gaining a reputation for maximizing their resources and unearthing undervalued talent. Players like Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford, and Carlos Peña became central to the team’s success.
