Tampa Bay Devil Rays Baseball
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays were welcome in 1995 as the 13th expansion team in the National League. The Devil Rays and the City of St. Petersburg agree on a 30-year lease for the team to play their home games at the ThunderDome.
In 1996, the Devil Rays begin their first mini-camp as 24 players, all free agents signed before the June draft. Outfielder-first baseman Paul Wilder becomes the Rays' first ever draft pick. The City of St. Petersburg received $13 million when Tropicana Dole Beverages North America renames the Thunderdome to Tropicana Field.
In 2001, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays record their first 100-loss season. They finished 62-100. Bill Fischer, their pitching coach, is dismissed before the final game. After the season is over, former Major League catcher Milt May becomes the Rays' fourth hitting coach, replacing Wade Boggs.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays start off with a bang in 2002. They win their first three games. This is their best start since the beginning of the franchise. They follow it up with another franchise record – losing 15 in a row. The Rays finish 55-106 and last in the AL East for the fifth straight season.
In 2004, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays finished in fourth place in the AL East, the first time they have not finished fifth. Outfielder Carl Crawford won the American League stolen base title for the second year in a row, with a team-record 59.