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The Tampa Bay Rays are based in St. Petersburg , Florida , and the reigning 2008 American League Champions. Members of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League, the Tampa Bay Rays were formed in 1998. The Rays finished fourth in their division in 2004 and again in 2008 when they won their first division title, made the playoffs for the first time in team history, and qualified for the World Series. In 2007 their name officially changed from the 'Tampa Bay Devil Rays' to the 'Tampa Bay Rays'.
The Devil Rays played their first game on March 31, 1998 against the Detroit Tigers at their home field of Tropicana Field before a crowd of 45,369. One of the most memorable moments in team history was on August 7, 1999 when Wade Boggs got his 3,000th career hit on a home run, the only player to ever do so. He retired after the season and is the only Ray with his number retired and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. The Devil Rays managed to acquire sluggers such as Vinny Castilla and Greg Vaughn, and Jose Canseco. However, all of these players were past their prime, and the team struggled in 2000. By the 2002 season, the Devil Rays decided to build their team with younger players and drastically cut the team payroll.
Despite low expectations for the 2004 season, the team surprised many people by finishing with the best record in team history, 70-91. It was the first time they had won 70 games in a season and they also finished in 4th place in the American League East, out of last place for the first time ever. Another major accomplishment was the aquistion of pitcher Scott Kazmir, who has become the team's best pitcher and one of the top young pitchers in all of baseball.
In December 2005, Joe Maddon, who was the former bench coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, was named the new manager of the Devil Rays. During that off season, $10 million was put into improvements to Tropicana Field. Changes were made to increase attendance and fan interest such as free parking at all home games, allowing tailgating in the parking lot before games, allowing fans to bring their own food and drinks into Tropicana Field, lower ticket prices and concession prices, and an increased number of promotions and give-aways. The improvements worked because on April 10, 2006 the attendance at Tropicana Field for the Rays' home opener was 40,199, the highest turnout since their inaugural season home opener in 1998. That season they finished with a winning record at home, 41-40, for the first time ever and home attendance increased by 20%.
The Devil Rays improved their offense and became one of baseball's best six-inning teams, but they had a problem keeping the bullpen strong. In 2008, when they won their first division title, they entered the playoffs for the first time in team history, and qualified for the World Series.
Tampa Bay Rays Stadium Information:
Tropicana Field is the home stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays since 1998. The field features a unique slanted roof which was designed at an angle to reduce the interior volume in order to reduce cooling costs and to better protect the stadium from hurricanes. Because of Florida 's hot, humid summers and frequent thunderstorms it was decided that a fixed permanent dome would be best. And after every home win, the roof is lit orange.
A major design influence for the field was Ebbets Field. The ballpark's eight-story high rotunda entrance is designed from the actual blueprints used for the rotunda at Ebbets Field, which was built in 1913.
Originally built with an AstroTurf surface, the stadium now features the softer FieldTurf. It was the first major professional facility to use it when it was installed in 2000.
Many improvements have been done over the years including a $35 million dollar face lift in 2006. One of these additions included a live Cownose ray tank which is located just behind the center field wall, in clear view of the play on the field and people can go up to the tank to touch the creatures. In partnership with the Florida Aquarium, there are over 30 rays that fans can touch and feed throughout the game. The 10,000 gallon tank is one of the ten largest in the US and if a player hits a home run into the tank, the organization will donate $5,000 to charity - $2,500 to the Florida Aquarium and $2,500 to the player's choice of charity.
The walkway up to the main entrance of the park features a 900 foot long ceramic tile mosaic, made of 1,849,091 one inch square tiles. It is the fifth-largest tile mosaic in the United States and the largest in Florida . AT capacity the stadium can hold approximately 46,000 people. Tropicana field also features 63 luxury suites, a cigar bar, two sit-down restaurants, an all-you-can-eat buffet, Rays Baseball Carnival for children, and the Ted Williams Museum/Hitters Hall of Fame.
Tampa Bay Rays Driving Directions:
Tropicana Field is located east of interstate 275 in St. Petersburg . The dome is visible from the highway. I-375 and I-175 both veer off of interstate 275 and go into Tropicana Field.
If traveling southbound on I-275 from North Pinellas or Tampa please take exit 23B ( 5th Avenue North ), and continue south on 20th Street to 1st Ave. S. or 3rd Ave. S.
If traveling northbound on I-275 take exit 21 ( 31st Street ) and follow 31st Street to 5th Avenue South .
From Tampa (north): Take I-275 South. Exit 23B ( 5th Avenue North ), and continue south on 20th Street to 1st Ave. S. or 3rd Ave. S.
From St. Petersburg (south): Take I-275 North to Exit 21 ( 31st Street ) and follow 31st Street to 5th Avenue South .
From Clearwater/N. Pinellas : South on McMullen Booth Road or US 19, proceed East to I-275 South.
From South Pinellas beaches : Take Treasure Island or Pasadena Ave. to 1st Ave. South or take the Pinellas Bayway to I-275 North.
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