The Tampa Bay Rays have one of the most unusual histories in Major League Baseball. The franchise began play in 1998 as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, endured years of losing baseball, changed its name to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008, immediately reached the World Series, and eventually became one of baseball’s most innovative small-market organizations. The franchise has won two American League pennants — in 2008 and 2020 — but has never won a World Series. Through 2026, the Rays have established themselves as one of baseball’s most successful organizations at developing players, making trades and competing despite operating in a relatively small market. The Birth of Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay Tampa Bay spent decades trying to obtain a Major League Baseball team. On March 9, 1995, MLB awarded an expansion franchise to an ownership group led by Vincent J. Naimoli. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks were approved as MLB’s two expansion franchises for the 1998 season. The Devil Rays played their first regular-season game in 1998. The early years were extremely difficult. Tampa Bay finished last in the American League East in six consecutive seasons from 1998 through 2003 and again from 2005 through 2007. Everything changed after the 2007 season. The organization changed its name from the Devil Rays to the Tampa Bay Rays, adopted a new identity and began the 2008 season with a dramatically improved roster. The Rays went from years of last-place finishes to winning the American League pennant in their first season under the new name. Rays Ownership History 1. Vincent J. Naimoli and the Original Ownership Group — 1998–2005 Vincent J. Naimoli was the driving force behind bringing Major League Baseball to Tampa Bay. Naimoli led the original ownership group when the Devil Rays were awarded the expansion franchise. The group included Naimoli and several Tampa Bay-area investors. Naimoli remained the principal figure in the franchise’s ownership during its difficult first years. He brought Major League Baseball to the Tampa Bay region, but the team’s early struggles eventually led to a change in control. MLB describes Naimoli as the original owner and the person who led the group that brought the franchise to Tampa Bay. 2. Stuart Sternberg — 2005–2025 Stuart Sternberg became the franchise’s principal owner in October 2005. His ownership represented the turning point in Rays history. Sternberg hired Andrew Friedman to lead baseball operations and eventually oversaw the transformation from the struggling Devil Rays into the innovative Tampa Bay Rays. The biggest change came after the 2007 season, when the organization dropped “Devil” from its name. Under Sternberg, the Rays: Won the 2008 American League pennant Reached the 2008 World Series Won the AL East in 2008, 2010 and 2020 Reached the postseason repeatedly Won another American League pennant in 2020 Developed one of baseball’s strongest player-development systems Sternberg ultimately sold the franchise in 2025 after two decades as principal owner. 3. Patrick Zalupski-Led Ownership Group — 2025–Present The sale of the Rays was completed on September 30, 2025. The new ownership group is led by: Patrick Zalupski — Managing Partner and Co-Chair Bill Cosgrove — Co-Chair Ken Babby — Chief Executive Officer The ownership group also includes a broader collection of investors and an executive advisory board. Zalupski’s group became the third major ownership group in franchise history following Naimoli and Sternberg. One of the new ownership group’s primary goals is establishing a permanent future home for the Rays in the Tampa Bay area. In August 2026, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved the Rays’ proposed “Forever Home” ballpark agreement following approval by the Tampa City Council. The proposed new stadium is planned as part of a larger development at the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus. Every Ballpark the Rays Have Called Home The Rays’ history includes considerably more ballparks than most fans realize. Hillsborough College Dale Mabry— St. Petersburg, Florida 1998–2024; 2026–present Tropicana Field has been the Rays’ primary home since their inaugural season. The facility originally opened in 1990 as the Florida Suncoast Dome, later became known as the ThunderDome, and was renamed Tropicana Field in 1996. The Rays played their first season there in 1998 and returned there in 2026 after a one-season absence caused by hurricane damage. Tropicana Field hosted the Rays’ first World Series games in 2008. The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports / Champion Stadium 2007 and 2008 The Rays played regular-season games at Disney’s complex in Lake Buena Vista. They hosted the Texas Rangers there in May 2007 and the Toronto Blue Jays in April 2008, going a combined 6-0 in those games. Tokyo Dome — Tokyo, Japan 2004 The Devil Rays played two regular-season games against the New York Yankees at Tokyo Dome on March 30–31, 2004. Tampa Bay won the opener 8-3 but lost the second game 12-1, giving the club a 1-1 record in Tokyo. Citi Field — New York 2017 Citi Field forced the Rays to relocate their scheduled series against the Yankees from Tropicana Field to Citi Field. Tampa Bay served as the home team and went 1-2 in the three-game series. Petco Park — San Diego 2020 postseason Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 American League Division Series and Championship Series were played at neutral sites. The Rays played at Petco Park and went 5-2 there while defeating the Yankees in the AL Division Series and Houston Astros in the AL Championship Series. Globe Life Field — Arlington, Texas 2020 World Series The entire 2020 World Series was played at Globe Life Field. Tampa Bay was officially the home team for Games 3, 4 and 5. George M. Steinbrenner Field — Tampa, Florida 2025 Hurricane Milton severely damaged Tropicana Field in October 2024. As a result, the Rays played their entire 2025 home schedule at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ spring-training facility and the home of the Tampa Tarpons. Tampa Bay went 41-40 at Steinbrenner Field in 2025. Cooperstown Hall of… Continue reading Tampa Bay Rays: A Complete History
Tag: Petco Park
San Diego Padres: The Complete History
The San Diego Padres entered Major League Baseball in 1969 as an expansion franchise, joining the National League along with the Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals and Seattle Pilots. More than five decades later, the Padres have built one of baseball’s most recognizable franchises, produced multiple Hall of Famers, won two National League pennants, and become one of the most aggressive teams in baseball when it comes to acquiring star players. Yet one accomplishment remains missing from the Padres’ résumé: a World Series championship. The Padres have reached the World Series twice, in 1984 and 1998, but lost both times. The 1984 club lost to the Detroit Tigers in five games, while the 1998 team was swept by the New York Yankees. The Birth of the Padres San Diego had a long baseball history before joining the major leagues. The original San Diego Padres played in the Pacific Coast League beginning in 1936. San Diego was awarded a National League expansion franchise on May 27, 1968. The new Padres selected 30 players in the expansion draft, with outfielder Ollie Brown becoming the first player selected by the franchise. The Padres played their first major league game on April 8, 1969, defeating the Houston Astros 2-1 at San Diego Stadium before 23,370 fans. The early years were difficult. The 1969 Padres finished 52-110, and losing seasons became the norm during the franchise’s first decade. But San Diego gradually developed stars such as Nate Colbert and Randy Jones. Padres Ownership Through the Years C. Arnholt Smith — 1969-1974 C. Arnholt Smith was the original owner of the Major League Padres. A San Diego banker and businessman, Smith had also been involved with the Pacific Coast League Padres. Smith’s ownership nearly ended with the franchise leaving San Diego. Financial problems and controversy surrounding Smith’s other business interests put the Padres’ future in jeopardy. In 1974, McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc purchased the team and prevented the franchise from moving to Washington, D.C. Ray Kroc — 1974-1984 Ray Kroc became one of the most important owners in Padres history. The McDonald’s founder immediately increased the team’s visibility and spending. Attendance passed one million during his first season as owner, and Kroc became known for his willingness to spend money on major-league talent. Kroc died in January 1984, just months before the Padres reached their first World Series. His ownership helped establish the foundation for the most important season in early Padres history. Kroc was later inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame. Joan Kroc — 1984-1990 After Ray Kroc’s death, ownership p assed to his widow, Joan Kroc. Her first season as owner became the greatest season in Pa dres history to that point. The 1984 Padres won the National League West, defeated the Chicago Cubs in the NL Championship Series and reached the World Series for the first time. The Padres ultimately lost the World Series to the Detroit Tigers, four games to one. Joan Kroc sold the franchise in 1990 to an ownership group headed by television producer Tom Werner. Tom Werner and the Werner Ownership Group — 1990-1994 Tom Werner headed an ownership group that eventually included 15 investors. The Werner era produced some of the most memorable and controversial trades in Padres history. One of the most important was the December 1990 trade with Toronto that sent future Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter to the Blue Jays in exchange for Fred McGriff and Tony Fernández. Alomar and Carter subsequently became major parts of Toronto’s back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993. John Moores — 1994-2012 Software entrepreneur John Moores purchased controlling ownership of the Padres in 1994. His tenure produced two NL West championships, the 1998 National League pennant and the construction of Petco Park. The 1998 Padres became one of the greatest teams in franchise history, going 98-64 before winning the NL pennant. They faced the powerhouse New York Yankees in the World Series but were swept in four games. Moores also played an important role in bringing the Padres into downtown San Diego with the development of Petco Park. He was inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame in 2023. Jeff Moorad and the Attempted Purchase — 2009-2012 Former player agent and executive Jeff Moorad assembled an investment group and attempted to purchase the Padres from Moores. The proposed transaction was structured as a gradual purchase of the team. Moorad eventually withdrew his application to become the controlling owner in 2012. The situation ultimately led to another ownership change. Ron Fowler and the Seidler/O’Malley Ownership Group — 2012-2020 In 2012, a group led by Ron Fowler, Peter Seidler and members of the O’Malley family purchased the Padres. Fowler became the controlling owner and executive chairman. The purchase was valued at approximately $800 million and was approved by Major League Baseball in August 2012. Peter Seidler — 2020-2023 In November 2020, Peter Seidler became the Padres’ largest shareholder and controlling owner after purchasing additional shares from Ron Fowler. Seidler’s ownership transformed the Padres’ approach to building the roster. San Diego became much more aggressive in free agency, trades and long-term contracts. The Padres signed and acquired stars including Manny Machado, Juan Soto and other major players while building a team designed to compete for championships. Seidler died in November 2023. John Seidler and the Seidler Family — 2023-2026 After Peter Seidler’s death, his family continued to oversee the franchise, with his brother John Seidler serving as chairman and control person during the transition period. The family eventually agreed to sell control of the franchise. Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano… Continue reading San Diego Padres: The Complete History
