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
