The Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected outfielder Paul Wilder out of Cary High School in North Carolina with the 29th overall pick in the 1996 MLB Draft. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his career before it began, and he never got past Class A.

The 2008 season saw the Tampa Bay Rays post their first winning season, their first AL East championship, and their first pennant (defeating the rival Boston Red Sox in the ALCS), though they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in that year's World Series.

Established in 1902 as the Durham Tobacconists and disbanded many times over the years, the Bulls became internationally famous following the release of the 1988 movie Bull Durham starring Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins, and Susan Sarandon.

Brazelton got on a subway headed to Brooklyn rather than the Bronx.

On March 31st, 1998 at exactly 5:05 PM, Wilson Alvarez finished up with his warm up and Brian Hunter of the Detroit Tigers stepped into the batter's box. Alvarez wound up and delivered the first pitch in franchise history--it was a ball.

Hamilton was considered a blue chip prospect until injuries and a drug addiction derailed his career. Prior to the 2007 season, he was left off the Rays' 40-man roster and selected by the Chicago Cubs in the Rule 5 draft.

In 2017, Colomé became the sixth player in franchise history with forty saves. He ended the season with 47 saves, which led the major leagues.

The Rays went 90-63 after their 1-8 start in 2011, posting the third-best record in the AL behind the Yankees and Tigers, both at 92-61.

In a 5-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers on May 21, Kiermaier fractured two bones in his left hand while attempting to catch a sinking line drive. Prior to his injury, the Rays were 20-19. They went 14-35 while he was out.

During their first 10 seasons of play, the Rays never finished higher than fourth place in their division.