Tampa Bay Devil Rays

"We come to play" is the theme selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Major League Baseball. Devil Rays belongs to the Eastern Division of the American League and the team is based in St. Petersburg , Florida . Though Sternberg is stanched to continue the Devil Rays in Tampa Bay but rumors about the change of the name have surrounded the Major League. Season ticket holders have an opinion that the change will be quite simple, as the term "Devil" being dropped, making the team the "Tampa Bay Rays". Joe Maddon was appointed as the new manager for the Tampa Bay baseball team in late 2005. The team concluded season 2005 on a high note and have started the new season of 2006 with same spirits. The club went 39-34 after the All-Star break in 2005. Complementing the wisdom of last year, Devil rays carry on renewing the hope for them. The motive of the spring training was to support the everyday lineup, set up the starting rotation, cobble together a bullpen and revolutionize the approach of the team.

Aubrey Huff has been moved to third base to fortify the team's everyday lineup although no changes have been made to the starting rotation as the 2005 season showed well enough. Spring training generated many promising bullpen players. Best thing about this camp is that a completely new management team has taken over, led by GM Andrew Friedman and his veteran assistant, Gerry Hunsicker, who changed the attitude of the team. Though Rays fans may need to wait for some more time, but for the first time in the franchise' history, the future looks bright. Devil Rays has all the reasons to be optimistic as Rocco Baldelli has recovered from injuries this spring, Carl Crawford, Aubrey Huff and hot prospect Delmon Young are bright spots on the roster. Most exciting struggle this spring will be between Sean Burroughs and Ty Wigginton for the third-base job. Rays doesn't have adequate money or talent to leave an impact this season, they have all their hopes with new management that may employ a new visualization that will work, which is no small thing in this previously dead-end town. So as the starting staff is young and hopeful, sanguinity surrounds in the Rays' camp heading into the 2006 season. On the field, the Rays will have an infield of Travis Lee at first base, Jorge Cantu at second, Julio Lugo at shortstop and Aubrey Huff, who made into the Major Leagues at third base, returned to the hot seat, which gives the lineup an added offensive boost by freeing up another slot in a crowded outfield.

The Devil Rays after having been encouraged by their partners in expansion NL West victory impulsively acquired big sluggers Greg Vaughn, and Vinny Castillia from the National League to make their team competitive. The trade gave the Devil Rays some hope as McGriff, Canseco, Vaughn, and Castillia each hit 30 homers in a season. But the trade proved to a major flop since Castillia hit 6 HRs, and .219 at bat. Jose Canseco also injured. Greg Vaughn managed to hit 28 HRs in 127 games. The Devil Rays ended the season in last place again with a 69-92 record. In 2001, the Rays started the season with a miserable performance. As a result Manager Larry Rothschild was fired to be replaced by Hal McRae. The team also suffered apathy of their admirers.