Tampa was awarded a Major League Baseball franchise, which began play in 1998, from 1998 -2007, Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Tampa Bay Rays had a losing record for their first 10 seasons. Tampa during that span never won more than 69 games (twice) and loss 100 games (three), while coming close to losing 100 games with 99 games (twice). Fans in the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater area just weren't flocking to Tropicana Field to see a lifeless team play. Fast forward to 2008, an early season brawl vs. Red Sox at Fenway Park and it was on. Seemed to jump start this team led by the likes of Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford, B.J Upton, Carlos Pena and crew, along with manager Joe Maddon. Rays were no longer in the basement of AL East, now they were division champions finishing 97-65 defeating White Sox and Red Sox to advance to 2008 World Series vs. Philadelphia Phillies. They not only won AL East title, Tampa won AL Pennant. Rays went on to lose to Phillies 4-1 in an eventful weather delayed 2008 Fall Classic. Nevertheless the success put the team, franchise, its players and manager on the map for years to come. Rays battled through inconsistency and injury during 2009 season and finished 3rd in division 84-78, 13 game dropoff from previous season. During current 2010 season, Rays are out to prove they weren't a one hit, one year 2008 wonder, they currently have major league best record 30-12 in baseball toughest divison, featuring historic teams such as Yankees and Red Sox. Tampa currently has the most road wins in baseball with 17. Tampa in 2010 like in 2008, is having success without the payrolls of fellow AL East teams New York and Boston. As the season moves along, we'll see if Rays can finish what they started in 2008 and bring a World Series title to Central Florida.
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