MLB Team Guide
Tampa Bay Rays: History, World Series & Facts
The Rays began play as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998 and became the Rays in 2008. They have won two American League pennants, in 2008 and 2020, and had not won a World Series through the 2025 season.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | Awarded 1995; began play in 1998 |
|---|---|
| Ballpark | Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg (1998–2024; returned in 2026 after hurricane repairs) |
| World Series titles | 0 through the 2025 season |
| AL pennants | 2 through the 2025 season (2008, 2020) |
| AL East titles | 4 through 2025 (2008, 2010, 2020, 2021) |
| Name history | Devil Rays (1998–2007), Rays (2008–) |
World Series history
The Rays have reached the World Series twice and lost both times. Through the 2025 season they had not won a title.
- 2008: won the AL pennant, lost the World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies 4–1
- 2020: won the AL pennant, lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers 4–2
Franchise history
- 1995: MLB awarded an expansion franchise to Tampa Bay.
- 1998: Began play as the Devil Rays at Tropicana Field.
- 2008: Became the Rays and won the franchise's first AL pennant.
- 2020: Won a second AL pennant.
- 2024: Hurricane Milton badly damaged Tropicana Field's roof on October 9.
- 2025: Played the full home season at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
- 2026: Returned to a repaired Tropicana Field in April and retired Evan Longoria's No. 3 on July 12.
Franchise record holders
| Hits | Carl Crawford, 1,480 |
|---|---|
| Home runs | Evan Longoria, 261 |
| Pitching wins | James Shields, 87 |
Retired numbers
- 3Evan Longoria
- 12Wade Boggs
- 42Jackie Robinson (retired across MLB)
- 66Don Zimmer
Biggest rivalries
- Boston Red Sox: AL East rivals, with postseason meetings in 2008, 2013 and 2021.
- New York Yankees: AL East rivals, beaten by the Rays in the 2020 ALDS.
- Miami Marlins: the in-state interleague rival.
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Where did the Rays play in 2025?
At George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field's roof in October 2024.
Did the Rays return to Tropicana Field?
Yes. After the roof and other damage were repaired, the Rays moved back to Tropicana Field for the 2026 season.
Who leads the Rays in career home runs?
Evan Longoria, with 261 from 2008 to 2017. The Rays retired his No. 3 in 2026.
Why did the Devil Rays become the Rays?
The team dropped "Devil" before the 2008 season. The new name refers to both manta rays and rays of sunshine.
Have the Rays won the World Series?
Not through the 2025 season. They lost the World Series in 2008 to Philadelphia and in 2020 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.